The Portuguese energy efficiency programs are usually run through grant awards that support energy efficient technologies, which require the establishment of rational investment plans considering ...distinct budget level inputs to each program. The current evaluation of energy efficiency programs mainly relies on the economic analysis of demand-side programs and projects. One of the weaknesses of this type of approach is that it cannot capture the complexities of decision-making processes, mainly relying on the device costs targeted for funding. This paper aims at developing a methodological framework to support public authorities in investment planning for energy efficiency programs based on portfolio theory explicitly considering the energy spent in the manufacturing and installation of each energy efficient technology. The applicability of the methodology herein proposed is illustrated by considering the potential investment in distinct portfolios of industrial lighting systems. Finally, a new solution methodology for computing possibly efficient solutions is also suggested which allows exploring distinct types of investment strategies, according to the public investor’s preferences. Our findings suggest that LED lamps and T5 technologies should be considered as a valid option for replacing T8 and HPS technologies. Additionally, despite the investment cost involved in the installation of light control systems, they should be elected for funding. Finally, it is worth mentioning that the substitution of T8 and Halogen lamps with LED lamps has never been considered with the modelling framework used in spite of being effectively selected for public support, highlighting the need of adopting approaches that encompass a life-cycle perspective.
PurposeThis paper aims to analyze the determinants of Portuguese energy companies' performance.Design/methodology/approachTo achieve our objective, we have used data from 457 Portuguese energy ...companies, in the period between 2011 and 2018. Three dependent variables were tested using panel data, through the generalized method of moments (GMM) estimation method.FindingsThe results point out that the determinants of companies' performance change according to how different stakeholders appreciate corporate performance. In general, shareholders are concerned with maintaining their levels of profitability over time as well as with the company's market image. Managers are centered on maintaining solid margins on EBITDA through good management of cash flow, leverage and current assets. For the rest of the stakeholders, including global society, debt and investments in tangible fixed assets reduce profitability while investments in immaterial assets help to create value and performance for energy companies.Originality/valueAs far as the authors are aware, this is the first time that a study has been carried out in the Portuguese energy sector using the GMM-system model for three different stakeholders' views of corporate performance determinants.
PurposeThe main goal of this paper is better understand the risk/return trade-off of investing in socially responsible investment funds (SRIF) and green investment funds ...(GIF).Design/methodology/approachTo achieve our aim a green investment fund portfolio, a socially responsible investment portfolio and a conventional fund (CF) portfolio from the United States of America (USA) were selected to compare the efficiency of these three different portfolios, by using Value-Based Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) methodology.FindingsThe results point out that SRIF and GIF are more efficient than CF. For five years, the CFs have not outperformed the GIF.Originality/valueThe results suggest that there is a growing awareness on the part of investors that sustainable companies are the companies that will allow a better quality of life and a more sustainable environment. It seems that somehow managers and investors are aware that the market will compensate them for thinking about a cleaner and more equitable world.
Abstract
This paper seeks to investigate the impact of ambidexterity (exploration and exploitation) on green product innovation and the success of new products through the effects of sustainability, ...considering the moderating role of customer pressure. This research proposes a theoretical model that was tested using structural equation modelling (SEM) and a multigroup analysis to understand the moderating role of customer pressure. A 23‐item questionnaire was developed to explore the proposed relationships, applied in two different moments, answered by two other critical respondents from each company. At the end of the second collection moment, 336 valid questionnaires were collected from a sample of industrial SMEs in Portugal. The results show a positive influence of ambidexterity on sustainability and, therefore, on new product success and green product innovation. In addition, green product innovation increases the success of new products due to the growing demand for more sustainable products. Furthermore, the chain of effects between ambidexterity and further product success was strengthened when customer pressure was higher. This study stresses the need to actively manage exploration and exploitation investments to enhance ambidexterity, especially when sustainability and green innovation are the expected outcomes. The originality of this research is related to the contributions of hierarchical dynamic capabilities, combining and balancing exploration and exploitation, to produce successful ambidextrous companies in sustainability and green strategies.
European bank's performance and efficiency Neves, Elisabete Duarte; Gouveia, Maria do Castelo; Proença, Catarina Alexandra Neves
Journal of risk and financial management,
04/2020, Letnik:
13, Številka:
4
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
The research interest in bank profitability and efficiency is linked to the economic situation and an important issue for policymakers is to ensure economic stability. Nevertheless, managerial ...decisions and the environment could play a critical role in ensuring proper and efficient allocation of the resources. The purpose of this study is to understand which are the main factors that can influence the performance and efficiency of 94 commercial listed banks from Eurozone countries through a dynamic evaluation, in the period between 2011 and 2016. To achieve this aim, the generalized method of moments estimator technique is used to analyze the influence of some bank-specific characteristics, controlled by management, on the profitability as a measure of bank performance. After that, through the value-based data envelopment analysis (DEA) methodology, those factors are considered in determining the efficient banks. The results show that banking efficiency depends on set bank-specific characteristics and that the effect of determinants on efficiency differs, considering the macroeconomic conditions.
Purpose
The purpose of this work is to study the connections generated between stock market indices, representing firms whose practices focus on fighting climate change and several global risk ...factors in accordance with the sustainability objectives defined in the 2030 Agenda. An endogenous perspective is adopted, considering the spillovers generated within the low carbon stock market sector, as well as the latter’s exposure to exogenous shocks of an economic and financial nature.
Design/methodology/approach
This work uses a multivariate model of dynamic correlation (GARCH-corrected dynamic conditional correlation cDCC), which can accompany the correlations generated over time.
Findings
Considering five low carbon indices, representing various parts of the world, and four global macro-economic and financial variables, over a period of approximately eight years, it was possible to understand that the variables studied transmit between each other a statistically significant spillover. The period of the pandemic crisis shows a sharp increase in the information transmission process. It was also possible to conclude that some global variables are risk factors, performing the role of transmission channels for the spillover effects to low carbon indices, increasing the risk of contagion and reducing the possibilities of diversifying the investment portfolio.
Originality/value
Firstly, this work analyses the connection and spillover effects between low carbon indices. Secondly, considers an extended sample covering different market phases, particularly that of the pandemic crisis and the Ukrainian War, creating conditions to compare connection patterns between those indices. Thirdly, it studies the variable influence over time of global risk factors in the transmission of spillover between low carbon indices.
This paper aims to analyze the efficiency of the funds in technological, healthcare, and consumer cyclical sectors based on the U.S. News & World Report rankings. We employed a Principal Component ...Analysis to select the indicators to explain efficiency. Then, we have used an alternative approach that combines Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) with Multiple Criteria Decision Aiding, the Value-Based DEA, to assess the efficiency of funds for 1 year (2020), 3 years (2018–2020), and 5 years (2016–2020). The results highlight that in 2020 the number of efficient funds is much smaller than in previous periods and this can be justified by the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. The sectors with the most efficient funds are technology and healthcare. The factors that determine the efficiency of funds in the health sector and the technology sector are quite different, although they have not undergone major changes in the three periods considered. For managers, health funds are seen as low risk and hardly consider the return factors in all analyzed periods, which is often considered as benchmarks for inefficient funds. In the technology sector, Beta and Alpha are generally the indicators with the greatest weight in fund efficiency, showing that these funds beat the market in terms of returns and are less risky than the benchmark. This study seeks to complete the scarce existing literature on the subject, namely in the sectors under analysis, seeking to identify the indicators that fund managers ponder most to consider a fund as efficient. As far as we know, the joint efficiency analysis of these sectors and the impact they suffered from the COVID-19 pandemic are new in the literature.
Originality/value--Our study contributes to a better understanding of the telecommunications sector and the dividend policy carried out by managers in this sector, and it can assist in the analyses ...of investors, other managers, financial analysts, and researchers on the subject.
Payout and firm’s catering Duarte Neves, Maria Elisabete
International journal of managerial finance,
02/2018, Letnik:
14, Številka:
1
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate whether investor sentiments exert significant influence on corporate dividend policy. Additionally it provides further evidence on the moderating ...role of certain firm’s characteristics on the relation between dividends and investor sentiment.Design/methodology/approachA sample of 635 firms from 12 Eurozone countries for the period of 1986-2003 has been used. A dividend model has been suggested which incorporates a variable at the firm level that proxies for the catering effect, as a measure of investor sentiments. The estimation model of dividends is based on the Generalized Method of Moments (Arellano and Bond, 1991).FindingsIt can be concluded that psychological factors influence the decision to pay. Furthermore, other relevant findings show an interaction effect between catering and firm’s characteristics, particularly high liquid assets, valuable investment opportunities, and higher levels of free cash flow.Research limitations/implicationsGiven the subjectivity inherent in creating a variable that captures the sentiment of investors, the author admits that there are other variables to consider. Also, corporate governance factors could have been introduced as well as other countries with different institutional environments.Originality/valueTo the best of the author’s knowledge, this is a novel approach that incorporates a variable capturing investor’s sentiment at the firm level. With the approach suggested it has been shown that investors’ sentiments impact dividends payout, highlighting its usefulness for managers who are expected to pay dividends according to investors’ expectations. Moreover, this work also demonstrated that firm’s characteristics could affect the investor sentiments for dividends also conveying a valuable contribution for investors.
This paper is aimed at presenting a multiobjective interval portfolio framework which considers investment decisions under different risk assumptions. New surrogate problems are obtained for the ...mean-absolute deviation risk measure based on the concept of necessary subtraction between interval numbers. A proposal for obtaining the efficient portfolio solutions is also suggested, which allows accounting for three types of investment strategies. Indices of robustness have also been computed, which allow assessing the assets which are more often selected irrespective of the investment strategy followed, and regardless of the business cycle contemplated. Results illustrate the trade-off between risk and return, being also consistent with the type of strategy followed by the investor. Overall, we were able to conclude that less prone to risk investors might find the formulation based on the mean-absolute necessary deviation more appealing since it allows reaching, in general, lower volatility of returns.
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