Decision processes in German mutual fund companies: evidence from a telephone survey
International Journal of Managerial Finance
ISSN: 1743-9132
Article publication date: 23 January 2007
Abstract
Purpose
The performance of actively managed mutual funds is largely dependent upon the investment decisions of the fund managers. The purpose of this study is to examine the decision processes in German fund companies and their impact on fund performance.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper uses a telephone survey to assess the behavior and attitudes of German mutual fund managers. The design of the survey allows a linkage of fund manager data with information about mutual funds and fund management companies.
Findings
The evidence shows firstly, that it is possible to conduct a high quality survey study even though managers know that their answers will be linked to their performance and secondly, that the behavior of managers depends heavily on the characteristics of the funds and the characteristics of the fund company.
Research limitations/implications
In the paper, factors are identified which influence the short‐term performance of fund managers. In further studies, one should examine whether these factors also determine the long‐term performance of fund managers.
Originality/value
This is the first survey study that attempts to link the information provided by fund managers to information about the funds and fund companies.
Keywords
Citation
Drachter, K., Kempf, A. and Wagner, M. (2007), "Decision processes in German mutual fund companies: evidence from a telephone survey", International Journal of Managerial Finance, Vol. 3 No. 1, pp. 49-69. https://doi.org/10.1108/17439130710721653
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2007, Emerald Group Publishing Limited