Real Options in Theory and Practice

How should firms decide whether and when to invest in new capital equipment, additions to their workforce, or the development of new products? Why have traditional economic models of investment failed to explain the behavior of investment spending in the United States and other countries? In this book, Avinash Dixit and Robert Pindyck provide the first detailed exposition of a new theoretical approach to the capital investment decisions of firms, stressing the irreversibility of most investment decisions, and the ongoing uncertainty of the economic environment in which these decisions are made. In so doing, they answer important questions about investment decisions and the behavior of investment spending.

This new approach to investment recognizes the option value of waiting for better (but never complete) information. It exploits an analogy with the theory of options in financial markets, which permits a much richer dynamic framework than was possible with the traditional theory of investment. The authors present the new theory in a clear and systematic way, and consolidate, synthesize, and extend the various strands of research that have come out of the theory. Their book shows the importance of the theory for understanding investment behavior of firms; develops the implications of this theory for industry dynamics and for government policy concerning investment; and shows how the theory can be applied to specific industries and to a wide variety of business problems.

A core reference on the latest developments in game theory and real option approaches when addressing competition risk

• Game theory is highly respected in the field of theoretical economics but as a business strategy its exposure has up to now been minimal
• Provides a structured framework for analysing strategic games in relation to competition
• One of the first books to combine game theory with real options when assessing competition risk
• Explores the theoretical and applied approach of game theory and real options
• Provides a new perspective on understanding competitor behaviour and analyses strategic interaction between companies
• Explains how models are devised and how to apply these techniques to the market

Corporate finance and corporate strategy have long been seen as different sides of the same coin. Though both focus on the same broad problem, investment decision-making, the gap between the two sides--and between theory and practice--remains embarrassingly large. This book synthesizes cutting-edge developments in corporate finance and related fields--in particular, real options and game theory--to help bridge this gap. In clear, straightforward exposition and through numerous examples and applications from various industries, Han Smit and Lenos Trigeorgis set forth an extended valuation framework for competitive strategies.

The book follows a problem-solving approach that synthesizes ideas from game theory, real options, and strategy. Thinking in terms of options-games can help managers address questions such as: When is it best to invest early to preempt competitive entry, and when to wait? Should a firm compete in R&D or adopt an accommodating stance? How does one value growth options or infrastructure investments? The authors provide a wide range of valuation examples, such as acquisition strategies, R&D investment in high-tech sectors, joint research ventures, product introductions in consumer electronics, infrastructure, and oil exploration investment.

Representing a major step beyond standard real options or strategy analysis, and extending the power of real options and strategic thinking in a rigorous fashion, Strategic Investment will be an indispensable guide and resource for corporate managers, MBA students, and academics alike.

Tom Copeland's landmark book Valuation: Measuring and Managing the Value of Companies sold in excess of 200,000 copies and was translated into more than 10 languages. The Financial Times declared that its "clarity and competence" made it "one of the best practitioners' guides to valuation." Now, Tom Copeland and Vladimir Antikarov offer the first practical tool explaining the latest state-of-the-art thinking sweeping the corporate world: real options. While option theory itself may have originated in the highly complex world of financial trading, the concept is now firmly placed within the corporate arena, as demonstrated by recent media coverage in The Economist, Business Week, and CFO Europe. Utilizing real options can transform the shifting business landscape into a strategic weapon by creating flexibility in decision making. Given the volatility of the new economy, real options are set to become the key management tool for today's businesses. In this book, the authors offer corporate decision makers the ability to assess the profitability of their ventures and decide which avenue of expansion or investment to go down and, crucially, when to take that leap. The authors take the reader on a journey through real options, from the basics of what they are and how to implement the ideas, through to more advanced topics such as options and game theory, and managing portfolios of options. Throughout the text, analogies, examples, sample problems, illustrations, and reviews are used to explain the techniques. Real Options provides expert guidance on how to implement the theory to maximize investment opportunities by utilizing uncertainty as an asset and reducing downside risk. The book will be accompanied by a website offering solutions to the end of chapter problems prepared by the authors together with a suite of real option models.