Real Options Theory


Book Description

Examines the ways in which real options theory can contribute to strategic management. This volume offers conceptual pieces that trace out pathways for the theory to move forward and presents research on the implications of real options for strategic investment, organization, and firm performance.




Real Options and Corporate Strategy


Book Description

Inhaltsangabe:Abstract: Every investment, for example new facilities, new products, or strategic partnerships is driven by the pursuit of creating values . Major changes are going on in the valuation of investments. Although the classic shareholder value concept is still a valuable source for identification of value drivers of strategic management, it needs to be extended in terms of its ability to evaluate long-term investment choices. Far too long capital budgeting has only been considered under aspects of its contribution to an overall added economic value rather than focusing on a firm s resources. Recent research emphasized the strategic value of resources leading to formulate the approach of a resource-based view of a firm s activities. Usually management tries to capture future development with static methods of capital budgeting, i.e. future cash-flows are discounted with a fixed risk-adjusted discount rate. However, the finding of present values and capitalized values could produce pitfalls in investment decisions. Strategic investment decisions are often characterized by a wide range of possibilities to react flexibly to the changing business environment. This area of tolerance in investment decisions could not be captured with traditional instruments of investment evaluation. In the 1970s, the discounted-cash-flow analysis (DCF) emerged and proved its practicability. This method assumes a now or never approach in undertaking a project. Some authors suggest adding the theory of option prices to investment decisions, as in the 1970s and the 1980s developments in the valuation of capital-investment opportunities based on option pricing revolutionized capital budgeting. Option pricing allows adaptation and revision of future decisions in order to capture managerial flexibility and to finally capitalize on any possible future development. To incorporate these real options means to limit losses and offers a vital contribution to long-term corporate success, especially in those marketplaces characterized by uncertainty and rapid change. This method also explains the value of waiting for the initial project and considers its value in comparison to the opportunity costs of waiting. These costs are dictated by the behavior of competitors and loss of cash-flow streams from the project. Incorporating this method could possibly lead to a better understanding of the importance of resource allocation, the value of strategic investments and [...]




A Stochastic Control Framework for Real Options in Strategic Evaluation


Book Description

The theoretical foundation for real options goes back to the mid 1980s and the development of a model that forms the basis for many current applications of real option theory. Over the last decade the theory has rapidly expanded and become enriched thanks to increasing research activity. Modern real option theory may be used for the valuation of entire companies as well as for particular investment projects in the presence of uncertainty. As such, the theory of real options can serve as a tool for more practically oriented decision making, providing management with strategies maximizing its capital market value. This book is devoted to examining a new framework for classifying real options from a management and a valuation perspective, giving the advantages and disadvantages of the real option approach. Impulse control theory and the theory of optimal stopping combined with methods of mathematical finance are used to construct arbitrarily complex real option models which can be solved numerically and which yield optimal capital market strategies and values. Various examples are given to demonstrate the potential of this framework. This work will benefit the financial community, companies, as well as academics in mathematical finance by providing an important extension of real option research from both a theoretical and practical point of view.




Strategic Reconfigurations


Book Description

In a world of ever increasing talent and ever more rapid creation of new knowledge, and in a world that is growing in complexity by the day, it is truly intriguing to learn of capabilities for success and failure in rapid innovation-based industries. The fusion of academic concepts and empirical insights make this book a source of inspiration for inquiring managers. Norbert Walter, Chief Economist of Deutsche Bank and CEO of Deutsche Bank Research, Germany This volume represents a most welcome and important contribution to the emergent and fast-growing dynamic capabilities view (DCV) of the firm and sustainable competitive advantage. It simultaneously helps to assess critically, integrate with a wide range of other perspectives, broaden the scope, and deepen the conceptual foundations of the DCV. In addition and importantly, it links DCV to, and contrasts it with, managerial practice. The authors dispassionate approach is a further plus. The editors have done an excellent job and should be congratulated for this work that should be a must-read. Christos Pitelis, Reader in International Business and Competitiveness, University of Cambridge, UK This path-breaking book provides unique insights into the organisational realities of strategic reconfigurations in uncertain markets, thus advancing the dynamic capability perspective. Dynamic capabilities continue to excite academics. It is a perspective that promises explanations of competitive advantage, but its full potential remains somewhat hidden behind abstract notions. This eloquent volume seeks to overcome the challenge by combining the theory and practice of organisational resource configurations. Joint contributions by expert academics and business executives demystify, but also confirm, elements of the theory. Thus, the book integrates dynamic capabilities with organisational realities as well as with adjacent theories of strategic innovation and entrepreneurship. Strategic Reconfigurations provides a guide to strategic management in turbulent times, for students, researchers, and professionals alike. Business executives in high-velocity markets will find the book invaluable.




Military Cost-Benefit Analysis


Book Description

This is the first comprehensive book on Military Cost-Benefit Analysis and provides novel approaches to structuring cost-benefit and affordability analysis amidst an uncertain defense environment and cloudy fiscal prospects. Lifting the veil on military Cost-Benefit Analysis, this volume offers several new practical tools designed to guide defense investments (and divestments), combined with a selection of real-world applications. The widespread employment of Cost-Benefit Analysis offers a unique opportunity to transform legacy defense forces into efficient, effective, and accountable 21st century organizations. A synthesis of economics, statistics and decision theory, CBA is currently used in a wide range of defense applications in countries around the world: i) to shape national security strategy, ii) to set acquisition policy, and iii) to inform critical investments in people, equipment, infrastructure, services and supplies. As sovereign debt challenges squeeze national budgets, and emerging threats disrupt traditional notions of security, this volume offers valuable tools to navigate the political landscape, meet calls for fiscal accountability, and boost the effectiveness of defense investments to help guarantee future peace and stability. A valuable resource for scholars, practitioners, novices and experts, this book offers a comprehensive overview of Military Cost-Benefit Analysis and will appeal to anyone interested or involved in improving national security, and will also be of general interest to those responsible for major government programs, projects or policies.




Perspectives on Strategic Risk Management


Book Description

"Operating across international markets is a highly turbulent affair that imposes real challenges on corporate risk management capabilities. The multinational corporation is exposed to many diverse risks and exogenous influences beyond managerial control but also attain new strategic opportunities. The exposures range from price volatilities, changing macroeconomic conditions, and operational disruptions to technological innovations, competitive moves, and socio-political events. Strategic risk management can reduce the adverse effects from these exposures but may also furnish gains from new opportunities. This book relates to the need for effective strategic risk management practices that facilitate the ability to monitor essential exposures and respond appropriately to changing environmental conditions. "




Safety and Reliability: Methodology and Applications


Book Description

Within the last fifty years the performance requirements for technical objects and systems were supplemented with: customer expectations (quality), abilities to prevent the loss of the object properties in operation time (reliability and maintainability), protection against the effects of undesirable events (safety and security) and the ability to




Portfolio Decision Analysis


Book Description

Portfolio Decision Analysis: Improved Methods for Resource Allocation provides an extensive, up-to-date coverage of decision analytic methods which help firms and public organizations allocate resources to 'lumpy' investment opportunities while explicitly recognizing relevant financial and non-financial evaluation criteria and the presence of alternative investment opportunities. In particular, it discusses the evolution of these methods, presents new methodological advances and illustrates their use across several application domains. The book offers a many-faceted treatment of portfolio decision analysis (PDA). Among other things, it (i) synthesizes the state-of-play in PDA, (ii) describes novel methodologies, (iii) fosters the deployment of these methodologies, and (iv) contributes to the strengthening of research on PDA. Portfolio problems are widely regarded as the single most important application context of decision analysis, and, with its extensive and unique coverage of these problems, this book is a much-needed addition to the literature. The book also presents innovative treatments of new methodological approaches and their uses in applications. The intended audience consists of practitioners and researchers who wish to gain a good understanding of portfolio decision analysis and insights into how PDA methods can be leveraged in different application contexts. The book can also be employed in courses at the post-graduate level.




Project Valuation Using Real Options


Book Description

Business leaders are frequently faced with investment decisions on new and ongoing projects. The challenge lies in deciding what projects to choose, expand, contract, defer, or abandon, and which method of valuation to use is the key tool in the process. This title presents a step-by-step, practical approach to real options valuation to make it easily understandable by practitioners as well as senior management. This systematic approach to project valuation helps you minimize upfront investment risks, exercise flexibility in decision making, and maximize the returns. Whereas the traditional decision tools such as discounted cash flow/net present value (DCF/NPV) analysis assume a “fixed” path ahead, real options analysis offers more flexible strategies. Considered one of the greatest innovations of modern finance, the real options approach is based on Nobel-prize winning work by three MIT economists, Fischer Black, Robert Merton, and Myron Scholes.




Diagnostics and Prognostics of Engineering Systems: Methods and Techniques


Book Description

Industrial Prognostics predicts an industrial system’s lifespan using probability measurements to determine the way a machine operates. Prognostics are essential in determining being able to predict and stop failures before they occur. Therefore the development of dependable prognostic procedures for engineering systems is important to increase the system’s performance and reliability. Diagnostics and Prognostics of Engineering Systems: Methods and Techniques provides widespread coverage and discussions on the methods and techniques of diagnosis and prognosis systems. Including practical examples to display the method’s effectiveness in real-world applications as well as the latest trends and research, this reference source aims to introduce fundamental theory and practice for system diagnosis and prognosis.