Thesis (M.B.A.)--Boston University / PLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you. / 2031-01-01

Scientific and practical utility of portfolio investments had been motivated by empirical researches of various authors long before. The same proposition could be said about analysis of advantages of option contracts and their investment strategies. It is purposeful to find methods helping to join the advantages of both portfolio investments and option investment strategies in order to satisfy investors’ need to manage growing investment risk.

This study has a twofold purpose: to demonstrate the use of the Marquardt compromise method in estimating the unknown parameters contained in the probability call-option pricing models and to test empirically the following models: the Boness, the Black-Scholes, the Merton proportional dividend, the Ingersoll differential tax, and the Ingersoll proportional dividend and differential tax.

Risks associated with fluctuating exchange rates affect investment cost and investor profitability. Approximately 50% of firms in emerging markets have significant exposure to fluctuating exchange rates. Grounded in principal-agent theory (PAT), the purpose of this case study was to explore hedging strategies to mitigate risks of fluctuating exchange rates. The population comprised a census sampling of 12 bank hedgers (risk managers and controllers) in Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, East Africa. Data collection involved semistructured interviews, casual observations of the work environment, and analysis of reports including risk management, internal control, and compliance policies. Data were analyzed by coding and grouping narrative segments and significant statements into themes of participants' experience in hedging exchange rate risks. Method triangulation and member checking were used to increase the trustworthiness of interpretations. Four themes emerged directly related to the PAT conceptual framework: training and skills development, management of hedging strategies and contracts, corporate governance, and benefits to management and the organization through effective compensation programs. A focus on training and skill development helped develop appropriate exchange rate hedging strategies and corporate governance improved compliance with laws, regulations, and policies. The benefits of effective hedging strategies include a reduction in cost and increase in profitability. The findings may help improve the soundness of professional hedging practices, which will increase the stability of the Tanzanian banking system.

This thesis studies two related topics in liner shipping. The first topic is the contract pricing problem for container carriers. The second part studies the interaction of the longer term contracts and the spot markets/exchanges for the same goods/services. Most containerized freight is transported under the provisions of medium term contracts between ocean carriers and shippers. One of the biggest challenges for an ocean carrier is to find optimal ways to structure the prices in those contracts. In particular, an ocean carrier would like to set the prices such that the best match between supply and demand can be obtained to maximize its profit. We propose three optimization models as decision tools that carriers can use to plan the contract price structures, as well as the anticipated freight flows and empty container flows for the period covered by the contracts. Based on the models, we propose algorithms and build decision tools that generate the following output: optimal prices to be charged for the movement of freight, the anticipated freight flows and empty flows, containers to be leased, rented and purchased, and the additional voyage capacities to be procured. The first two models are deterministic and represent the problem at different levels of detail. In addition, a three-stage stochastic model is proposed to handle uncertainties in demand rates, costs, bookings and transit times on feeder arcs. Recent developments in information technology and communication make spot transactions more economical and more convenient. Nevertheless, the incidental spot transactions still count for only a very small portion of freight transported both by the large carriers who are the leaders in implementing e-commerce and in the industry as a whole. The second part of the thesis studies models to provide insight into the effect of spot market participation rates on various economic quantities. This may have implications for freight transportation industries, such as the sea cargo industry, in which longer term contracts are still prevalent. We focus our study on the following situation. Option contracts are signed before the demand is observed. As is common in liner shipping, sellers (carriers) also sell goods/services on the spot. Buyers (shippers) may or may not buy in the spot market as a matter of policy. We investigate the effects of spot market participation on the contract market and on the surpluses of all market players. It is found that the contract market shrinks as more and more buyers participate in the spot market. However, the effects on the surpluses of different market players are much more complicated and depend on the following factors: market structure, demand variation along time, demand variation among buyers and capacity level.

El presente trabajo es un arbitraje del CIADI y tiene mucho material enriquecido. El arbitraje que también es referido como un medio alternativo de solución de controversias, toma el caso de Bear Creek v. Republic of Perú y brinda soluciones eficientes, a la controversia que se generó debido a que el Estado Peruano le otorgo derecho sobre concesiones mineras a 50 kilómetros de la frontera peruana a Bear Creek, sin embargo, después de unos años le termina retirando esos derechos adquiridos sobres las concesiones mineras. Debido a que la presente controversia no podía resolverse en jurisdicción peruana y tampoco se pudo llegar a un acuerdo entre las partes. Se recurrió a lo acordado mediante TLC Perú – Canadá y al estar las dos partes afiliadas al CIADI, se procedió a buscar solución a su controversia en dicho centro. Así mismo, mediante el presente trabajo se busca reconocer al ARBITRAJE no solo como un medio alternativo de solución de controversias, sino como una de las varias formas iniciales que el sistema jurídico ha ofrecido como solución pacífica frente al conflicto de sus ciudadanos. El presente arbitraje caso versa sobre medidas de expropiación indirecta, tiene figuras como contratos de opción, emisión de Decretos Supremo emitido por Necesidad Pública, Acuerdos de Transferencia. / Trabajo de suficiencia profesional