An Empirical Analysis on Log-Utility Asset Management

In this paper, we empirically verify the optimal portfolio schemes for the log-utility investor under incomplete information which converge to the optimal portfolio maximizing the expected log-utility under complete information. That is, our main interest lies in examining whether these schemes really attain the above desired properties, in the NYSE/AMEX stock market. With these properties regarded as performance measures, our empirical research is executed through a sensitivity analysis with transaction costs. Moreover, we show the interesting character of the U.S. stock market exhibited through the analysis.     

The Informational Effect of Corporate Lobbying Against Proposed Accounting Standards

Accounting standard setting has been described as a highly political process. Different interest groups are often quite ready to criticize any proposed accounting standard and lobby the accounting standard setting body. This study explores the possibility that certain information might be revealed through corporate lobbying behavior. A game-theoretic model is formulated to examine the implications of a proposed accounting standard which, if passed, would require the financial statement recording of some previously undisclosed liabilities. In this model, management has incentive to lobby against the standard and prevent the mandatory reporting of the liabilities. Lobbying against the standard, however, may itself reveal to the market information about the liabilities. Results of the equilibrium analysis show that, because of this informational effect, a company may choose not to lobby even though the company may have a high liability and can be adversely affected by the proposed standard. On the other hand, a company may avoid revealing its liability level if it can adopt the "always-lobby" strategy. Furthermore, a company may not have to lobby at all if it can "free-ride" on other companies' lobbying effort. Companies may even be able to enjoy "free-riding" at least some of the time if each company can share the responsibilities and lobby on a probabilistic and what otherwise may seem like a random basis.     

Group versus individual compensation schemes for senior executives and firm performance: Some evidence based on archival data

The objectives of this paper are (i) to provide evidence on the association between the choice of group versus individual compensation schemes for senior executives and firm characteristics, and (ii) to provide evidence on the economic consequences of adopting a particular compensation scheme. Our key findings based on 2517 firm years for the period of 2001–2010 show that on average, the choice between group or individual compensation schemes for senior executive compensation schemes are consistent with a firm’s economic characteristics and on average, the choice of compensation schemes does not affect subsequent firm performance. However, we find some evidence that firms that adopt compensation schemes inconsistent with their economic characteristics have lower subsequent performance. Our findings are robust to a number of sensitivity tests.     

The Financial Accounting Standards Board: Profiles of seven leaders

Since its inception over four decades ago, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) has been led by seven individuals who have served as Board Chair. This paper includes a biographical sketch of the individuals, their terms of service, standards topics and some points of commonality and difference in their prior experience and Board service. This study provides a synoptic review to assist those interested in learning more about the Board Chairs, and to inform as to the role and style of each individual in contrast to the others. The paper provides a foundation for future research of these individuals, their activities and actions through other historical research such as oral histories, collections of writings and speeches and similar catalogues of activity.     

浅析三个月以上Shibor的基准性及应用

Shibor的基准性需要有实际成交来验证。由于银行内在成交动力不足等因素,目前的中长期拆借成交量仍然偏小,此外,不同市场利率生成因素的内在差异也对中长期Shibor的基准性构成干扰。提高3个月以上Shibor的基准性,一方面要为扩大3个月以上信用拆借铺平道路,另一方面要理顺各市场之间的价格生成因素,推进各类产品与Shibor相挂钩的定价机制,建立以Shibor为基准的统一定价模式。     

Media coverage and voluntary environmental disclosures: A developing country exploratory experiment

This research extends the developing-country environmental disclosure literature by exploring managerial perceptions of different environmental events and the impact of media coverage on management's decision to provide annual report environmental disclosure (ARED) voluntarily. Using the broad lens of stakeholder theory in conjunction with media agenda setting theory, a Malaysian experiment is initiated to gain insights into the type of ARED strategy preferred by management. The study also examines whether these preferences are affected by such factors as: (1) the stakeholder's perceived significance of the environmental event; (2) the stakeholder's threat/cooperation potential; and (3) the impact of media publicity on the featured event. The results suggest that the influence of media coverage on management's preferred ARED strategy is most pronounced when the event is of a negative nature and is generally ‘unobtrusive’, such that the stakeholders concerned have less direct experience on the issue.     

塑造政治人:高校政治学专业培养目标释义

本文从宏观和微观两重视角出发,阐释了政治学专业对于培养人的内在品质与公共价值、公共政治意识、公民品质、公共之善的重要性。指明了我国高校政治学专业培养目标的现状及其面临的诸多问题。并结合当前形式,从教学模式、学校管理、社会需求等方面阐释了其优化路径。     

Strategic wage setting, inflation uncertainty and optimal delegation

The paper examines optimal monetary policy delegation in an economy where wages are set strategically by a single economy-wide union whose objectives relate to employment and the real wage. Crucially, the central bank exerts imprecise control over inflation, giving rise to a positive relationship between the mean value of inflation and its variance. In this context, union concerns with regard to the employment goal render equilibrium sensitive to the conduct of monetary policy. As a consequence, optimal delegation arrangements closely resemble those identified as optimal in models that assume a direct aversion to inflation on the part of unions.