• East Asian Journal of Business Economics (EAJBE)
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.1-12
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• 2018

Purpose - This paper tests the effect of the structure of manufacturing and marketing subsidiary network on FX exposure of Korean MNEs. Furthermore, the moderating effect of pass-through ability on the relationship between the subsidiary network and FX exposure is explored. Research design and methodology - This study utilizes a sample of 309 Korean MNEs constructed from database offered by KOTRA and KIS-VALUE. Results - As operational flexibility arising from having operations in multiple locations provides an option for firms to tackle FX exposure, greater breadth of manufacturing subsidiary network reduces FX exposure, and greater depth increases FX exposure. However, both the breadth and depth of marketing subsidiary network decrease FX exposure due to the firm's higher level of market presence and knowledge to devise an appropriate marketing strategy that can buffer adverse exchange rate movement. Such an effect is intensified when MNE's have FX exposure pass-through ability stemming from differentiated good. Conclusions - Empirical findings suggest that types and structure of Korean MNEs' foreign subsidiary network are closely related to the level of FX exposure they are experiencing. Also, they can utilize marketing subsidiary network more efficiently when having a higher R&D intensity.

• The Korean Journal of Financial Management
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.31-64
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• 2009

This article investigates the short-term cash flow exposures to Korea's major trading partners' currencies based on the kospi and kosdaq firm data from 2000 to 2008. The cash flow approach allows us to analyze the influence on operational performances of individual firm's hedging strategies. Taken all three foreign exchange rates together, more than 30% of the sample firms exhibit significant exposure. Given that the short-term cash flow is rather easy to hedge, the result proves a poor exchange rate risk management practices of Korean firms. Kosdaq firms are more exposed than Kospi firms. On the contrary to the previous researches using stock prices, the operational cash flows show a positive relationship with the value of foreign currencies. The exchange rate-firm sample further shows that the size and leverage affect the level of exposure.

• Journal of Korea Trade
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1-34
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• 2020

Purpose - In this study, we investigate determinants of hedging with derivatives and its effect on firm value and firm risk for Korean firms. Design/methodology - To avoid the endogeneity problem pointed out in previous studies, we use a two-stage analysis by using gains and losses from derivatives as instrument variable for hedging with derivatives. Findings - Our analysis on the determinants of hedging shows that firms that are more leveraged and less profitable, and with more growth opportunities are likely to hedge through derivatives. Additionally, large firms, firms less diversified into industry, and firms more diversified geographically are likely to use derivatives. Our two-stage analysis shows that indicators of hedging with derivatives have an insignificant effect on firm value, and the indicator of futures/forwards use and of swaps use have significant negative effect on firm value. Whereas, the extent of hedging with derivatives has positive effect on firm value for all types of foreign currency derivatives, which suggests that moderately low hedgers use derivatives inefficiently, but extensive hedgers use derivatives properly. With regard to firm risk, hedging with derivatives increases market-based risk, but decreases accounting-based risk. Thus, we conclude that Korean firms use derivatives to manage operational volatility rather than to manage market risk, and accounting-based risk reduction through hedging is not directly translated into higher firm value. Originality/value - This is not the first study to investigate hedging behavior of Korean firms, but the sample period that that this study analyzed is the longest and various method are used to control the endogeneity problem. We investigate not only total foreign currency derivatives but also by types of derivatives, including futures/forwards, options, and swaps.