The thesis studies index and equity option returns in perfect and imperfect markets to explain parts of the option mispricing puzzle. Perfect markets exist under informational efficiency, market completeness and frictionless trading. The thesis shows that an option-implied risk-adjusted approach...

Executive compensation is still at the forefront of not only academic research, but also policy initiatives, news stories, and nationwide discussions. Much of the intensity of the discussion has been caused by the steep increase in executive pay, especially over the 1990s when total realized CEO...

Seit der Nahrungsmittelpreiskrise 2007/08 ist die Volatilität von Nahrungsmittelpreisen wieder als wichtiges Thema in der politischen Diskussion aufgetaucht. Nicht nur die Beobachtung eines steigenden Preisniveaus, sondern auch der scheinbare Anstieg der Volatilität auf Schlüsselmärkten (vor...

Based on four empirical studies, this thesis investigates the interrelation of corporate governance, information intermediation, and earnings management. First, the thesis complements the discussion initiated by the European Securities and Market Authorities about the role of proxy advisors at...

The three essays of this dissertation contribute to the measurement of European economic integration and investigate the welfare effects of the European countries. The first study presents a newly developed index – the EU Index – which measures the extent of economic integration into the...