Balasundram Maniam

Asian financial crisis: the pre‐ and post‐crisis analysis of Asian equity markets

This study adds to the ongoing analysis of the long‐term impact of Asian financial crisis on the stock markets of eight Asian‐Pacific countries. Using current data to capture postcrisis behavior of returns, multivariate cointegration analysis reveals that a cointegrating relationship exists among the markets that transcend the financial crisis. Both vector error correction (VEC) and Granger causality tests demonstrate the profound effect of financial crisis in Korea on the returns of other countries. Granger causality tests further reveal that the events surrounding the crisis in Thailand and Indonesia largely dictate their own short‐run returns behavior since the advent of the crisis. Compared to earlier period, the post‐crisis era also experiences a closer relationship among the index returns of Hong Kong, Korea, and Singapore and a heightened degree of convergence among the returns of Asian markets.

Financial planning, managers, and college students

Reports that few Americans plan financially for their retirement and outlines the possible strategies for doing so, referring to relevant research, e.g. company sponsored pension plans, individual retirement accounts and dependence on social security. Surveys students before and after financial planning instruction to identify any attitude changes. Finds that many had no idea of how to calculate the funds needed to meet their expectations initially, but that after their finance course they became more realistic about their requirements. Concludes that more training in retirement planning is needed for the general public, urges workers, employers and acacdemics to respond to calls for further research.

The determinants of US foreign investment in India: implications and policy issues

Traces the growth of US foreign direct investment (FDI) in India and the changing attitude of the Indian government towards it as part of its liberalization programme. Reviews previous research on the determinants of FDI and uses regression analysis on 1962‐1994 data to identify the factors affecting US FDI in India, current trends and the impact on the Indian economy. Finds that only the relatively weak exchange rate appears to be a significant factor and that US FDI has been increasing in dollar amounts and relative percentage growth, especially since the economic reforms of the 1990s. Calls for improvements in infrastructure and reductions in red tape and protectionism to encourage further growth.

The new generation office environment: the home office

Reports the results of a preliminary study of a new work environment, the home office (HO). This study was designed to develop a test instrument that would facilitate the investigation of a set of variables that might influence the corporate decision to relocate employees from the employer’s office space to the employees’ homes. Additionally, the paper seeks to identify the variables that will affect both the employer and the employee, for example, employee productivity and costs of employment. This report does not attempt to generalize concerning the population of home office employees, nor does it attempt to generalize the current employer perspective of the telecommuting employee, but rather it attempts to identify numerous variables that should be investigated in more detail.

Should Hydraulic Fracturing Continue

Hydraulic fracturing plays a significant role in the United States oil and natural gas development. Fracturing has not only improved the United States economy but strengthened its national security and created a positive change to the environment. The United States has become the top producer of oil and natural gas, maintaining low natural gas price for U.S. consumers and stabilizing global crude oil prices from the world market. Despite the gains, there are environmental and public health concerns from extracting these valuable natural resources. As a result, there are federal environmental laws and state regulations aiming to protect the public and environment from the hydraulic fracturing process ensuring the United States continued success in producing oil and natural gas.

Defining Economic Success for Women: Closing the Gender Wage Gap

Gender wage discrimination is still an issue in the United States. The average woman still makes less than the average man. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the current state of gender wage discrimination in the US. Firstly, Firstly, this paper discusses the current status of gender wage discrimination. Secondly, a discussion and analysis is done to ascertain if equality occurs. Thirdly, this paper will analyse current trends that are slowly allowing women to close this gap. Finally, this paper discusses future implications on the gender wage issue in the US. Overall, gender pay equality for all Americans will happen one day in the future, but from the way it is moving, it is not any time soon.