This dissertation extends previous research on bubbles by investigating whether changes in the financial asset prices of the S&P500 reflect changes in fundamentals. We propose that if this is not the case the volatility is due to a bubble. Hence, this is the general hypothesis from which several...

This dissertation has a twofold objective: to extend the Williamson asset specificity hypothesis and to empirically test both the asset specificity hypothesis and the extension. The Williamson asset specificity hypothesis asserts that the financial leverage used by firms is a function of the...