Pub Date : 2022-07-25DOI: 10.1108/jrf-11-2021-0177
J. Minviel, Faten Ben Bouheni
PurposeResearch and development (R&D) is increasingly considered to be a key driver of economic growth. The relationship between these variables is commonly examined using linear models and thus relies only on single-point estimates. Against this background, this paper provides new evidence on the impact of R&D on economic growth using a machine learning approach that makes it possible to go beyond single-point estimation.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use the kernel regularized least squares (KRLS) approach, a machine learning method designed for tackling econometric models without imposing arbitrary functional forms on the relationship between the outcome variable and the covariates. The KRLS approach learns the functional form from the data and thus yields consistent estimates that are robust to functional form misspecification. It also provides pointwise marginal effects and captures non-linear relationships. The empirical analyses are conducted using a sample of 101 countries over the period 2000–2020.FindingsThe estimates indicate that R&D expenditure and high-tech exports positively and significantly influence economic growth in a non-linear manner. The authors also find a positive and statistically significant relationship between economic growth and greenhouse gas emissions. In both cases, the effects are higher for upper-middle-income and high-income countries. These results suggest that a substantial effort is needed to green economic growth. Internet access is found to be an important factor in supporting economic growth, especially in high-income and middle-income countries.Practical implicationsThis paper contributes to underlining the importance of investing in R&D to support growth and shows that the disparity between countries is driven by the determinants of economic growth (human capital in R&D, high-tech exports, Internet access, economic freedom, unemployment rate and greenhouse gas emissions). Moreover, since the authors find that R&D expenditure and greenhouse gas emissions are positively associated with economic growth, technological progress with green characteristics may be an important pathway for green economic growth.Originality/valueThis paper uses an innovative machine learning method to provide new evidence that innovation supports economic growth.
{"title":"The impact of research and development (R&D) on economic growth: new evidence from kernel-based regularized least squares","authors":"J. Minviel, Faten Ben Bouheni","doi":"10.1108/jrf-11-2021-0177","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/jrf-11-2021-0177","url":null,"abstract":"PurposeResearch and development (R&D) is increasingly considered to be a key driver of economic growth. The relationship between these variables is commonly examined using linear models and thus relies only on single-point estimates. Against this background, this paper provides new evidence on the impact of R&D on economic growth using a machine learning approach that makes it possible to go beyond single-point estimation.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use the kernel regularized least squares (KRLS) approach, a machine learning method designed for tackling econometric models without imposing arbitrary functional forms on the relationship between the outcome variable and the covariates. The KRLS approach learns the functional form from the data and thus yields consistent estimates that are robust to functional form misspecification. It also provides pointwise marginal effects and captures non-linear relationships. The empirical analyses are conducted using a sample of 101 countries over the period 2000–2020.FindingsThe estimates indicate that R&D expenditure and high-tech exports positively and significantly influence economic growth in a non-linear manner. The authors also find a positive and statistically significant relationship between economic growth and greenhouse gas emissions. In both cases, the effects are higher for upper-middle-income and high-income countries. These results suggest that a substantial effort is needed to green economic growth. Internet access is found to be an important factor in supporting economic growth, especially in high-income and middle-income countries.Practical implicationsThis paper contributes to underlining the importance of investing in R&D to support growth and shows that the disparity between countries is driven by the determinants of economic growth (human capital in R&D, high-tech exports, Internet access, economic freedom, unemployment rate and greenhouse gas emissions). Moreover, since the authors find that R&D expenditure and greenhouse gas emissions are positively associated with economic growth, technological progress with green characteristics may be an important pathway for green economic growth.Originality/valueThis paper uses an innovative machine learning method to provide new evidence that innovation supports economic growth.","PeriodicalId":46579,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Risk Finance","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2022-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48105575","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-07-21DOI: 10.1108/jrf-01-2022-0008
Afees A. Salisu, Jean-Paul Tchankam
PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the response of Travel & Leisure (T&L) stocks of some advanced economies (the USA and United Kingdom) as well as Europe to uncertainty due to pandemics and epidemics. The motivation for the study is derived from the expectation that pandemics and epidemics which are infectious would limit activities and events that require physical interactions such as those associated with T&L, and therefore, returns on related investments may decline during this period.Design/methodology/approachThe authors formulate a model in line with Westerlund and Narayan (2012, 2015) where uncertainty due to infectious diseases is included as a predictor in the valuation of T&L stocks while also controlling for endogeneity bias (for omitted variables bias), conditional heteroscedasticity effect (typical of high frequency data) and persistence (typical of most financial and economic time series).FindingsThe authors’ results suggest that contrary to the negative impact of previous cases of pandemics and epidemics on the T&L stocks, the behavior of these stocks during COVID-19 pandemic is modest owing to the positive nexus between equity market volatility due to infectious diseases (EMV-ID) (our proxy for pandemics and epidemics) and the T&L returns during the COVID-19 period. The authors maintain that investors in this market need not panic as the market tends to be resilient to pandemics over time albeit with a lower resilience during daily trading. The results leading to this conclusion are robust to alternative measures of the COVID-19 pandemic.Originality/valueThe peculiarity of this paper on T&L stocks is premised on the introduction of the new datasets for infectious diseases, and the need to include the COVID-19 pandemic given its peculiarity. Essentially, we utilize the Baker et al. (2020) dataset which captures all the pandemics including COVID-19 and a complementary dataset on the COVID-19 pandemic using an alternative approach.
{"title":"Uncertainty due to pandemics and epidemics and the behavior of Travel & Leisure stocks in the UK, the USA and Europe","authors":"Afees A. Salisu, Jean-Paul Tchankam","doi":"10.1108/jrf-01-2022-0008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/jrf-01-2022-0008","url":null,"abstract":"PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the response of Travel & Leisure (T&L) stocks of some advanced economies (the USA and United Kingdom) as well as Europe to uncertainty due to pandemics and epidemics. The motivation for the study is derived from the expectation that pandemics and epidemics which are infectious would limit activities and events that require physical interactions such as those associated with T&L, and therefore, returns on related investments may decline during this period.Design/methodology/approachThe authors formulate a model in line with Westerlund and Narayan (2012, 2015) where uncertainty due to infectious diseases is included as a predictor in the valuation of T&L stocks while also controlling for endogeneity bias (for omitted variables bias), conditional heteroscedasticity effect (typical of high frequency data) and persistence (typical of most financial and economic time series).FindingsThe authors’ results suggest that contrary to the negative impact of previous cases of pandemics and epidemics on the T&L stocks, the behavior of these stocks during COVID-19 pandemic is modest owing to the positive nexus between equity market volatility due to infectious diseases (EMV-ID) (our proxy for pandemics and epidemics) and the T&L returns during the COVID-19 period. The authors maintain that investors in this market need not panic as the market tends to be resilient to pandemics over time albeit with a lower resilience during daily trading. The results leading to this conclusion are robust to alternative measures of the COVID-19 pandemic.Originality/valueThe peculiarity of this paper on T&L stocks is premised on the introduction of the new datasets for infectious diseases, and the need to include the COVID-19 pandemic given its peculiarity. Essentially, we utilize the Baker et al. (2020) dataset which captures all the pandemics including COVID-19 and a complementary dataset on the COVID-19 pandemic using an alternative approach.","PeriodicalId":46579,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Risk Finance","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2022-07-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42898426","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-07-19DOI: 10.1108/jrf-01-2022-0027
Ameni Mtibaa, Amine Lahiani, F. Gabsi
PurposeDeparting from the expansionary austerity literature, this study aims at examining how fiscal consolidation affects the economic growth in Tunisia using annual data over the period 1970–2018.Design/methodology/approachTo revisit the fiscal consolidation-economic growth nexus, the ambiguous empirical findings in previous literature make useful the adoption of alternative econometric techniques. The authors use an extended nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) cointegration approach developed by Shin et al. (2014) and the Diks and Panchenko's (2006) nonlinear Granger causality test. Furthermore, a traditional approach based on changes in cyclically-adjusted primary balance was applied to define the fiscal consolidation episodes in Tunisia.FindingsThe empirical evidence reveal that fiscal adjustment in Tunisia may hurt the economy, both in the short- and long-run, through its contractionary effect on economic growth. Another important finding concerns the unidirectional nonlinear Granger causality running from fiscal consolidation to economic growth.Practical implicationsFiscal adjustment in Tunisia is found to play a prominent role in reducing public debt; but at the same time, it may be costly and not beneficial to the economy. This view corroborates with the fact that fiscal consolidation is more likely to end successfully only under specific conditions. This calls for a deeper reflection upon new insights regarding the design of fiscal adjustment in Tunisia. To reach this end, it is suggested to combine the defensive consolidation strategy with offensive components such as investment, infrastructure, education and health.Originality/valueThe existing economic analysis on fiscal policy-growth nexus in Tunisia has often identified fiscal consolidation through the use of the actual fiscal balance. With the goal of more accurate estimation, this study bridges the gap by using the cyclically-adjusted primary balance (CAPB) as a much suitable indicator to investigate the non-Keynesian effect of fiscal consolidation in Tunisia. This indicator eliminates the influence of cyclical fluctuations and many other fixed expenditures such as the interest paid on the public debt.
{"title":"Impact of fiscal consolidation on economic growth: the Tunisian case","authors":"Ameni Mtibaa, Amine Lahiani, F. Gabsi","doi":"10.1108/jrf-01-2022-0027","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/jrf-01-2022-0027","url":null,"abstract":"PurposeDeparting from the expansionary austerity literature, this study aims at examining how fiscal consolidation affects the economic growth in Tunisia using annual data over the period 1970–2018.Design/methodology/approachTo revisit the fiscal consolidation-economic growth nexus, the ambiguous empirical findings in previous literature make useful the adoption of alternative econometric techniques. The authors use an extended nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) cointegration approach developed by Shin et al. (2014) and the Diks and Panchenko's (2006) nonlinear Granger causality test. Furthermore, a traditional approach based on changes in cyclically-adjusted primary balance was applied to define the fiscal consolidation episodes in Tunisia.FindingsThe empirical evidence reveal that fiscal adjustment in Tunisia may hurt the economy, both in the short- and long-run, through its contractionary effect on economic growth. Another important finding concerns the unidirectional nonlinear Granger causality running from fiscal consolidation to economic growth.Practical implicationsFiscal adjustment in Tunisia is found to play a prominent role in reducing public debt; but at the same time, it may be costly and not beneficial to the economy. This view corroborates with the fact that fiscal consolidation is more likely to end successfully only under specific conditions. This calls for a deeper reflection upon new insights regarding the design of fiscal adjustment in Tunisia. To reach this end, it is suggested to combine the defensive consolidation strategy with offensive components such as investment, infrastructure, education and health.Originality/valueThe existing economic analysis on fiscal policy-growth nexus in Tunisia has often identified fiscal consolidation through the use of the actual fiscal balance. With the goal of more accurate estimation, this study bridges the gap by using the cyclically-adjusted primary balance (CAPB) as a much suitable indicator to investigate the non-Keynesian effect of fiscal consolidation in Tunisia. This indicator eliminates the influence of cyclical fluctuations and many other fixed expenditures such as the interest paid on the public debt.","PeriodicalId":46579,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Risk Finance","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2022-07-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41984615","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-07-05DOI: 10.1108/jrf-01-2022-0023
Alba Gómez-Ortega, Vera Gelashvili, María Luisa Delgado Jalón, José Ángel Rivero Menéndez
PurposeAt the European level, on January 1st 2018, the accounting standard IFRS 9, on the principles for the accounting information of financial instruments entered into force. The objective of this research paper is to analyse the impact of the first application of IFRS 9 on the credit institutions listed in Spain, specifically, its effects on their financial statements and the corresponding audit reports.Design/methodology/approachIn order to achieve research purpose, a descriptive analysis of the analysed entities has been carried out, through the financial and economic indicators, and through the review of the corresponding audit reports.FindingsThe results show that the application of IFRS 9 had a significant effect (both positive and negative) on the results of the subject companies. Based on the audit reports, the application of this new standard increased the degree of complexity and that of accounting estimates in the financial statements.Originality/valueThis research is an important contribution to the literature on this topic because it analyses the impact of IFRS 9 under the main points of view that allow for a more complete understanding of the standard thus addressing the regulatory accounting standpoint, the economic–financial impact and the consequences on the implementation process.
{"title":"Impact of the application of IFRS 9 on listed Spanish credit institutions: implications from the regulatory, supervisory and auditing point of view","authors":"Alba Gómez-Ortega, Vera Gelashvili, María Luisa Delgado Jalón, José Ángel Rivero Menéndez","doi":"10.1108/jrf-01-2022-0023","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/jrf-01-2022-0023","url":null,"abstract":"PurposeAt the European level, on January 1st 2018, the accounting standard IFRS 9, on the principles for the accounting information of financial instruments entered into force. The objective of this research paper is to analyse the impact of the first application of IFRS 9 on the credit institutions listed in Spain, specifically, its effects on their financial statements and the corresponding audit reports.Design/methodology/approachIn order to achieve research purpose, a descriptive analysis of the analysed entities has been carried out, through the financial and economic indicators, and through the review of the corresponding audit reports.FindingsThe results show that the application of IFRS 9 had a significant effect (both positive and negative) on the results of the subject companies. Based on the audit reports, the application of this new standard increased the degree of complexity and that of accounting estimates in the financial statements.Originality/valueThis research is an important contribution to the literature on this topic because it analyses the impact of IFRS 9 under the main points of view that allow for a more complete understanding of the standard thus addressing the regulatory accounting standpoint, the economic–financial impact and the consequences on the implementation process.","PeriodicalId":46579,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Risk Finance","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2022-07-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44538549","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-07-05DOI: 10.1108/jrf-05-2022-0108
Wajih Abbassi, V. Kumari, Dharen Kumar Pandey
PurposeThis study examines the impact of the Russia–Ukraine war on the constituent firms of the leading stock market indices of the G7 countries to provide insights into the vulnerability of firms to war events.Design/methodology/approachThis study employs the event study method on a sample of 531 firms covering the period from 02 March 2021 to 08 March 2022 and conducts a cross-sectional analysis of cumulative abnormal returns and country- and firm-specific variables.FindingsRisk exposure and trade dependence trigger invasion-generated negative abnormal returns. The authors demonstrate that stock prices are fragile to geopolitical risks and trade dependence. Consistent with previous literature, the authors find evidence of a size anomaly and high risk associated with a higher book-to-market ratio.Research limitations/implicationsThis study has implications for policymakers identifying the firm-specific variables driving event-induced returns. While providing insights into the geographical diversification of funds, this study shows the heterogeneous characteristics of firms operating in these countries.Originality/valuePrevious studies on the Russia–Ukraine war have been limited to analyzing the behavior of leading stock market indices without examining firm-level variations triggered by the war. This study fills this gap and contributes to the growing literature on the Russia–Ukraine crisis in two ways: first, it provides firm-level evidence from the G7 countries in addition to how global stock market indices have reacted to the invasion and second, it uses cross-sectional analysis to provide evidence of the characteristics that make firms resilient to wars.HighlightsWe are the first to report firm-level evidence of the Russia–Ukraine war effectsFirms in France and the United States are unaffectedStock prices are fragile to geopolitical risks and considerable dependence on tradeHigher book-to-market exposes the firms to the risk of exogenous shocksSmaller firms outperform large firms in the G7 stock markets
{"title":"What makes firms vulnerable to the Russia–Ukraine crisis?","authors":"Wajih Abbassi, V. Kumari, Dharen Kumar Pandey","doi":"10.1108/jrf-05-2022-0108","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/jrf-05-2022-0108","url":null,"abstract":"PurposeThis study examines the impact of the Russia–Ukraine war on the constituent firms of the leading stock market indices of the G7 countries to provide insights into the vulnerability of firms to war events.Design/methodology/approachThis study employs the event study method on a sample of 531 firms covering the period from 02 March 2021 to 08 March 2022 and conducts a cross-sectional analysis of cumulative abnormal returns and country- and firm-specific variables.FindingsRisk exposure and trade dependence trigger invasion-generated negative abnormal returns. The authors demonstrate that stock prices are fragile to geopolitical risks and trade dependence. Consistent with previous literature, the authors find evidence of a size anomaly and high risk associated with a higher book-to-market ratio.Research limitations/implicationsThis study has implications for policymakers identifying the firm-specific variables driving event-induced returns. While providing insights into the geographical diversification of funds, this study shows the heterogeneous characteristics of firms operating in these countries.Originality/valuePrevious studies on the Russia–Ukraine war have been limited to analyzing the behavior of leading stock market indices without examining firm-level variations triggered by the war. This study fills this gap and contributes to the growing literature on the Russia–Ukraine crisis in two ways: first, it provides firm-level evidence from the G7 countries in addition to how global stock market indices have reacted to the invasion and second, it uses cross-sectional analysis to provide evidence of the characteristics that make firms resilient to wars.HighlightsWe are the first to report firm-level evidence of the Russia–Ukraine war effectsFirms in France and the United States are unaffectedStock prices are fragile to geopolitical risks and considerable dependence on tradeHigher book-to-market exposes the firms to the risk of exogenous shocksSmaller firms outperform large firms in the G7 stock markets","PeriodicalId":46579,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Risk Finance","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2022-07-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49259681","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-06-03DOI: 10.1108/jrf-01-2022-0024
Ayesha Afzal, S. Firdousi
PurposeThis research is designed to investigate the presence of market discipline in the banking sector, across Balkan states in Europe. Specifically, the effects of CAMEL variables on the cost of funds and deposit-switching have been assessed.Design/methodology/approachThe CAMEL method of bank evaluation has been applied as well as two measures for market discipline (costs of funds and deposit-switching behaviour). Data have been obtained for 10 Balkan states for the 2006–2019 period. For data analysis, ordinary least squares (OLS) and fixed effects models have been utilized. The generalized method of moments (GMM) method has been deployed as well as a dynamic panel model.FindingsEvidence of market discipline has been found, in the form of a higher cost of funds in the context of capital adequacy (but not for other CAMEL variables). Evidence of market discipline in the form of deposit-switching, however, has not been found. In addition, it has been discovered that bank size and gross domestic product (GDP) growth lower the costs of funds for banks.Originality/valueIn the wake of the pandemic, banks need to prepare themselves for very difficult situations and relevant studies can provide help. Therefore, this research has contributed to the developing literature on this topic. In addition, the findings have important practical implications. Results show that banks should maintain adequate levels of capital if they want to control their costs of funds. Results also show that market discipline, in the form of higher costs of funds, can be imposed on banks to discourage excessive risk-taking. Findings highlight the value of appropriate policies and strong supervision of the financial industry. Findings also underline the importance of offering financial incentives to banks. For example, if banks know they will be able to avoid higher costs of funds by controlling their risk levels, they will avoid unrestrained risk-taking.
{"title":"Does the market discipline banks? Evidence from Balkan states","authors":"Ayesha Afzal, S. Firdousi","doi":"10.1108/jrf-01-2022-0024","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/jrf-01-2022-0024","url":null,"abstract":"PurposeThis research is designed to investigate the presence of market discipline in the banking sector, across Balkan states in Europe. Specifically, the effects of CAMEL variables on the cost of funds and deposit-switching have been assessed.Design/methodology/approachThe CAMEL method of bank evaluation has been applied as well as two measures for market discipline (costs of funds and deposit-switching behaviour). Data have been obtained for 10 Balkan states for the 2006–2019 period. For data analysis, ordinary least squares (OLS) and fixed effects models have been utilized. The generalized method of moments (GMM) method has been deployed as well as a dynamic panel model.FindingsEvidence of market discipline has been found, in the form of a higher cost of funds in the context of capital adequacy (but not for other CAMEL variables). Evidence of market discipline in the form of deposit-switching, however, has not been found. In addition, it has been discovered that bank size and gross domestic product (GDP) growth lower the costs of funds for banks.Originality/valueIn the wake of the pandemic, banks need to prepare themselves for very difficult situations and relevant studies can provide help. Therefore, this research has contributed to the developing literature on this topic. In addition, the findings have important practical implications. Results show that banks should maintain adequate levels of capital if they want to control their costs of funds. Results also show that market discipline, in the form of higher costs of funds, can be imposed on banks to discourage excessive risk-taking. Findings highlight the value of appropriate policies and strong supervision of the financial industry. Findings also underline the importance of offering financial incentives to banks. For example, if banks know they will be able to avoid higher costs of funds by controlling their risk levels, they will avoid unrestrained risk-taking.","PeriodicalId":46579,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Risk Finance","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2022-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42649784","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-05-24DOI: 10.1108/jrf-12-2021-0199
Maha Khemakhem Jardak, Salah Ben Hamad
PurposeThe objective of this research is to examine empirically the effects of digital maturity (DM) on the firm's financial performance as measured by return on assets (ROA), return on equity (ROE) and Tobin's Q.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use a panel data sample of 92 observations collected from 23 listed firms on Sweden's stock exchange over four years, 2015–2018. The authors hand collect DM from the digital leader's reports and collect financial data from DataStream. Using both static and dynamic panel (generalized method of moments (GMM) estimation) regression models to perform endogeneity problem, the authors explore the impact of the DM index on ROA, ROE and Q of Tobin.FindingsThe results show that DM has a negative effect on ROA and ROE but a positive effect on Q of Tobin. This negative relationship can be explained, by the fact that information technology (IT) investment and the DM could take years to be materialized and to be captured by performance indicators. Company investment in IT will increase and basically the ROA will be negatively affected because the higher value of IT assets is not amortized. Nevertheless, in the long term, company can maximize its performance. The positive effect on Q of Tobin captures the long-run effect of digital transformation.Research limitations/implicationsThis research can be helpful for firms in their process of digital transformation to succeed with the change, create value and to understand the challenges they have to face. In the short term, firms undertaking digital transformation will face some financial difficulties which affect negatively their ROA and ROE, but in the long term they can maximize their performance (captured by Tobin’s Q) and improve their market value.Originality/valueIn previous research, the impact of digital transformation on performance has been measured in terms of revenue growth, profit margins and in terms of earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT). Even if the authors have sufficient evidence of the positive effect of digital transformation on organizational performance, there is no support of the positive effect on financial performance. So, the authors try to fill this gap. This research has also the merit of examining this relationship empirically through a dynamic panel data estimation two-step system GMM, while the majority of previous studies are qualitative in nature based on interviews and questionnaires or simple correlations.
{"title":"The effect of digital transformation on firm performance: evidence from Swedish listed companies","authors":"Maha Khemakhem Jardak, Salah Ben Hamad","doi":"10.1108/jrf-12-2021-0199","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/jrf-12-2021-0199","url":null,"abstract":"PurposeThe objective of this research is to examine empirically the effects of digital maturity (DM) on the firm's financial performance as measured by return on assets (ROA), return on equity (ROE) and Tobin's Q.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use a panel data sample of 92 observations collected from 23 listed firms on Sweden's stock exchange over four years, 2015–2018. The authors hand collect DM from the digital leader's reports and collect financial data from DataStream. Using both static and dynamic panel (generalized method of moments (GMM) estimation) regression models to perform endogeneity problem, the authors explore the impact of the DM index on ROA, ROE and Q of Tobin.FindingsThe results show that DM has a negative effect on ROA and ROE but a positive effect on Q of Tobin. This negative relationship can be explained, by the fact that information technology (IT) investment and the DM could take years to be materialized and to be captured by performance indicators. Company investment in IT will increase and basically the ROA will be negatively affected because the higher value of IT assets is not amortized. Nevertheless, in the long term, company can maximize its performance. The positive effect on Q of Tobin captures the long-run effect of digital transformation.Research limitations/implicationsThis research can be helpful for firms in their process of digital transformation to succeed with the change, create value and to understand the challenges they have to face. In the short term, firms undertaking digital transformation will face some financial difficulties which affect negatively their ROA and ROE, but in the long term they can maximize their performance (captured by Tobin’s Q) and improve their market value.Originality/valueIn previous research, the impact of digital transformation on performance has been measured in terms of revenue growth, profit margins and in terms of earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT). Even if the authors have sufficient evidence of the positive effect of digital transformation on organizational performance, there is no support of the positive effect on financial performance. So, the authors try to fill this gap. This research has also the merit of examining this relationship empirically through a dynamic panel data estimation two-step system GMM, while the majority of previous studies are qualitative in nature based on interviews and questionnaires or simple correlations.","PeriodicalId":46579,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Risk Finance","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2022-05-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49357214","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-05-19DOI: 10.1108/jrf-10-2021-0169
Amal Dabbous, May Merhej Sayegh, Karine Aoun Barakat
PurposeCryptocurrencies such as bitcoins represent a novel method of conducting financial transactions and exchanging money. However, their adoption by the general public remains low. Within countries facing financial distress and characterized by a high level of risk, cryptocurrency adoption might offer opportunities for countering crises. The purpose of this study is to explore the factors that influence individuals' adoption of cryptocurrencies for financial transactions within a high-risk context.Design/methodology/approachTo do so, it presents a behavioral model, which is tested using data collected from a survey of 255 respondents residing in Lebanon. The causal relationships between the different factors and individuals' willingness to use cryptocurrencies were then analyzed through Structural Equation Modeling.FindingsFindings show that financial technology awareness and social influence contribute to reducing perceived risk and increasing individuals' willingness to use cryptocurrencies, while individuals' risk aversion and the presence of regulatory support increase the perceived risk of cryptocurrencies.Originality/valueThe study is among the first to use a human-centered approach to understanding cryptocurrency adoption and takes place within a country that is facing a deep financial crisis. Its outcomes contribute to existing theories of cryptocurrency adoption and provide policymakers with insight into how adoption is unfolding namely in developing countries.
{"title":"Understanding the adoption of cryptocurrencies for financial transactions within a high-risk context","authors":"Amal Dabbous, May Merhej Sayegh, Karine Aoun Barakat","doi":"10.1108/jrf-10-2021-0169","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/jrf-10-2021-0169","url":null,"abstract":"PurposeCryptocurrencies such as bitcoins represent a novel method of conducting financial transactions and exchanging money. However, their adoption by the general public remains low. Within countries facing financial distress and characterized by a high level of risk, cryptocurrency adoption might offer opportunities for countering crises. The purpose of this study is to explore the factors that influence individuals' adoption of cryptocurrencies for financial transactions within a high-risk context.Design/methodology/approachTo do so, it presents a behavioral model, which is tested using data collected from a survey of 255 respondents residing in Lebanon. The causal relationships between the different factors and individuals' willingness to use cryptocurrencies were then analyzed through Structural Equation Modeling.FindingsFindings show that financial technology awareness and social influence contribute to reducing perceived risk and increasing individuals' willingness to use cryptocurrencies, while individuals' risk aversion and the presence of regulatory support increase the perceived risk of cryptocurrencies.Originality/valueThe study is among the first to use a human-centered approach to understanding cryptocurrency adoption and takes place within a country that is facing a deep financial crisis. Its outcomes contribute to existing theories of cryptocurrency adoption and provide policymakers with insight into how adoption is unfolding namely in developing countries.","PeriodicalId":46579,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Risk Finance","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2022-05-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45791839","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-05-17DOI: 10.1108/jrf-02-2022-0046
Phung Thanh Quang, Do Phuong Thao
PurposeThe need to improve energy efficiency as an essential factor for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through green financing is one of the most important issues worldwide. It is even more important for ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries because of their potential for economic growth and the challenge of their environmental problems. This paper therefore addresses the question of whether and how green finance (with the proxy of issued green bonds [GBs]) promotes energy efficiency (with the proxy of energy intensity) in the ASEAN member countries.Design/methodology/approachThe paper runs a two-stage generalized method of moments (GMM) system model for the quarterly data over the period 2017–2020. It also uses a linear interaction model to explore how the pandemic may affect the relationship between green finance and energy efficiency in this region.FindingsThe main results only demonstrate the short-term negative impact of GBs on energy intensity. Furthermore, per capita income, economic integration and renewable energy supply can be used as potential variables to reduce energy intensity, while modernization in ASEAN increases energy intensity. Establishment of digital green finance, long-term planning of a green finance market, trade liberalization and policies to mitigate the negative impacts of COVID-19 are recommended as golden policy implications.Research limitations/implicationsThe present study has several limitations. First, it accounts for explanatory variables by following a number of previous studies. This may lead to omissions or errors. Second, the empirical estimates were conducted for 160 observations due to the repositioning of GBs in ASEAN, which is not bad but not good for an empirical study.Originality/valueTo the best of authors' knowledge, there has not been any in-depth study focusing on the relationship between energy efficiency and green financing for the case of ASEAN economies.
{"title":"Analyzing the green financing and energy efficiency relationship in ASEAN","authors":"Phung Thanh Quang, Do Phuong Thao","doi":"10.1108/jrf-02-2022-0046","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/jrf-02-2022-0046","url":null,"abstract":"PurposeThe need to improve energy efficiency as an essential factor for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through green financing is one of the most important issues worldwide. It is even more important for ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries because of their potential for economic growth and the challenge of their environmental problems. This paper therefore addresses the question of whether and how green finance (with the proxy of issued green bonds [GBs]) promotes energy efficiency (with the proxy of energy intensity) in the ASEAN member countries.Design/methodology/approachThe paper runs a two-stage generalized method of moments (GMM) system model for the quarterly data over the period 2017–2020. It also uses a linear interaction model to explore how the pandemic may affect the relationship between green finance and energy efficiency in this region.FindingsThe main results only demonstrate the short-term negative impact of GBs on energy intensity. Furthermore, per capita income, economic integration and renewable energy supply can be used as potential variables to reduce energy intensity, while modernization in ASEAN increases energy intensity. Establishment of digital green finance, long-term planning of a green finance market, trade liberalization and policies to mitigate the negative impacts of COVID-19 are recommended as golden policy implications.Research limitations/implicationsThe present study has several limitations. First, it accounts for explanatory variables by following a number of previous studies. This may lead to omissions or errors. Second, the empirical estimates were conducted for 160 observations due to the repositioning of GBs in ASEAN, which is not bad but not good for an empirical study.Originality/valueTo the best of authors' knowledge, there has not been any in-depth study focusing on the relationship between energy efficiency and green financing for the case of ASEAN economies.","PeriodicalId":46579,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Risk Finance","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2022-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49662957","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-05-03DOI: 10.1108/jrf-01-2022-0018
Amine Ben Amar, Mondher Bouattour, Jean-Etienne Carlotti
PurposeThis study aims to investigate the time-frequency comovement between wheat futures traded on three US markets (Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT), Kansas City Board of Trade (KCBOT) and Minneapolis Grain Exchange (MGE)) at different maturities and a global equity index.Design/methodology/approachAs they allow to trace transitional shifts over time and across different frequency bands, this paper relies on continuous wavelet tools to investigate the time-frequency comovement among wheat and global stock markets.FindingsThe results show an increase in wheat futures prices at all maturities and a weak integration level within each wheat market during the subprime crisis. Moreover, the wavelet power spectra maps show high wheat and equity price volatility at different time scales and for various subperiods. Furthermore, the continuous wavelet coherence highlights time-frequency-varying comovements between the markets considered, which become particularly high during times of crisis.Practical implicationsThe results provide market participants with a better understanding of the nature as well as the magnitude of the relationship between the global financial market and different wheat markets at different maturities and during tranquil and crisis periods. Indeed, from investors' perspective it is important to understand how markets are segmented or integrated during tranquil and crisis periods in order to better assess risks, diversify portfolios and implement more effective hedging strategies. As for regulators, a better understanding of the level of integration of different markets would further help refine macroprudential policies, and thus strengthen financial stability and resilience.Originality/valueThis paper enriches the existing literature by investigating the time-frequency comovement between wheat and a global equity market. Indeed, the dynamics between stock and wheat markets across different nearest to maturities have not been widely explored by previous studies.
{"title":"Time-frequency analysis of the comovement between wheat and equity markets","authors":"Amine Ben Amar, Mondher Bouattour, Jean-Etienne Carlotti","doi":"10.1108/jrf-01-2022-0018","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/jrf-01-2022-0018","url":null,"abstract":"PurposeThis study aims to investigate the time-frequency comovement between wheat futures traded on three US markets (Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT), Kansas City Board of Trade (KCBOT) and Minneapolis Grain Exchange (MGE)) at different maturities and a global equity index.Design/methodology/approachAs they allow to trace transitional shifts over time and across different frequency bands, this paper relies on continuous wavelet tools to investigate the time-frequency comovement among wheat and global stock markets.FindingsThe results show an increase in wheat futures prices at all maturities and a weak integration level within each wheat market during the subprime crisis. Moreover, the wavelet power spectra maps show high wheat and equity price volatility at different time scales and for various subperiods. Furthermore, the continuous wavelet coherence highlights time-frequency-varying comovements between the markets considered, which become particularly high during times of crisis.Practical implicationsThe results provide market participants with a better understanding of the nature as well as the magnitude of the relationship between the global financial market and different wheat markets at different maturities and during tranquil and crisis periods. Indeed, from investors' perspective it is important to understand how markets are segmented or integrated during tranquil and crisis periods in order to better assess risks, diversify portfolios and implement more effective hedging strategies. As for regulators, a better understanding of the level of integration of different markets would further help refine macroprudential policies, and thus strengthen financial stability and resilience.Originality/valueThis paper enriches the existing literature by investigating the time-frequency comovement between wheat and a global equity market. Indeed, the dynamics between stock and wheat markets across different nearest to maturities have not been widely explored by previous studies.","PeriodicalId":46579,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Risk Finance","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2022-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44550826","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}