The impact of political risk on real estate investment: evidence from the Scottish “neverendum”

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 610-626 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colin Jones

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to consider the role of political risk in real estate and to specifically examine the implications in Scotland of continuing uncertainty caused by political events. Design/methodology/approach The primary research links the political timeline around the Scottish independence referendum in 2014 to time series of a combination of individual investment transactions, measures of sentiment from investment agents and yields. The analysis distinguishes between UK and overseas investors. Findings The political risk over six years ebbed and flowed with the changing probability of constitutional change but ultimately it has been a cumulative dampener on investment in Scotland. An element of the political risk can be deemed to be specific risk linked to UK institutional fund mandates that stems from concerns about possible forced sales with independence. In addition political risk is in the eye of the beholder with overseas investors in Scotland unfazed by the prospects of independence. Practical implications The short-term impact on investment of the Scottish “neverendum” is very similar to that for independence. The consequences are depressed investment and development that seem set to continue at least until the constitutional hiatus begins to be resolved. Originality/value This is the first study to explicitly examine the impact of political uncertainty on the real estate sector.

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 271-290
Author(s):  
Patrick Lecomte

Purpose As smart technologies become an integral part of real estate in smart cities, the purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of ubiquitous computing on space users in smart real estate. Design/methodology/approach The analysis builds on two fields of knowledge rarely referenced in real estate studies: computer sciences and social sciences. The paper starts by analysing the idiosyncrasies of a new type of space user in smart real estate, known as the Cyber-dasein in reference to Heidegger’s phenomenology. The Cyber-dasein serves as an archetypical space user in smart environments. Findings The paper introduces digital-time as a new realm of real estate, and discusses the use of “experienced utility” in hedonic pricing models of smart real estate. It concludes by advocating a multidisciplinary collaborative approach for future research on real estate in smart environments. Practical implications There is a need for the real estate sector to decide on a metric for the new digital dimension of real estate owing to the implementation of smart technologies in the built environment. Originality/value This is the first research paper on this important topic. It is totally original and new.


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 455-469
Author(s):  
Tanu Aggarwal ◽  
Priya Solomon

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of residential and commercial loans on total real estate sector loans by using partial least square–structured equation modelling (PL–SEM) method. The residential loans as a mediator have been used to know the mediation effect between commercial and total real estate loans of banks in India. The residential loans as a mediator govern the relationship between commercial loans and total real estate loans in India. Real estate sector development is a lucrative opportunity for India. The real estate sector plays a major role in shaping economic conditions of the individuals, firms and family. Design/methodology/approach The research is descriptive in nature. The study on residential loans, commercial loans and total real estate loans has been taken into consideration, and on the other hand the measurement and structural model have been employed to the study the impact of residential loans and commercial loans on total real estate loans in India by using PL–SEM. The residential loans as a mediator have been taken to study the mediation effect of the relationship between commercial loans and total real estate loans in India. Findings The outcome of the structural model that is bootstrapping technique shows that there is an impact of residential and commercial loans by public and private sector banks on total real estate sector development in India. The residential loans show the full mediation effect between commercial loans and total real estate loans as the value of variation accounted for (VAF) is more than 1.93 which shows residential loans govern the nature of variable between commercial loans and total real estate loans. Practical implications The public and private sector banks are contributing to the real estate sector development in India which increases the economic growth of the country. The mediation analysis shows that residential loans are an important aspect between commercial and total real estate loans in India as the demand for residential housing is more in India. The increasing role of banks in the real estate sector strengthens the financial capability in the real estate sector market, and the property buyers will able to purchase more property which leads to increasing demand for real estate sector. Originality/value The research paper is original, and PL–SEM has been used to find the results.


2018 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-68
Author(s):  
Basanta Kumar Basanta Kumar ◽  
Neelam Chawla ◽  
Brajaraj Mohanty

Purpose This paper aims to discuss the essential features, merits and drawbacks of the recently enacted Indian Real Estate Act, 2016, an economic reform measure pertaining to the real estate sector (RES). This paper analyses the impact of the Act and Union Budget 2016 on the inflow of foreign d irect investment (FDI) in India, and examines its ramifications on the world economy. Design/methodology/approach The study is based on secondary data sources, including consumer forum reports, investigative reports from national agencies, court decisions, government websites, real estate companies and industry associations. A sample survey on the implications of the Act has been conducted using Facebook and and through personal interaction with various stakeholders. Findings The Indian RES was unregulated prior to the passage of the Act, which has several provisions aimed at protecting the interest of consumers by tightening fraudulent practices of promoters/developers. Stakeholders are hopeful, but there is some apprehension. The government’s budgetary and fiscal support for infrastructure development has had an impact on the FDI inflow. Practical implications The Act is new, so there is not enough data to judge its real impact on the economy. However, it has started showing evidence of impact through a recent judgment by the Supreme Court of India punishing a promoter. Originality/value Regulating the Indian RES is a challenging task, but the new regulations are likely to provide confidence to foreign investors who may see India as a safety net for investment. This paper is timely and may help move things in this direction.


2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deepa Mani ◽  
Kim-Kwang Raymond Choo ◽  
Sameera Mubarak

Purpose – Opportunities for malicious cyber activities have expanded with the globalisation and advancements in information and communication technology. Such activities will increasingly affect the security of businesses with online presence and/or connected to the internet. Although the real estate sector is a potential attack vector for and target of malicious cyber activities, it is an understudied industry. This paper aims to contribute to a better understanding of the information security threats, awareness, and risk management standards currently employed by the real estate sector in South Australia. Design/methodology/approach – The current study comprises both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, which include 20 survey questionnaires and 20 face-to-face interviews conducted in South Australia. Findings – There is a lack of understanding about the true magnitude of malicious cyber activities and its impact on the real estate sector, as illustrated in the findings of 40 real estate organisations in South Australia. The findings and the escalating complexities of the online environment underscore the need for regular ongoing training programs for basic online security (including new cybercrime trends) and the promotion of a culture of information security (e.g. when using smart mobile devices to store and access sensitive data) among staff. Such initiatives will enable staff employed in the (South Australian) real estate sector to maintain the current knowledge of the latest cybercrime activities and the best cyber security protection measures available. Originality/value – This is the first academic study focusing on the real estate organisations in South Australia. The findings will contribute to the evidence on the information security threats faced by the sector as well as in develop sector-specific information security risk management guidelines.


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 154-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy Oluwafemi Ayodele

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the career preferences of real estate students and the predisposing factors influencing the choice of career. The study also analysed the gender and socioeconomic variations with respect to the career preferences and factors influencing the career choice of real estate students in an emergent market like Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach Closed-ended questionnaires were administered on final year real estate students in the three Federal universities offering real estate in Southwestern Nigeria. Data were analysed using frequency counts, percentages, mean ranking, independent t-test, analysis of variance and correlation analysis. Findings The findings showed that the predominant individual factors influencing career choice of real estate students were personal career interest, the magnitude of initial salary, future financial prospects and job security. Furthermore, while intrinsic and economic/financial factors were the major themes influencing respondents’ career choice, the influence of a third party was less a likely determinant. Analysis of gender differences showed that there was a statistical difference between the male and female respondents with respect to the intrinsic and career exposure factors. Research limitations/implications The study has implications for real estate students, career advisers/academic counsellors, organisations employing the services of real estate graduates, and educational institutions and policy stakeholders in the real estate sector. The study also has implication for real estate professional bodies in Nigeria and other emergent markets. Originality/value This is perhaps the first attempt that examined the factors influencing the career choice of real estate students in an emergent market like Nigeria, especially from the perspectives of gender and socioeconomic variations.


2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 195-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans Lind

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explain why some real estate companies choose to have a vertically integrated structure, instead of specializing in only stage of the production chain. Design/methodology/approach The first stage of the research was an extensive literature review to generate hypotheses. A case study method was then chosen, as more detailed knowledge about the companies were judged to be needed to evaluate the different hypothesis. Documents about the companies were studied and interviews carried out. Findings In the studies cases, there is no support for theories related to vertical integration as a way to monopolize a market and only marginal support for theories that focus on contracting problems related to the so called hold up problem. The most important factors for the companies were that vertical integration gives information and more options that are important in small number bargaining situations. The companies bargaining power increases when they are better informed about, e.g. costs and profits in nearby activities, and when they can use in-house units, if there are problems to find reasonable conditions on the outside market. Research limitations/implications The main limitation is that only three cases were studied. Practical/implications The study can be helpful both to companies that choose to integrate vertically and those that chose not to. There are similar problems related to information and bargaining power that needs to be handled. Originality/value This is the first study that test theories about vertical integration in the real estate sector.


2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 370-375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabian Maximilian Johannes Teichmann

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how criminals launder money in the real estate business in Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative content analysis of 58 semi-standardized expert interviews with both criminals and prevention experts and a quantitative survey of 184 compliance officers led to the identification of concrete techniques of money laundering in the real estate sector. Findings Real estate companies in German-speaking countries in Europe continue to be extraordinarily suitable for money laundering. In particular, they can be used for placement, layering and integration, combined with violations of the tax code. Most importantly, however, they are the vehicles for one of the very few profitable methods of laundering money. Research limitations/implications As the qualitative findings are based on semi-standardized interviews, these are limited to the 58 interviewees’ perspectives. Practical implications The identification of gaps in existing anti-money laundering mechanisms is meant to provide compliance officers, law enforcement agencies and legislators with valuable insights into how criminals operate. Originality/value While the existing literature focuses on organizations fighting money laundering and on the improvement of anti-money laundering measures, this paper describes how money launderers operate to avoid getting caught. Both prevention and criminal perspectives are taken into account.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Piazolo ◽  
Utku Cem Dogan

PurposePrevious research on automation and job disruption is only marginally related to the real estate industry and its characteristics. This study investigates the effects of digitization on jobs in German real estate sector, in order to assess the proportion of jobs threatened to be replaced by automation. Since Germany is the largest EU economy insights for the German real estate market allow a first approximation for Europe.Design/methodology/approachAn extensive database of the German Federal Employment Agency containing job definitions and occupation titles is matched with real estate criteria to create a subset with the relevant real estate occupations. This data is combined with a database of the German Institute of Employment Research reflecting to what extent tasks within jobs can be automated by current technical capabilities.FindingsFor the 286 identified occupations within the real estate sector a weighted average of 47 percent substitution probability through current technological capabilities is derived for tasks within the examined occupations.Practical implicationsThis contribution indicates the extent of the structural change the real estate sector has to face due to digitization: One out of two real estate jobs will have to be re-created.Originality/valueThis research quantifies the magnitude of the job killer aspect of digitization in the real estate sector.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucia Gibilaro ◽  
Gianluca Mattarocci

PurposeThe paper aims to study the performance of crowdfunding REITs with respect to traditional REITs in order to evaluate the differences in the risk–return profile and their usefulness for a diversification strategy within the indirect real estate investments.Design/methodology/approachThe paper considers the crowdfunding REITs introduced after the JOBS act in the United States and evaluates their performance and risk during the time period 2016–2018. Performance achieved by crowdfunding REITs is compared with other types of REITs in order to evaluate their usefulness for constructing an optimal portfolio strategy based on a standard mean variance approach.FindingsResults show that the performance of crowdfunding REITs is more stable over time with respect to other REITs and the lack of correlation with traditional REITs may be exploited for constructing a more efficient diversified portfolio of indirect real estate investments.Practical implicationsCrowdfunding REITs have different performance with respect to standard REITs and, especially individual investors, may benefit from including this new investment opportunity in their portfolio.Originality/valueThe paper is the first study on the performance of the crowdfunding REITs that is evaluating their usefulness for a diversification strategy within the real estate sector.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 259-283
Author(s):  
Chen Yang ◽  
Tongliang An

PurposeBy observing facts of the “reversal of agglomeration” of Chinese enterprises during the period of rapid Internet development and using a new economic geography model combined with the data of the real estate sector, this paper deduces the influence of the “reshaping mechanisms” of the Internet on China's economic geography based on the “gravitation mechanism” of the Internet that affects the enterprises and the “amplification mechanism” of the Internet that amplifies the dispersion force of house prices.Design/methodology/approachIn the empirical aspect, the dynamic spatial panel data model is used to test the micromechanisms of the impact of the Internet on enterprises' choice of location and the instrumental variable method is used to verify the macro effects of the Internet in reshaping economic geography.FindingsIt is found that in the era of the network economy, the Internet has become a source of regional competitive advantage and is extremely attractive to enterprises. The rapidly rising house price has greatly increased the congestion cost and has become the force behind the dispersion of enterprises. China's infrastructure miracle has closed the access gap which gives full play to network externalities and promotes the movement of enterprises from areas with high house prices to areas with low house prices.Originality/valueThe Internet is amplifying the dispersion force of congestion costs manifested as house prices and is reshaping China's economic geography. This paper further proposes policy suggestions such as taking the Internet economy as the new momentum of China's economic development and implementing the strategy of regional coordinated development.


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