Relative Investment Research Articles

Evidence of the internationalization of China's crude oil futures: Asymmetric linkages to global financial risks

Since its launch, China's crude oil futures (COIL) have gradually integrated with the international financial market but undoubtedly face more risks. For the purpose of exploring the influence mechanism between COIL and global risk, this paper uses a series of Granger causality tests to provide more evidence of COIL internationalization. In addition, we focus on exploring whether this influence mechanism has asymmetric characteristics. We choose a comprehensive new indicator, the Global Financial Risk Index (COVOL), to represent global financial risk, and also pay attention to three kinds of global risk refer to international energy, inflation, and financial system uncertainty. First, we find a marked asymmetry in the impact of global risks on COIL, especially energy-related risks, followed by financial system uncertainty. Second, COIL also has a significant asymmetric impact on global financial risks, including COVOL, GOIL, FSI, and EPU. Next, we further explore long-term and short-term changes in these asymmetric relationships. Empirical results have found that most asymmetric patterns exhibit long-term characteristics. Finally, given the potential impact of global extreme events, we provide an in-depth analysis of whether this asymmetric link still holds after the COVID-19 outbreak and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. These findings may provide important implications for improving coil market policy and related investment decisions.

Dyadic Assessment of Perceived Partner Forgiveness and Relationship Investment Model in Turkish Romantic Couples

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between perceived partner forgiveness and relationship investment variables [relationship satisfaction, quality of alternatives, investment size,] in dyadic context. The data were collected from 116 heterosexual romantic couples (n = 232) in the 18-30 age group having at least six months of romantic relationship. This study employed cross-sectional correlational study design. Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) was used to examine the predictive effect of independent variables of the couples on their dependent variables (actor) and their partners’ dependent variables (partner). In this study, dependent variables are relationship satisfaction, quality of alternatives and investment size, independent variable is subjective partner forgiveness. Subjective Partner Forgiveness Scale, The Investment Model Scale were used for data collection. The results suggest that as the level of forgiveness experienced by men and women increase relationship satisfaction increases in the relations between relationship satisfaction and perceived partner forgiveness. Results of the quality of the options and perceived partner forgiveness indicate that the partners' assessment of the quality of alternative decrease as the perceived forgiveness level of both men and women increase. Results of relationship investment and perceived partner forgiveness indicate that the partners' assessment of relationship investment increases as perceived forgiveness in women and men increase. The results were discussed in the context of relevant literature.

Big data management algorithms in artificial Internet of Things-based fintech

Research background: Fintech companies should optimize banking sector performance in assisting enterprise financing as a result of firm digitalization. Artificial IoT-based fintech-based digital transformation can relevantly reverse credit resource misdistribution brought about by corrupt relationship chains. Purpose of the article: We aim to show that fintech can decrease transaction expenses and consolidates firm stock liquidity, enabling excess leverage decrease and cutting down information asymmetry and transaction expenses across capital markets. AI- and IoT-based fintechs enable immersive and collaborative financial transactions, purchases, and investments in relation to payment tokens and metaverse wallets, managing financial data, infrastructure, and value exchange across shared interactive virtual 3D and simulated digital environments. Methods: AMSTAR is a comprehensive critical measurement tool harnessed in systematic review methodological quality evaluation, DistillerSR is harnessed in producing accurate and transparent evidence-based research through literature review stage automation, MMAT appraises and describes study checklist across systematic mixed studies reviews in terms of content validity and methodological quality predictors, Rayyan is a responsive and intuitive knowledge synthesis tool and cloud-based architecture for article inclusion and exclusion suggestions, and ROBIS appraises systematic review bias risk in relation to relevance and concerns. As a reporting quality assessment tool, the PRISMA checklist and flow diagram, generated by a Shiny App, was used. As bibliometric visualization and construction tools for large datasets and networks, Dimensions and VOSviewer were leveraged. Search terms were “fintech” + “artificial intelligence”, “big data management algorithms”, and “Internet of Things”, search period was June 2023, published research inspected was 2023, and selected sources were 35 out of 188. Findings & value added: The growing volume of financial products and optimized operational performance of financial industries generated by fintech can provide firms with multifarious financing options quickly. Big data-driven fintech innovations are pivotal in banking and capital markets in relation to financial institution operational efficiency. Through data-driven technological and process innovation capabilities, AI system-based businesses can further automated services.

Modeling the carbon costs of plant phosphorus acquisition in Amazonian forests

Plants growing in low phosphorus (P) soils, such as in the predominant soils of Amazonia, are believed to devote more energy to acquiring P through absorptive root production, symbionts, and root exudates than plants in more fertile soils. Accounting for these energy costs in vegetation models is essential, as underestimating carbon (C) allocation to nutrient acquisition may lead to overestimating plant biomass growth. We developed a quantitative model to test a theoretical framework of C costs of P acquisition across soil P gradients. The model considers four strategies: P foraging via absorptive roots and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and P mining via root exudation of phosphatases and organic acids. We used field observations (i.e., soil data, plant biomass production, and stoichiometry of different organs) from ten sites across Amazonia to calibrate the model and explore different scenarios of (i) experimental soil P addition and (ii) elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations (eCO2). Our model reproduced expected trends in P-acquisition strategies, with plants increasingly investing in foraging strategies as soil soluble inorganic P (Pi) increases and increasingly investing in mining strategies as total P and less available P forms decrease. Relative investment in P acquisition was within observed ranges. Plants, on average and across all sites, invested the equivalent of 20.5% of their estimated total net primary production (NPP) in P acquisition. On average, plants allocated 15.3% of their NPP to P acquisition in the three most fertile sites, compared to 29.0% in the least fertile sites. C allocation to arbuscular mycorrhizas, phosphatases, and organic acids, which are not commonly measured components of total NPP, was up to 25.8% (16.9% on average) of the total NPP. We highlight the need for quantitative data on plant C allocation to P acquisition from the soil to strengthen further model development and future model projections.

Improving Blood Donor Retention and Donor Relationships with Past Donation Use Appeals

Blood donation services seek new strategies to improve donor relationships and increase donor retention. In this study, we propose a novel strategy that employs appeals with feedback on the use of blood donors’ past donations. We theorize that this feedback increases the perceived relationship investment and, subsequently, the quality of the relationship with the blood donation service, thereby increasing redonations. An online experiment shows the positive effect of past donation use appeals on donation intention and transmission through perceived relationship investment and relationship quality. Three field studies with Red Cross Blood Donation Services confirm the effectiveness of past donation use appeals on redonation behavior compared with thank-you appeals and with a future donation use appeal. Past donation use appeals are effective for retention purposes, especially for more experienced donors and when sent shortly after the donation. Such appeals also lead to higher reactivation rates of inactive donors. In addition to having practical implications, the study contributes to the relationship and nonprofit service literature.

Road Tolling and Domestic Revenue Mobilisation in Zimbabwe

The study analyses the effectiveness of road tolling-systems as an instrument for mobilising domestic revenue in Zimbabwe. The study assessed the effectiveness of road-tolling systems in mobilising revenue to recoup the costs of building, operating and maintaining road infrastructure. Revenue performance was rated using the internal and external dimensions of toll revenue, which revolve around activities such as toll revenue collection, administration (remittance) as well as the Zimbabwe National Road Administration’s (ZINARA’s) distribution and usage of the toll revenue. By way of mixed methods research design, the study conceptualised and contextualised the theory, models, technologies and practices of toll revenue collection in Zimbabwe. The study found that the Zimbabwean road tolling model as a hybrid conventional tolling model is a progressive, effective and reliable tool to raise revenue for constructing road infrastructure and related road-related capital investments in Zimbabwe and that the internal toll revenue performance is up-to-date with reduced toll revenue leakages and increased toll revenue yield. However, the study found that there is no meaningful investment on the road network and related highway infrastructure thus making the performance of external toll revenue questionable. The study recommended the strengthening of toll revenue collection, management, remittance and toll fees usage.

Concrete Self-Healing for Sustainable Buildings: A Focus on the Economic Evaluation from a Life-Cycle Perspective

Concrete is one of the world’s most used and produced materials, based on its dominant role in the construction sector, both for the construction of new structures and for the repair, restoration, and retrofitting of built ones. Recently, research has been focused on the development of innovative solutions to extend the service life of reinforced concrete structures, specifically by introducing self-healing properties aimed at reducing the necessary maintenance interventions and, consequently, the environmental impacts. These solutions imply costs and financial feasibility impacts, which must be measured and evaluated to support the ranking of preferable alternatives. Thus, this paper proposes a methodology capable of supporting the selection of material/product options from the early design stages in the construction sector. Assuming a life-cycle perspective, the Life-Cycle Costing (LCC) approach is proposed for comparing three material solutions applied to the case study of a wall component hypothesized to be used in building construction in Turin, Northern Italy. Namely, traditional standard concrete and two different self-healing concrete types were evaluated using the Global Cost calculation of each solution. The focus is on the material service life as a crucial factor, capable of orienting investment decisions given its effects on the required maintenance activities (and related investments) and the obtainable residual value. Thus, according to a performance approach, LCC is combined with the Factor Method (FM). Assuming the capability of the lifespan to affect the Global Cost calculation, the results give full evidence of the potential benefits due to the use of self-healing materials in construction in terms of the reduction in maintenance costs, the increase in the durability of buildings and structures and related residual values, and consequently, the reduction in the environmental impacts.

Performance of ESG SPACs

PurposeThe authors examine one special focus of Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs), namely environmental, social and governance (ESG) related investments. The authors document the performance of SPACs with and without ESG focus.Design/methodology/approachThe authors collect data, from several sources, on 1,737 SPAC IPOs formed between 2003 and 2022. A SPAC's focus on ESG is classified based on declared focus in Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings and in post-merger annual reports. The authors examine operational and financial performance of SPACs with and without ESG focus.FindingsIn the study's sample, only 50% of SPACs that announced an intention to acquire an ESG target ended up consummating a merger with an ESG private firm. ESG SPACs exhibit worse operating performance than non-ESG SPACs. Furthermore, they experience 11.6% lower 1-year post-merger excess returns than their non-ESG counterparts.Originality/valueThe study provides an examination of ESG firms that came to market via mergers with SPACs, which is an alternative method to traditional initial public offerings (IPOs). The study also provides a comparison of both operational and stock performance of ESG and non-ESG SPACs.

Transformational leadership and life satisfaction: The sequential mediation model of organizational trust and proactive behavior

The accelerating need for sustainable development across the globe has put firms under great pressure to play their role in social sustainability by working on several objectives. Among them, achieving life satisfaction for their employees is at the forefront. The study aims to examine sequential mediating roles of organizational trust and proactive behavior in transformational leadership and life satisfaction relationships. It draws on social exchange theory and explores investment in relationships within the organization through mutual support and reciprocity. Data were collected through self-reported questionnaires of employees associated with different public and private sector organizations in Pakistan. The study opted for a three-wave time-lagged design. For results, Process macro by Hayes is performed on a sample of 211 employees via 2000 re-samples bias-corrected bootstrap method. The findings reveal that in the presence of a transformational style of leading, when trust is inseminated in followers, their proactivity increases, leading them towards satisfaction in life. Theoretical and practical implications are also discussed in light of the findings.

Does it pay to invest in your couple relationship?

AbstractObjectiveThe objective of the study is to examine the efficacy of relationship investment tactics in improving relationship satisfaction.BackgroundPhysical and mental health are affected by the quality of the couple relationship. Accordingly, bolstering the couple relationship and enhancing relationship satisfaction is of crucial importance for both partners' well‐being. Using relationship investment tactics may represent a behavioral solution for elevating the quality of the couple bond as well as their satisfaction from their relationship.MethodA cross‐sectional research design was adopted. The associations between demographic characteristics, relationship investment tactics, and relationship satisfaction were tested using a path analysis.ResultsEmploying tactics of emotional gestures, material and instrumental gestures, giving space, and shared activities were found to be positively associated with relationship satisfaction. Using tactics of sex and self‐beautification and helping the partner's family and friends did not entail heightened satisfaction.ConclusionRelationships can be improved and transformed by employing relationship investment tactics described in this research report.ImplicationsThe results indicate that behavioral tactics and patterns, which are easy, simple, and usually free, may be employed to enhance relationship satisfaction. Couple therapists may consider advising clients as to how to prevent relationship decline and helping clients when encountering relationship difficulties by employing these relationship investment tactics.

Dual-career marriages: the interplay among dual-career lifestyle, satisfaction, relationship investments and commitment

ABSTRACT This study examined the potential mediating roles of relationship satisfaction and dual-career lifestyle satisfaction in the association between investments and commitment to a relationship. The participants comprise 213 Turkish dual-career married couples (N = 426) between the ages of 19–60, who have been married for at least seven months. Two models were proposed, and the Actor-Partner Interdependence Mediation Model (APIMeM) was conducted to test these models. The results revealed that the associations of both past and planned intangible investments to commitment were partially mediated through relationship satisfaction for both wives and husbands. This study provided support for the dyadic nature of the association between intangible investments and commitment via relationship satisfaction in Turkish dual-career married couples and discussed the findings in relation to the relevant literature.

Partial ownership, control, and investment in vertical relationships

AbstractThis paper examines whether partial ownership of a trading partner can alleviate hold‐up problems and promote relationship‐specific investments. Unlike a silent financial interest, which does not give the owner control over the partner and promotes both parties' investments, partial control over the partner could reduce the partner's investment and lead the owner to overinvest, thereby decreasing the joint surplus. The inability of the owner to restrain himself from abusing his control limits the effectiveness of partial ownership. An analysis of the control environment should be part of the empirical analysis of partial ownership and the assessment of its potential benefits by competition authorities.

Intellectual Capital Investment and Corporate Sustainability Growth: An Empirical Evidence on Listed Firms in Nigeria

The study examined the relationship between intellectual capital investment and corporate sustainability growth. Intellectual capital investment was proxy using human capital investment (HCI), relational capital investment (RCI) and structural capital investment (SCI) while corporate sustainability growth was measured using corporate sustainability growth rate (CSGR). Ex post facto design was adopted and data for this study was collected from the annual reports and accounts of the selected industrial goods firms listed on the floors of Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) for the period of 2016-2022. Panel Least squares model was used in the data analysis and the results of the study show a significant and positive relationship between human capital investment, relational capital investment, structural capital investment and sustainability growth of industrial goods firms in Nigeria at 1% significant level. The study therefore concludes that intellectual capital investment ensures corporate sustainability growth. Thus, the study recommends that manufacturing firms in Nigeria should improve on human capital investment as any negative changes in human capital investment will impact the sustainable growth of the firm. They should also invest on relational and structural capital as it can improve their competitiveness and bottom line

The effect of relational investments on supply chain quality integration: protection or constraint of legal bonds?

PurposeThis study examines the effect of relational investments (e.g. supplier involvement and commitment, customer involvement and commitment) on supply chain quality integration (e.g. supplier and customer quality integration), which leads to financial performance. Moreover, the authors explore the moderating effects of legal bonds on the relationship between relational investments and supply chain quality integration.Design/methodology/approachA survey study of manufacturing firms is presented to illustrate the conceptual model. The authors use the data from 213 manufacturing firms to test the hypotheses by structural equation modeling.FindingsThe results show that supplier and customer quality integration are positively related to financial performance. Supplier involvement and commitment are positively related to supplier quality integration. Customer involvement is positively related to customer quality integration, but customer commitment is not significantly related to customer quality integration. Additionally, on the supplier side, legal bonds negatively moderate the relationship between supplier involvement and supplier quality integration but positively moderate the relationship between supplier commitment and supplier quality integration. On the customer side, legal bonds do not moderate the relationship between customer involvement and customer quality integration, but negatively moderate the relationship between customer commitment and customer quality integration.Originality/valueThis study provides novel insights into supply chain quality management from relational perspectives, as well as the contingent role of legal bonds between them.

Narcissisme et relations d’objets dans l’expérience de la maladie d’Alzheimer. Éclairage des méthodes projectives

ContextThis doctoral research, carried out at the Univeristé Paris Cité, is interested in the possibilities of meeting the elderly person who have the singular experience of Alzheimer's disease and living in a geriatric institution, in his or her psychic interiority. ObjectivesDespite a change in outlook, the social representations attached to Alzheimer's disease remain strongly marked by the seal of the loss, deficit, lack and dependence. The complementarity of the approach of cognitive neurosciences with that of psychoanalysis proves fruitful for thinking about the person in his subjectivity. Without denying the reality of neurological and cognitive damage, this work aims to qualify the deficit vision that still persists today. MethodA qualitative longitudinal study makes it possible to appreciate the effect of the aggravation of the disease on the representational capacities and the processes of symbolization of the elderly suffering from Alzheimer's disease. The methodological device provides for a clinical interview, a neuropsychological assessment and the proposition of three projective tests (Rorschach, Thematic Apperception Test, Sceno-test). ResultsThe support of the object in these figurative and sensory qualities and the modalities of relational investment, subject to a measured affect, proves conducive to the resumption of the work of liaison. From this reseach, a certain number of limits due to the disease also emerge: the transitory character of these recovered capacities indicates the great dependence of the sick persons on their environment. The figurative qualities of the object appear as a support but also as a limitation of the thought of the person who struggles to free herself from the perception identity. The presence of the real object contains and retains the expression of the sick person's internal world. ConclusionThis research opens up valuable perspectives in the adaptation of life skills, particularly for caregivers in institutions, but also for family members. The potential for encounters that it highlights supports their empathic and identification capacities and reduces the disturbing “uncanny” sometimes experienced. Finally, the recognition of subjectivity in spite of the severity of the disorders supports a humanistic vision of the ill person and invites us to think of disturbed behaviors as being both a deficit sign linked to the illness but also, potentially, an attempt to express subjectivity.

Balancing friends and romance: Associations between men’s investment in peer relationships and romantic relationship quality

Romantic and peer relationships both contribute to overall well-being; however, each demand time and emotional investment that may give rise to competition. Little is known about how men, in particular, balance these relationships. We explored the extent to which men’s investments in peer relationships are associated with romantic relationship quality. We further examined differences between fathers and non-fathers. Data were from five annual waves of the Men and Parenting Pathways cohort study ( N = 608). Participants were men in committed relationships ( n = 526) aged 28-32 years at baseline ( M = 29.91, SD = 1.3). In cross-sectional, linear regressions, estimated using Generalised Estimating Equations (GEE; to account for repeated waves), we investigated peer network investments, (1) time (hours) spent with peers, (2) close network size, and (3) extended network size, and their associations with romantic relationship quality, self-reported using the Dyadic Adjustment Scale. Inverted U-shaped associations were found for time spent with peers and close network size, whereby increases in investment were associated with improved relationship quality up to a “tipping point”, following which declines in quality are observed. For extended social networks, the association was linear, such that larger networks were linked to higher romantic relationship quality; however, this association was only evident in fathers. Investing too little or too much in peer relationships may adversely impact the quality of men’s relationships with romantic partners. Supporting men, and particularly fathers, to maintain appropriate investment in peer networks may have benefits for their romantic relationships.

A Perspective of Investment Relationship on Effects of Social Media Investment Outcomes

The rise of social media has had an impact on conventional media since it has given individuals a platform to engage in marketing and investment activities. This article examines about the majority of firms use social media as a marketing tool genuinely aids in establishing and keeping relationships with investors. Currently, social media facilitates investors as well as companies an opportunity to establish relationships. Social media truly considered an investment in relationships, and by means of the execution of relationship quality, it is measured for how it influences behaviours such as fulfilment, word-of-mouth and trust. Both institutions and financial investors emphasize the effective use of social media marketing. Online survey mode was used to reach target group of respondents. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to assess the reliability of each component using the Cronbach alpha test, correlation, KMO for the precision of the factor analysis and pivot of the Varimax, all of which were related to seven distinct parameters and 27 dimensions. Research results show that investors who follow a company on social media are more likely to be satisfied, to trust it and to want to recommend it to non-followers. Additionally, they perceive higher levels of commitment and excellence in relationships. Together, these results show that social media is likely to have an effect on crucial relationship marketing variables that lead to more relational clients.

Diverging effects of mentalization based treatment for patients with borderline personality disorder and schizophrenia: an explorative comparison.

There is robust evidence that both patients with schizophrenia (SCZ) and borderline personality disorder (BPD) display mentalizing difficulties. Less is known however about differences in the way mentalization based treatment (MBT) impacts mentalizing capacity in SCZ and BPD patients. This study compares the impact of MBT on mentalizing capacity in individuals with SCZ and BPD. The thematic apperception test was used to measure mentalizing capacity. It was administered at the beginning and end of treatment to 26 patients with SCZ and 28 patients with BPD who enrolled in an 18-month long MBT program. For comparison a sample of 28 SCZ patients who did not receive MBT was also included. Using the social cognition and object-relations system, these narratives were analyzed and scored. Missing data was imputed and analyzed using intention-to-treat ANCOVAs with post-treatment measures of mentalizing capacity as dependent variables, group type as independent variable and baseline mentalizing capacities as covariates. Results showed that patients with BPD showed significantly more improvement on several measures of mentalizing, including complexity of representation (ηp2 = 0.50, ppooled < 0.001), understanding of social causality (ηp2 = 0.41, ppooled < 0.001) and emotional investment in relationships (ηp2 = 0.41, ppooled < 0.001) compared to patients with SCZ who received MBT. No differences were found regarding affect-tone of relationships (ηp2 = 0.04, ppooled = 0.36). SCZ patients who received MBT showed greater performance on understanding of social causality (ηp2 = 0.12, ppooled = 0.01) compared to SCZ patients who did not receive MBT, but no differences were observed on complexity of representations, capacity for emotional investment or affect-tone of relationships. Patients with BPD performed better after receiving MBT on three dimensions of mentalizing capacity than SCZ patients who received MBT. Remarkably, SCZ patients who received MBT performed better on one dimension of mentalizing capacity compared to SCZ patients who did not receive MBT. Whereas MBT for BPD clearly involves improvement on most aspects of mentalizing, MBT for SCZ seems to thwart a further decline of other-oriented, cognitive mentalizing. Treatment goals should be adapted toward these disorder-specific characteristics.

Does pickup service quality explain BOPIS users' store relationship performance? The moderating role of users' service experience consciousness

PurposeBuilding on Stimulus-Organism-Response theory, the current study examines the influence of pickup service quality in buy-online pickup in-store service (BOPIS) on users' perceived relationship investment with the mediating role of users' perceived experience quality and relationship proneness. This research also demonstrates the subsequent impact of BOPIS users' perceived relationship investment on their relationship performance indicators, like their cross-buying behaviors (breadth), frequency of their purchase (depth) and longevity of their relationship (length) with the store. The moderating role of BOPIS users' service experience consciousness in a few proposed relationships was tested.Design/methodology/approachThe research is descriptive, quantitative and cross-sectional investigation. The study employed a purposive sampling technique. It was conducted using data collected using a validated self-administered questionnaire from 786 Indian omnichannel shoppers who have used BOPIS services in the past. The proposed conceptual model was tested using Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling.FindingsThe results indicate that BOPIS users' perceived experience quality and relationship proneness positively mediate pickup service quality and perceived relationship investment. The users' perceived relationship investment subsequently significantly positively impacts different dimensions of their relationship performance with the store (breadth, depth and length). Additionally, BOPIS users' service experience consciousness has a significant negative moderating effect on the direct relationship between pickup service quality and different dimensions of relationship performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is conducted in the Indian population, where omnichannel retailing is still nascent.Originality/valueThis study addresses the need to investigate the relationship performance indicators of BOPIS users, like their cross-buying behaviors(breadth), frequency of their purchase(depth) and longevity of their relationship(length) with the store. This study is the first to show that pickup service quality might explain the relationship performance of BOPIS users through their perceived experience quality, relationship proneness and relationship investments. The moderating role of BOPIS users' service experience consciousness in a few proposed relationships was also tested for the first time.

Effects of customer relationship management on service innovation: moderating role of managers’ risk-taking behavior and interaction frequency

ABSTRACT This study leverages a nested dataset (customers within service firms) to study the link between relationship investment and perceived innovativeness, and its impact on customer outcomes by using an online survey of the private club industry managers and their members. Multilevel data analysis was used to analyze the data. The results showcase that relationship investment has a direct and positive impact on perceived innovativeness, which further positively impacts customer commitment, willingness to recommend, and word-of-mouth. This suggests that for private clubs to have successful and long-term relationships with their members, they need to differentiate their products and services on a continuous basis. Furthermore, the results show managers’ propensity for risk-taking can influence members’ perceptions of the club’s innovativeness directly and moderate the relationship between relational investments and perceived innovativeness.