Benefits Of Investment Research Articles

Coupling and Quantifying Sustainability and Resilience in Intelligent Buildings

Over recent years, the sustainability and resilience concept has increased its significance in the construction industry. Sustainability is associated with implementing best practices in the construction industry, while resilience is the adaptability and tolerance of systems in harsh conditions. The concepts are learned in the construction process. Moreover, building automation is growing rapidly, and buildings are becoming increasingly dependent on complex systems and technology and susceptible to unanticipated failure. Though sustainability and resilience concepts are interlinked, limited research quantifies their combination, resulting in a limited comprehension of how both concepts interact during application by developers in a smart building. Therefore, this study has established a financial model that employs Net Present Value (NPV) in studying the inference and clampdown of investment in both concepts. NPV was estimated using indirect and direct costs and benefits derived from the continuous integration of sustainability and resilience in a smart building. To quantify sustainability, its three components had to be quantified. Reduced energy expenditure and government environmental incentives were used to calculate the environmental component. Workers’ cost savings, fire insurance cost savings, and additional system maintenance costs were used to calculate the economic component. The social component of sustainability measured hard-to-quantify attributes like productivity, indoor environment quality, reputation, extra profit, services, and safety. To quantify them, a survey and RII method were used. The two concepts were then coupled by estimating the benefits and costs of installing and keeping resilience tools in design that are sustainable in the smart building and the impact study on the NPV outcome. Application of the design model was also carried out on four smart buildings that were selected in Dubai. The result indicated that coupling sustainable approaches and resilience yields higher NPV by at least 22%. Nevertheless, for NPV to be maintained positively and reduce the cost of failure, faulty detection tools should be assimilated while designing sustainable and smart buildings. The findings of this study will contribute to the benefit of other researchers, developers, investors, managers, engineers, and anyone who is involved in the design or construction process of intelligent buildings.

Funding employment inclusion for Ontario youth with disabilities: a theoretical cost-benefit model.

Early engagement in employment-related activities is associated with greater lifetime labor force attachment, which correlates with positive health, social, and quality of life outcomes. People with disabilities often require vocational intervention to enter and remain in the workforce and reap the employment-related health and social benefits. Their labor force attachment brings about the added societal-level benefits of increased tax contributions and reduced social assistance funding. Reason and evidence both support the need for early intervention to facilitate young people with disabilities' workforce entry. Based on available evidence and best practices, and in conjunction with expert input, a cost-benefit model was constructed to provide support for public investment in early employment intervention by demonstrating the societal-level benefits that could be projected. Results indicate the potential benefits for investment in early, targeted employment intervention at a societal level. Two personas were crafted to demonstrate the lifetime societal-level impact of investment in intervention for an individual with disabilities. The results provide relevant arguments for advocates, policy makers, program directors, and people entering adulthood with disabilities to understand the benefits of investing in interventions with the goal of long-term public savings.

‘They are taking everything away from us’: autochthonous claims and the moral contestations over Chiadzwa diamonds, eastern Zimbabwe

ABSTRACT This article focuses on the moral contestations of the people of Chiadzwa (eastern Zimbabwe) against their displacement from the area's communal lands and resettlement to Arda Transau by the Government of Zimbabwe to pave the way for large-scale diamond mining. We analyse how the villagers view, and react to allegations of diamonds related corruption, looting and state security brutality in the absence of perceived equitable redistribution of diamond proceeds to the people of Chiadzwa, while the state and investors benefit from the diamond extraction. The article is based on qualitative data drawn from in-depth interviews conducted with former Chiadzwa villagers who were relocated to Arda Transau. Employing the moral economy concept, we argue that the autochthonous claims to land and natural resources play a central role in peoples' contestations against the state and (external) market actors.

Addressing climate challenges through ESG-real estate investment strategies: An asset allocation perspective

Real estate plays a major role in environmental impact, contributing to nearly 39 % of global emissions and significantly influencing climate change. Using a sample of European REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts) and real estate companies, this study examines the risk-adjusted performance of real estate investments concerning their ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) performance, comparing the diversification benefits of conventional versus ESG real estate investments, with a specific focus on the environmental (E) aspects. The portfolios' asset allocation is designed using the Mean-Variance and the Risk Parity models. Simulations are run using a rolling-window technique, covering the entire sample period along with three different sub-samples. According to our findings, high ESG score real estate portfolios perform similarly to the overall sector, while portfolios with environmental scores above the sample average offer enhanced diversification benefits. This finding is particularly significant, as such portfolios have the potential to generate positive externalities by reducing climate impact through lower emissions.

Cost-optimization based target reliabilities for design of structures exposed to fire

Adequacy of structural fire design in uncommon structures is conceptually ensured through cost-benefit analysis where the future costs are balanced against the benefits of safety investment. Cost-benefit analyses, however, are complicated and computationally challenging, and hence impractical for application to individual projects. To address this issue, design guidance proposes target reliability indices for normal design conditions, but no target reliability indices are defined for structural fire design. We revisit the background of the cost-optimization based approach underlying normal design target reliability indices then we extend this approach for the case of fire design of structures. We also propose a modified objective function for cost-optimization which simplifies the evaluation of target reliability indices and reduces the number of assumptions. The optimum safety level is expressed as a function of a new dimensionless variable named “Damage-to-investment indicator” (DII). The cost optimization approach is validated for the target reliability indices for normal design condition. The method is then applied for evaluating DII and the associated optimum reliability indices for fire-exposed structures. Two case studies are presented: (i) a one-way loaded reinforced concrete slab and (ii) a steel column under axial loading. This study thus provides a framework for deriving optimum (target) reliability index for structural fire design which can support the development of rational provisions in codes and standards.

THE CHALLENGES OF INVESTMENT ARBITRATION: SUCCESS OR FAILURE? A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF INVESTMENT ARBITRATION IN NORTH MACEDONIA AND KOSOVO

Background: In today's modern business and technological landscape, businesses are increasingly inclined to seek alternative methods for resolving disputes rather than rely solely on traditional court procedures. Businesses are also increasingly aware of the significance of resolving conflicts through alternative means and taking proactive measures to avoid litigation. In recent decades, investment arbitration has gained widespread acceptance and has emerged as a preferred mechanism for resolving disputes involving international investors in Western Balkan countries. Some countries demonstrate a favourable inclination towards employing arbitration as a dispute resolution mechanism by enacting legislation that grants investors the right to initiate arbitration proceedings against the state in case of failure. This scientific research objective will be achieved through the reflection of the legislative framework in the matter of investment arbitration as well as the reflection of the flow of foreign investments, analysing and not limited to the treatment of concrete cases of arbitration disputes. Through this approach, we will answer the central question of how much arbitration as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism is a stimulating factor for attracting foreign direct investment or whether multinational companies only use the legislative and incentive favours offered by the Republic of Kosovo and North Macedonia. Methods: The article was conceived based on a modern methodological framework. Within the general methodological framework of scientific research, logical methods play a crucial role in the scientific processing of the research data, drawing conclusions and determining facts through which the truth of the thesis of the work is reached scientifically. In the context of this paper, the method of analysis through which the impact of arbitration as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism in relation to the flow of investments will be analysed is noteworthy. Additionally, methods of abstraction and concretisation will also be used. Abstraction is the basis of analysis, which sometimes represents the separation of parts from the whole subject. Moreover, the comparative method will highlight the diverse normative solutions in national legislation and international legal sources. Results and conclusions: In the article, the authors propose considering the effectiveness of existing provisions and determining whether adjustments or alternative approaches are needed to maximise the benefits of foreign investment while minimising potential risks and uncertainties associated with dispute resolution processes.

Sử dụng transfer entropy đo lường dòng chảy thông tin từ các thị trường tài chính đến thị trường vàng: Bằng chứng thực nghiệm tại Việt Nam

Measuring the information flows between financial markets brings benefits for investors and policymakers. This study considers information flows from the US gold market, crude oil, Federal funds rate to the Vietnames gold market from 4th January, 2004 to 7th December, 2023 using transfer entropy. The data is collected from Fred.stlouisfed.org and World Gold Council. The results show that among examining factors US gold price has strongest impact on Vietnames gold, meanwhile, the gold market reacts more slowly the information from US crude oil market and Federal funds rate. The outcome provides a reference channel for investors to make decisions.

Real versus accounting earnings management: The effect of performance measure timing constraints

AbstractWe study the influence of stricter rules for determining performance measures for compensation contracts on managers' choice between real and accounting earnings management. Constraints, like accounting regulation or corporate governance, limit managers' influence on performance measures. We find that tighter constraints intensify real earnings manipulation, because they reduce incentives for managers to supply effort on investment activities. In turn, discretion allows managers to anticipate future benefits of investment and reduces real earnings management. The results hold when contracts include forward‐looking information and suggest that constraints on managers' influence on performance measures drive the choice between accounting and real earnings management.

Training on Data Implementation From Transactions to Financial Reports at CV Geha Pratama

The socialization of the company's simple financial report is very much needed by many people, especially for the owner of the company as the initiator, the bank as the credit provider, and the government that provides facilities for the arrangement of laws and regulations, where each party has its own interests. Investors want to know the benefits of investment, banks want to know the level of security of loans provided and smooth returns, and the government is more focused on the benefits of these investments for the economy and equal distribution of employment opportunities. Application of financial reports regarding various transactions starting from identification and recording of transactions, recording transactions through general journals, posting ledgers, and transferring to trial balance. Until a company's financial statements are created. Financial reports The results can be used to make decisions about whether the business being run experiences a profit or loss, as well as an evaluation material for ongoing businesses, whether the financial records made are correct or not. In general, this business can be said to still use the traditional way of recording financial statements. Therefore, socialization and training are needed about the importance of recording financial statements in a company in a simple way.

The diversification benefits of cryptocurrency factor portfolios: Are they there?

We investigate the out-of-sample diversification benefits of cryptocurrencies from a generalised perspective, a cryptocurrency-factor level, with traditional and machine-learning-enhanced asset allocation strategies. The cryptocurrency factor portfolios are formed in an analogous way to equity anomalies by using more than 2000 cryptocurrencies. The findings indicate that a stock–bond portfolio incorporating size- and momentum-based cryptocurrency factors can achieve statistically significant out-of-sample diversification benefits for investors with different risk preferences. Additionally, machine-learning-enhanced asset allocation strategies can boost the traditional approaches by enriching (shrinking) the distributions of weights allocated to potentially effective cryptocurrency factors. Our findings are robust to (i) the inclusion of transaction costs, (ii) an alternative benchmark portfolio, and (iii) a rolling-window estimation scheme.

Do green investments improve portfolio diversification? Evidence from mean conditional value-at-risk optimization

This study investigates how green investment assets improve optimal portfolio diversification in terms of tail downside risk. We use the wavelet conditional value-at-risk ratio to explore the benefits of adding green assets to conventional portfolios. We quantify risk based on the contagion between conventional stock market indices and green environmental assets, including a sustainability index, clean energy, and green bonds. Our findings emphasize the high variance between conventional stock pairs, providing evidence of contagion effects before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. We show that including clean energy and green bond indices in conventional portfolios reduces the extreme risk of portfolios. In addition, we find that the diversification benefits of clean energy, green bonds, and safe-haven investments apply especially in the short term during the pandemic. Finally, we show that the considered portfolios could not decrease long-term risk during the COVID-19 crisis because of the systematic risk spread. Our portfolio optimization design supports the superiority of clean energy and green bonds in portfolio diversification over the sustainability index. These insights can be used by portfolio managers to inform diversification in different investment horizons.

Network centrality and credit risk: A comprehensive analysis of peer-to-peer lending dynamics

This letter analyzes credit risk assessment in the Peer-to-Peer (P2P) lending domain by leveraging a comprehensive dataset from Bondora, a leading European P2P platform. Through combining traditional credit features with network topological features, namely the degree centrality, we showcase the crucial role of a borrower’s position and connectivity within the P2P network in determining loan default probabilities. Our findings are bolstered by robustness checks using shuffled centrality features, which further underscore the significance of integrating both financial and network attributes in credit risk evaluation. Our results shed new light on credit risk determinants in P2P lending and benefit investors in capturing inherent information from P2P loan networks.

PENGARUH RISIKO SUKU BUNGA THE FED, RISIKO INFLASI, DAN RISIKO KURS RUPIAH TERHADAP IHSG

There are external (macro) factors such as monetary and fiscal policies that companies can’t control. The rise in interest rates, the depreciation of exchange rates, and the inflation would cause high fluctuations in capital markets. This research aims to analyze the impact of interest rates, Rupiah exchange rate risk against the Dollar, and inflation rates on Composite Index. The approach used is a quantitative approach with the Error Correction Model (ECM) analysis method during the period 2017 – 2022. Independent variables include The Fed's interest rate risk, inflation risk, and Rupiah exchange rate risk, while the dependent variable is stock prices. The research results show that the risk of the Fed interest rate and the risk of the Rupiah exchange rate against the Dollar had a negative and significant effect, while inflation risk had no significant effect on the Composite Index. This research is expected to provide benefits for investors, policy makers, stock regulators, and readers to see the analysis of changes in stock prices due to changes in macroeconomic variables.

Skeletons in the closet: How and when internal and external corporate social responsibility affect employees' internal whistleblowing behaviors

AbstractThe micro‐level corporate social responsibility (CSR) literature has underscored the economic benefits of an organization's CSR investments, such as bolstering employees' organizational commitment and improving work performance. Yet, research on the potential influence of CSR in fostering socially oriented outcomes among employees has been rather scarce. This study aims to investigate the influence of CSR on employees' internal whistleblowing behaviors and the underlying mechanisms. A three‐time‐point survey was distributed across the service, manufacturing, construction, and financial insurance industries in Chinese enterprises. The findings reveal that both internal and external CSR positively impact employees' internal whistleblowing behaviors through the mediating role of moral courage, with internal CSR demonstrating a stronger effect. Organizational loyalty positively moderates the mediating role of moral courage in the relationship between internal CSR/external CSR and internal whistleblowing behaviors. Theoretically, this study presents a pioneering endeavor in establishing the link between CSR and employees' internal whistleblowing behaviors, underscoring the significant role that employees' perceptions of CSR play in enhancing societal well‐being and ethical governance. Besides contributing to the micro‐level CSR literature, this study also provides practical insights for organizations seeking to leverage CSR as a tool for promoting employees' ethical conduct.

Health extension workers' level of job satisfaction in western Hararghe Zone, eastern Ethiopia: an institutional-based cross-sectional study.

There is a concern that job dissatisfaction among health extension workers (HEWs) reduces the benefit of investment in the execution of health extension programs. Hence, the purpose of this study was to explore the level of job satisfaction and factors affecting it among the HEWs in the West Hararghe Zone, Oromia Regional State, eastern Ethiopia. An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 416 randomly selected health extension workers from 20 September 2020 to 20 October 2020. A pretested, structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. STATA 14.2 was used for data analysis. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were also performed. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. The overall level of satisfaction of health extension workers was 51.8% [95% confidence interval (CI): 46.97%, 56.6%]. Earning more than 5,260 ETB as salary [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.01, 2.85], working more than 10 km from the district town (AOR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.01, 2.53), receiving supportive supervision (AOR = 1.64, 95% CI: 1.06, 2.55), and not living with parents (AOR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.24, 3.04) were significantly associated factors with HEW job satisfaction. Nearly half of the health extension workers were dissatisfied with their jobs. Supportive supervision, compensation, distance, and parental home location were all predictors of job satisfaction. It is critical to establish intervention tactics that may satisfy and motivate HEWs to expand health coverage, strengthen health extension programs, and improve service delivery.

Revealing the Impact of Investment Benefits on Marketing Decision in Public Infrastructures Based on Game Theory: Case Study of Large-Scale Exhibition Infrastructures in China

Investing in large-scale public infrastructures is vital for urban renewal and development, often relying on specific types of buildings to drive investment in municipal infrastructure and supporting service buildings. However, the complex interplay of interests among investors introduces unpredictability, hindering the effectiveness of such investments. This study employs evolutionary game theory to explore how investment benefits influence investor behavior. Using China’s large-scale exhibition infrastructures as a case study, a tripartite evolutionary game model is developed, involving the government, investors in exhibition buildings, and investors in supporting services. The strategies of the three parties are analyzed, and simulations explore the effects of different initial strategy values, costs, subsidies, and profits. Five research outcomes are identified, indicating that favorable initial investments and optimal subsidies encourage proactive investment, while high initial costs deter it. Consequently, five recommendations for promoting coordinated investment in exhibition facilities are proposed, including the establishment of communication platforms to enhance stakeholder cooperation. These findings offer insights for decision making in other large-scale infrastructure investments, such as sports facilities and transportation hubs.

The sports industry and its effect on the quality of life and regional development

AbstractBackgroundSport plays a significant role in shaping social life, the health of the nation and the development of regions. Studying the impact of the sports industry on the quality of life and regional development can help to better understand how sports influence the social, economic and cultural aspects of people's lives.ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the impact of the sports industry on the quality of life and human development in developed and developing countries by analyzing the correlation and modeling of recognized world indices.MethodsThe research employed correlation analysis, regression analysis, and scenario modeling, utilizing publicly available international indices to determine the level of impact of sports on the country's development indicators. While investment in sports development may not be a straightforward decision for developing countries facing socio‐economic challenges, the study demonstrated the long‐term benefits of such investments through evidence‐based mathematical regression models and scenario modeling.ResultsThe study findings revealed that the advancement of the sports industry leads to improvements in the quality of life and human development in most of the studied regions.ConclusionMoreover, the scenario modeling suggested that the evolution of this field would further enhance the development of the quality of life.

Impact of liberalization and globalization on economic growth: Empirical evidence from Türkiye

Globalization, as the process of integration of the world economy, increases international trade, capital movements, and technology transfer. This study examines the relationship between globalization and economic growth in the 1974-2022 period in Türkiye. In this study, the ARDL Bound method was used for cointegration analysis and the DCC-EGARCH model was used to capture time-varying relationships. The results of the ARDL-Bound model show a positive and long-term correlation between globalization and economic growth in Türkiye. According to the results of the DCC model, there has been a generally positive relationship between economic growth and the globalization index since 1984. Türkiye's economy has generally been positively influenced by economic liberalization processes and globalization. However, the export-oriented growth strategy seems to have lost its effect after 2005. Moreover, the globalization benefits of foreign direct investment were only evident between 2000 and 2009, after which the positive relationship decreased. In the interest of attracting FDI and promoting sustainable economic growth, Türkiye should review its investment-friendly policies and develop strategies aimed at long-term benefits.

A ‘Distributional Apparatus’ for real estate: Fair value accounting and the assetization of UK property

Research on housing financialization argues that property assets are important stores of value that collateralise global systems of financial accumulation. Yet remarkably little is known about how those assets are constructed, valued and generate returns. This paper draws on the assetization literature to unpack how investment properties are constructed as ‘assets’, applying an accounting lens to locate their growing importance within the move towards a fair value accounting regime. We argue that property investors benefit from a generous 'distributional apparatus' - that is, a collection of rules, norms, reporting technologies and market-orienting devices that act as both a resource and an incentive to engage in practices of valuation that maximise potential distributions. In the case of property assets, accounting rule IAS40 determines how housing assets should be recognised in an annual statement; the RICS Red Book acts as a market device which articulates with IAS40, providing rules and principles on the techniques of valuation and revaluation; and the ICAEW provides guidance on whether revaluations amount to a ‘realised profit’ which can be distributed to shareholders legally. Together these three features underpin the assetization process in investment property. We use two case studies to show that this apparatus acts as a flexible resource as companies build different valuation and distribution strategies around the RICS Red Book revaluation process, with different risk implications. Our findings contribute to financialization, assetization and accounting scholarship.

Geotechnical information system employs spatial analysis to utilize information gathered from Cone Penetration Testing (CPT)

Surakarta has diverse structures, including malls, shopping centers, hotels, offices, markets, hospitals, colleges, and schools. However, the Regional Government lacks a comprehensive data information system about the Cone Penetration Test (CPT). Such a system benefits investors seeking to develop new infrastructure in Surakarta. In order to tackle this problem, a research study was carried out to develop an Information System based on CPT data regarding the depth of hard soil throughout the city. The investigation analyzed pre-existing CPT data, its compilation, and cartographic representation. However, the arbitrary allocation of CPT data presents a challenge. Results of the study indicate that the most predominant depth of compacted soil qc 250 kg/cm2 in Surakarta is 3-5 meters below the surface. Moreover, comparing the depth of CPT soil in the field with GIS at multiple observation points indicates findings that mostly conform to GIS predictions and those of in situ tests. Combining CPT data with ArcGIS software has been a highly successful approach in identifying projects and providing robust geotechnical information.