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1 – 10 of over 2000
Article
Publication date: 4 February 2014

Salar Ghahramani

This paper aims to conduct an empirical analysis of subnational laws of the USA that require public pension funds to divest from companies that are in business with Cuba, Iran…

948

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to conduct an empirical analysis of subnational laws of the USA that require public pension funds to divest from companies that are in business with Cuba, Iran, Syria, and Sudan and explores whether public fund officials may be in violation of their fiduciary duty responsibilities toward pension system beneficiaries as they execute state-mandated divestment schemes.

Design/methodology/approach

A database search was conducted for specific federal laws, presidential executive orders, and departments, offices, and terminology relevant to the topic of the research to explore the extent by which states employ public pension divestment regimes inspired by the federal governments designation of the four countries labeled as state sponsors of terrorism. Quantitative and financial calculations were used to conduct the cost analysis of divestment laws.

Findings

Divestment laws are costly for the beneficiaries. In the majority of the states that have divestment laws, the public funds, rather than the states, must cover the losses associated with divestment, resulting in pension fund trustees and managers having to take action that are in violation of their fiduciary duty responsibilities.

Research limitations/implications

The study recommends a major overhaul of the current divestment laws.

Practical implications

Divestment legislations must be revised as they cause a divergence of interests between state-driven political gestures, the fiduciary responsibilities of pension system trustees, and the financial interests of the beneficiaries.

Originality/value

This is the first study that recommends specific legislative action that would resolve the divergence of interests between state-driven political gestures, the fiduciary responsibilities of pension system trustees, and the financial interests of the beneficiaries.

Details

International Journal of Law and Management, vol. 56 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-243X

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 27 September 2011

Yuhua Li and Konari Uchida

Purpose – Investigate the causes and consequences of foreign financial institutions' divestments in China's banking sector which is an example of cross-border transactions by…

Abstract

Purpose – Investigate the causes and consequences of foreign financial institutions' divestments in China's banking sector which is an example of cross-border transactions by institutional investors.

Methodology – Use a sample of 26 foreign financial institutions' strategic investments in Chinese banks. Ten of those investments are divested after the global financial crisis. We investigate determinants of the divestment, business cooperation after the divestment, and Chinese banks' stock price reactions to the divestment announcement.

Findings – The poor performance of foreign financial institutions, which is attributable to the global financial crisis, and the institutions' regulated low equity ownership are important causes of divestment (or whole divestment). In contrast, Chinese banks' poor performance does not cause foreign divestments. Foreign financial institutions that fully divest their equity stakes usually terminate their cooperative business, which was required by the strategic investment agreement. The Bank of China and the China Construction Bank, which experienced large H-share divestments, experienced large economic declines in A-share values.

Social implications – Foreign financial institutions' strategic investments created substantial shareholder value before the divestment. Banking sector developments that rely on foreign investments are vulnerable to economic downturns in developed countries.

Originality/value of paper – To the best of our knowledge, this is the first trial to analyze the impact of divestments on divested bank performance.

Details

Institutional Investors in Global Capital Markets
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78052-243-2

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 6 July 2021

Eric J. Morgan

From the 1960s onwards, students and members of the academic community on growing numbers of college and university campuses in the United States chose to confront the issue of…

Abstract

From the 1960s onwards, students and members of the academic community on growing numbers of college and university campuses in the United States chose to confront the issue of apartheid by advocating divestment from corporations or financial institutions with any sort of presence in or relationship with South Africa. Student divestment advocates faced serious opposition from university administrators as well as opponents of institutional divestiture both at home and abroad. Despite these challenges, the academic community in the United States was one of the first arenas where anti-apartheid activism coalesced. This chapter examines the campaigns of students and educators who participated in the debate over divestment – to engage with the South African government and apartheid through dialogue and communication or to disengage completely from the country through withdrawal of financial investments. The anti-apartheid efforts of the academic community at Michigan State University, one of the first large research universities in the United States to confront the issue of apartheid and divestment at the university level and beyond, serves as a window to view academic activism against apartheid. The Southern Africa Liberation Committee (SALC), a consortium of students, faculty, and community members dedicated to aiding the liberation struggle of Southern Africa, led the efforts at Michigan State and collaborated with allies across Michigan and the United States. SALC focused most of its efforts on South Africa, though the organization also confronted the issue of South Africa's controversial occupation of South West Africa and the ongoing civil war in Angola.

Article
Publication date: 29 September 2023

Kiattichai Kalasin

This study aims to examine the role of returnee managers that can affect the strategic-divestment decision of emerging-market firms (EM firms). Drawing on arguments from the upper…

96

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine the role of returnee managers that can affect the strategic-divestment decision of emerging-market firms (EM firms). Drawing on arguments from the upper echelons theory and international human resource mobility perspectives, this study aims to propose that returnee managers influence corporate divestitures when the business outlook is negative. In addition, this study aims to examine the interplay between returnee managers and CEOs, whose characteristics can foster or undermine the efforts of returnee managers to engage in corporate divestments.

Design/methodology/approach

This study examines 278 firms from nine emerging economies. The negative binomial regression was employed to estimate the model. In the robustness checks, the logistic regression was adopted to confirm the earlier findings.

Findings

The empirical results support the notion that returnee managers strengthen the relationship between firm performance and divestments. Because of the limited liabilities of foreignness and outsidership, returnee managers can gain social trust and credibility through communication and social interaction. Furthermore, the results provide mixed support for the moderating effect of CEO characteristics on the performance–divestment relationship.

Practical implications

This study reveals that returnee managers are a great asset for EM firms that aim to find synergies and upgrade their capabilities through asset reconfiguration, which is an essential activity of emerging market firms to integrate themselves into the global competition. Meanwhile, CEO characteristics can foster (through their education level) or hinder (due to their age) divestment attempts, influenced by returnee managers.

Originality/value

This study explores an understudied phenomenon in international business (IB): strategic divestment of EM firms. The literature that examines strategic divestment and corporate refocusing in emerging markets is extremely limited. Furthermore, this study explores the novel topic that intersects the international business (IB) and international human resource management (IHRM) research areas. Specifically, this study investigates the impact of returnee managers on strategic divestments.

Details

Journal of Global Mobility: The Home of Expatriate Management Research, vol. 12 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2049-8799

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 September 2023

Ebrahim Merza and Omar Alhussainan

This paper aims to investigate the drivers of foreign direct divestment (FDD), how it relates to foreign direct investment (FDI) flows and stocks and its implications for…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the drivers of foreign direct divestment (FDD), how it relates to foreign direct investment (FDI) flows and stocks and its implications for developing countries. While divestment occurs for various reasons, it can be explained by reversing the propositions implied by FDI theories.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors combine FDI data and FDI theories to provide theoretical explanations for FDD and what it means for developing countries. FDI stock and flow data are used to derive inferences on trends in FDD and examine the implications of FDI theories on FDD.

Findings

Changes in the modes of global production and the rise of COVID-19 have reinforced the trend of stagnant or diminishing FDI flows observed since the global financial crisis, with implications for FDD. The authors demonstrate how the various FDI theories can be used to explain FDD, except for the currency areas hypothesis. By reviewing the costs and benefits of FDI, it is concluded that shrinking FDI flows and stocks may not be as detrimental for developing economies as it is typically portrayed.

Originality/value

The paper uses two original approaches to measure and explain the motives for FDD. The first is a reassessment of FDI theories in a way that makes them valid theories for FDD. The second original approach is to interpret data on FDI flows and stocks to imply the trends governing FDD, which is useful, as data on foreign divestment are not available on a country or regional basis.

Details

Review of International Business and Strategy, vol. 34 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2059-6014

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 October 2023

Luíza Neves Marques da Fonseca, Angela da Rocha and Jorge Brantes Ferreira

This paper aims to investigate the divestment behavior of emerging market multinationals from Latin America – multilatinas – by examining how their foreign market entry decision…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the divestment behavior of emerging market multinationals from Latin America – multilatinas – by examining how their foreign market entry decision impacts the likelihood of subsidiary divestment.

Design/methodology/approach

The hypotheses are tested using Cox’s proportional hazard rate model in a longitudinal database of Brazilian multinational companies established in 43 countries.

Findings

Results indicate that these subsidiaries can thrive in environments that bear similarities to their home country, being less likely to divest in institutionally weak countries. Contrary to developed country multinationals, these firms benefit from foreign entry decisions that entail handling partnerships abroad; thus, wholly-owned greenfield (WOGF) investments have a higher likelihood of being divested.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first to analyze foreign divestment from multilatinas, accounting for how entry mode strategy and host country institutions may impact these firms’ de-internationalization.

Details

European Business Review, vol. 36 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0955-534X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 April 2023

Sri Pujiningsih, Ani Wilujeng Suryani, Ika Putri Larasati and Sharifah Norzehan Syed Yusuf

This study aims to discover the role of accounting and media in hegemonic discourse for divestment valuation of PT Freeport Indonesia shares.

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to discover the role of accounting and media in hegemonic discourse for divestment valuation of PT Freeport Indonesia shares.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs data from 608 news articles from 5 national media. This study uses Gramsci's concept of hegemony and Laclau and Mouffe's hegemonic discourse to explore the ideological role of accounting in the formation of historical blocs and investigate the contestants' discursive strategies through the chains of equivalence and difference.

Findings

The incumbent presidential candidate, by involving political and intellectual actors, has succeeded in taking over and shifting PT Freeport Indonesia's hegemony to maintain its power, through the ideology of divestment and accounting. The media played a role in the victory of the pro-divestment bloc in the hegemonic divestment discourse contest. The pro-divestment bloc's discursive strategy uses more formal and technical language styles than the anti-divestment bloc, which uses informal language styles. The pro-divestment bloc uses the key signifiers of low price, improved financial performance, nationalization and welfare, as opposed to the anti-divestment bloc, with the key signifiers of high price, declining financial performance and neoliberalist colonization.

Practical implications

The implications of this research may encourage accounting academics to contribute to emancipatory social movements in the struggle for hegemony. The implication for policy makers is the importance of involving the public, intellectual actors, political actors and the media in supporting diverse state strategic policies in the national interest.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to Gramsci's theory of hegemony and Laclau and Mouffe's hegemonic discourse to understand the role of accounting and media in a nationalization project as an emancipatory social movement, as well as a hegemonic shifting political movement.

Details

Asian Review of Accounting, vol. 31 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1321-7348

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 July 2022

Samson Edo and Obianuju Nnadozie

The purpose of this paper is to determine how macroeconomic performance work with institutional quality influences divestment of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Sub-Saharan…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine how macroeconomic performance work with institutional quality influences divestment of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Sub-Saharan Africa, in the short and long run.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper investigates divestment of FDI in Sub-Saharan Africa, within the period 1980–2020. The investigation is undertaken by first comparing the trend with what is obtained in other economic regions of the world. The factors behind the divestment are subsequently investigated, using the vector error-correction model.

Findings

In the comparative analysis, Sub-Saharan Africa and other regions are observed to have witnessed sustained divestment in recent years. The estimation results of the model reveal that macroeconomic performance and institutional quality are the predominant drivers behind the divestment.

Research limitations/implications

The findings, however, do not conform to the neoclassical theory that lays emphasis on investment return as the fundamental factor influencing investment. Long-run structural stability is also established; hence, the results may be considered suitable for predicting future divestment in the region.

Practical implications

In view of the empirical findings, macroeconomic performance and institutional quality need to be improved to ameliorate FDI divestment in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Originality/value

There is paucity of research works on divestment of FDI in Sub-Saharan Africa. Again, there is paucity of works on how macroeconomic and institutional conditions work together to influence divestment. This study provides some evidence to bridge the perceived gaps.

Details

Journal of Chinese Economic and Foreign Trade Studies, vol. 16 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-4408

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 24 November 2022

Seon Ju Lee and Sung Jin Kang

This paper aims to enhance empirical research on foreign divestment and international relocation by multinational firms are still limited and understudied, although these issues…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to enhance empirical research on foreign divestment and international relocation by multinational firms are still limited and understudied, although these issues have been a frequent phenomenon and carry important economic implications.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper investigates the trends of foreign divestment in South Korea and examines firm- and host country-level determinants in total, manufacture and service sectors from 2010 to 2019.

Findings

Using probit model analysis, the main findings are first, among the firm-level factors, sales revenue and parent firm dummy are shown as negative and significant determinants of foreign divestment especially in manufacturing sector. Second, among the country-level factors, gross domestic product growth rate and regulatory quality that measures perceptions of sound policies that promote private sector development are shown negative and significant determinants of foreign divestment. On the other hand, relationship between the environmental policy stringency and foreign divestment is shown positive and significant.

Originality/value

The results suggest that these nonfirm-specific characteristics are also important factors in firm decision to divest from the host country.

Details

Journal of Chinese Economic and Foreign Trade Studies, vol. 16 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-4408

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 November 2022

H. Kent Baker, Deepak Kumar and Neelam Rani

Foreign divestment of subsidiaries is a growing research field. The global increase in investments has led to more divestments. However, much about the processes and circumstances…

Abstract

Purpose

Foreign divestment of subsidiaries is a growing research field. The global increase in investments has led to more divestments. However, much about the processes and circumstances leading to foreign divestments (FDs) requires further investigation. This study aims to review and consolidate the existing literature on foreign divestment and identify avenues for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

This study performs a systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis of studies on FDs to highlight the traditional and emerging perspectives in the field. This work examines foreign divestment theories based on operations, human resources, finance and marketing business functions.

Findings

This study sets forth a basic foreign divestment framework and highlights potential research areas. Future studies should expand to emerging economies, explore complex relationships, distinguish foreign divestment types and identify the limits of various theories and perspectives.

Originality/value

This study discusses traditional theories such as economies of scale, portfolio adjustment, reverse eclectic, real options and transaction cost economies. This study also examines emerging perspectives: attention-based, behavioral, committedness, contingency, favoritism, flexibility, hysteresis, legitimation, network and resource-based views. This study uses traditional and emerging theories to explain foreign divestment decisions in different business functions.

Details

Qualitative Research in Financial Markets, vol. 15 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1755-4179

Keywords

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