Investment risk preference among Greek SME proprietors: a pilot study

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 177-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margarita Georgousopoulou ◽  
Max Chipulu ◽  
Udechukwu Ojiako ◽  
Johnnie Johnson

Purpose – Current research in the area of risk management within small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) appears predisposed towards risk, predominantly dealing with the willingness of SMEs to take on losses. However, in this pilot study, the authors aim to focus on a different aspect of risk management in SMEs, namely the risk preferences. Risk preferences in this case are regarded as the willingness of SME proprietors to take on risks that are likely to lead to investment gains. Design/methodology/approach – Data is gathered via a combination of a survey questionnaire and a probability scenario toolset. The authors sampled a total of 150 SME proprietors operating in Greece. The data was analysed using a combination of regression models and binomial tests. Findings – The results suggest that we cannot, as previous literature suggests, conclude that SME proprietors generally exhibit a negative risk preference. Originality/value – In light of Greece's recent economic difficulty, and in acknowledgement of the critical role played by SMEs in the Greek economy, this study addresses a topical subject in entrepreneurship research: what are the factors determining investment risk preferences?

2017 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 324-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhengfei Guan ◽  
Feng Wu

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to propose a general framework for modeling heterogeneous risk preferences of agricultural producers and identifying the underlying factors that affect risk preferences. Design/methodology/approach This paper nests the risk preference function in a general production decision framework to test and model producers’ risk preferences. The framework allows for both production and price risk, and accommodates potential inefficient behavior. Panel data and the GMM method are used in the empirical estimation. Findings The results in this study confirmed the hypothesis of heterogeneous risk preferences. Farmers are found to have decreasing absolute risk aversion. Both farmer characteristics and socioeconomic factors have significant impact on producers’ risk preferences. The results suggest that ignoring heterogeneity in risk preferences across individuals and how non-wealth variables could affect farmers’ risk preferences could result in biased economic behavior analysis. Originality/value It is generally assumed in the literature that risk preferences are homogeneous among farmers at given wealth. This is a strong assumption and there are abundant evidences that suggest otherwise. This paper makes contributions to the literature by proposing an approach to modeling heterogeneous risk preferences and identifying the factors that affect preferences.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lee Bosher ◽  
Ksenia Chmutina ◽  
Dewald van Niekerk

PurposeThe way that disasters are managed, or indeed mis-managed, is often represented diagrammatically as a “disaster cycle”. The cyclical aspects of the disaster (risk) management concept, comprised of numerous operational phases, have, in recent years, been criticised for conceptualising and representing disasters in an overly simplistic way that typically starts with a disaster “event” – and subsequently leads onto yet another disaster. Such cyclical thinking has been proven to not be very useful for the complexities associated with understanding disasters and their risks. This paper aims to present an alternative conceptualisation of the Disaster Risk Management phases, in a way that can better factor in the underlying root causes that create differential levels of vulnerability.Design/methodology/approachThis is a conceptual paper developed, through a review of the literature and discussions between the authors, as a counterpoint to the pervasive “disaster cycle”.FindingsThe “Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Helix” is presented as an alternative way of conceptualising the DRM phases. The helictical conceptualisation of DRM phases presented in this paper is intentionally presented to start a discussion (rather than as an end point) on how best to move away from the constraints of the “disaster cycle”.Originality/valueIt is envisaged that the helictical conceptualisation of DRM can be suitably malleable to include important factors such as temporal considerations and the underlying root causes that create differential levels of vulnerability. It is, thus, the intention that the DRM Helix can provide a catalyst for exciting discussions and future adaptations of the diagram that can better capture the dynamic (non-cyclical) nature of disasters and their root causes.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Haeyoung Jeong ◽  
Siddharth Bhatt ◽  
Hongjun Ye ◽  
Jintao Zhang ◽  
Rajneesh Suri

PurposeWith a decrease in consumer spending during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, many retailers are offering price reductions to stimulate demand. However, little is known about how consumers perceive such price reductions executed during turbulent times. The authors examine whether the timing of price reductions and individual differences impact consumers' evaluations of the retailers offering such reductions.Design/methodology/approachUsing a longitudinal design, the authors inquire into four retailers' motives that consumers may infer from a price decrease at two different times during the COVID-19 crisis.FindingsThe authors find that the timing of price reductions plays a key role in shaping consumers' inference of retailers' motives. The authors also uncover individual characteristics that affect consumers' inferences.Originality/valueThis research advances the literature by demonstrating the critical role of timing and individual characteristics in consumers' perceptions of price reductions during times of crisis. The authors findings also provide retailers with actionable insights for their pricing strategies. The findings may be generalizable to other types of crises that may arise in the future.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings Emerging contractor firms face significant challenges which threaten the survival of their business. Through a focus on risk management and other strategies, such companies can better ascertain and manage risks to achieve profitability and growth. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Salma S. Abed

Purpose The Covid-19 pandemic has affected every aspect of human life. Even though the pandemic length was not too long, a huge volume of research relating to Covid-19 has been published in different contexts. This paper aims to review the literature investigating the impact of Covid −19 on businesses generally and explore studies examining the technology role of business survival during the Covid-19 lockdowns specifically. Design/methodology/approach This study implemented the concept of a systematic review approach to review the literature that has been conducted in the business field during the Covid-19 crisis in general. Additionally, it looks into the research examining the role of technology in business survival in the Covid-19 crisis specifically. All studies were conducted in 2020. A total of 53 studies were identified and categorised into different themes. The research methods, theories and locations have also been analysed. Findings It was found that Covid-19 pandemic has affected all business sectors in several ways. Technology adoption has a critical role for business survival during the Covid-19 crises especially with small businesses. Very limited research has been conducted on the adoption of different technologies during the Covid-19 lockdowns. Originality/value This study presents the most frequent themes and topics that have been explored in the literature during the Covid-19 crisis in the business field. It highlights the methods used in addition to the theories and research locations present in this literature. Finally, it proposes the possible implications of this literature review.


2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 373-392
Author(s):  
Adenekan Dedeke ◽  
Katherine Masterson

Purpose This paper aims to explore the evolution of a trend in which countries are developing or adopting cybersecurity implementation frameworks that are intended to be used nationally. This paper contrasts the cybersecurity frameworks that have been developed in three countries, namely, Australia, UK and USA. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses literature review and qualitative document analysis for the study. The paper developed and used an assessment matrix as its coding protocol. The contents of the three cybersecurity frameworks were then scored to capture the degree to which they covered the themes/items of the cybersecurity assessment matrix. Findings The analysis found that the three cybersecurity frameworks are oriented toward the risk management approach. However, the frameworks also had notable differences with regard to the security domains that they cover. For example, one of the frameworks did not offer guidelines with regard to what to do to respond to attacks or to plan for recovery. Originality/value The results of this study are beneficial to policymakers in the three countries targeted, as they are able to gain insights about how their cybersecurity frameworks compares to those of the other two countries. Such knowledge would be useful as decision-makers take steps to improve their existing frameworks. The results of this study are also beneficial to executives who have branches in all three countries. In such cases, security professionals could deploy the most comprehensive framework across all three countries and then extend the deployment in each location to meet country-specific requirements.


2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (10) ◽  
pp. 25-28

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings Exploiting new technological innovations can help increase the competitiveness of small businesses. But considerable risks are often involved in adopting such technologies. Knowledge risks are especially significant and it is imperative that firms become cognizant of such risks so that appropriate countermeasures can be devised and implemented as part of an effective risk management strategy. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format. 


Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings Job satisfaction plays a critical role in the retention of key talent. Firms can enhance prospects by creating a work environment that incorporates a positive atmosphere. Both supervisor support and potential for career development help optimize the impact of work atmosphere on employee job satisfaction levels. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.


Author(s):  
Harit Satt ◽  
Sarah Nechbaoui ◽  
M. Kabir Hassan ◽  
Selma Izadi

Purpose This paper aims to document the impact of Ramadan on the optimism of analysts’ recommendations taking as a sample the countries of the MENA region during the period between 2004 and 2015. The choice of these countries can be explained by the fact that their population is predominantly of a Muslim faith (The Future of World Religions: Population Growth Projections, 2010-2050, 2015). Design/methodology/approach The authors used univariate and multivariate regression models to highlight the existence of the Ramadan effect on the optimism of analysts. They have found that pre-holiday optimism is significantly lower than post-holiday optimism. Findings This paper also documented the effect of analysts’ experience and information uncertainty on the analysts’ optimism level that allowed us to infer that low experience enhances optimism, while environment with low information uncertainty tends to decrease the level of optimism. Originality/value Previous research on this topic has investigated the effect of months of the year, turns of the month and days-of-the-week on the behavior of stock exchanges. Another strand of the literature also analyzed the effect of holidays on the latter. However, this is the first attempt to investigate this effect on analysts’ recommendations optimism when the holiday period is related to Islam.


2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (7) ◽  
pp. 35-37

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings This research paper concentrates on clarifying how the proactive supply chain risk management (SCRM) strategies of supply chain (SC) flexibility, SC responsiveness, and SC resilience, impact upon SCRM performance. Data from the Turkish manufacturers revealed that SC resilience and SC responsiveness significantly boost SCRM performance, as well as overall firm performance, by reducing their associated risk, but that SC flexibility does not. Furthermore, the presence of a risk management culture in itself did not yield the expected ultimate increase in SCRM performance. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives, strategists and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.


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