scholarly journals The Extent to Which Obesity and Population Nutrition Are Considered by Institutional Investors Engaged in Responsible Investment in Australia - A Review of Policies and Commitments

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ella Robinson ◽  
Christine Parker ◽  
Rachel Carey ◽  
Gary Sacks
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Institutional Investors ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Investment Decision ◽  
Investment Decisions ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Investment Strategies ◽  
Corporate Accountability ◽  
Responsible Investment

IntroductionResponsible investment (RI), in which environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations are incorporated into investment decision making, is a potentially powerful tool for increasing corporate accountability and improving corporate practices to address broad societal challenges. Whilst the RI sector is growing, there is limited understanding of the extent to which pressing social issues, such as obesity and unhealthy population diets, are incorporated within RI decision making. This study aimed to investigate the extent to which obesity prevention and population nutrition are considered by Australian institutional investors engaged in responsible investment.MethodsA desk-based review was conducted of investment approaches of prominent Australian asset managers and superannuation funds identified as engaged in responsible investment. Relevant information on the incorporation of ESG issues related to obesity and population nutrition was extracted for each investor, drawing on websites, published policy documents and annual reports. Strategies were categorized as: (1) negative/exclusionary screening; (2) positive/best-in-class screening; (3) norms-based screening; (4) ESG integration; (5) sustainability-themed investing; (6) impact/community investing; and (7) corporate engagement and shareholder action. These strategies were compared across investors and by themes related to obesity and population nutrition.ResultsEighteen of the 35 investors indicated that they applied investment strategies that considered issues related to obesity and population nutrition. The most commonly identified strategy was ESG integration (n = 12), followed by sustainability-themed investing (n = 6), and positive screening (n = 4). The ways in which obesity and population nutrition were considered as part of these approaches included relatively high-level general health considerations (n = 12), considerations around the healthiness of food company product portfolios (n = 10), and consideration of specific company nutrition policies and practices (n = 4). The specificity and depth to which RI strategies were disclosed varied.ConclusionThere is significant potential for investment decisions to contribute to efforts to address key social issues, such as obesity and unhealthy diets. Some institutional investors in Australia have recognized the potential importance of incorporating obesity- and population nutrition-related issues into decision-making processes. However, the extent to which these considerations translate into investment decisions and their impact on companies in the food sector warrant further exploration.

Does underconfidence matter in short-term and long-term investment decisions? Evidence from an emerging market

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maqsood Ahmad
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Investment Decision ◽  
Investment Decisions ◽  
Investment Strategies ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Investment Decision Making

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to clarify the mechanism by which underconfidence heuristic-driven bias influences the short-term and long-term investment decisions of individual investors, actively trading on the Pakistan Stock Exchange.Design/methodology/approachInvestors' underconfidence has been measured using a questionnaire, comprising numerous items, including indicators of short-term and long-term investment decision. In order to establish the influence of underconfidence on the investment decisions in both the short and long run, a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire has been used to collect data from the sample of 203 investors. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS and AMOS graphics software. Hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling technique.FindingsThis article provides further empirical insights into the relationship between heuristic-driven biases and investment decision-making in the short and long run. The results suggest that underconfidence bias has a markedly negative influence on the short-term and long-term decisions made by investors in developing markets. It means that heuristic-driven biases can impair the quality of both short-term and long-term investment decisions.Practical implicationsThis article encourages investors to avoid relying on cognitive heuristics, namely, underconfidence or their feelings when making short-term and long-term investment strategies. It provides awareness and understanding of heuristic-driven biases in investment management, which could be very useful for finance practitioners' such as investor who plays at the stock exchange, a portfolio manager, a financial strategist/advisor in an investment firm, a financial planner, an investment banker, a trader/broker at the stock exchange or a financial analyst. But most importantly, the term also includes all those persons who manage corporate entities and are responsible for making its financial management strategies. They can improve the quality of their decision-making by recognizing their behavioral biases and errors of judgment, to which we are all prone, resulting in more appropriate investment strategies.Originality/valueThe current study is the first to focus on links between underconfidence bias and short-term and long-term investment decision-making. This article enhanced the understanding of the role that heuristic-driven bias plays in the investment management and more importantly, it went some way toward enhancing understanding of behavioral aspects and their influence on the investment decision-making in an emerging market. It also adds to the literature in the area of behavioral finance specifically the role of heuristics in investment strategies; this field is in its initial stage, even in developed countries, while, in developing countries, little work has been done.

Strengthening impact integrity in investment decision-making for sustainable development

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fara Azmat ◽  
Ameeta Jain ◽  
Fabienne Michaux
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Investment Decision ◽  
Investment Strategies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Responsible Investment ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Investment Decision Making ◽  
Development Outcomes

Purpose This paper aims to focus on impact integrity in investment decision-making – an under-researched yet important topic – as a means for optimising investor contributions to sustainable development outcomes, including achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Design/methodology/approach This conceptual paper adopts a two-step approach. First, this paper reviews existing “responsible” investment strategies and products used in practice and highlight their shortcomings in terms of optimising sustainable development outcomes. Second, drawing from the minimal standards theory, this study explores how emerging impact management practices may strengthen impact integrity in investment decision-making and mitigate shortcomings in existing “responsible” investment approaches to increase their contribution to sustainable development outcomes. Findings Current “responsible” investment approaches often do not optimise sustainable development outcomes and may facilitate “impact washing”. The theoretically grounded framework demonstrates standardised impact management practices based on a bounded flexibility approach – adaptable to different contexts within limits and assessed by skilled analysts – along with incorporating shared language and conventions supported by appropriate accountability mechanisms that can be used to mitigate shortcomings in current “responsible” investment approaches. The authors further propose accountability mechanisms to systematically involve stakeholders (including rightsholders) in decisions that impact them with effective grievance and reparation mechanisms. Such an approach, the authors argue will strengthen impact integrity and the capacity of investments to optimise contributions to sustainable development outcomes. Practical implications The findings have implications for the ability of investment markets to optimise their contributions to sustainable development and the SDGs. Social implications By highlighting shortcomings in current “responsible” investment approaches and focussing on strengthening impact integrity in investment decision-making through standardised impact management practices, the findings enhance the capacity of investment markets to contribute positively to sustainable development and the SDGs. Originality/value Despite its importance, impact integrity in investment decision-making is severely under-researched with little academic attention. This paper fills this void.

scholarly journals A longitudial study of private warehouse investment strategies

2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 71-86
Author(s):  
Jonathan W Kohn ◽  
Michael A McGinnis ◽  
John E Spillan
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chain Management ◽  
Investment Decision ◽  
Investment Decisions ◽  
Strategic Decision ◽  
Investment Strategies ◽  
Chain Management ◽  
Investment Decision Making ◽  
Inventory Investment

This article revisits private warehouse investment decision making, a topic previously examined in 1989 by McGinnis, Kohn, and Myers (1990). Since then there has been a substantial amount of discussion regarding the scope and nature of logistics /supply chain management. In particular the roles of private, contract, and public warehousing has been discussed, increased emphasis on financial performance and strategic decision making may have altered the criteria for investment decisions in private warehousing, increased coordination of supply chains may have altered the relative importance of private, contract, and private warehousing, and increasing emphasis on controlling inventory investment may have shifted inventory responsibilities onto suppliers and customers. Empirical data was collected in 1999and 2008 regarding warehouse investment decisions in large United State manufacturing firms. This research focused on private warehouse investment decisions, topics that might affect those decisions, and the mix of private, contract, public, and other warehouse options. The results of the 1999 and 2008 data were compared to the earlier findings reported by McGinnis, Kohn, and Myers. Changes in private warehouse investment strategies, the roles of market /product mix uncertainties and availability of for-hire warehouse providers, and changes in warehouse mix were examined. Implications for practitioners, teachers, and researchers of transportation, supply chain management, logistics, and warehousing are discussed.

Real estate performance in Nigeria pension fund

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 454-465
Author(s):  
Obinna Lawrence Umeh ◽  
Al-ameen Ayoade Okonu
Keyword(s):  
Real Estate ◽  
Institutional Investors ◽  
Pension Fund ◽  
Investment Decision ◽  
Investment Decisions ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Investment Decision Making ◽  
Asset Portfolio ◽  
Portfolio Managers

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the contribution of real estate to the performance of mixed-asset portfolio of Nigeria Pension Fund with a view to providing a guide on investment decision making for institutional investors and portfolio managers. Design/methodology/approach Data on capital value were collected from the quarterly and annual reports of Nigeria Pension Commission over a period of ten (2007–2016) years, and the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Findings The findings show that there is diversification benefit resulting from integrating real estate to other assets of the Nigeria Pension Fund, and that the fund’s portfolio performed better when real estate is integrated in the mixed-asset portfolio. Practical implications Investment portfolio managers can benefit from the findings of this study by making investment decisions that are performance-driven. The study will serve as a guide in making investment decisions on mixed-asset portfolio of institutional investors other than pension funds. Originality/value There is no known paper on the contribution of real estate in the performance of asset portfolio of the Nigeria Pension Fund.

The impact of regulatory risks of ESG integration on the sustainable development of power companies

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 624-648
Author(s):  
Irina V. ZENKINA
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Investment Decision ◽  
Investment Decisions ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Responsible Investment ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Investment Decision Making ◽  
Development Concept ◽  
The Impact

Subject. The article focuses on modern trends in the integration of sustainable development drivers into the substantiation of investment decisions, related regulatory risks and their impact on the sustainable development of companies in the energy and fuel sector. Objectives. I study the global advancement of responsible investment through the sustainable development concept and determine how regulatory risks of the integration of environmental responsibility factors, social responsibility and administrative efficiency into the investment decision-making process on the sustainable development of power companies. Methods. The study relies upon the analysis and synthesis, detailed elaboration and generalization, comparison, abstraction, analogy, index method, systems, strategic and risk-based approaches. Results. The article demonstrates how the sustainable development concept currently evolves and is getting updated. I found the unstoppable evolution of the regulatory and legislative framework, which encourages sustainability projects, and business practice including ESG factors into the investment decision-making process. The article substantiates the role of the responsible investment mechanism and the impact of regulatory risks of ESG integration on the sustainable development of power companies. I show what results can be achieved by analyzing ESG performance of an oil and gas corporation via Thomson Reuters, which helps to assess ESG risks for the company, its investors, and other key stakeholders. Conclusions and Relevance. The integration of ESG factors into the investment decision-making process ensures the adequate awareness of investors, helps mitigate ESG risks, increases the reasonableness of decisions investors make, and raises the quality and completeness of ESG data disclosure in corporate reporting. Regulatory risks of the ESG integration stem from companies’ breaches in effective regulations and rules on ESG performance and result in negative legislative and economic consequences. Therefore, I make suggestions on the analysis of sustainability factors and indicators, which pursues the mitigation of ESG risks of power companies and their investors, and ensures the efficiency of investment decisions.

Do investors exhibit behavioral biases in investment decision making? A systematic review

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 210-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Syed Aliya Zahera ◽  
Rohit Bansal
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Behavioral Finance ◽  
Institutional Investors ◽  
Investment Decision ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Investment Decisions ◽  
Financial Advisors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Behavioral Biases ◽  
Investment Decision Making

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study and describe several biases in investment decision-making through the review of research articles in the area of behavioral finance. It also includes some of the analytical and foundational work and how this has progressed over the years to make behavioral finance an established and specific area of study. The study includes behavioral patterns of individual investors, institutional investors and financial advisors. Design/methodology/approach The research papers are analyzed on the basis of searching the keywords related to behavioral finance on various published journals, conference proceedings, working papers and some other published books. These papers are collected over a period of year’s right from the time when the most introductory paper was published (1979) that contributed this area a basic foundation till the most recent papers (2016). These articles are segregated into biases wise, year-wise, country-wise and author wise. All research tools that have been used by authors related to primary and secondary data have also been included into our table. Findings A new era of understanding of human emotions, behavior and sentiments has been started which was earlier dominated by the study of financial markets. Moreover, this area is not only attracting the, attention of academicians but also of the various corporates, financial intermediaries and entrepreneurs thus adding to its importance. The study is more inclined toward the study of individual and institutional investors and financial advisors’ investors but the behavior of intermediaries through which some of them invest should be focused upon, narrowing down population into various variables, targeting the expanding economies to reap some unexplained theories. This study has identified 17 different types of biases and also summarized in the form of tables. Research limitations/implications The study is based on some of the most recent findings to have a quick overview of the latest work carried out in this area. So far very few extensive review papers have been published to highlight the research work in the area of behavioral finance. This study will be helpful for new researches in this field and to identify the areas where possible work can be done. Practical implications Practical implication of the research is that companies, policymakers and issuers of securities can watch out of investors’ interest before issuing securities into the market. Social implications Under the Social Implication, investors can recognize several behavioral biases, take sound investment decisions and can also minimize their risk. Originality/value The essence of this paper is the identification of 17 types of biases and the literature related to them. The study is based on both, the literature on investment decisions and the biases in investment decision-making. Such study is less prevalent in the developing country like India. This paper does not only focus on the basic principles of behavioral finance but also explain some emerging concepts and theories of behavioral finance. Thus, the paper generates interest in the readers to find the solutions to minimize the effect of biases in decision-making.

scholarly journals Impact of Heuristics on Investment Decisions: The Moderating Role of Locus of Control

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Jeetendra Dangol ◽  
Rashmita Manandhar
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Locus Of Control ◽  
Investment Decision ◽  
Investment Decisions ◽  
Sampling Procedure ◽  
Moderating Effect ◽  
Moderation Effect ◽  
Investment Decision Making ◽  
Overconfidence Bias ◽  
The Impact

This paper aims to assess the impact of heuristics on the investment decision by analysing the effect of four heuristic biases, i.e., representativeness, availability, anchoring and adjustment, and overconfidence bias on rationality of Nepalese investor's investment decision-making and also examines the moderating effect of the internal locus of control in between. The study used 391 respondents based on a convenient sampling procedure, and structured questionnaire survey. The study result indicates that there is a significant relationship between irrationality in investment decision-making and all four heuristic biases. In addition, the study also concludes that locus of control has significant moderating effect in the relationship between investment decisions and three heuristic biases, i.e., availability, representative and anchoring bias. However, the study documents no moderation effect in case of relationship with overconfidence bias.

scholarly journals Pengaruh Financial Literacy, Representativeness Bias, Dan Bias Optimisme Terhadap Pengambilan Keputusan Investasi

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 2976-2991
Author(s):  
Silvia Putri ◽  
Halmawati Halmawati
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Linear Regression ◽  
Multiple Linear Regression ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Financial Literacy ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Investment Decision ◽  
Investment Decisions ◽  
State University ◽  
Investment Decision Making

This study aims to analyze 1) whether there is an influence of financial literacy on investment decision maknig. 2) Obtain empirical evidence whether there is an Representativeness bias making on investment decisions. 3) Does Bias optimisme affect investment decision making. In this study using Causality Design. Population and sampek are 104 respondents registered in the Indonesia Stock Exchange Investment Gallery (GIBEI) Faculty of Economics, State University of Padang. The method of analysis is multiple linear regression. The results of the study found 1) Financial literacy influences investment decisions on investment decision making.2) Optimum bias affects investment decisions on investment decision making. 3) Representativness influences investment decisions on investment decision making. 4) Together financial literacy variables, the optimum bias and representativness together influence the investment decision on investment decision making

scholarly journals The Cost of Information in Dependence on the Investor Relation to the Risk

2012 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-85
Author(s):  
Simona Hašková
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Utility Theory ◽  
Investment Decision ◽  
Investment Decisions ◽  
Reliable Estimate ◽  
Ordinary People ◽  
Cardinal Utility ◽  
Finance Theory ◽  
The Cost

Abstract The contribution sets simple mathematic models describing and explaining the way of behavior of various types of investors (the private and institutionalized ones). The models come from the cardinal utility theory which is used for explaining the connection between the subjective relationship towards risk and some pathologic phenomenon of finance theory (for example the moral hazard question of institutionalized investors) and takes into account the decision making of both ordinary people and professional investors. A reliable estimate of the economic surroundings where the investment should run contributes significantly to a quality of the particular investment decisions. The article contributes to a quality of the investment decision by the original and primary approach to pricing information that lowers the uncertainty in occurrences of the relevant scenarios of the project’s development. At the conclusion there is shown how the shift of the decision breaking point shapes the amount of the acceptable price of the information.

scholarly journals ASSESSMENT OF THE ROLE OF ACCOUNTING INFORMATION ON EFFECTIVE INVESTMENT DECISION - THE CASE OF BANQUE POPULAIRE DU RWANDA ATLASMARA

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
James Hodari
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Investment Decision ◽  
Accounting Information ◽  
Investment Decisions ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Investment Decision Making ◽  
Secondary Methods

The purpose of this study is to assess the role of accounting information on effective investment decisions at Banque Populaire du Rwanda Atlasmara. The target population was 50 staff members. The study used a primary method that involved questionnaires. Secondary methods of data collection involved a desk review of relevant materials. Data collection was then analyzed by using SPSS software. The study indicated a significant correlation between accounting information and investment decisions and all rely on information for an investment decision. It was seen from the analysis of responses, 83% argued always use accounting information for investment. It was revealed that the quality of accounting information in terms of its accuracy, adequacy, reliability, and mode of disclosure is a pertinent element of efficiency of investment decision making. The study recommends that commercial banks should use accounting always to increase the accuracy of their investment decision-making. The study recommends that Banque Populaire du Rwanda should consult the accounting information before making investment decisions and all interested parties to accounting information should use necessary financial ratios analysis for an investment decision. The study concludes that there is a significant correlation between accounting information and investment decision. JEL: M10; M41; R42 <p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0845/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

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