Paris West University Nanterre La Défense

About: Paris West University Nanterre La Défense is a education organization based out in Paris, France. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Finite element method. The organization has 895 authors who have published 1430 publications receiving 21712 citations.

Financial revolution and economic modernisation in Sweden

Abstract: The development of a well-adapted financial system was a main part of the successful Swedish economic modernisation in the latter half of the nineteenth century. In this article it is shown that th ...

Diurnal napping after partial sleep deprivation affected hematological and biochemical responses during repeated sprint

Abstract: The present study aimed to investigate the effects of 20-min (N20) and 90-min (N90) nap opportunities after partial-sleep-deprivation (PSD) on the hematological and biochemical responses to repeate...

Resistance to Technological Innovation in Elite Sport

Abstract: In 1998, the French Canoe and Kayak Federation embarked on the creation of a new kayak. However, there was concern it would not succeed in its venture due to `social resistance'. This article aims therefore to reveal the social characteristics of those showing opposition to technological innovation, as well as those who are calling for it, and to determine the reasons behind reticence. A questionnaire was handed out to elite athletes, and interviews conducted with national coaches. The results show that, contrary to preliminary hypotheses, all athletes (including those of flat water racing) generally view such a project in a favourable light. The coaches express different types of `resistance' — a term which should be used with caution, as it suggests legitimacy and faith in progress — which have less to do with the social position of the actors than with criticism of past and present policies of the Federation.

Rehabilitating the Role of Active Management for Pension Funds

Abstract: Pension fund return s can be decomposed into different sources, including market movements, asset allo-cation policy, and active portfolio management. We use a unique database covering the asset allocations of US defined-benefit pension funds for the perio d 1990–2008, and we test the role of each factor in explaining their return s. Our results shed new light on pension funds’ sources of performance. While the previous literature emphasized that policy allocation accounts for the bulk of returns, leaving little room for active management, we show that taking explicit account of market movement can change the results significantly. Although active management plays a minor role in global asset allocat ion, its role is predominant in explaining returns to individual asset classes, whether traditional or alternative. This paper rehabilitates the contribution of active managem ent as a source of performance for pension funds, at least at the asset class level.