{"title":"Does herding behavior explain the contagion of the COVID-19 crisis?","authors":"Achraf Ghorbel, Yasmine Snene, Wajdi Frikha","doi":"10.1108/rbf-12-2021-0263","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/rbf-12-2021-0263","url":null,"abstract":"PurposeThe objective of this paper is to investigate the pandemic’s function as a driver of investor herding in international stock markets, given that the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis has caused a large rise in uncertainty.Design/methodology/approachThe paper investigates the presence of herding behavior among the developed and BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) stock market indices during the COVID-19 crisis, by using a modified Cross-Sectional Absolute Deviation (CSAD) measure which is considered a proxy for herding and the wavelet coherence (WC) analysis between CSAD that captures the different inter-linkages between stock markets.FindingsUsing the CSAD model, the authors' findings indicate that the herding behavior of investors is present in stock markets during the four waves of COVID-19 crisis. The results also demonstrate that the transaction volume improve the herding behavior in the stock markets. As for the news concerning the number of cases caused by the pandemic, the results show that the pandemic does not stimulate herding; however, the number of deaths caused by this pandemic turns out to be a great stimulator of herding. By using the WC analysis, the authors' findings indicate the presence of herding behavior between the Chinese and stock markets (developed and emerging), especially during the first wave of the crisis and the presence of herding behavior between the Indian and stock markets (developed and emerging) in the medium and long run, especially during the third wave of the COVID-19 crisis.Originality/valueThe authors' study is among the first that examines the influence of the recent COVID-19 pandemic as a stimulator of herding behavior between stock markets. The study also uses the WC analysis next to the CSAD model to obtain robust results. The authors' results are consistent with the mental bias of behavioral finance where herding behavior is considered effective in volatility predictions and decision-making for international investors, specifically during the COVID-19 crisis.","PeriodicalId":44559,"journal":{"name":"Review of Behavioral Finance","volume":"36 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2022-07-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"78740012","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Socially responsible investment behavior: a study of individual investors from India","authors":"Renu Jonwall, Seema Gupta, Shuchi Pahuja","doi":"10.1108/rbf-05-2021-0099","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/rbf-05-2021-0099","url":null,"abstract":"PurposeSocially responsible investment (SRI) is a niche and upcoming investment strategy in India. Very few researches have been conducted on SRI in the Indian context. This study identifies the SRI awareness level, attitude towards the importance of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues, willingness to invest in SRI avenues and obstacles in SRI investment decision-making by Indian retail investors. The second objective was among the awareness, attitude, willingness, obstacle, and demographic constructs to identify the most significant variables that impact an individual investor's SRI decision in India. .Design/methodology/approachData for the study have been collected through a self-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics are used to identify the importance of variables for individual investors. This paper used the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to understand the factors impacting individual investors' SRI behavior. Binary logistics regression analysis is used to recognize the variables that affect an individual investor's SRI decision.FindingsThe descriptive statistics indicate a low level of SRI awareness; the majority of the investors agreed that ESG issues are significant in investing and showed a willingness to invest in SRI avenues. However, the investors were not willing to accept lower returns from SRI. The majority of investors found, lower returns on SRIs, no tax benefit, lack of information about SRIs, and low liquidity as important obstacles in SRI investing. Binary logistics regression results indicated that awareness about SR/ESG indices, awareness about SR/ESG funds, and willingness to invest in SRI avenues significantly impact investors' SRI decisions but demographic variables have no significant impact on SRI decision-making.Practical implicationsThis study has implications for the ethical/SR mutual funds managers, policymakers, government, and international asset management companies. The study finds an urgent need for increasing awareness about SRI among individual investors in India. The study suggests that the issuers must provide adequate information about SRI avenues and probable risk and returns involved in these, while the regulators must make efforts to educate investors in India.Originality/valueThe context of the present study is original because hardly any of the earlier studies conducted in India have tried to find out the individual investors' SRI awareness level, investors' willingness towards SRI, investors' attitude towards ESG issues, and obstacles faced by investors in socially responsible investing.","PeriodicalId":44559,"journal":{"name":"Review of Behavioral Finance","volume":"129 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2022-07-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74692302","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Personality traits and behavioral biases of Indian financial professionals","authors":"H. Baker, Sujata Kapoor, Tanu Khare","doi":"10.1108/rbf-11-2021-0246","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/rbf-11-2021-0246","url":null,"abstract":"PurposeFinancial professionals are increasingly important in the Indian financial system. Our study examines the association between the Big Five personality traits and Indian financial professionals' behavioral biases when making investment decisions.Design/methodology/approachAfter testing our questionnaire's reliability and validity, we used it to obtain the sample responses. We used multiple regression analysis and other statistical tools to identify the relationships between the Big Five personality traits and behavioral biases.FindingsOur findings reveal a high level of extraversion and conscientiousness, a moderate level of agreeableness and openness and a low neuroticism level among financial professionals. The results show a significant association between neuroticism, extraversion, openness and all behavioral biases except anchoring bias. The neuroticism trait has a statistically significant relationship with all behavioral biases examined, whereas agreeableness and conscientiousness traits lack a significant association with behavioral biases. The openness trait is associated with many emotional biases and cognitive heuristics, while the extraversion trait has a significantly positive relationship with availability bias.Research limitations/implicationsFuture researchers could analyze primary (survey) and secondary investor data from brokerage houses. Using a larger sample could provide more generalizable findings. Researchers could also consider other aspects of investment decision-making using various asset classes. Understanding financial professionals' personality traits and behavioral biases could help them develop strategies to suit client needs.Originality/valueThis study provides the first comprehensive examination of the association between personality traits and behavioral biases of Indian financial professionals.","PeriodicalId":44559,"journal":{"name":"Review of Behavioral Finance","volume":"76 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2022-07-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82246011","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Management accountants' susceptibility to overconfidence: the overplacement perspective","authors":"Z. Enslin","doi":"10.1108/rbf-07-2021-0138","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/rbf-07-2021-0138","url":null,"abstract":"PurposeOverconfidence bias is considered to be a very influential decision-making bias in the business environment. This paper aims to identify the susceptibility of management accountants to overconfidence-related overplacement bias and to determine its pervasiveness among these professionals.Design/methodology/approachTwo international samples of management accountants were surveyed using overplacement bias elicitation questions. The hypothesis that bias susceptibility varies between management accountants in different hierarchical employment positions was tested employing binary logistic regression.FindingsManagement accountants are found to be susceptible to overplacement bias, yet its pervasiveness among the samples is similar to other sample populations in comparable studies. Management accountants in the position of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) were found to be more susceptible to overplacement bias than their colleagues in other management accountant and business management positions.Research limitations/implicationsThe use of convenience sampling represents a limitation of the research.Practical implicationsThe findings confirm that there is a need for syllabi and continual professional development projects to educate management accountants on this bias. CFOs are especially at risk of being overconfident, which may not be in the best interest of the business.Originality/valueThis is the first paper to assess overplacement bias in management accountants as a group of decision-makers, especially within the context of their increasing involvement in business decision-making.","PeriodicalId":44559,"journal":{"name":"Review of Behavioral Finance","volume":"74 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2022-06-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83573954","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
F. Bendriouch, Imad Jabbouri, M. M’hamdi, Harit Satt, S. Katona, Rhita Serir
{"title":"Determinants of annual reports complexity in the United States of America: an application of the Tobit model","authors":"F. Bendriouch, Imad Jabbouri, M. M’hamdi, Harit Satt, S. Katona, Rhita Serir","doi":"10.1108/rbf-12-2021-0265","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/rbf-12-2021-0265","url":null,"abstract":"PurposeThis paper explores the factors that shape the complexity of company annual reports in the USA. Using a general-to-specific modeling approach, this study examines the determinants of annual reports' tone complexity.Design/methodology/approachNegative relationships were found between agency problems and tone; agency costs and readability of annual reports; profitability and tone; and ownership structure and tone complexity.FindingsThese relationships helped to confirm several of this study’s hypotheses, whereas positive associations were found between investment growth opportunities and tone complexity, which contradicts one of our initial hypotheses. Findings reveal that the more complex the language in an annual report is, the more difficult it is to strategically make a judgment or decision about the reported financial situation.Originality/valueAnalyzing these variables allows security analysts and investors to obtain important information, not available in the financial statements, which would enhance their understanding of the firm and improve their recommendations and investment decision-making process.","PeriodicalId":44559,"journal":{"name":"Review of Behavioral Finance","volume":"140 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2022-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88739366","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Behavioural finance and cryptocurrencies","authors":"Antonis Ballis, Thanos Verousis","doi":"10.1108/rbf-11-2021-0256","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/rbf-11-2021-0256","url":null,"abstract":"<h3>Purpose</h3>\u0000<p>The present study sets out to examine the empirical literature on the behavioural aspects of cryptocurrencies, showing the findings of related studies and discussing the various results. A systematic literature review of cryptocurrencies in behavioural finance seems to be timely and particularly important in terms of providing a guide for future research. Key topics include an extent review on the issue of herding behaviour amongst cryptocurrencies, momentum effects and overreaction, contagion effect, sentiment and uncertainty, along with studies related to investment decision-making, optimism bias, disposition, lottery and size effects.</p><!--/ Abstract__block -->\u0000<h3>Design/methodology/approach</h3>\u0000<p>Systematic literature review.</p><!--/ Abstract__block -->\u0000<h3>Findings</h3>\u0000<p>A systematic literature review of cryptocurrencies in behavioural finance seems to be timely and particularly important in terms of providing a guide for future research. Key topics include an extent review on the issue of herding behaviour amongst cryptocurrencies, momentum effects and overreaction, contagion effect, sentiment (investor's, market's) and uncertainty, along with studies related to investment decision-making, optimism bias, disposition, lottery and size effect.</p><!--/ Abstract__block -->\u0000<h3>Originality/value</h3>\u0000<p>The authors' survey paper complements recent papers in the area by offering a systematic account on the influence of behavioural factors on cryptocurrencies. Further, this study's purpose is not just to index the relevant literature, but rather to showcase and pinpoint several research areas that have emerged in the field of behavioural cryptocurrency research. For all these reasons, a systematic literature review of cryptocurrencies in behavioural finance seems to be timely and particularly important.</p><!--/ Abstract__block -->","PeriodicalId":44559,"journal":{"name":"Review of Behavioral Finance","volume":"128 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2022-06-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138516708","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Risk attitudes and demand for insurance: micro evidence from Ghana","authors":"P. Asuming, Deborah Aba Gaisie","doi":"10.1108/rbf-01-2022-0017","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/rbf-01-2022-0017","url":null,"abstract":"PurposeThe purpose of this study is to understand how risk attitudes drive demand for different types of insurance amongst Ghanaians.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses data from a nationally representative survey of Ghanaian households (Ghana Living Standards Survey Round 7). Risk aversion is measured following the approach of Holt and Laury (2002) in the use of hypothetical questions about investment. Probit regressions are used to estimate the effect of risk aversion on insurance outcomes.FindingsThe paper finds evidence that supports the theory that risk attitudes influence insurance demand. Specifically, risk aversion is positively related to the uptake of insurance in general and in particular, public health insurance. Unlike previous literature, the authors do not find the sex of the respondent to affect the relationship between risk aversion and insurance demand except for private health insurance. Socio-economic factors such as wealth, age and education were found to strongly predict insurance demand.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings confirm that risk attitude influence the demand for insurance in developing countries but socio-economic factors play a strong role in explaining low insurance penetration in such contexts.Originality/valueTheoretically, attitudes towards risk have been strongly linked with insurance demand. Yet, empirical evidence on this relationship is limited in developing countries where insurance penetration is very low. This study is among the first to document the influence of risk attitude on the demand of a range of insurance products using a large nationally representative sample of individuals in a developing country.","PeriodicalId":44559,"journal":{"name":"Review of Behavioral Finance","volume":"17 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2022-06-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87421267","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The disposition effect and its manifestations in South African investor teams","authors":"Philani Shandu, I. Alagidede","doi":"10.1108/rbf-01-2022-0027","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/rbf-01-2022-0027","url":null,"abstract":"PurposeThe study endeavours to determine (1) whether the disposition effect exists among South African investor teams, (2) whether it is causally intensified by a set of psychosocial factors and (3) whether the disposition effect causally reduces investor welfare.Design/methodology/approachFollowing a natural field experimentation design involving a sample of investor teams participating in the 2019 run of the JSE University Investment Challenge, the authors use regression adjustments as well as bootstrap tests to investigate the casual implications of a set of psychosocial factors on the intensity of the disposition effect, as well on the attenuation of market-adjusted ex post returns (i.e. investor welfare).FindingsSouth African investor teams are susceptible to the disposition effect, and their susceptibility to the bias is associated with attenuated investor welfare. Furthermore, low female representation in an investor team causally intensifies the disposition effect, subsequently leading to a causal reduction in investor welfare.Originality/valueUsing evidence from real-world observation, the authors contribute to the literature on team gender diversity and investment decision-making, and – using Hofstede's (2001) cultural dimensions – the authors offer a comprehensive account for how differences in culture may lead to differences in gender-related disposition effects across different nationalities. The authors also introduce to the literature experimental evidence from the field that clearly demonstrates that – among South African investor teams – a causal relationship exists (1) between female representation and the disposition effect, and (2) between the disposition effect and investor welfare.","PeriodicalId":44559,"journal":{"name":"Review of Behavioral Finance","volume":"12 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2022-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87889190","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Investor behavior and cryptocurrency market bubbles during the COVID-19 pandemic","authors":"Emna Mnif, Bassem Salhi, Khaireddine Mouakha, Anis Jarboui","doi":"10.1108/rbf-09-2021-0190","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/rbf-09-2021-0190","url":null,"abstract":"PurposeCryptocurrencies lack fundamental values and are often subject to behavioral bias leading to market bubbles. This study aims to investigate the contribution of the coronavirus pandemic to the creation of market bubbles.Design/methodology/approachThis study identifies four major cryptocurrency market bubbles by using the Phillips et al. (2016) (hereafter PSY) test. Subsequently, the co-movements of the coronavirus proxies with PSY measurement using the wavelet approach were studied.FindingsShort-lived bubbles are detected at the beginning of the studied period, and more extended bubble periods are identified at the end. Besides, the empirical results show evidence of significant negative co-movement between each pandemic proxy and each cryptocurrency bubble measurement.Research limitations/implicationsGiven the complex financial dynamics of the cryptocurrency markets due to some behavioral biases in some circumstances, investors can benefit from the date stamping of the bubbles bursting to make the best trading positions. In the same way, governments could support the healthy development of cryptocurrencies by preventing bubbles during such pandemics.Originality/valueThe financial bubble is commonly attributed to a change in investor behavior. Because traders and investors think they can resell the asset at a higher price in the future. This study explored the contribution of the COVID-19 pandemic in the creation of these bubbles by date stamping their occurrence and explosive periods. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first attempt that explores the contribution of the COVID-19 pandemic to the creation of bubbles caused by a change in the investors’ behavior.","PeriodicalId":44559,"journal":{"name":"Review of Behavioral Finance","volume":"55 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2022-06-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74042928","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Short-run and long-run determinants of bitcoin returns: transnational evidence","authors":"Priti Dubey","doi":"10.1108/rbf-02-2022-0040","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/rbf-02-2022-0040","url":null,"abstract":"PurposeBitcoin has emerged as a phenomenal asset earning abnormal profits. However, the factors with predictability power over its price are not widely studied. Therefore, this study aims to explore the factors that determine bitcoin prices. The analysis explores the determinants belonging to four categories – macro economic, financial, technical and fundamental factors.Design/methodology/approachThe study employs random effects regression on the panel data of five countries. Then Granger causality test is applied on the time series of all the variables. Lastly, diagnostic tests are conducted to confirm the findings to be robust and reliable.FindingsThe findings suggest that oil price, bitcoin supply, trading volume and market capitalization significantly impact the price of bitcoin in the long run. In short run, bitcoin returns are only caused by oil price and market capitalization. Interestingly, bitcoin returns influence its attractiveness to investors, market capitalization, S&P 500 returns and trading volume, in the short run.Practical implicationsThe technical analysis is found to be redundant in the short run. In the long run, technical as well as fundamental analysis are useful. The bitcoin is found to be a good diversification tool as it has no linkages with the stock markets and gold market. It is also an inflationary hedger owing its limited supply.Originality/valueThe studies on cryptocurrency market have not conducted the analysis across countries. This study captures the cross-sectional effects along with time effects. The study also includes 17 variables belonging to four categories.","PeriodicalId":44559,"journal":{"name":"Review of Behavioral Finance","volume":"19 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2022-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82549901","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}