Suchergebnisse

Decreased greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) are urgently needed in view of global health threat represented by climate change. The goal of this paper is to test the validity of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis, considering less common measures of environmental burden. For that, four different estimations are done, one considering total GHG emissions, and three more taking into account, individually, the three main GHG gases—carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), and methane gas (CH4)—considering the oldest and most recent economies adhering to the EU27 (the EU 15 (Old Europe) and the EU 12 (New Europe)) separately. Using panel dynamic fixed effects (DFE), dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS), and fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS) techniques, we validate the existence of a U-shaped relationship for all emission proxies considered, and groups of countries in the short-run. Some evidence of this effect also exists in the long-run. However, we were only able to validate the EKC hypothesis for the short-run in EU 12 under DOLS and the short and long-run using FMOLS. Confirmed is the fact that results are sensitive to models and measures adopted. Externalization of problems globally takes a longer period for national policies to correct, turning global measures harder and local environmental proxies more suitable to deeply explore the EKC hypothesis. ; info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Decreased greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) are urgently needed in view of global health threat represented by climate change. The goal of this paper is to test the validity of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis, considering less common measures of environmental burden. For that, four different estimations are done, one considering total GHG emissions, and three more taking into account, individually, the three main GHG gases—carbon dioxide (CO(2)), nitrous oxide (N(2)O), and methane gas (CH(4))—considering the oldest and most recent economies adhering to the EU27 (the EU 15 (Old Europe) and the EU 12 (New Europe)) separately. Using panel dynamic fixed effects (DFE), dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS), and fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS) techniques, we validate the existence of a U-shaped relationship for all emission proxies considered, and groups of countries in the short-run. Some evidence of this effect also exists in the long-run. However, we were only able to validate the EKC hypothesis for the short-run in EU 12 under DOLS and the short and long-run using FMOLS. Confirmed is the fact that results are sensitive to models and measures adopted. Externalization of problems globally takes a longer period for national policies to correct, turning global measures harder and local environmental proxies more suitable to deeply explore the EKC hypothesis.

This paper evaluates the evolution of eco-efficiency for the 27 European Union (EU) countries over the period 2008–2018, provided the traditional high concerns of the EU concerning the economic growth-environmental performance relationship. The EU has triggered several initiatives and regulations regarding environmental protection over the years, but as well the Sustainable Development Goals demand it. Under this setting, we conduct a two-stage analysis, which computes eco-efficiency scores in the first stage for each of the pairs EU 27-year, through the nonparametric method data envelopment analysis (DEA), considering the ratio GDP per capita and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). In the second stage, scores are used as a dependent variable in the proposed fractional regression model (FRM), whose determinants considered were eight pollutants (three greenhouse gases and five atmospheric pollutants). CO(2)/area and N(2)O/area effects are negative and significant, improving the eco-efficiency of the EU 27 countries. When the efficient European countries are excluded from the estimations, the results evidence that CO(2)/area and CH(4)/area decrease the DEA score. The country with the lowest GHG emissions and pollutant gases was Ireland, being the country within the considered period that mostly reduced emissions, particularly SOx and PM10, increasing its score.

This paper evaluates the evolution of eco-efficiency for the 27 European Union (EU) countries over the period 2008–2018, provided the traditional high concerns of the EU concerning the economic growth-environmental performance relationship. The EU has triggered several initiatives and regulations regarding environmental protection over the years, but as well the Sustainable Development Goals demand it. Under this setting, we conduct a two-stage analysis, which computes eco-efficiency scores in the first stage for each of the pairs EU 27-year, through the nonparametric method data envelopment analysis (DEA), considering the ratio GDP per capita and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). In the second stage, scores are used as a dependent variable in the proposed fractional regression model (FRM), whose determinants considered were eight pollutants (three greenhouse gases and five atmospheric pollutants). CO2/area and N2O/area effects are negative and significant, improving the eco-efficiency of the EU 27 countries. When the efficient European countries are excluded from the estimations, the results evidence that CO2/area and CH4/area decrease the DEA score. The country with the lowest GHG emissions and pollutant gases was Ireland, being the country within the considered period that mostly reduced emissions, particularly SOx and PM10, increasing its score. ; info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

AbstractCompanies are increasingly adopting strategies that simultaneously reduce their negative impact on the environment and minimize the extraction of natural and energy resources, used as inputs in their production process. The concern for the sustainable development of countries and regions and environmental sustainability of companies is increasingly present. Nevertheless, does it make up for the increased costs to protect the environment? The objective of this study is to evaluate how the environmental performance (EP) and the financial performance (FP) of companies are related, applying to the specific case of Portuguese companies during the 2008–2016 period. The relationship between pollution and FP reveals to be positive. Still, firms regard EP as additional costs, and these efforts do not seem to be strong enough to lead to a better FP. Both munificence and resource slack are included and reveal to have positive effects over FP and in the EP–FP relationship.Highlights

Pollution and financial performance relationship is positive (negative EP‐FP link).
Environmental performance are additional costs; firms favor financial performance.
Munificence and slack have positive effects over financial performance.
Munificent environments provide an opportunity for environmental investments.
Scarce slack resources: less willingness to undertake social‐responsible actions.

We present evidence of an asymmetric relationship between oil prices and stock returns. The two regime multivariate Markov switching vector autoregressive (MSVAR) model allow us to capture the state shifts in the relationship between regional stock markets and sectors. Results suggest that oil price risk is significantly priced in the sample used. The impact is asymmetric with respect to market phases, and regimes have been associated with world economic, social and political events. Our study also suggests asymmetric responses of sector stock returns to oil price changes and different transmission impacts depending on the sector analyzed. There is a high causality from oil to sectors like Industrials and Oil & Gas. Companies inside the Utilities sector were more able to hedge against oil price increases between 2007 and 2012. Historical crisis events between 1992–1998 and 2003–2007 do not seem to have affected the relationship between oil and sector stock returns, given the higher probability of remaining smoother. For all sectors there seems to be a turn back to stability from 2012 onwards. Finally, investors gain more through portfolio diversification benefits built across, rather than within sectors. ; info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Given that stock markets may act as an economy mirror, it is explored the sensitivity of company-sector-specific stock returns to macroeconomic news reflecting different economic environments for the UK, US, Germany, Japan and Australian markets between March 1993 and February 2013 using monthly data. Results seem to indicate that portfolio investors need to be aware that movements in the market index is the best predictor to forecast stock returns of individual companies and sectors in developed economies. Sentiment influences individual company's returns of the utilities sector, even if these are considered of limited growth and stable earnings, for UK, USA and Australia, turning investor confidence a relevant variable to be included. Information increases about industrial production have no influence on company and sector stocks, thus not affecting investor's decision in developed countries. As for Japan, results seem to indicate that the higher the need of oil imports of a country, the higher will be the positive impact of oil price changes over company returns. Finally, the riskless interest rate has no effect on sector stock returns independently of the country under analysis. For developed economies, we confirm the finding that stocks cannot be used as a hedge against inflation.

Assessment and estimation of bankruptcy risk is important for managers in decision making for improving a firm's financial performance, but also important for investors that consider it prior to making investment decision in equity or bonds, creditors and company itself. The aim of this paper is to improve the knowledge of bankruptcy prediction of companies and to analyse the predictive capacity of factor analysis using as basis the discriminant analysis and the following five models for assessing bankruptcy risk: Altman, Conan and Holder, Tafler, Springate and Zmijewski. Stata software was used for studying the effect of performance over risk and bankruptcy scores were obtained by year of analysis and country. Data used for non-financial large companies from European Union were provided by Amadeus database for the period 2006-2015. In order to analyse the effects of risk score over firm performance, we have applied a dynamic panel-data estimation model, with Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimators to regress firm performance indicator over risk by year and we have used Tobit models to infer about the influence of company performance measures over general bankruptcy risk scores. The results show that the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) used to build a bankruptcy risk scored based on discriminant analysis indices is effective for determining the influence of corporate performance over risk

Intro -- Preface -- Contents -- Contributors -- Introduction -- 1 General Insights and Concepts -- 2 The Book Chapters and Contents -- 2.1 Part 1 -- 2.2 Part 2 -- 2.3 Part 3 -- 3 Concluding Remarks -- References -- Part 1 -- Production Economics and Economic Efficiency -- References -- Data Envelopment Analysis: A Review and Synthesis -- 1 Introduction -- 2 The Origin of Frontier Methods -- 3 The Original DEA Model -- 4 The Evolution of the DEA Methodology -- 5 DEA Applications Roadmap -- 6 Opportunities for Future Developments in DEA -- References -- Stochastic Frontier Analysis: A Review and Synthesis -- 1 Introduction -- 2 Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) -- 2.1 The SFA Method -- 2.2 SFA Approach in EE -- 3 Applications of SFA in EE Assessment -- 4 Policy Recommendations and Possible Future Research Applications of SFA -- 5 Concluding Remarks -- References -- Part 2 -- Combining Directional Distances and ELECTRE Multicriteria Decision Analysis for Preferable Assessments of Efficiency -- 1 Introduction -- 2 Using ELECTRE Outranking to Set a "Preferable Direction" -- 3 Numerical Example -- 4 Conclusions -- References -- Benefit-of-the-Doubt Composite Indicators and Use of Weight Restrictions -- 1 Introduction -- 2 BoD Composite Indicators Based on DEA Models -- 3 BoD Composite Indicators Based on Directional Distance Functions -- 4 Incorporating Value Judgments in BoD Composite indicators -- 4.1 Restrictions to Virtual Weights in CIs -- 4.2 Direct Weight Restrictions in CIs -- 5 Graphical Interpretation of a Directional BoD Model -- 5.1 Directional BoD Model with Virtual Weight Restrictions -- 5.2 Directional BoD Model with ARI Restrictions -- 6 Conclusions -- References -- Multidirectional Dynamic Inefficiency Analysis: An Extension to Include Corporate Social Responsibility -- 1 Introduction.

Purpose
This study aims to examine the role of financial inclusion and institutional factors such as corruption and the rule of law (RL) on the credit risk and stability of banks.


Design/methodology/approach
The study considers a sample of 61 developing countries and uses very robust estimation techniques that allow controlling for endogeneity, heteroskedasticity and serial correlation, such as instrumental variables method in two-stage least squares (IV-2SLS), instrumental variables generalized method of moments (IV-GMM), as well as system of generalized methods of moments in two stages (Sys-2GMM).


Findings
The results confirm that financial inclusion and strengthening the RL can significantly contribute to reducing credit risk and improving the financial stability of banks; in contrast, the authors find that weak control of corruption aggravates credit risk. In addition, they found that greater competitiveness in the banking sector increases credit risk.


Social implications
This study supports the need to promote financial inclusion and strengthen institutional factors to improve the stability of the banking sector, as well as promote general well-being in the economy.


Originality/value
This study contributes to the scarce literature by simultaneously using institutional factors such as corruption and the RL and macroeconomic variables such as economic growth and inflation in the relationship between financial inclusion and the banking sector, as well as considering competitiveness as an explanatory factor for banks' credit risk and stability.