A research report submitted to the Department of Building at the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, / Andrew Chakane 2018

This dissertation includes two different groups of objects in macroeconomics and financial economics. In macroeconomics, the aggregate investment fluctuation and its relation to an individual firm's behavior have been extensively studied for the past three decades. Most studies on the interdependence behavior of firms' investment focus on the key issue of separating a firm's reaction to others' behavior from reaction to common shocks. However, few researchers have addressed the issue of isolating this endogenous effect from a statistical and econometrical approach. The first essay starts with a comprehensive review of the investment fluctuation and firms' interdependence behavior, followed by an econometric model of lumpy investments and an analysis of the binary choice behavior of firms'investments. The last part of the first essay investigates the unique characteristics of the Italian economy and discusses the economic policy implications of our research findings. We ask a similar question in the field of financial economics: Where does stock market volatility come from? The literature on the sources of such volatility is abundant. As a result of the availability of high-frequency financial data, attention has been increasingly directed at the modeling of intraday volatility of asset prices and returns. However, no empirical research of intraday volatility analysis has been applied at both a single stock level and industry level in the food industry. The second essay is aimed at filling this gap by modeling and testing intraday volatility of asset prices and returns. It starts with a modified High Frequency Multiplicative Components GARCH (Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity) model, which breaks daily volatility into three parts: daily volatility, deterministic intraday volatility, and stochastic intraday volatility. Then we apply this econometric model to a single firm as well as the whole food industry using the Trade and Quote Data and Center for Research in Security Prices data. This study finds that there is little connection between the intraday return and overnight return. There exists, however, strong evidence that the food recall announcements have negative impacts on asset returns of the associated publicly traded firms.

<p> The focus of Canadian trade and investment has shifted from the Atlantic to the Pacific region. This paper looks at the increase in Canadian trade and investment within one area of the Pacific region, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Trade between Canada and ASEAN, from 1970 to 1983, is analyzed. Canadian involvement in ASEAN is measured through general investment data, and a survey of some Canadian firms in the region. Recommendations are given for continued Canadian economic involvement in ASEAN.</p> / Thesis / Candidate in Philosophy

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No / This article uses the concept of `the social investment state' to understand key aspects of New Labour's policies in relation to welfare reform. It argues that `investing in children' and creating `responsible parents' are vital features of many of the policies and service initiatives which have emerged since 1997. Such features have considerable implications for policies and practices in the arena of family support. The article goes on to outline aspects of an important critique of the social investment state which has emerged from those engaged in research and policy analysis who argue for a `political ethics of care'. It argues that this perspective offers important possibilities to family support advocates not only for critique, but also for articulating much needed policy alternatives to those currently being promoted by New Labour. It also signposts the importance of conducting ongoing research into the meanings which are being attached by individuals to complex and contested terms such as `family' and `support'.

This paper investigates the effect of arbitral proceedings on bilateral portfolio equity investments in emerging markets. Investment disputes may deter foreign investors as they reveal a government’s poor behavior towards foreign investors. The analysis investigates the effects of the first initiation of arbitral proceedings, the first outcome in favor of the investor, and the first outcome in favor of the respondent state of arbitration proceedings. The database is an unbalanced panel of 55 home and 36 host countries from 2001 to 2018. Estimations do not reveal an unconditionally significant effect of arbitral proceedings on bilateral portfolio equity holdings. The impact becomes significant considering the interplay with bilateral investment treaties and political risk.

Recent developments in the breeding of higher-value wildlife have seen the emergence of an alternative investment opportunity being offered to potential investors. Through this opportunity, investors can enter a lucrative market which has proven to date to be a highly profitable alternative, generating even higher than above average returns. The objective of this study can be summarized as three-fold: to determine whether higher-value wildlife can be considered as an investment alternative, to contextualize higher-value wildlife as an investment alternative and finally to establish guidelines for investment in this new asset class by means of a case study approach and the analysis of the methodology of two ranchers/investment providers offering higher-value wildlife as an investment opportunity. As this investment initiative continues to develop and new investment opportunities arise, the need for contextualization and analysis of investments in higher-value wildlife, based on sound financial management principles, is becoming more apparent. In order to address this need for contextualization, a literature review is undertaken where the background of higher-value wildlife is discussed. However, contextualization of a new asset class cannot be completed in isolation. The nature of investments is analysed, followed by a discussion of the most commonly used investment options and techniques utilized in investment analysis. However, contextualization of a new asset class based purely on literature, would disregard the practical application that is utilized within the higher-value wildlife investment sector. Therefore an industry relevant context is presented by analysing the practices and methodology employed by two ranchers/investment providers who offer higher-value wildlife as an investment option. In order to validate investment in higher-value wildlife and factually classify the economic activity as an investment alternative, a set of criteria and characteristics are established. Based on a literature review regarding the nature of investments, the conclusion is made that higher-value wildlife is a valid tangible alternative investment option, adhering to investment principles such as risk and return. Through the analyses of information gathered by means of two case studies, the theory and criteria is applied and further conclusions are drawn in order to establish guidelines for investment in the higher-value wildlife industry. This is done by an analysis of the business model and the modus operandi of the case studies. The advantages and inherent disadvantages regarding the manner in which the case studies approach higher-value wildlife investment is highlighted. By incorporating and analysing the information gathered (by means of semi-structured interviews and literature reviews) conclusions are drawn which could provide information and guidelines for potential future investors. As stated, this research is based on a case study approach, whereby specific industry insights are gained from established high-value wildlife ranchers/investment providers. The investment principles discussed in the literature review are applied to each case study for a comprehensive analysis of investment in higher-value wildlife. This acts as an important aid in the contextualization of higher-value wildlife as a viable investment alternative within the broader investment landscape. Creating context and establishing the validity of a new asset class of investments is of utmost importance. This study aims to address the above and provide guidelines for future investment by analysing higher-value wildlife as an investment alternative. / MCom (Management Accountancy), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Recent developments in the breeding of higher-value wildlife have seen the emergence of an alternative investment opportunity being offered to potential investors. Through this opportunity, investors can enter a lucrative market which has proven to date to be a highly profitable alternative, generating even higher than above average returns. The objective of this study can be summarized as three-fold: to determine whether higher-value wildlife can be considered as an investment alternative, to contextualize higher-value wildlife as an investment alternative and finally to establish guidelines for investment in this new asset class by means of a case study approach and the analysis of the methodology of two ranchers/investment providers offering higher-value wildlife as an investment opportunity. As this investment initiative continues to develop and new investment opportunities arise, the need for contextualization and analysis of investments in higher-value wildlife, based on sound financial management principles, is becoming more apparent. In order to address this need for contextualization, a literature review is undertaken where the background of higher-value wildlife is discussed. However, contextualization of a new asset class cannot be completed in isolation. The nature of investments is analysed, followed by a discussion of the most commonly used investment options and techniques utilized in investment analysis. However, contextualization of a new asset class based purely on literature, would disregard the practical application that is utilized within the higher-value wildlife investment sector. Therefore an industry relevant context is presented by analysing the practices and methodology employed by two ranchers/investment providers who offer higher-value wildlife as an investment option. In order to validate investment in higher-value wildlife and factually classify the economic activity as an investment alternative, a set of criteria and characteristics are established. Based on a literature review regarding the nature of investments, the conclusion is made that higher-value wildlife is a valid tangible alternative investment option, adhering to investment principles such as risk and return. Through the analyses of information gathered by means of two case studies, the theory and criteria is applied and further conclusions are drawn in order to establish guidelines for investment in the higher-value wildlife industry. This is done by an analysis of the business model and the modus operandi of the case studies. The advantages and inherent disadvantages regarding the manner in which the case studies approach higher-value wildlife investment is highlighted. By incorporating and analysing the information gathered (by means of semi-structured interviews and literature reviews) conclusions are drawn which could provide information and guidelines for potential future investors. As stated, this research is based on a case study approach, whereby specific industry insights are gained from established high-value wildlife ranchers/investment providers. The investment principles discussed in the literature review are applied to each case study for a comprehensive analysis of investment in higher-value wildlife. This acts as an important aid in the contextualization of higher-value wildlife as a viable investment alternative within the broader investment landscape. Creating context and establishing the validity of a new asset class of investments is of utmost importance. This study aims to address the above and provide guidelines for future investment by analysing higher-value wildlife as an investment alternative. / MCom (Management Accountancy), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015