Billie Ann Brotman and Brett Katzman
This study aims to examine the linkage between bankruptcy filings and hurricane events. Several independent variables related to local district court bankruptcy filings are…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the linkage between bankruptcy filings and hurricane events. Several independent variables related to local district court bankruptcy filings are examined. The primary question posed is whether Category 3,4 and 5 hurricanes result in personal bankruptcy filings due to the real property and other damage that ensures.
Design/methodology/approach
Landfall hurricanes in Florida from 2001 through 2018 were examined by using the fully modified least square regression model. Descriptive statistics include elasticity measures that show statistics prior and post the passage of the Bankruptcy Abuse and Prevent and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 (BAPCPA).
Findings
The elasticity of housing prices was a useful statistic in explaining bankruptcy filings. Regression results indicate that bankruptcy filing occur within one year of a serious hurricane. The regression model found hurricane events and housing price trends were significant variable when predicting district court bankruptcy filings.
Practical implications
BAPCPA targets fraud under Chapter 7 bankruptcy filings. Unfortunately, this also had the unintended consequence of discouraging legitimated filings due to the lowering of the marginal benefit associated with filing when the “means test” is applied.
Social implications
Lack of flood insurance coverage and stagnant real estate prices could limit the desirability of filing under Chapter 13 resulting in an inventory of damaged properties being foreclosed.
Originality/value
Prior researchers relied on a descriptive approach by using percentage rates to quantify the association between hurricane damage and bankruptcy filings. By using the fully modified regression-based approach, the study herein establishes that filings occur approximately a year after the household experiences the real property loss and identifies other casual factors that influence the decision to file.
Details
Keywords
Billie Ann Brotman and Brett Katzman
This paper aims to examine potential causes of bankruptcy as they relate to hurricane damage. Investigate whether hurricanes result in personal bankruptcy filings due to real…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine potential causes of bankruptcy as they relate to hurricane damage. Investigate whether hurricanes result in personal bankruptcy filings due to real property damages. Strengthen existing descriptive results by using fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS).
Design/methodology/approach
Lagged FMOLS model is used with data from states that suffered hurricane damage between 2000 through 2020. FMOLS controls for various financial distresses that can cause bankruptcy filings.
Findings
Bankruptcy is usually filed for within one year of a hurricane. Changes in house prices and hurricane severity were significant indicators of bankruptcy filings. However, the divorce rate, commonly thought of as a primary reason for bankruptcy, is insignificant.
Research limitations/implications
Data was available on a state level for the independent variables. Hurricane damage needed to be financially significant enough for inland flooding to be measurable and influential.
Practical implications
Establishes that financial distress comes from several sources, not just home damage. Financial distress is highly correlated with whether a home was insured. Divorce does not cause bankruptcy filings.
Social implications
Federal flood insurance programs should be reexamined. Having a broader all-risk homeowner policy could reduce the number of households that file for bankruptcy after a hurricane.
Originality/value
Existing research uses descriptive statistics and obtains mixed findings regarding the association between hurricane damage and bankruptcy filings. The FMOLS approach provides clarity about this association.
Details
Keywords
The concept of honor, a tension and balance between a focus on the internal and the external for validation of one’s sense of worth and standing in a social group, captures the…
Abstract
Purpose
The concept of honor, a tension and balance between a focus on the internal and the external for validation of one’s sense of worth and standing in a social group, captures the attention of scholars because it offers a way of understanding the motivations of proud and often violent people belonging to these cultures. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how this focus has led to conceptual and empirical path dependence in the study of honor that has dramatically limited our understanding of this important phenomenon in workplaces and other social interaction contexts, and to suggest a number of alternative paths forward.
Design/methodology/approach
The author draws on extant work on honor and related concepts independent of violence, aggression or conflict, to posit that honor be conceptualized more broadly – and less negatively – as a culturally influenced system of behavioral guidelines to determine what is acceptable and moral in a given context. This conceptual paper presents a novel, understudied approach to honor research in international and cross-cultural studies.
Findings
The study discusses critical implications of this useful rebalancing for theory, measurement and practice going forward.
Originality/value
By reconceptualizing and rebalancing the historical path-dependent trajectory of honor research, this analysis adds relevant nuance to our understanding of an influential cultural difference and helps explore new implications of honor for research and practice.