Financial Management

This paper examines the effect of excessive investor confidence on market efficiency. We study this impact for 21 developed markets and 25 emerging markets for a period from January 2006 until June 2020. First, we estimate weak market efficiency using the auto-correlation test (Ljung-Box, 1978). Thus, based on the adaptive approach, we assume that the overconfidence of investors has a negative impact on market efficiency. Concerning the over-confidence variable; we use the transaction volume decomposition method of Chuang and Lee (2006). Finally, we used the logit panel model to study the impact the impact of investor overconfidence on market efficiency. The result shows that during our study period, the trust bias had no impact either on the efficiency of developed markets or on the efficiency of emerging markets. We attribute this result to successive crises during our study period, including the subprime crisis, the eurozone crisis, the stock market crash in China, and the COVID crisis, which likely caused investors to become pessimistic and lose confidence in the stock market.

Recent findings suggest that firms with higher Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) scores may experience lower stock returns, contrary to the common belief that better ESG performance enhances market reputation and stock returns. This study aims to investigate the relationship between ESG performance, management costs, and stock returns by introducing an "ESG-cost framework." The framework proposes that the costs incurred in implementing ESG practices can reduce revenue, offsetting the positive effects of strong ESG performance. Using an empirical analysis of firms based on both their ESG scores and management costs, the study finds that firms with low management costs gain the most from high ESG scores, while those with high costs may see diminished stock returns despite strong ESG performance. Additionally, the study proposes trading strategies that integrate ESG scores and cost considerations, demonstrating that these strategies yield better returns than traditional market indices. These findings offer a new perspective on ESG decision-making and provide valuable insights for constructing effective trading strategies.

This study examines how strategic financial management boosts SMEs' corporate value and competitiveness in the fast-changing digital economy. As digital technologies change market landscapes, SMEs face unique challenges and opportunities in aligning their financial strategies with digital transformation. This mixed-methods study combines quantitative regression analysis with qualitative interviews with senior management from technology, finance, retail, and manufacturing. Quantitative findings from 129 SMEs show a positive correlation between strategic alignment, innovation culture, and corporate value and financial performance, highlighting the complex but crucial role of digital technology investments and risk management. Qualitative insights emphasise the need to align these investments with strategic goals and foster innovation. This study contributes twice. First, it empirically shows how strategic financial management practises help navigate the digital economy, enriching strategic management and finance literature. Second, it advises SMEs to take a holistic approach to strategic financial management that prioritises digital technology investments and ensures they are strategically aligned, culturally ingrained, and risk-averse. This research shows how financial strategy and digital innovation interact to drive SME competitiveness and value creation in the digital age.