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Using real option analysis to manage project risk

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study project aims to use "Real Option Analysis" as a tool to translate financial
hedging strategies into business strategies that can be used to hedge business projects
against their associated risks.
Financial investments are often hedged by means of further investment in financial
option structures. These option structures give the investor the option (and sometimes
the obligation) to change the constituents of his original investment, depending on
changes in the external environment. A well engineered option structure will protect the
investor against downside risk, while maximizing profits from upside risk. The objective
of this study project is then to adapt some of the standard structures to such an extent
that they can be used with similar success in the real business environment. This
adaptation is done by means of Real Option Analysis - a relatively new theory whereby
business uncertainty and managerial flexibility can be evaluated and quantified in a way
similar to financial options.
It will be seen that a careful application of Real Option Analysis allows one to take a
certain business situation, identify the risks inherent to it, find a suitable option structure
to hedge against those risks, and modify this option structure so that it can be
implemented as a pure business strategy. This analysis is supported by a detailed
derivation of a popular Real Option Analysis model, and an in depth discussion of the
differences between Real- and financial options as well as difficulties associated with the
implementation of Real Option-based strategies.
Several examples of specific business situations are analyzed and it is concluded that
Real Option Analysis can provide useful, practical and competitive strategies. Above all,
the thought process leading to said strategies is deemed to provide powerful insight into
the dynamics of the business/project under evaluation. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie projek poog om "Real Option Analysis" te gebruik om finansiele
immuniserings strategiee om te skakel in besigheids strategiee wat gebruik kan word om
besigheids projekte te beskerm teen hul inherente risikos.
Finansiele beleggings word dikwels geimmuniseer deur middel van verdere beleggings
in finansiele opsie strukture. Hierdie strukture gee aan die belegger die opsie (en soms
die verpligting) om die samestelling van sy oorspronklike belegging aan te pas na
gelang van veranderinge in die omgewing. 'n Goed ontwerpte struktuur sal die belegger
toelaat om sy winste te maksimeer terwyl verliese as gevolg van negatiewe risiko beperk
word. Die doel van die studie projek is dan om sommige van hierdie standaard opsie
strukture aan te pas sodat dit nie net in die beleggings wereld nie, maar ook in die
besigheids wereld toegepas kan word. Hierdie aanpassing word gedoen met behulp van
"Real Option Analysis" - 'n relatief nuwe teorie waarvolgens besigheids onsekerhede
and bestuurs aanpasbaarhede geevalueer en gekwantifiseer kan word op 'n soortgelyke
wyse as finansiele opsies.
Dit sal gesien word dat 'n deeglike toepassing van "Real Option Analysis" die gebruiker
toelaat om 'n besigheids situasie te evalueer, die risikos daaran verbonde te identifiseer,
'n toepaslike opsie struktuur te vind wat beskerming sal bied teen hierdie risikos, en dan
hierdie struktuur aan te pas sodat dit as 'n besigheid strategie toegepas kan word.
Hierdie analise word ondersteun deur die afleiding van 'n populere "Real Option
Analysis" model, 'n bespreking van die verskille tussen Rieele- en finansiele opsies,
sowel as komplikasies wat verwag kan word tydens die implimentasie van 'n strategie
gebasseer op Rieele Opsies.
Verskeie voorbeelde van spesifieke besigheids situasies word geanaliseer en dit gee
aanleiding tot die gevolgtrekking dat "Real Option Analysis" wel sinvolle, bruikbare en
kompeterende strategiee kan voorsien. Verder word daar aangedui dat die denk proses wat lei tot hierdie strategiee, 'n kragtige bron van insig in die besigheid/projek dinamika
kan gee.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/53707
Date12 1900
CreatorsAgenbag, André
ContributorsDu P Smith, J., Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic & Management Sciences. Graduate School of Business.
PublisherStellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
Languageen_ZA
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis
Format85 p. : ill.
RightsStellenbosch University

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