Semiparametric inference in a GARCH-in-mean model

A new semiparametric estimator for an empirical asset pricing model with general nonparametric risk-return tradeoff and GARCH-type underlying volatility is introduced. Based on the profile likelihood approach, it does not rely on any initial parametric estimator of the conditional mean function, and it is under stated conditions consistent, asymptotically normal, and efficient, i.e., it achieves the semiparametric lower bound. A sampling experiment provides finite sample comparisons with the parametric approach and the iterative semiparametric approach with parametric initial estimate of Conrad and Mammen (2008). An application to daily stock market returns suggests that the risk-return relation is indeed nonlinear.     

Interest Rate Dynamics and Consistent Forward Rate Curves

We consider as given an arbitrage‐free interest rate model M, and a parametrized family of forward rate curves G. We study the question as to when the given family G is consistent with the dynamics of the interest rate model M, in the sense that M actually will produce forward rate curves belonging to G. We allow the interest rate model to be driven by a multidimensional Wiener process, as well as by a marked point process, and we give necessary and sufficient conditions for consistency. As test cases, we study some popular models, obtaining both positive and negative results about consistency. We also introduce a natural exponential‐polynomial family of forward rate curves, and for this family we give necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of consistent interest rate models with deterministic volatility functions.     

Stürze gezielt vermeiden

Ein kleiner Stolperschritt, ein kurzer Schwindel – schon ist es passiert. Die Folgen sind oft schwerwiegend: Denn Hüftfrakturen oder Oberschenkelhalsbrüche k?nnen zum Ausl?ser von Pflegebedürftigkeit werden. Besonders gef?hrdet sind ?ltere Menschen.     

Why do firms rarely adopt IFRS voluntarily? Academics find significant benefits and the costs appear to be low

Kim and Shi (Rev Account Stud, doi:10.1007/s11142-012-9190-y, this issue) document that voluntary IFRS adoption is associated with significant benefits and argue that the effect is causal??a conclusion that is similar to many published papers on IFRS adoption. Yet voluntary IFRS adopters constitute only a small percentage of the global population of firms, which implies that either practitioners behave irrationally or the benefits are incorrectly estimated by academics. In this discussion I argue that the error is on the part of academics, not practitioners, and that it is mainly due to the lack of exogenous variation in accounting standards. This conclusion is based on inconsistencies between the estimated benefits and costs of IFRS adoption, as well as the accounting standards choices of presumed rational managers. I also propose a contracting explanation for the capital market benefits around IFRS adoption in which managers behave rationally, but IFRS per se is not the cause.     

Initial assessment and validation of an instrument to measure student perceptions of leadership skills

This article reports on development and validation of an instrument for use in measuring student perceptions of leadership skills. The article describes the development process of an instrument through use of subject matter experts for measuring leadership skill perception among students and use of an exploratory factor analysis technique to validate the resulting instrument. These data were obtained from a survey of 214 students in a small liberal arts college of business. The article presents an instrument for assistance with measuring leadership skill perception, development, and importance as well as further reports on the initial validity and reliability measures resulting from the analysis. In addition, the usefulness of the instrument for educators and workplace trainers is explored.     

Housing market dynamics and macroprudential policies

In this paper, we analyze the implications of macroprudential and monetary policies for credit cycles, housing market stability and spillovers to consumption. We consider a countercyclical loan‐to‐value (LTV) policy that responds to a credit‐to‐income ratio, and we compare its effectiveness with a permanent tightening of the LTV ratio and a monetary policy rule that responds to credit. To this end, we construct a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model with housing market, household debt and collateral constraints, and we estimate it with Canadian data using Bayesian methods. Our study suggests that a countercyclical LTV ratio is a useful policy to reduce spillovers from the housing market into consumption and to lean against housing market boom–bust cycles. It performs better than the permanent tightening of the LTV ratio—a policy that has been used in a number of countries—and the monetary policy rule, both in terms of the stabilization of household indebtedness and spillovers into consumption. Monetary policy that leans against the wind is the least desirable due to its large adverse consequences on the real economy.     

Why Code of Conduct Violations go Unreported: A Conceptual Framework to Guide Intervention and Future Research

The ability to enforce the provisions of a code of conduct influences whether the code is effective in shaping behavior. Enforcement relies in part on the willingness of organization members to report violations of the code, but research from the business and educational environment suggests that fewer than half of those who observe code violations follow their organizations procedures for reporting them. Based on a review of the literature in the business and educational environments, and a survey of 3605 students at a mid-sized comprehensive university, this paper attempts to make conceptual sense of the non-reporting phenomenon. We present a conceptual framework based on four distinct factors which we have labeled: (1) factual non-responsibility; (2) moral non-responsibility; (3) consequential exoneration; and, (4) functional exoneration. Each of these factors suggest a different remedial strategy as well as provide a theoretical foundation for future research. Testable propositions for future research are developed, and some implications for organization leaders are discussed.     

Dynamic Spanning in the Consumption-Based Capital Asset Pricing Model

Under the assumptions of the Consumption-based Capital AssetPricing Model (CCAPM), Pareto optimal consumption allocationsare characterized by each agent's consumption process beingadapted to the filtration generated by the aggregate consumptionprocess of the economy. The wealth processes of the agents,however, are adapted to the finer filtration generated by aggregateconsumption and the conditional distribution of future aggregateconsumption. Therefore, in order to achieve pareto optimal consumptionallocations, a sufficiently varied set of assets must existsuch that any wealth process adapted to this finer filtrationcan be implemented by dynamically trading in that set of assets.We provide sufficient conditions for the existence of such aset of assets based on dynamically trading contingent claimson aggregate consumption. In addition, we give sufficient conditionsfor the existence of equilibria in a dynamically effectivelycomplete market in which agents are only able to trade in contingentclaims on aggregate consumption, the market portfolio of firms,and a (numeraire) zero-coupon bond. We demonstrate the roleof short- and long-term contingent claims on aggregate consumptionfor the implementation of Pareto optimal allocations inthe presenceof short- and long-term risks. In addition, in the presenceof personal risks, we demonstrate the role of insurance contracts.JEL Classification: G13.     

Value-driven process management: using value to improve processes

Every firm can be viewed as consisting of various processes. These processes affect everything that the firm does from accepting orders and designing products to scheduling production. In many firms, the management of processes often reflects considerations of efficiency (cost) rather than effectiveness (value). In this article, we introduce a well-structured process for managing processes that begins not with the process, but rather with the customer and the product and the concept of value. This process progresses through a number of steps which include issues such as defining value, generating the appropriate metrics, identifying the critical processes, mapping and assessing the performance of these processes, and identifying long- and short-term areas for action. What makes the approach presented in this article so powerful is that it explicitly links the customer to the process and that the process is evaluated in term of its ability to effectively serve the customers.