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Article
Publication date: 8 May 2018

Syed Aliya Zahera and Rohit Bansal

The purpose of this paper is to study and describe several biases in investment decision-making through the review of research articles in the area of behavioral finance. It also…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study and describe several biases in investment decision-making through the review of research articles in the area of behavioral finance. It also includes some of the analytical and foundational work and how this has progressed over the years to make behavioral finance an established and specific area of study. The study includes behavioral patterns of individual investors, institutional investors and financial advisors.

Design/methodology/approach

The research papers are analyzed on the basis of searching the keywords related to behavioral finance on various published journals, conference proceedings, working papers and some other published books. These papers are collected over a period of year’s right from the time when the most introductory paper was published (1979) that contributed this area a basic foundation till the most recent papers (2016). These articles are segregated into biases wise, year-wise, country-wise and author wise. All research tools that have been used by authors related to primary and secondary data have also been included into our table.

Findings

A new era of understanding of human emotions, behavior and sentiments has been started which was earlier dominated by the study of financial markets. Moreover, this area is not only attracting the, attention of academicians but also of the various corporates, financial intermediaries and entrepreneurs thus adding to its importance. The study is more inclined toward the study of individual and institutional investors and financial advisors’ investors but the behavior of intermediaries through which some of them invest should be focused upon, narrowing down population into various variables, targeting the expanding economies to reap some unexplained theories. This study has identified 17 different types of biases and also summarized in the form of tables.

Research limitations/implications

The study is based on some of the most recent findings to have a quick overview of the latest work carried out in this area. So far very few extensive review papers have been published to highlight the research work in the area of behavioral finance. This study will be helpful for new researches in this field and to identify the areas where possible work can be done.

Practical implications

Practical implication of the research is that companies, policymakers and issuers of securities can watch out of investors’ interest before issuing securities into the market.

Social implications

Under the Social Implication, investors can recognize several behavioral biases, take sound investment decisions and can also minimize their risk.

Originality/value

The essence of this paper is the identification of 17 types of biases and the literature related to them. The study is based on both, the literature on investment decisions and the biases in investment decision-making. Such study is less prevalent in the developing country like India. This paper does not only focus on the basic principles of behavioral finance but also explain some emerging concepts and theories of behavioral finance. Thus, the paper generates interest in the readers to find the solutions to minimize the effect of biases in decision-making.

Details

Qualitative Research in Financial Markets, vol. 10 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1755-4179

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 September 2019

Gaurav S. Chauhan and Pradip Banerjee

Recent papers on target capital structure show that debt ratio seems to vary widely in space and time, implying that the functional specifications of target debt ratios are of…

Abstract

Purpose

Recent papers on target capital structure show that debt ratio seems to vary widely in space and time, implying that the functional specifications of target debt ratios are of little empirical use. Further, target behavior cannot be adjudged correctly using debt ratios, as they could revert due to mechanical reasons. The purpose of this paper is to develop an alternative testing strategy to test the target capital structure.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors make use of a major “shock” to the debt ratios as an event and think of a subsequent reversion as a movement toward a mean or target debt ratio. By doing this, the authors no longer need to identify target debt ratios as a function of firm-specific variables or any other rigid functional form.

Findings

Similar to the broad empirical evidence in developed economies, there is no perceptible and systematic mean reversion by Indian firms. However, unlike developed countries, proportionate usage of debt to finance firms’ marginal financing deficits is extensive; equity is used rather sparingly.

Research limitations/implications

The trade-off theory could be convincingly refuted at least for the emerging market of India. The paper here stimulated further research on finding reasons for specific financing behavior of emerging market firms.

Practical implications

The results show that the firms’ financing choices are not only depending on their own firm’s specific variables but also on the financial markets in which they operate.

Originality/value

This study attempts to assess mean reversion in debt ratios in a unique but reassuring manner. The results are confirmed by extensive calibration of the testing strategy using simulated data sets.

Article
Publication date: 8 April 2019

Gabriela Brendea and Fanuta Pop

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the financing behavior of Romanian listed firms with regard to their tendency to exhibit herding behavior, more specifically to follow…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the financing behavior of Romanian listed firms with regard to their tendency to exhibit herding behavior, more specifically to follow the mean capital structure of the sector they belong to.

Design/methodology/approach

A panel data model was employed to examine the herding financing behavior of Romanian listed firms over the period 2007–2014. The dependent variable of the model is firms’ debt ratio (DR) and the independent variables are: the first lag of the mean DR in each sector of the analysis, firm-specific characteristics and the average characteristics of the firms from the sector they belong to.

Findings

The results of the study indicate that Romanian listed firms have a herding behavior and try to reach the mean DR of the sector they belong to, moving away from the optimal capital structure that maximizes firms’ value. In addition, the results of the model estimation suggest that Romanian firms’ capital structure depends on both firms’ characteristics (i.e. profitability, firm size and asset tangibility) and the average characteristics of the firms from the same sector they belong to (i.e. average profitability and average size).

Practical implications

Acting with the herd determines firms to move away from the optimal capital structure and to miss in this way the maximization of the firm value. Consequently, it is in managers’ best interest to avoid herding behavior and try to act rationally when they decide firms’ financing sources.

Originality/value

To the best of the knowledge, this is the first study in the literature that finds support for the herding financing behavior in an Eastern European country.

Details

Managerial Finance, vol. 45 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0307-4358

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 June 2022

Maqsood Ahmad

This article aims to systematically review the literature published in recognized journals focused on cognitive heuristic-driven biases and their effect on investment management…

2044

Abstract

Purpose

This article aims to systematically review the literature published in recognized journals focused on cognitive heuristic-driven biases and their effect on investment management activities and market efficiency. It also includes some of the research work on the origins and foundations of behavioral finance, and how this has grown substantially to become an established and particular subject of study in its own right. The study also aims to provide future direction to the researchers working in this field.

Design/methodology/approach

For doing research synthesis, a systematic literature review (SLR) approach was applied considering research studies published within the time period, i.e. 1970–2021. This study attempted to accomplish a critical review of 176 studies out of 256 studies identified, which were published in reputable journals to synthesize the existing literature in the behavioral finance domain-related explicitly to cognitive heuristic-driven biases and their effect on investment management activities and market efficiency as well as on the origins and foundations of behavioral finance.

Findings

This review reveals that investors often use cognitive heuristics to reduce the risk of losses in uncertain situations, but that leads to errors in judgment; as a result, investors make irrational decisions, which may cause the market to overreact or underreact – in both situations, the market becomes inefficient. Overall, the literature demonstrates that there is currently no consensus on the usefulness of cognitive heuristics in the context of investment management activities and market efficiency. Therefore, a lack of consensus about this topic suggests that further studies may bring relevant contributions to the literature. Based on the gaps analysis, three major categories of gaps, namely theoretical and methodological gaps, and contextual gaps, are found, where research is needed.

Practical implications

The skillful understanding and knowledge of the cognitive heuristic-driven biases will help the investors, financial institutions and policymakers to overcome the adverse effect of these behavioral biases in the stock market. This article provides a detailed explanation of cognitive heuristic-driven biases and their influence on investment management activities and market efficiency, which could be very useful for finance practitioners, such as an investor who plays at the stock exchange, a portfolio manager, a financial strategist/advisor in an investment firm, a financial planner, an investment banker, a trader/broker at the stock exchange or a financial analyst. But most importantly, the term also includes all those persons who manage corporate entities and are responsible for making their financial management strategies.

Originality/value

Currently, no recent study exists, which reviews and evaluates the empirical research on cognitive heuristic-driven biases displayed by investors. The current study is original in discussing the role of cognitive heuristic-driven biases in investment management activities and market efficiency as well as the history and foundations of behavioral finance by means of research synthesis. This paper is useful to researchers, academicians, policymakers and those working in the area of behavioral finance in understanding the role that cognitive heuristic plays in investment management activities and market efficiency.

Details

International Journal of Emerging Markets, vol. 19 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-8809

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 May 2017

Zamri Ahmad, Haslindar Ibrahim and Jasman Tuyon

This paper aims to review the theory and empirical evidence of institutional investor behavioral biases in the lenses of behavioral finance paradigm. It surveys the research…

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to review the theory and empirical evidence of institutional investor behavioral biases in the lenses of behavioral finance paradigm. It surveys the research specifically focusing on behavioral biases among institutional investors in investment management activities worldwide.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature survey is done to gather and synthesize evidence on behavioral biases of institutional investors.

Findings

The survey and analysis reveal the following findings. First, the theoretical underpinning of investors’ irrational behavior has been neglected in behavioral finance research. Second, the behavioral heuristics and biases are dynamic and complex. Third, understanding behavioral biases’ origin, causes and effects requires interdisciplinary perspectives from the fields of psychology, sociology and biology.

Originality/value

The analysis and alternative perspectives drawn in this paper provide new insights into the field of behavioral finance and aims to suggest researchers, practitioners and regulators on the next course of actions.

Details

Management Research Review, vol. 40 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-8269

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 June 2019

Satish K. Mittal

This paper developed a theoretical and research framework by identifying the behavioral biases in investment decision and by presenting a review of the available literature in the…

4211

Abstract

Purpose

This paper developed a theoretical and research framework by identifying the behavioral biases in investment decision and by presenting a review of the available literature in the field of behavior finance-related biases. This paper aims to present a compressive review of the literature available in the public domain in past five decades on behavior finance and biases and its role in investment decision-making process. It also covers insights on the subject for developing a deeper understating of the behavior of investor and related biases.

Design/methodology/approach

The work follows the comprehensive literature review approach to review the available literatures. The review carried out on different parameters such as year of publication, journal of publication, country, type of research, data type, statistical technique used and biases identified. This is a funnel approach to decrease the number of behavior biases up to six for further research.

Findings

Most of the existing works have summarized behavior finance as an emerging area in finance. This indicates the limited valuable research in developing economy in this area. This literature review helps in identifying major research gap in this domain. It helps in identifying the behavior biases which work dominantly in investment decision-making. It would be interesting to explore the area of behavior biases and their impact on investment decision of individual investors in India.

Originality/value

This paper worked on literature prevailing on the subject and available on various online research data source and search engines. It covers a long time frame of almost five decades (1970-2015). This paper is an attempt to look at the impact of behavior finance and biases and its role in investment decision-making process of the investor behavior. This study builds up a strong theoretical framework for researchers and academicians by detailed demonstration of available literature on behavior biases.

Details

Qualitative Research in Financial Markets, vol. 14 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1755-4179

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 May 2023

Md. Al Amin, Md. Abdul Ahad Mia, Tapas Bala, Mohammed Masum Iqbal and Md. Shariful Alam

The study aims to examine the green finance customers' post-usage continuance behavior based on an extended social support theory (SST). Remarkably, this study explores five…

Abstract

Purpose

The study aims to examine the green finance customers' post-usage continuance behavior based on an extended social support theory (SST). Remarkably, this study explores five indirect predictors of green finance continuance behavior (GFCB) (i.e. environmental consciousness (EC), green bank marketing initiatives (GBMI), informational supports, emotional supports (EST) and psychological reactance) and a mediator (i.e. customer satisfaction).

Design/methodology/approach

In this study data were collected from 362 respondents from Bangladesh using a purposive sampling method with a structured self-administrative questionnaire and analyzed by partial least square structural equation and modeling using SMART PLS 3.0 software.

Findings

The results depict that the five predictors, i.e. information supports (ß = 0.367, t-statistics = 2.463, p < 0.001), EST (ß = 0.206, t-statistics = 2.315, p < 0.000), EC (ß = 0.324, t-statistics = 3.484, p < 0.000), GBMI (ß = 0.288, t-statistics = 2.028, p < 0.000), psychological reactance (ß = 0.126, t-statistics = 0.969, p < 0.052) influence GFCB while satisfaction is predicted by four predictors except psychological reactance (ß = 0.126, t-statistics = 0.969, p < 0.052). In addition, customer satisfaction (ß = 0.638, t-statistics = 6.317, p < 0.005) also has an impact on continuance behavior. Besides, the study understood that four predictors indirectly influence GFCB through satisfaction except psychological reactance ((ß = 0.080, t-statistics = 964, z = 0.958p < 0.338). Finally, the coefficient of determinations (R2) indicates that the five predictors explained 65.3% of changes in satisfaction, whereas 72.8% of changes are described by the five predictors and customer satisfactions.

Practical implications

Finally, this study highlights the social and managerial implications for the implementers of the green finance industry. It is recommended to emphasize green finance practice as it plays a crucial role in promoting environmental protection, ensuring social equity and driving economic growth. The green banking service providers, industry analysts, green consumers and respective government authorities can generalize green finance activities as an essential aspect of sustainable development to equalize the economic growth with a view to protecting environmental collapse and promoting renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable agriculture and other environmentally friendly activities.

Originality/value

The study will enormously contribute to the existing literature validating the proposed holistic framework applying SST along with EC, GBMI and psychological reactance in green finance continuance behavior.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 34 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 2005

Pal C. Johnsen and Richard G.P. McMahon

Aims to ascertain the extent to which industry appears to influence the financing behaviour of a sample of Australian small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs).

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Abstract

Purpose

Aims to ascertain the extent to which industry appears to influence the financing behaviour of a sample of Australian small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach

The research employs data for several thousand SMEs taken from the Australian federal government's Business Longitudinal Survey undertaken over four financial years from 1994‐1995 to 1997‐1998. The principal analytical technique employed is logistic regression modelling with various financial structure measures as dependent variables, and with industry as the independent variable of central interest.

Findings

The research findings reported in the paper provide substantial empirical evidence that cross‐industry differences in financing behaviour do exist even after controlling for other relevant influences on SME financing choices such as enterprise size, business age, profitability, growth, asset structure and risk. The key finding is that industry does not simply proxy for one or more of these other factors, but is an important influence in its own right.

Research limitations/implications

There are evidently effects arising from the fundamental nature of industries that require better understanding before a reliable prescriptive position on SME financing can be reached. What these effects are cannot really be ascertained using the research data and methods employed in this study, which give a relatively superficial perspective on the matter. A need for more in‐depth qualitative investigation is indicated.

Originality/value

The main implication of this research for scholars and policy‐makers concerned with SMEs is clearly the need to regard industry as an important independent influence on financing behaviour.

Details

Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, vol. 12 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1462-6004

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 18 October 2018

Muhamed Zulkhibri

This paper aims to examine the distributional differences of Islamic bank financing responses to financing rate across bank-specific characteristics in dual banking system. The…

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the distributional differences of Islamic bank financing responses to financing rate across bank-specific characteristics in dual banking system. The study also aims to provide understanding of how efficiently Islamic banks perform their roles as suppliers of capital for businesses and entrepreneurs.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses panel regression methodology covering all Islamic banks in Malaysia. The study estimates the benchmark model for Islamic bank financing with respect to bank characteristics and monetary policy.

Findings

The evidence suggests that bank-specific characteristics are important in determining Islamic financing behaviour. The Islamic financing behaviour is consistent with conventional lending behaviour that the Islamic bank financing operates depending on the level of bank size, liquidity and capital. There is no significant difference between Islamic bank financing and conventional bank lending behaviour with respect to changes in monetary policy.

Originality/value

Many problems and challenges relating to Islamic financing instruments, financial markets and regulations must be addressed and resolved. In practice, it would be a good idea if Islamic banks move away from developing debt-based instruments and concentrate more efforts to develop profit and loss sharing instruments.

Details

Journal of Economics, Finance and Administrative Science, vol. 23 no. 46
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2077-1886

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 4 July 2019

Ercan Özen and Gürsel Ersoy

Introduction – Markowitz (1952) argues that individuals act rationally in their financial decisions. In contrast, Kahneman and Tversky (1979) claim that the psychological…

Abstract

Introduction – Markowitz (1952) argues that individuals act rationally in their financial decisions. In contrast, Kahneman and Tversky (1979) claim that the psychological characteristics of people significantly affect financial decisions. In making these decisions, factors such as age, gender, and educational status may have an impact.

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to determine whether financial literacy has an impact on individuals’ cognitive biases related to financial investments.

Methodology – A sample of 444 individuals were surveyed.

Findings – In the results of study (1) it was determined that financial literacy leads to differences in cognitive biases; and (2) cognitive biases of individuals who do not receive finance education are different from individuals who receive finance education and professionals in the business world. The findings indicate that the increase in the level of financial literacy of individuals will reduce the cognitive biases and heuristics, and therefore will have a positive effect on the investor behavior in financial markets.

Details

Contemporary Issues in Behavioral Finance
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78769-881-9

Keywords

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