Investment Planning Research Articles

An Empirical Evaluation Of The Effect Of Investment Strategy And Corporate Governance On Financial Performance Of Pension Funds In Kenya

The study examined the effect of investment strategy (IS) and corporate governance (CG) on the financial performance of pension schemes in Kenya thereby addressing the key research question: What is the effect of IS and CG on the financial performance of pension funds in Kenya? Qualitative, quantitative and correlational research designs were used to assess the effect of these factors on financial performance of pension funds. Quantitative data on annual return of pension funds from 2012 to 2020 as well as qualitative data on CG indicators and IS were used in the study. Return on investments proxied pension fund performance. Primary data was collected using survey questionnaires from the pension schemes from the CG and IS indicators to develop both CG and IS indices. The findings show that CG as well as IS impact differently pension funding. Effect of CG indicators on pension performance was positive and significant. The intervening effect of IS on the link between CG and pension performance was significant. The individual contribution of CG indicators on pension performance, nonetheless varied. The main conclusion of the study is that pension fund financial performance is influenced by both CG and IS implying that there is need to take into account the effect of these factors in the execution of investment plans of pension funds to ensure generation of adequate funds for retirement benefits

Federated Learning for Personalized Financial Recommendations

Abstract: Federated Learning (FL) has been the solution to one of those biggest contributors that have scared us from using Machine learning, i.e. Privacy [ for sensitive domains like finance ]. This survey focuses on leveraging Federated Learning in creating personalized recommendation systems for financial products such as loans, investment plans, credit cards and savings. For example, classical recommendation systems usually work in a centralized way to store a lot of sensitive financial data (or derivative structures), this setting presents other well-known privacy issues and security risks. FL provides a solution that enables multiple financial institutions to work together to train a global recommendation model without the need any of them to share their raw customer data. The paper reviews federated learning, and some key take ways are on differential privacy and secure aggregation to protect customer data while improving the quality of recommendations. We also talk about how to solve some problems like heterogeneity of the data, model convergence and regulatory constraints required in financial methods. The paper concludes by detailing future directions for federated learning in finance, with focus on how personalized financial recommendations can be dramatically transformed while preserving user privacy.

How to assess measurement capabilities of a security monitoring infrastructure and plan investment through a graph-based approach

Security monitoring is a crucial activity in managing cybersecurity for any organization, as it plays a foundational role in various security processes and systems, such as risk identification and threat detection. To be effective, security monitoring is currently implemented by orchestrating multiple data sources to provide corrective actions promptly. Poor monitoring management can compromise an organization’s cybersecurity posture and waste resources. This issue is further exacerbated by the fact that monitoring infrastructures are typically managed with a limited resource budget. This paper addresses the problem of supporting security experts in managing security infrastructures efficiently and effectively by considering the trade-off cost-benefit between using specific monitoring tools and the benefit of including them in the organization’s infrastructure. To this aim, we introduce a graph-based model named Metric Graph Model (MGM) to represent dependencies between security metrics and the monitoring infrastructure. It is used to solve a set of security monitoring problems: (i) Metrics Computability, to assess the measurement capabilities of the monitoring infrastructure, (ii) Instrument Redundancy, to assess the utility of the instruments used for the monitoring, and (iii) Cost-Bounded Constraint, to identify the optimal monitoring infrastructure in terms of cost-benefit trade-off. We prove the NP-hardness of some of these problems, propose heuristics for solving them based on the Metric Graph Model and provide an experimental evaluation that shows their better performance than existing solutions. Finally, we present a usage scenario based on an instance of the Metric Graph Model derived from a state-of-the-art security metric taxonomy currently employed by organizations. It demonstrates how the proposed approach supports an administrator in optimizing the security monitoring infrastructure in terms of saving resources and speeding up the decision-making process.

PERENCANAAN DAN PENINGKATAN KEUANGAN MELALUI INVESTASI DIGITAL SYARIAH PADA MASYARAKAT DI KAWASAN CAGAR BUDAYA KERATON KARTASURA

Family economic welfare is everyone's hope. Economic welfare can be successful if there are right decisions in managing finances that begin with financial planning and decisions. The role of housewives and women in economic welfare can be shown in financial management, so a good understanding is needed in managing finances. This community service program aims to improve understanding of financial planning and improvement through digital investment. The participants of the method used through Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) with housewives and women in the cultural heritage area of the Kartasura palace. The results of the training provided will encourage participants to have appropriate digital investment planning and decisions, so that in the future they can obtain welfare

AI-driven robo-advisors on personal financial management and investment strategies

The advent of AI-driven robo-advisors has revolutionized personal financial management and investment strategies. Leveraging sophisticated algorithms and machine learning, these platforms offer personalized financial advice and automated portfolio management with minimal human intervention. By analyzing vast datasets, including market trends, economic indicators, and individual client preferences, robo-advisors can create tailored investment plans that optimize returns and manage risks effectively. This paper explores the transformative impact of AI in democratizing financial advice, enhancing decision-making processes, and making investment management accessible to a broader audience. The integration of AI in robo-advisory services not only improves efficiency but also provides a scalable solution to meet the diverse financial needs of individuals.

Qualitative-quantitative indicators to regenerate public spaces through Nature-based Solutions

The relationship between public works and communities highlights the inherently multidimensional theme of project and evaluation linked to indicators outlined in investment plans and territorial planning. Within this context, the climate crisis necessitates intervention in the city, where public space serves as an intermediate and proximity item, dynamically recalibrating urban interactions among people, nature, and technology. The objective of this paper is to investigate public space, identifying legislative criteria in terms of sustainability and the technological-environmental solutions present in the major environmental certification protocols currently available worldwide, as well as their application in national and international case studies. This analysis allows to define an original framework of dichotomous qualitative-quantitative indicators, simultaneously examining the limitations and future developments of the research. This contribution forms part of the research outcomes undertaken, both completed and ongoing, within the framework of the 2017 PRIN Research “Tech-Start” and the research line Mission 4 – Comp. 2 funded by the NRRP.

Investment Strategies for Young Professionals: Exploring Different Investment Options and Strategies Tailored for Young Professionals

As the variety of offers and the constant changes on the financial markets progress, the young professionals notice that the right time to start investing is now and the further down the line, the harder it will be. Yet, for individuals just starting their careers the challenges of financial strategies may be overwhelming. This paper aims to examine different investment options and plans available to young professional and aspiring investors looking at their unique needs, goals, and volatility/ time horizons. It covers familiar forms of investments including stocks, bonds and mutual funds, new forms of investment like ETFs, real estates, and cryptocurrencies. This paper provides a clear and detailed explanation of the main benefits and drawbacks of every kind of investment, which can be useful for building an effective investment portfolio. Moreover, the study reveals a rich literature on financial planning and education, efficiency of automated investment instruments, and risk mitigation as crucial factors for successful investment. Based on this reasoning, the young professionals are pointed out as being in a favourable position enjoy a long investment horizon and therefore are able to explore higher risk investment opportunity. But it states that diversification and prudent risks management are crucial in order to minimize incidences of a loss. The final steps in the report provides an easily understandable guide for young professionals that shows how they can build an investment portfolio that will provide good returns and be favourable for the future.

An Exploratory Study on the Effect of Macroeconomic Indicators on the Stock Market Performance among 6-ASEAN Countries

The stock market's performance has been impacted by the global economy's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigates the impact of various factors on stock market performance, with a focus on the global economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The stock market has experienced positive growth, driven by low interest rates, ample liquidity, and sustained investor optimism, despite concerns over rising inflation and interest rates. This research aims to analyze stock market performance across six ASEAN countries, using a range of data sources, including historical stock prices, financial reports, and macroeconomic indicators. The findings reveal that the real exchange rate exerts the most significant influence on stock market performance. The insights from this study provide valuable information for investors, policymakers, and government bodies, aiding in strategic decision-making and investment planning in these markets.

How effective are eHealth literacy interventions? A meta-analysis of experimental studies

Abstract The rapid evolution of digital health emphasises the need for effective eHealth literacy (eHL) to ensure equitable access to health information and improve patient outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to assess the effectiveness of eHL interventions, addressing the significant gap in knowledge about which strategies are most beneficial. Adhering to PRISMA guidelines, we systematically retrieved, quantitatively pooled and critically appraised available experimental evidence on the effectiveness of eHL interventions across different populations. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched for studies reporting original quantitative outcomes of eHL, assessed by the eHealth Literacy Scale or other validated scales. Data were pooled using a random-effects model, with critical appraisal of the included studies. From the 504 records screened, 15 studies met the inclusion criteria. They encompass interventions targeting adults with chronic diseases (6 studies), older adults (5), and young people (4) and examine either individualistic or collaborative approaches (respectively, 9 and 5 studies, and 1 assessing both). The meta-analysis revealed significant improvements in eHL, both pre- vs post-intervention (UMD 5.81, 95%CI 3.38-8.26, N = 1,025) and experimental vs control groups (OR 3.65, 95%CI 2.06-6.46, N = 1,258). Meta-regression showed a significant correlation between pre/post-intervention outcomes and baseline eHL levels (slope=-0.91, p-value=0.009). Our findings support the effectiveness of tailored interventions in significantly enhancing eHL, providing key insights (role of baseline eHL levels and intervention approach) for intervention design and implementation that are adaptable to various demographic contexts. This research was supported by the National Plan for Complementary Investments to the NRRP Hub Life Science-Digital Health (PNC-E3-2022-23683267, DHEAL-COM).

Coalition politics under exceptional exogenous constraints: the Meloni government during the EU-financed economic recovery plan

ABSTRACT Since its inauguration, the coalition dynamics characterizing the Meloni government have been interrelated with managing one of the largest investment plans in Italian history: the Next Generation EU-funded recovery plan. This windfall represents both a historic opportunity for economic revitalization and an unprecedented external constraint for Italy. By linking two established research agendas, the coalition life cycle and the Europeanisation of domestic politics, this study examines the extent to which external constraints arising from EU membership may have affected coalition governance. Using a longitudinal design spanning almost three decades (1996-2023), the study finds that the implementation of the recovery plan is associated both with new trends and the accentuation of existing ones, including the strengthening of the prime minister’s role.

Addressing extreme weather events for the renewable power-water-heating sectors in Neom, Saudi Arabia

A renewable energy design optimization model is proposed to plan investments in power, water, and heat technologies. The intermittent nature of renewables requires that these models capture the variability and complementarity of resources at high spatial and temporal resolutions. However, most planning models use time-series reduction methods that, while capturing data variance, often smooth out extreme weather or demand patterns. To account for extreme patterns and design reliable energy systems, we propose a clustering-optimization framework that considers extreme weather days. This framework is applied to design an integrated multi-sector energy system for the Neom region in Saudi Arabia. Our results show that fully renewable systems designed without considering extreme days could not meet demands and instead required external power or water supplies during a post-optimization simulation. Once extreme days were considered in the optimization, system reliability increased at the expense of larger generation and storage capacity investments.

A IMPORTÂNCIA DA GOVERNANÇA CORPORATIVA PARA A GESTÃO FINANCEIRA DAS ORGANIZAÇÕES EMPRESARIAIS: UMA IDEIA REVOLUCIONÁRIA PARA ALCANÇAR O SUCESSO

This study analyzed the relationship between Financial Management and Corporate Governance of Micro and Small Companies and their financial performance. To know the reasons that lead a micro and small company to close. By not carrying out an investment plan, spending more than what is actually invoiced and the difficulty of controlling accounts is something that many entrepreneurs suffer. With the world economy and international trade increasingly integrated and diffuse. Micro and small companies are in a competitive rivalry between competitors, and having good quantitative and qualitative methods for analyzing decisions are some performance indicators (KPIs). From small organizations to large multinationals in the world, they continually seek a predictable and profitable future scenario. So that they can control or anticipate any eventualities through financial governance. In the financial market, there is a growing search by organizations for more information and data to assist in their decision-making arrangements. Financial Management has been increasing its area of expertise in terms of needs: cash; planning; capital expenditure research and decisions. Financial management as a refined tool becomes a privilege in the organization's decision making, envisioning future scenarios, which if used correctly leverages profits.

Current Status of Logistics Infrastructure Associated with the Development of Vietnam’s Sea Tourism

With a coastline of 3260 kilometers, 2.773 islands, and 28 coastal provinces, Vietnam has a great potential for sea tourism development. One of the factors affecting this development is logistics infrastructure. This research paper aims to analyze all of the logistics infrastructure factors including highways, railways, inland waterways, seaway, and airways; and the connection between logistics transport infrastructure and marine tourism development. The result shows that coastal tourism areas have made strong investments in logistics infrastructure and future planning. However, the lack of synchronization in transport networks connecting tourist destinations, the adaptation of the seaport systems and waterway transports, along with the overall infrastructure serving the needs of accommodations and tourism services have not met the increasing demand. Based on these bases, this paperwork proposes solutions to developing the logistics infrastructure associated with the development of Vietnam’s sea tourism.

Uncertainty, corporate investment, and hiring: The case of COVID-19

We investigate how the COVID-19 pandemic affected CFOs’ self-assessed uncertainty about revenue growth and its impact on investment and hiring plans, using data from two consecutive surveys of the same CFOs conducted before and during the pandemic. Following the WHO's declaration, firm-level uncertainty increased, and investment plans were restrained. Furthermore, heightened firm-level uncertainty dampened firms' investment and hiring plans, even after controlling for other pandemic-related factors, as well as financial and investment flexibility.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ON INVESTMENT CHOICE DECISIONS OF ACADEMIC PROFESSIONALS

The substantial impact of information technology on investment decision-making is explored in this study, and strong empirical support is provided through a significant regression model. Understanding the extent to which technology influences investment choices is of utmost relevance in a time of fast technological advancement. The research makes use of a varied dataset that includes a variety of economic and market characteristics, employing robust statistical analysis to evaluate the relationship between technology and investment decisions. Our findings show that information technology and investing choices are statistically significantly correlated. The regression model illustrates how technology is increasingly being used into investment strategies and how it influences investors' decisions. This study emphasizes the importance of incorporating technical expertise into investment plans, with a focus on data analytics, artificial intelligence, and long-term tech investments. Furthermore, the ease with which mutual funds can be invested in, with alternatives for both novice and experienced investors, has made them a practical and accessible option as the study points mutual funds as the most preferred option for investment. Their liquidity and transparency also resonate with investors who appreciate the ability to monitor their investments easily and access their funds when needed. The results of the study highlight how crucial it is to comprehend investor preferences for financial goods. The popularity of mutual funds not only demonstrates their benefits but also emphasizes the necessity for financial institutions and advisors to customise their services and products in order to meet investor needs. KEYWORDS: Information Technology, Investment Choice Decisions, Mutual Funds

A Study on Perception of Mutual Fund Investment

This study explores the performance, risks, and opportunities associated with mutual fund investments, particularly in the Indian market. It evaluates different mutual fund types, analyzing their historical returns and risk metrics to provide investors with data-driven insights. The research examines the factors influencing mutual fund performance, including market volatility, asset management strategies, and economic conditions. Additionally, the study assesses investor behaviour in response to mutual fund performance, emphasizing the role of financial literacy and risk tolerance. The findings suggest that mutual funds offer a viable investment option for wealth creation, with equity-based funds outperforming others over a long-term horizon. However, market risks remain significant, requiring careful management and strategic investment planning

Spatial national multi-period long-term energy and carbon planning scenarios in Ecuador’s electric system

The Republic of Ecuador is developing a comprehensive plan to meet the increasing residential, industrial, and commercial energy demands. With a population of 17.08 million in 2018, the country is experiencing an annual average energy growth of approximately 7.13% until 2027. This research aims to model the incorporation of new and proposed power plants strategically planned to cater to the expanding demand needs. Ensuring that our existing energy infrastructure can adequately meet the current and growing needs of the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors should be made possible. In this paper, we present several hypotheses that need to be made to identify the potential demands for residential, industrial, and commercial requirements, making it more accessible to build new facilities that use renewable energy. Traditional and unconventional renewable energy sources, such as hydro-power, wind, and solar power, are being explored to generate electricity. The research employs quantitative methodology, beginning with gathering information and a detailed data analysis. Subsequently, a scenario-based model will examine the impact on energy demand and supply from 2020 to 2035. The results show that the Santiago hydroelectric project is becoming essential for the country’s energy development and that the current national power system will only be able to supply the electricity demand when the industrial city of Posorja is being developed. We suggest that to maintain Ecuador’s electricity trade balance as an electricity exporter, we continue with the energy investment plans currently issued by the Ministry of Energy and Mines. This study is relevant for establishing global financing arrangements involving the public and private sectors. In doing so, we can meet our hypothetical scenarios, ensuring that all energy needs are met by 2035. This will involve developing a robust national grid system with sufficient reserve capacity, meeting residential and projected commercial and industrial demand.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, INVESTMENT STRATEGY, MACROECONOMIC VARIABLES AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF PENSION SCHEMES IN KENYA

<p>The study investigated the impact of corporate governance (CG), investment strategy (IS) and macroeconomic variables on the financial performance of pension schemes in Kenya, thereby addressing the key research question: What is the effect of CG, IS and macroeconomic variables on the financial performance of pension funds in Kenya? Qualitative, quantitative and correlational research designs were used to assess the effect of these factors on the financial performance of pension funds. Quantitative data on the annual return of pension funds and macroeconomic variables from 2012 to 2020, as well as qualitative data on CG indicators and IS, were used in the study. Return on investments proxied pension fund performance. Primary data was collected using survey questionnaires from the pension schemes from both the CG and IS indicators to develop both CG and IS indices. The findings show that CG, as well as IS and macroeconomic variables, impact pension funding differently. The effect of CG indicators on pension performance was positive and significant. The intervening effect of IS on the link between CG and pension performance was significant, while the moderating effect of macroeconomic variables was significant. The individual contribution of both CG indicators and macroeconomic factors on pension performance, nonetheless, varied. The main conclusion of the study is that pension fund financial performance is influenced by CG, IS and macroeconomic factors implying that there is a need to take into account the impact of these factors in the execution of investment plans of pension funds to ensure the generation of adequate funds for retirement benefits.</p><p> </p><p><strong>JEL: </strong>G23, G32, G34, E44, O55<strong></strong></p><p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0715/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

Tax Policy Uncertainty and Investment in Tax Planning: Firm-Level Evidence

Tax Policy Uncertainty and Investment in Tax Planning: Firm-Level Evidence

On the Borrowed Points and Danger Prevention of Cross-Border Tax Planning

International tax planning can reflect the level of an enterprise's multinational business management, but also relates to the financial cost of growth and decline, is a must for enterprise managers. International tax planning refers to the multinational taxpayers to make in advance, used to reduce the international tax obligations of multinational investment and business plans. With the global inflation, the use of reasonable means to reduce the tax burden in the international tax environment has become a practical need to promote the further development and growth of China's multinational companies, but at present, China's multinational enterprises are still in the initial stage of multinational operations, many managers for the discussion of the international tax planning only stays on the surface. Therefore, this paper analyzes the possibility of international tax planning, tax jurisdiction, policy loopholes, tax avoidance risks and hazard prevention from the perspective of Apple, for example, and analyzes Apple's Irish-Dutch Sandwich tax avoidance structure, which provides certain reference significance to our country's multinational tax planning.