Market Value Research Articles

Color grading of green Sichuan pepper(Zanthoxylum armatum DC.)dried fruit based on image processing and BP neural network algorithm

In order to achieve rapid and accurate grading of Zanthoxylum armatum DC. dried fruit, this study utilized image processing technology combined with BP neural networks for the dried fruit of Z. armatum identification to enhance the market value of Z. armatum and their products. The results showed that preprocessing the images with a yellow background yielded the best results, effectively distinguishing the external contours and internal images of Z. armatum. The extracted image of the dried fruit can represent information about its peel, with R, G, and B values being the largest at 69.3285, 65.6432, and 31.2561, respectively. Among the seven drying methods, the average G value was highest at 71.0560 under the conditions of blowing at 42℃, whereas it was lowest at 47.3840 under sunlight drying. Moreover, R, G, B, H, S, and I represent the input layer nodes of the BP neural network. The change in the number of hidden layers did not correlate with the classification results. The classification accuracy of the BP neural network for Z. armatum classification under all dry conditions was 79.53 %-98.04 %, indicating high reliability. The proposed method can provide a theoretical basis for future research on Z. armatum classification.

The social and economic dimensions of one of the world’s longest-operating shark fisheries

Context Social and economic information is limited for coastal commercial and recreational fisheries, particularly shark fisheries, which are perceived as unsustainable and as targeting sharks for fins. Aims To characterise the social and economic dimensions of one of the world’s few long-standing sustainable shark fisheries. Methods We reviewed historic data and surveyed stakeholders to understand the economic and social dimensions of the shark fishery currently operating in Western Australia. Key results Since the fishery’s historic peak, there has been a substantial reduction in the number of operating vessels and ports due to management intervention. For the vessels that have remained, catches and catch rates increased through time. Fishers sold only flesh and fins, whereas processors also sold cartilage. Revenue mostly originates from the domestic sale of flesh, not fins. This fishery provides additional social and economic returns through the employment of an average of 102 people per annum, the supply of local fresh seafood to communities and the expenditure of most of operational costs in local government areas. In addition, the average annual market value through the supply chain was A$32.6 × 106 (US$20.9 × 106). Conclusions Our study is the first step towards a more comprehensive valuation of the societal contribution of sustainable shark fisheries. Implications This novel information has a range of applications, from developing social and economic objectives in fisheries harvest strategies to empowering government agencies when making decisions on natural resource management.

Application of Statistical Features in Vibro-acoustic Signals to Detect Early Browning Disorder in Pears Compared with Food Chemistry Method

- Browning in pears is one of the most serious diseases in pear fruit, which is caused by Alternaria alternata. The browning process is accompanied by changes in the chemical properties of the fruit, which affect its taste and nutritional composition. Additionally, as a typical postharvest disease, internal browning in pears can cause fruit tissue decay during storage that can reduce the shelf stability of fruit, and bring serious losses to sellers. Because it is difficult to identify the browning pears by appearance, a non-destructive detection technology is highly desirable to correctly discriminate a pear at the early stage of browning for increasing the market value. Firstly, 11 and 7 statistical features were calculated from the time-domain and frequency-domain, respectively. Then, sensitive features in time-domain set, frequency-domain set and combined feature set were selected by the distance evaluation technology, respectively. These selected features were used to train classifier based on K-nearest neighbor algorithm under different K-values. With the selected combined features adopted, the constructed KNN classifier performed the best classification performance. It allowed a high overall accuracy of 91.8 % to classify the healthy and browning pears. Also, the F1 value of 92.6 % indicated that the classifier can be successfully generalized. Therefore, the classification model established in this study is effective for identifying the early browning disorder in pear fruit.

First report of Candidatus Phytoplasma australasia (16SrII- subgroup D) associated with virescence of Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) from India.

Chia (Salvia hispanica L., Lamiaceae) is an important commercial and medicinal crop recently popularized in India and widely cultivated in Karnataka (Joy et al., 2022). During the field survey of chia crop diseases, characteristic virescence like symptoms were observed at Main Agricultural Research Station, UAS, Raichur as well as at Mysuru and HD Kote region. The incidence was ranged from 2 - 4 per cent in an area of 30 hectares. Typical symptoms associated with chia are malformed shoot and/or inflorescence axis with reduced floral parts with greenish florets. The stem axis become thick, flattened, leaves are reduced towards terminal region. A total of five phytoplasma suspected samples and five suspected healthy samples were used for identification purpose. The Plant Genomic DNA Miniprep Kit (Sigma Aldrich, USA) was used to extract the DNA from five symptomatic and five asymptomatic samples and the DNA was used as template to amplify the phytoplasma-specific 16S rDNA gene using P1/P7 primers (Deng and Hiruki, 1991; Schneider et al., 1995) followed by nested PCR using R16F2n/R16R2 primers (Gundersen and Lee 1996). The expected 1.25-kb amplicon was detected from the suspected symptomatic samples. Nested PCR products were purified and sequenced from both the directions using ABIX370 Genetic Analyzer (Applied Biosystems, Waltham, MA). The analysis revealed that all five sequences shared 100 per cent identity with Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia (OM649850, ON975012) and Tomato big bud phytoplasma (EF193359). The in-silico RFLP pattern of F2n/R2 primed region of 16S rDNA gene analyzed by using iPhyClassifier (Zhao et al. 2009) revealed that the sequence shared 98.72 per cent nucleotide sequence similarity with coefficient value of 1.00 to the reference strain RFLP pattern of 16Sr group II, subgroup D (witches'-broom disease of lime; U15442). Based on 16SrDNA sequences and in-silico RFLP analysis, the phytoplasma associated with the chia virescence was identified as a member of 16SrII-D group. Further, SecA gene was also amplified from the samples using SecAfor1/SecArev3 primer pair (Hodgetts et al., 2008). All samples produced ~400 bp products and sequenced as detailed above. Sequence analysis by nBLAST revealed 100 per cent similarity to Ca. P. australasia (MW020545) and Ca. P. aurantifolia isolate Idukki Kerala 1 (MK726369) both representing 16SrII-D group phytoplasma. The representative sequence (16Sr: PP359693, PP359694; secA:PP386558, PP386559) were deposited in GenBank. Chia virescence phytoplasma belonging to Ca. phytoplasma australasia has not been reported anywhere. The phytopathological studies associated with chia crop are very limited. Joy et al. (2022) reported the occurrence of foot rot disease caused by Athelia rolfsii. Several hosts are recorded to be associated with 16SrII D phytoplasma which includes china aster, eggplant and crotalaria (Mahadevakumar et al., 2017, Yadav et al., 2016a, b). Now the wide occurrence of the phytoplasma in the area might have transmitted by vectors. The occurrence of virescence is of great importance as it affects the overall yield which reduces the market value. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a group 16SrII-D phytoplasma associated with chia virescence in India.

Could insects be an alternative food source? A comprehensive review.

According to the United Nations, more than 800 million people are exposed to starvation. It is predicted that the world population will face much more serious starvation for reasons such as global warming, diseases, economic problems, rapid urbanization, and destruction of agricultural areas and water resources. Thus, there are significant hesitations about the sustainability of food resources, and the search for alternative food sources has increased. One of the leading alternative food sources is insects. Although the use of edible insects has been accepted in some areas of the world, entomophagy is not preferred in some countries due to sociocultural conditions, health concerns, neophobia, and entomophobia. Many people do not accept the direct consumption of raw insects, but insects can be transformed into more preferred forms by using different cooking techniques. Some ground edible insects are satisfactory in terms of nutritional value and have a reasonable level of acceptability when added to products such as bread, tortilla, and pasta in varying percentages. The world market value of edible insects was estimated to be US$3.2 million in 2021 and US$17.6 billion in 2032. In this review, the current and future situation of insects as an alternative food source is comprehensively discussed.

Does ESG performance affect the systemic risk sensitivity? Empirical evidence from Chinese listed companies

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the relationship between environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance and systemic risk sensitivity of Chinese listed companies. From the consumer loyalty and investor structure perspectives, the relationship between ESG performance and systemic risk sensitivity is analyzed.Design/methodology/approachSince Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) ESG officially began to analyze and track China A-shares from 2018, 275 listed companies in the SynTao Green ESG testing list for 2015–2021 are selected as the initial model. To measure the systematic risk sensitivity, this study uses the beta coefficient, from capital asset pricing model (CPAM), employing statistics and data (STATA) software.FindingsThe study reveals that high ESG rating companies have high corresponding consumer loyalty and healthy trading structure of institutional investors, thereby the systemic risk sensitivity is lower. This paper reveals that companies with high ESG rating are significantly less sensitive to systemic risk than those with low ESG rating. At the same time, ESG has a weaker impact on the systemic risk of high-cap companies than low-cap companies.Practical implicationsThe study helps the companies understand the influence of market value on the relationship between ESG performance and systemic risk sensitivity. Moreover, this paper explains explicitly why ESG performance insulates a firm’s stock from market downturns with the lens of consumer loyalty theory and investor structure theory.Originality/valueThe paper provides new insights on the company’s ESG performance that significantly affects the company’s systemic risk sensitivity.

Investigating the Impact of Corporate Governance on Financial Performance and Firm Value Prior To And During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Objective: This study aims to compare the impact of Corporate Governance on Financial Performance and Firm Value before and during Covid-19 Pandemic.   Theoretical framework: This research is based on stakeholders and shareholders who also have rights to what they have provided to the company.   Method: The study focuses on companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange, analyzing the period from 2018 to 2021, which limits its scope to these entities during and before the pandemic. Utilizing ordinary least squares regression analysis through STATA, this study includes data from 146 companies.   Results and conclusion: The results indicate that company size favorably influenced Financial Performances and negatively affected Firm Value during the pandemic. However, aspects of Corporate Governance, including the board of directors, the size of the board, independent directors and the audit committee, had no significant impact on the Financial Performance of the company's value during this period. Before the pandemic, the audit committee negatively affected Firm Value, company size was favorably correlated with Financial Performance and company age favorably influenced Firm Value. However, other elements of Corporate Governance, such as the board of directors, board size and independent directors, did not significantly affect the Financial Performance of the company's value.   Implications of the research: This research offers important insights for companies in seeing how firm-related factors can lead to firm value in the capital market.   Originality/value: This study contributes to the understanding of the relationship between Corporate Governance, Financial Performance, and Firm Value in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Behavior Among Stock Price, Financial Performance, and Financial Distress Evidence from the Australian and New Zealand Stock Exchanges

Objective: The main objective of this study is to investigate the behavior among stock price, financial performance, and financial distress in Australian and New Zealand Stock Exchanges. Similar studies have been done on United States and European markets, but none on Australian and New Zealand Stock Exchanges. Our finding suggested that PE Ratio is not a reliable measure of financial performance in Australian and New Zealand Stock Exchanges.   Method: Altman’s Z-score is applied to reflect the financial distress of the large listed firms in Australian Stock Exchange and New Zealand Stock Exchange while expected return on total investment minus the market premium, which is associated with the overall risk of a firm, is used as a proxy to stock price performance. In addition, this study also investigates the various effects on profitability, financial leverage, liquidity, growth, and size factors on stock performance.   Results: Regression models are applied to investigate the stock performance upon independent variables’ effects. Results of the study show that all selected variables are reliable to use to measure performance, except P/E ratio. Moreover, Z-score, current ratio, P/E ratio, and ROE generally have significant positive relationship with stock price performance, while total assets, in general, have significant negative relationship with stock price performance.   Conclusion: This paper has a potential to contribute in knowledge of stock price and financial performance. It also examines financial distress of the market. The objective of the study is to examine the dynamics of stock prices using market value ratios and financial performance using financial ratios under financial distress of selective countries particularly. Using the empirical data from listed companies from the stock exchanges, this study determines the stock performance in a unique way with the combination of market value ratios and financial ratios.

Peculiarities of the value of built heritage in Chisinau

Valuation of privately owned real estate included in the Register of State Protected Monuments is a serious challenge for practicing values in the Republic of Moldova. The present research highlights methodological and conceptual peculiarities concerning the value and valuation of functional buildings, which cannot be modernized in accordance with the requirements and preferences of modern society. The objectives of the research include: identification of structural changes in the value of built heritage over time; identification of problems and recommendations on how to value a specific category of real estate. The authors find a negative economic value of the analyzed category of real estate, but a positive real value (especially market value). The peculiarities of the value of the land and the value of the building recognized as a national monument are highlighted. The influence of the value of the land on the value of the real estate and the structure of the value of the monument of local importance are illustrated.

2023 Black Theology and Leadership Institute: The Neoliberal Homiletic

This article delves into the intersection of race, economic ideology, and Christian identity formation within the context of Black preaching to articulate what is referred to as the “neoliberal homiletic.” The neoliberal homiletic refers to the uncritical adoption of economic, ideological concepts within preaching practices, leading to a reshaping of theological goals and individual identity as examined in the context of the Black church. Preaching influenced by economic ideas constructs a Christian identity that aligns with market values and reinforces economic systems of oppression. Despite these challenges, a hopeful path forward is found in a return to historical traditions of Black preaching, which emphasize community solidarity, resistance to oppression, and a theological preference for the poor. Reclaiming these traditions can empower the Black church to address the socio-economic challenges faced by marginalized communities and counteract the pervasive influence of economism.

Navigating EU-Sweden forestry disputes

This meta-empirical study delves into the conflicts between Sweden and its forestry industry in response to the EU-commission's demands for sustainable forest management. Combining theoretical foundations with empirical analysis of existing research, this study grounds itself in a clear definition of forests as intricate, adaptive, and ever-evolving systems. The central research question revolves around the efficacy of Sweden's guiding principle, "freedom under responsibility," in shaping forest policy and fostering long-term sustainability.To dissect the core of this conflict, two fundamental hypotheses are explored. The first centers on the clash of interests between the Swedish government and forest industry stakeholders, while the second delves into the tension between monetarily valued ecosystem services and those without a market value, a natural market being absent. These questions are scrutinized using a novel method tailored for conflict analysis. A model article and two specific analysis articles are developed, each focusing on distinct facets of forest management, and are subsequently compared to reveal insightful contrasts.This contrasting approach unveils a comprehensive socio-economic framework underlying these conflicts—a framework that often remains concealed due to deeply ingrained patterns of thought and behavior within homogeneous groups. The method's greatest strength lies in its ability to render the invisible visible and the "silent" audible. It clarifies what might be obscured in the model article, bringing the contours of the conflict into sharp relief.The study findings affirm the value and democratic nature of the "freedom under responsibility" principle. However, for it to yield the intended outcomes, substantial and continuous educational efforts directed at relevant forest management stakeholders are imperative. This meta-empirical study highlights the necessity of a robust educational campaign to ensure the principle's success.Moreover, this study contributes theoretical insights that could serve as a foundation for conflict resolution:•Forests are complex, adaptive, and dynamic systems.•Human intervention prompts responses and adaptations within this system.•The choice of management strategies plays a pivotal role in achieving specific outcomes, whether biomass production or the preservation of natural forest characteristics.•The production of forest ecosystem services necessitates active management and does not occur automatically.

PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION SECURITY BREACH INCIDENTS: SHORT-TERM STOCK MARKET REACTION ON INDIAN LISTED FIRMS

ABSTRACT Data breach incidents are growing by the day and firms struggle to detect, defend, and respond to such breaches. Nowadays, security breaches are considered one of the major concerns for corporate organizations around the world. Hence, it is essential to assess the impact of such breaches on organizations. This article reports stock price reaction due to public disclosure of information security breach (ISB) incidents on publicly traded firms of India. Using the event study methodology on a sample of 120 publicly announced ISB incidents between January 2004 and April 2019 pertaining to 69 publicly listed firms of India, we found that exposure to an ISB incident exacerbates negative stock price reactions based on both one-factor market model and Fama-French three-factor model. On average, breached firms lost 0.55% of their market value within two days post the announcement of ISB incidents. Further, we found some factors that significantly negatively impacted Cumulative Abnormal Return (CAR). Important emerging factors such as type of compromised data, sentiment, subjectivity, and remedial strategy significantly impact CAR. According to our study findings, we suggest that firms should mention remedial measures in terms of apology and/or compensation in the ISB disclosure. Furthermore, the result indicates that investors penalize listed firms for subsequent ISB incidents. Thus, our findings may guide Chief Information Officers (CIOs), information security managers, and IT managers of publicly traded firms to devise various strategies in terms of IT security measures and content of the ISB disclosure.

Utilization of non-timber forest products as alternative sources of food and income in the highland regions of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

In developing countries, studies on sustainable preservation of forests (including non-timber forest products NTFPs) have been poorly carried out for promoting alternative income generating activities (IGA) to alleviate pressure on praised resources by local communities living close by protected areas. This study aimed at (1) inventorying NTFPs exploited by local communities around the Kahuzi Biega National Park (KBNP), (2) assessing their therapeutic values and nutritional contributions, and (3) analyzing their rural and urban market values to determine their potential as alternative income sources as well as the major constraints in their exploitation. Individual interviews were conducted with 790 rural and urban households in Kabare, Walungu, Kalehe, and Bukavu City, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) coupled with focus group discussions with key stakeholders around KBNP. Street vendors, restaurants, hotels, and market owners were also interviewed on uses, awareness of the nutritional and therapeutic values, and factors hindering NTFPs wide use in Bukavu urban environments. Physicochemical analyses were also conducted on main NTFPs to determine their nutritional values. Results showed that local populations around KBNP exploit at least 55 NTFPs, mainly for self-consumption as food, feed, and medicine. NTFPs represent the second most important income source around KBNP, accounting for 23.3 % of total households’ income after agriculture that generates 25.7 % of total households’ income. Income from NTFP trade was primarily used for food supply (29 %), investment in small businesses (19.6 %), children's education (17.7 %), and healthcare expenses (5.1 %). These NTFPs had varying nutritional values (in terms of proximate composition, essential minerals, and bioactive compounds). Solanum nigrum (24.9 %), Termitomyces robustus (18.0 %), Amaranthus viridis (17.6 %), and Piper nigrum (16.9 %) are valuable sources of proteins while Zingiber officinale (25.5 %), T. robustus (15.4 %) and P. nigrum (14.3 %) are rich in dietary fibres. Piper nigrum (37.0 and 128.3 mg/kg) and Basella alba (35.1 and 108.7 mg/kg) had the highest zinc and iron contents, respectively. Some of the most nutritious NTFPs, such as S. nigrum, Dioscorea spp., and P. nigrum had high contents in anti-nutritional elements and should be processed properly to maximize bioavailability. Besides, NTFPs created employment opportunities for collectors, vendors, supermarkets, hotels, and restaurants both in rural and urban areas. Though varying with rural communities, the main challenges in the NTFP value chain were low market values (48.6 %), short shelf life (22.5 %), and excessive taxation (19.1 %) while in urban areas, seasonality (36.9 %), scarcity (17.7 %), and prohibiting high prices (17.7 %) were the major limiting factors. This study highlights the significant role played by NTFPs in providing healthy and nutritious food and income for households surrounding the KBNP, and thus emphasizes the necessity for their promotion as alternative income sources and healthy diets to alleviate poverty and hidden hunger around the KBNP.

Market reaction to responsible production practices adoption: The role of firm size and financial slack

The tension between the costs and benefits of adopting responsible production practices has engendered firms' hesitation about embracing legitimate actions in their business operations. Drawing upon the legitimacy theory and resource-based view, this study delves into the market responses to responsible production practices adoption and the boundary conditions of firm size and financial slack influencing the performance link. Using a dataset comprising 392 manufacturers that adopted responsible production practices between 2016 and 2023; this study employs a short-term event study approach to unveil the positive market value of responsible production practices adoption. Through cross-sectional regression analysis, we discern that firm size and financial slack can strengthen the market value of adopting responsible production practices, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings offer managerial insights for assisting firms in navigating their journey toward responsible production while safeguarding their firm value.

The value relevance of voluntary disclosure through social media platforms: Evidence from European Union listed firms

This paper examines whether the level of voluntary disclosure through social media platforms provides value-relevant information. Economic theory suggests that information is value relevant whether it signals for something capable of increasing firm market value. Based on a sample of 200 European Union listed firms over the 2020-2022 period, we find that more voluntary disclosure through social media platforms increases firm market value, thus suggesting that it contains value-relevant information. Empirical evidence holds to several robustness checks, such as endogeneity tests, alternative regression specifications, and cross-sectional analyses. We further examine whether the level of voluntary disclosure through social media platforms influences the relationship between current returns and future earnings. We find that more voluntary disclosure improves the association between current returns and future earnings to the extent that current returns better reflect future earnings when firms provide more voluntary disclosure through social media platforms. This study adds to the growing academic debate on the role of social media usage for firm value.

The market`s (non) reaction to ministerial instability

This research analyzes the impact of the ministerial instability on the market value of Brazilian companies. We use a study of events to measure the abnormal returns of the companies in 26 events, covering the period from 2019 to 2022. The estimation window used was 252 previous returns to the event window. We select the 100 companies with the greatest participation in the Bovespa index, without considering holdings. Regarding abnormal returns, only two specific events stood out. Overall, at 90%, 95% and 99% confidence intervals, the results do not allow confirming or rejecting the hypothesis that the stock market reacted to ministerial instability during the government of Jair Bolsonaro. The lack of a relationship between the Brazilian stock market and politics reveals a possible disregard on the part of the market for and with the instabilities of public policies that may be promoted by ministerial instability.

Investigating the Transition Upgrading Paths of Manufacturing Enterprises From an Energy Source Perspective

As the manufacturing industry is the foundation of the national economy, many countries have made concerted efforts to promote the transition upgrading of manufacturing enterprises from political, industrial, and academic circles. This study employed content analysis to explore the transition upgrading factors for manufacturing enterprises from an energy source perspective. With the help of FsQCA (Fuzzy-sets qualitative comparative analysis), which can mine multivariate combination relationships using a small number of samples, this study quantitatively calculated the transition paths and energy source combinations of manufacturing enterprises. Three transition upgrading paths were proposed, including an innovation-oriented path, a business-oriented path, and an efficiency-oriented path. The results indicate that manufacturing enterprises can realize transition upgrading based on three key methods, including innovation resources and innovation activities, strategic layout, and production operation + network relationship (peripheral). Such a finding validated the rationality of the theoretical path design and improved the research depth and precision. Multiple case analyses of Huawei, Haier, and Lenovo reveal that manufacturing enterprises used three ways to promote transition upgrading: the joint action of innovation activities and innovation resources; the uni-directional causal effect of strategic layout adjustment to increase market value; and the coordination and matching role of network relations dominated by production and operation. We conclude that this study provides an effective decision-making basis and management reference for manufacturing enterprises, so that enterprises can choose an appropriate energy accumulation method and scientifically realize the transition upgrading.

Assessing the mechanical properties of biobased versus fossil-based ropes and their impact on the productivity and quality of mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) in longline aquaculture: Toward decarbonization

The expansion of offshore mussel aquaculture is intertwined with the rising demand for mussel grow-out ropes. Currently, these ropes are manufactured using fossil-fuel based or fossil-based plastics. In response to concerns about plastic pollution and sustainable aquaculture practices, biobased materials have emerged as more sustainable alternatives. Yet, the importance of the choice of raw materials, as well as the methods used in their production and sourcing, is key in determining the performance of materials in sea conditions within the context of aquaculture. This study evaluated the functionality of biobased ropes in terms of productivity and durability, comparing them to fossil-based counterparts during a one-year mussel culture in offshore conditions. Across one-year culture, noteworthy mussel losses were observed in the fossil-based (65%) ropes compared to the biobased B1 (53%) and B2 (18%) prototype ropes, B2 and B1 ropes yielding 85% and 23% more mussel (kg/ m rope) than the fossil-based ropes. Moreover, the higher correlations of shell length and body weight over time suggesting that biobased ropes may be more suitable substrates for mussel growth compared to fossil-based ropes. The structural distinction between the round and more uniform fine multifilaments in biobased ropes, as opposed to the clustered structure of flat fibres in fossil-based ropes, may have contributed to a more effective surface area for the initial attachment and growth of seeded mussels, avoiding subsequent losses. The use of biobased ropes contributed positively to the interplay between substrate structure, biofouling, and mussel attachment, which may be used for guiding further designs of aquaculture biobased gears. Despite seasonal variations, the final condition, proximate and fatty acid composition of mussel indicated their marketability and high nutritional quality. Higher shell length and mussel yields observed, indicating a potential for mussels cultivated on biobased ropes, especially in B2, to reach a higher market value. Regarding durability, linear density of biobased ropes remained unaltered after one-year offshore mussel culture. The biobased B2 rope prototype showed the highest ratio between the retention of mechanical properties (Load at Break and elongation) and the total mussel weight held for one year. The findings of this study validate the biobased B2 prototype as the most promising alternative to fossil-based ropes. It significantly boosted production yields of high-quality mussels while maintaining rope durability throughout one year in offshore culture. These results hold promise for reducing the reliance on fossil-based plastic ropes in mussel aquaculture, thereby contributing to decarbonization efforts.

Local corruption and value of cash in an emerging market

ABSTRACT The institutional environment in Vietnam is an opportunity to investigate how local corruption affects the value of cash. With a research sample of 4,316 observations, we find that local corruption decreases the market value of cash. Moreover, we document that state ownership and foreign ownership can mitigate the negative effect of local corruption on cash value.

The impact of intangible assets on market valuation: evidence from EURO STOXX 50 companies

The impact of a company's intangible assets on its market value has been a topic of great interest. Many studies have focused on various factors, such as industry, size, age, indebtedness, and profitability of companies, which influence decisions regarding the disclosure of information about intangible assets. This study examines the role of intangible assets in the valuation of a company's market value and takes into account other firm-specific characteristics. Our analysis was conducted on a sample of 50 publicly traded companies that are part of the EURO STOXX 50 index and come from eight countries in the eurozone: Belgium, Finland, France, the Netherlands, Ireland, Germany, Spain, and Italy. The study covered a five-year period from 2018 to 2022.The results of our study indicate that intangible assets have a significant impact on a company's market value. In conclusion, our study highlights the growing importance of intangible assets in today's economy and their significant influence on a company's market value. Investors can benefit from a deeper understanding of these factors, aiding them in investment decisions. For companies, the strategic management of intellectual assets is essential for long-term success. As the importance of intangible assets continues to rise, further research in this area is necessary to gain deeper insights into their impact on the business world.