This study's principal objective is to analyze the behavior of private investments in market economies in the New Emerging Economies (transition economies) in Eastern

<p>This paper studies the out of sample risk reduction of global minimum variance portfolio. The analysis are drown from the discussions of Jagannathan and Ma (2003) regarding the risk reduction in US stock portfolios using portfolio constraints. We estimate the covariance matrix using the sample covariance matrix approach and derive optimal minimum variance portfolios considering upper/lower bounds and no restrictions. Results are shown under different revision frequency and transaction costs assumed. The data used are monthly indices of stocks, bonds, gold oil and spreads from 1996 until 2013. Unconstrained GMVPs result in the lowest out of sample variance, while unconstrained GMVPs of global bond portfolios performs the best in terms of risk reduction. Diversification through global asset classes result in a better strategy than international stock diversification regarding risk, as suggested by the literature.</p>

No abstract

Foreign direct investment (FDI thereafter) is very important for economic growth in transition economies. They have major impact in economic development as a source of physical capital, diffusion of technology, improvements in management and marketing techniques, and enhancing institutional setting of these economies toward market oriented. In this paper, an institutional approach to FDI inflow is investigated to identify relevant factors that have shaped and influenced transition economies. The role of institutions in the inflow of FDI in transition economies is estimated empirically by using Seemingly Unrelated Regression Estimation (SURE) technique.

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to assess the survival probability among patients with liver trauma injury using the anatomical and psychological scores of conditions, characteristics and treatment modes. Design/methodology/approach - A logistic model is used to estimate 173 patients' survival probability. Data are taken from patient records. Only emergency room patients admitted to University Hospital of Trauma (former Military Hospital) in Tirana are included. Data are recorded anonymously, preserving the patients' privacy. Findings - When correctly predicted, the logistic models show that survival probability varies from 70.5 percent up to 95.4 percent. The degree of trauma injury, trauma with liver and other organs, total days the patient was hospitalized, and treatment method (conservative vs intervention) are statistically important in explaining survival probability. Practical implications - The study gives patients, their relatives and physicians ample and sound information they can use to predict survival chances, the best treatment and resource management. Originality/value - This study, which has not been done previously, explores survival probability, success probability for conservative and non-conservative treatment, and success probability for single vs multiple injuries from liver trauma.