Notes, abstracts, papers, exams and problems of Economy

The Company Beta (β)

β = Cov(R_i, R_M) / Var(R_M)

Problems of Beta:

1. Betas may vary over time.
2. The sample size may be inadequate.
3. Betas are influenced by changing financial leverage and business risk.

Solutions:

1. Problems 1 and 2 can be moderated by more sophisticated statistical techniques.
2. Problem 3 can be lessened by adjusting for changes in business and financial risk.
3. Look at average beta estimates of several comparable firms in the industry.

Stability of Beta

Most analysts argue that betas are generally stable for firms remaining in the same industry, but they can change due to:

• Changes in product line
• Changes in technology
• Deregulation
• Changes in financial leverage

Using an Industry Beta

It is frequently argued that one can better estimate a firm's beta... Continue reading "Understanding Beta in Finance: Calculation, Stability, and Determinants" »

• Financial System & Economic Development: Demand for financial services comes from activities of non-financial firms (real sector). Monetary policy in development: regulate economic activity and inflation, increase supply of money leads to an increase in loanable funds, more investments, and decrease in interest rates.
• Why is development different? Highly organized, economically interdependent, and efficient functioning (spatially fragmented) money and credit markets. Consistency and uniformity in interest rates across different sectors and regions.
• Constrained by the openness of their economies. (Pegging of currencies to USD + have to trade in well-accepted currency) (impossible trilemma of free capital flow/fixed exchange rates/sovereign

Utopia sets Ethical Objectives to:

to enhance the brand's image/reputation

to build brand preference and loyalty

to avoid legal problems

to reduce the risk of negative publicity

to motivate employees

to increase profits

overall customer satisfaction.

Utopia Implements Corporate Social Responsibility Strategies

to act as a good corporate citizen. There are many benefits of CSR for Utopia:

• The image of the business and its products can be improved with a socially responsible approach. This could become an advantage, attracting new customers and loyalty from existing customers

• attracting the best motivated employees as many workers will prefer to work for and be associated with socially aware business

• socially irresponsible behavior by Utopia could lead to

Big Five Personality Dimensions (Vecchio, 2003)

1. Need for Achievement (importance of parental influences)
2. Need for Autonomy
3. Locus of Control: Internal (control of own destiny)/ External (others control my destiny)
4. Risk Taking Propensity
5. Entrepreneurial Self Efficacy (ESE)

PHASE 1: Start Up

Pitfalls

1. The owner works for free.
2. Less attention to financial aspects.
3. Everybody feels responsible, no one is responsible.
4. Too much excitement. Down to earth!

Skills

1. Accounting skills
2. Leadership skills
3. Capability to slow down

PHASE 2: Steadying the Ship

Pitfalls

1. Less attention for management of the company.
2. Conflicts among managers and departments.
3. Working in the company instead of working at the company.

Skills

1. Managerial skills
2. Able to analyze changes in the business environment

PHASE

GDP

GDP is the monetary value of all the finished goods and services produced within a country's borders in a specific time period.

Industrial Revolution

Transition to new manufacturing processes in Europe and the US, in the period from about 1760 to sometime between 1820 and 1840.

Labor Force

Number of people who are employed plus the unemployed who are looking for work.

Labor Force Participation Rate

Labor force participation rate refers to the number of people available for work as a percentage of the total population.

Cyclical Unemployment

Cyclical unemployment is a factor of overall unemployment that relates to the regular ups and downs, or cyclical trends in growth and production, that occur within the business cycle.

Inflation

Inflation is a sustained... Continue reading "Economic Concepts and Definitions" »

Criteria for Dismissal

Clear criteria for dismissal are essential for ensuring consistent and fair layoff decisions. The two primary criteria used are seniority and employee performance.

Seniority

Seniority, the length of time an employee has been with the firm, is the most common layoff criterion. In unionized workforces, layoff decisions are typically based on seniority, as stipulated in labor contracts.

Performance

When performance is used as a layoff criterion, companies can retain top performers and eliminate weaker ones. However, performance levels must be clearly documented to avoid legal risks associated with discrimination or arbitrary judgments.

Compensation System

Internal vs. External Equity

Equity pay addresses perceived fairness within... Continue reading "Layoff Criteria: Balancing Seniority and Performance" »