The investigation domains of our research team are two-folds: International Business (IB) strategy and Finance. The research summaries of each area are followings.
The first paper in the IB strategy is to explore an overview of corporate social ...
The investigation domains of our research team are two-folds: International Business (IB) strategy and Finance. The research summaries of each area are followings.
The first paper in the IB strategy is to explore an overview of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the financial sector. It examines how the financial sector and its firms are evaluated and rated via a sustainability index, the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index, and show that even leading financial institutions do not employ proactive practices regarding socially responsible investment and shareholder activism. It also provides examples of two companies, UBS AG and the Co-operative Banking Group, that do utilize proactive practices.
The second paper examines how differences in environmental regulation characteristics are linked to multinational corporations’ (MNCs) foreign market entry (FME) investments decisions around the world. It relies on a data set with 29,303 observations from 94 European Fortune Global 500 companies operating across 77 countries during the period 2001–2007. It found that MNCs are more likely to enter countries with more certain—i.e., clearer and more stable—environmental regulations than those of their home countries. Results also suggest that there is a higher level of MNC entry into foreign countries with environmental regulations that are more stringent than those of their home countries. This finding challenges the controversial but commonly held view that more stringent environmental regulations deter MNCs’ FME investments. Notably, the magnitude of the regulatory certainty relationship with MNCs’ FME investments is larger than that of regulatory stringency. Findings also indicate that the increased tendency of MNCs to enter countries with more stringent environmental regulations is higher in more democratic countries and for cleaner industry firms.
The objectives of the third paper are to identify primary stakeholders who effectively supervise CSR activities by MNCs, which have invested in Korea. In particular, this research attempts to compare the key determinants between greenfield and brownfield investments. By using multiple regressions, it finds that consumer, internal managers and non-governmental organizations play a pivotal role in promoting MNC CSR. In contrast, it also uncovers that business partners function as a barrier for ethical behaviors by foreign firms. Among these variables, consumers are a catalyst enhancing CSR by greenfield type of subsidiaries, whereas government triggers corporate social performance by acquired firms. A theoretical contribution is made by employing a stakeholder theory, and The findings suggest some useful implications for practising managers in MNEs which intend to enter the Korean market.
The fourth paper strives to suggest some advice for MNCs by identifying advisable roles for MNCs in host developing countries. In order to achieve this objective, it has tried to obtain implications from economic development in the Korean experience. Through observing the process of Korean economic development it proposes the following five guiding principles to MNCs: 1) MNCs should try to help in the improvement of human capital in local economies, 2) It is not desirable for MNCs to endeavor to hide valuable knowledge and technology in local markets, 3) MNCs should try to eradicate corruption and set an example for good citizenship in developing countries, 4) MNCs should consider CSR, not as a cost, but as a duty, particularly in turbulent environments and 5) MNCs should not force developing countries to open their markets.
With respect to finance, the first paper investigates the performance of the social responsible investment (SRI) in the Korean stock market for the period from September 14, 2009 to April, 30, 2013. The results are summarized as follows. First, there is little difference in the investment performance between the SRI and other indices of the Korean stock market. Second, although the average BHAR (buy-and-hold abnormal return) is relatively high for the stocks that are consistently included in the SRI index, the individual stocks in the index tend to have lower returns relative to the market. Third, although "cherry picking" phenomenon (i.e., better-performed stocks have the higher chance to be included in the SRI index) doesn't exist in the selection of the KRX SRI, the worse-performed stocks have the higher possibility to be exclude from the SRI index.
The second paper examines the information effect of investment alert issues by the Korea Exchange (KRX) and the trading patterns of investors classified by individual, institutional, and foreign investors. The results show that prior to investment alert issue both institutional and foreign investors are net sellers whereas individual investors bear the brunt of loss as a net buyer of the stock. The net purchases of individual investors continue even after investment alert issue. In addition, the net purchase ratio of individual investors is a predictor of delisting after investment alert issue. In conclusion, investment alert issue by the KRX does not seem to contribute to resolve the information asymmetry between investors and protect the retail individual investors.
The third paper analyzes the information effect of embezzlement disclosure as well as the trading patterns of investors classified by individual, institutional and foreign investors. The result confirms that embezzlement is materially bad news, causing substantial loss to the investors. Prior to embezzlement disclosure both institutional and foreign investors are net sellers whereas individual investors are net buyers. This result suggests that individual investors trade unfavorably vis-à-vis institutional investors, both domestic and foreign, and bear the brunt of loss caused by embezzlement disclosure. The net purchases of individual investors continue even after disclosure. This finding adds to the evidence of information asymmetry between individual and institutional investors before the value-relevant news release, in particular, embezzlement, which is one of the most value-destructive events.