Long-term reactions to large stock price declines and increases in the European stock market: a note on market efficiency

This study tests for underreaction and overreaction in European large cap markets by examining the abnormal returns of those stocks in the EuroStoxx 50 Index following large price increases and decreases. We find that large price increases and declines tend to be followed by average market returns. Thus, our results support the efficient market theory, rather than any of the behaviour finance hypotheses. This insight is contrary to price patterns found in various national markets.     

Possibility of the Implementation of the Principle of Sustainable Development in the Sphere of Coal Processing

High-sulphur coals processing generates a great number of pollutant substances in atmosphere. This study was undertaken to obtain more definite information about the composition of sulphur coal extracts, i.e., on the quality and quantity of dormant Volatile Organic Emissions （VOCs）. Analysis of the liquid products was carried out by different protocols of extraction, adsorption chromatography, and GC/MS identification. It should be pointed out that the basic components of coal extracts are polyaromatic hydrocarbons, sulfur-containing compounds and phenols act as a basic factor of environment pollution with carcinogenic products. The complex treatment of these components will permit not only to obtain some valuable chemical products, but also to improve the ecology in the industrial regions.     

Financial market lobbies and pension reform

We develop a model in which firms in the financial market lobby the government to lower compulsory contributions to the public pension system. Firms lobby in order to increase demand from households for their old-age savings products. We conclude with a comparison of two major pension reforms in Europe exemplifying the influence of financial market lobbies on pension policies.     

Öffentlichkeitsorientierung in der Ernährungswirtschaft: Eine empirische Studie zum Umgang mit kritischen Anspruchsgruppen

Summary  Corporate social responsibility has been an area of economic research for a long time. The contribution presented here empirically deals with this issue. The German agribusiness is analysed, given their relative lack of experience with opposing groups. The objective is to analyse the level of corporate sensitivity towards public demands. The study reveals general weaknesses of the agribusiness sector with regard to its responsiveness towards vigilant stakeholders. Taking into consideration the growing relevance of this group, the necessity for a professional management of public issues will further increase. The concept of public orientation offers a starting point for this purpose.

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Zusammenfassung  Die gesellschaftliche Verantwortung von Unternehmen ist in der Managementlehre seit langem Forschungsgegenstand. Der vorliegende Beitrag setzt sich empirisch mit dem Themenfeld auseinander. Exemplarisch wird dafür die deutsche Ern?hrungswirtschaft herangezogen, die bislang über nur begrenzte Erfahrungen mit kritischen Stakeholdern verfügt. Ziel ist es, den Grad der Sensitivit?t von Unternehmen gegenüber Ansprüchen der Gesellschaft zu untersuchen. Die Studienergebnisse zeigen eine eher gering ausgepr?gte ?ffentlichkeitsorientierung des Agribusiness. Aufgrund der zunehmenden Relevanz gesellschaftlicher Stakeholder wird eine Professionalisierung der PR-Arbeit jedoch immer relevanter. Das im Weiteren entwickelte Konzept der ?ffentlichkeitsorientierung bietet hierfür hilfreiche Ansatzpunkte.

Katrin J?ckel

     

Disagreement between rating agencies and bond opacity: A theoretical perspective

In this paper, we explicitly model a bond rating process under varying degrees of bond opacity and derive conditions under which disagreements between rating agencies (rating splits) can serve as a useful proxy for opacity in empirical analyses.     

Women on the board and executive tenure

The participation of women in top‐level corporate boards is subject to intense public debate. Countries are considering binding quotas to increase the share of women on boards or have already implemented such rules. Although research on board diversity suggests positive effects on corporate governance and firm performance, the mechanisms through which these benefits materialize remain mostly speculative. This study focuses on boards of directors in a large sample of listed companies in 15 European countries and finds that female representation on nonexecutive boards is associated with reduced turnover, an increase in tenure, and also a higher performance‐turnover sensitivity of executives.