Alexei G. Orlov

Time-frequency analysis of crude oil and S&P500 futures contracts

We use frequency-domain techniques, namely wavelets and cross-spectra, to examine the association between the daily prices of crude oil futures and daily S&P500 futures closing prices over the past several decades. We investigate contemporaneous and lag–lead relationships in levels and returns. It is our belief that the wavelet and cross-spectral analyses employed in this paper offer insights regarding the relationship between oil prices and stock returns that are not apparent from a conventional time-domain framework. Our findings cast doubt on the purported negative relationship between oil and the U.S. stock market. Our analysis suggests that oil prices lead oil volume, and S&P500 trading volume leads S&P500 prices.

HRM systems architecture and firm performance: Evidence from SMEs in a developing country

Human Resource Management (HRM) effects on firm performance can be examined at the systems architecture (i.e., guiding principles or philosophy), the policy, or practices levels. This paper suggests that, at least for small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries, it is the guiding principles that affect a firm’s performance. Using a unique dataset of 44 SMEs in Tamil‐Nadu, India, this paper presents a regression analysis of the relationship between HRM philosophies and measures of firm performance. It is shown that the attitude of the firm’s owner(s) towards its employees is a major determinant of the firm’s profitability. The effect of HRM philosophy on productivity is smaller, albeit still highly significant.