108 research outputs found

    Ergonomic risk factors associated with muscuslokeletal disorders in computer workstation

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    Ergonomics Risk Factors (ERFs) at computer works are commonly related to Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) such as repetitive movements, doing work in awkward postures and static postures while prolonged seating at works. The main objective of this study was to investigate the ergonomic risk factors associated with MSDs among employees in computer workstation. In this study, the data were obtained by structured interview using self-reported questionnaire and direct observation. The results show that there is significant association between neck and stress score with musculoskeletal symptoms and among office workers. As a conclusion, by assessing ERFs at workplace, the effectiveness of workplace interventions can be evaluated without waiting for changes in the prevalence of MSDs

    Nonparametric Multiple Change Point Analysis of the Global Financial Crisis

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    This paper presents an application of a recently developed approach by Matteson and James (2012) for the analysis of change points in a data set, namely major financial market indices converted to financial return series. The general problem concerns the inference of a change in the distribution of a set of time-ordered variables. The approach involves the nonparametric estimation of both the number of change points and the positions at which they occur. The approach is general and does not involve assumptions about the nature of the distributions involved or the type of change beyond the assumption of the existence of the α absolute moment, for some α ε (0,2). The estimation procedure is based on hierarchical clustering and the application of both divisive and agglomerative algorithms. The method is used to evaluate the impact of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) on the US, French, German, UK, Japanese and Chinese markets, as represented by the S&P500, CAC, DAX, FTSE All Share, Nikkei 225 and Shanghai A share Indices, respectively, from 2003 to 2013. The approach is used to explore the timing and number of change points in the datasets corresponding to the GFC and subsequent European Debt Crisis

    International Equity Markets Co-movements And Contagion: A Novel Perspective

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    Our paper conducts an asset pricing perspective to investigate OECD equity markets co-movements and contagion during different crises.  The paper aims at distinguishing between changes in cross-markets linkages during a crisis, on the one hand, and strong but stable cross-markets linkages and permanent shifts in these linkages, on the other hand.  Our empirical setting relies on the three factor model of Bekeart and al. (2005, 2011) and differs by testing the co-movements in their double dimensions: interdependence and contagion during the Asian, the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) and the Global Financial crises in different regions.  Our results highlight the existence of cross-sectional patterns both in regional and USA market correlations with OECD equity markets.  Evidence of contagion exists during the ERM and the Global Financial crisis, but no contagion caused by the Asian crisis.  Our findings lead to an international diversification opportunity and suggest that contagion effects are not strongly related to high levels of global integration

    Stock market volatility during times of crisis: a comparative analysis of the conditional volatilities of JSE stock indices during the 2007/08 global financial crisis and COVID-19

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    This research analyses the comparative behaviour of stock market volatility during two crises. The goal of this research is to determine whether assumed cyclical and defensive sectors have either retained or revealed their expected properties during both the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) and COVID-19 by analysing sectoral volatility amid these two crises. Understanding how volatility changes amid crises helps to determine whether the volatility assumptions of diversified investment portfolios for both defensive and cyclical sectors still held given the different causes of each crisis. In turn, this knowledge can assist with risk management and portfolio allocation in stock market investments. The study can also contribute towards the enhancement of financial markets’ resistance against systemic risks through portfolio diversification, and aid government decision-making targeted at tackling the weaknesses of different economic sectors especially in times of overall economic weakness. This research makes use of the GARCH model to analyse a group of daily time series that consists of eleven sectoral indices and one benchmark index, all based on the South African stock markets. These observed series are categorised into two full sample periods, one designated to the Global Financial Crisis (January 2006 to May 2009) and the other for COVID-19 (January 2018 to May 2021). These are further divided into two sets of sub-sample periods, each made up of a pre-crisis and during-crisis. Furthermore, the dummy variables representing the occurrence of structural breaks are inserted into the full sample periods’ conditional variance equations. This is aimed at capturing the asymmetrical impact of the crises themselves on all observed series. Based on the movement of volatility persistency from pre-crisis to during-crisis for both crises, the results show that, firstly, Health Care and Consumer Goods are considered defensive Sectors. Secondly, Banks, Basic Materials, Chemicals, Telecommunications, and Financials are considered cyclical Sectors. Thirdly, Automobiles & Parts, Consumer Services, and Technology are considered indeterminable Sectors due to the inconsistent behaviour of these sectors’ volatility persistency throughout the sub-sample periods of both crises. Overall, according to the average volatility persistency, the observed series for COVID-19’s full sample period are generally less volatile than those of the GFC. However, the sub-sample periods suggest that the observed series for both pre-crisis and during-crisis periods of COVID-19 are more volatile than those same sub-samples of the Global Financial Crisis. Being able to analyse the characteristics of stock market sectors is crucial for risk management and optimal portfolio allocation of stock market investments. This can be achieved through portfolio diversification by investing in a variety of stocks, both cyclical and defensive, and adjusted over time based the needs of stock market investors. Diversified portfolios do not only serve the interests of individual investors, but can also enhance the financial markets’ overall resistance against systemic risks.Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Commerce, Economics and Economic History, 202

    Stock market volatility during times of crisis: a comparative analysis of the conditional volatilities of JSE stock indices during the 2007/08 global financial crisis and COVID-19

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    This research analyses the comparative behaviour of stock market volatility during two crises. The goal of this research is to determine whether assumed cyclical and defensive sectors have either retained or revealed their expected properties during both the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) and COVID-19 by analysing sectoral volatility amid these two crises. Understanding how volatility changes amid crises helps to determine whether the volatility assumptions of diversified investment portfolios for both defensive and cyclical sectors still held given the different causes of each crisis. In turn, this knowledge can assist with risk management and portfolio allocation in stock market investments. The study can also contribute towards the enhancement of financial markets’ resistance against systemic risks through portfolio diversification, and aid government decision-making targeted at tackling the weaknesses of different economic sectors especially in times of overall economic weakness. This research makes use of the GARCH model to analyse a group of daily time series that consists of eleven sectoral indices and one benchmark index, all based on the South African stock markets. These observed series are categorised into two full sample periods, one designated to the Global Financial Crisis (January 2006 to May 2009) and the other for COVID-19 (January 2018 to May 2021). These are further divided into two sets of sub-sample periods, each made up of a pre-crisis and during-crisis. Furthermore, the dummy variables representing the occurrence of structural breaks are inserted into the full sample periods’ conditional variance equations. This is aimed at capturing the asymmetrical impact of the crises themselves on all observed series. Based on the movement of volatility persistency from pre-crisis to during-crisis for both crises, the results show that, firstly, Health Care and Consumer Goods are considered defensive Sectors. Secondly, Banks, Basic Materials, Chemicals, Telecommunications, and Financials are considered cyclical Sectors. Thirdly, Automobiles & Parts, Consumer Services, and Technology are considered indeterminable Sectors due to the inconsistent behaviour of these sectors’ volatility persistency throughout the sub-sample periods of both crises. Overall, according to the average volatility persistency, the observed series for COVID-19’s full sample period are generally less volatile than those of the GFC. However, the sub-sample periods suggest that the observed series for both pre-crisis and during-crisis periods of COVID-19 are more volatile than those same sub-samples of the Global Financial Crisis. Being able to analyse the characteristics of stock market sectors is crucial for risk management and optimal portfolio allocation of stock market investments. This can be achieved through portfolio diversification by investing in a variety of stocks, both cyclical and defensive, and adjusted over time based the needs of stock market investors. Diversified portfolios do not only serve the interests of individual investors, but can also enhance the financial markets’ overall resistance against systemic risks.Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Commerce, Economics and Economic History, 202

    Bank and firm behavior in times of crisis

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