Non-parametric estimation of decision makers' risk aversion

A new non‐parametric method to estimate a decision maker's coefficient of absolute risk aversion from observed economic behaviour is explained. The method uses the expected value‐variance (E‐V) framework and quadratic programming. An empirical illustration is given using Norwegian farm‐level data.     

Modelling job stress as a mediating role in predicting turnover intention

Turnover intention has been an important issue for decades since management has long recognized that low turnover intention of employees is helpful for consequently obtaining high organizational performance and avoiding the potential costs related to recruiting and training new employees. For that reason, this study proposed a research model of turnover intention based on Hackman and Oldham's [(1976). Motivation through the design of work: Test of a theory. Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 16(2), 250–279.] job characteristics theory. The proposed research model is empirically tested using a survey of 255 employees from Taiwanese banks. Tests results of structural equation modelling provide evidence that role conflicts, role ambiguity, and role overload indeed have positive impacts on job stress. Employees with higher levels of job stress are more likely to think about leaving, while those perceiving more fairness of rewards are less likely. Implications for managerial administration and future research are discussed.     

Measuring the efficiency of search engines: an application of data envelopment analysis

This paper adopted the data envelopment analysis (DEA) method to investigate the efficiency of several search engines. A query search on a search engine is modelled as a production process. The input and output vectors are defined and measured accordingly. We studied seven engines, Alta Vista, Excite, Hotbot, Lycos, Infoseek, Open Text, and WebCrawler and found that Alta Vista, Excite, Infoseek, and WebCrawler are efficient but the other three are not. Possible efficiency improvements are calculated.     

PRICING OPTIONS ON VARIANCE IN AFFINE STOCHASTIC VOLATILITY MODELS

We consider the pricing of options written on the quadratic variation of a given stock price process. Using the Laplace transform approach, we determine semi‐explicit formulas in general affine models allowing for jumps, stochastic volatility, and the leverage effect. Moreover, we show that the joint dynamics of the underlying stock and a corresponding variance swap again are of affine form. Finally, we present a numerical example for the Barndorff‐Nielsen and Shephard model with leverage. In particular, we study the effect of approximating the quadratic variation with its predictable compensator.     

A note on utility‐based futures hedging performance measure

This note considers the estimator for the utility‐based hedging performance. It shows that the estimator incurs a downward bias, regardless of whether the conventional mean‐variance expected utility function or the more general risk‐averse utility function is adopted. Consequently, the usefulness of the futures contract is under‐estimated. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark     

Consumer evaluations of brand extension: The roles of case‐based reminding on brand‐to‐brand similarity

Utilizing the case‐based reminding theory in analogical reasoning, this research proposes that the evaluation of a brand extension can be improved by reminding consumers of a similar brand in the extension category. This effect is derived from a brand‐to‐brand similarity, in addition to the product‐to‐product and brand‐to‐product similarity identified in prior literature. Experiment 1 explores the idea that the effect of similar case reminders is most pronounced in moderately similar extensions than in highly similar or highly dissimilar extensions due to schema congruity. Experiments 2 and 3 distinguish the levels of similarity (i.e., product‐to‐product, brand‐to‐product, and brand‐to‐brand similarity) as a source of consumers' evaluations on a brand extension and further eliminate an alternative explanation of instantaneous learning in the advertisement setup of Experiment 1. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Price Discovery in Interrelated Markets

In this study, we generalize the information share (IS) proposed by Hasbrouck (1995) and extended by Lien and Shrestha (2009). The new generalized information share (GIS) can be used to analyze the price discovery process in interrelated securities markets, whereas the previous two measures can only be applied to almost identical markets. Thus, using the GIS, we can analyze broader markets thereby improving our understanding of the price discovery process as well as the efficiency of securities markets. As an empirical demonstration of the proposed method, we apply the GIS to credit default swap (CDS) and bond markets, and find that for the majority of cases price discovery mostly takes place in the CDS markets. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 34:203–219, 2014     

The adoption,character and impact of strategic human resource management: a case study of two large metropolitan Vietnamese public hospitals

In this paper the researchers set out to explore the adoption, character and impact of strategic human resource management (SHRM) in two large metropolitan Vietnamese public hospitals using a multi-level qualitative research design. Data are analyzed from 21 interviews and 5 focus groups with key players from the hospitals and government authorities. Findings show that the State controls many of the core day-to-day HR functions of public hospitals, curtailing local autonomy and management innovation. This is compacted by inadequate government funding, poor training of medical staff, and inadequate management and business skills of hospital managers. Inhibiting greater experimentation with SHRM is the fear of developing management initiatives out of sync with the State. Consequently, many managers and clinicians held negative views of the HR department and their relevance for the day-to-day management of healthcare services. Respondents reported that they perceived these factors had a negative impact on the well-being of medical staff and the quality of patient care. The paper concludes with a discussion on the necessity for continued State reforms that can enable greater autonomy of the hospitals' HRM functions and greater investment in local HR capabilities to materialize the link between SHRM, employee well-being and quality of patient care.     

Fear Linkages Between the US and BRICS Stock Markets: A Frequency-Domain Causality

Abstract

We employ a spectral causality approach to uncover short-, medium-, and long-run causal relations between the US implied volatility index and the five individual implied volatility indexes of BRICS markets from 16^th March 2011 to 31^st January 2018. We show that the volatility causal relations differ between the short and long run in many cases. Although the results indicate the dominant role played by US uncertainty in shaping uncertainty in all BRICS markets, there is also evidence of a feedback effect from Brazil, Russia, and China to the US that differs across the spectrum. The implications for hedging and risk management practices are explored.