individual investors

Neurotransmitters are the chemical messengers nerve cells use to transmit signals to target cells. Neurotransmitters affect the behavioral aspects of investors' performance. Therefore, this study investigated neurotransmitters' effect on individual investors' behavior by using structural equation modeling. To achieve this goal, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis has been used. The study is applied research and utilizes a survey methodology. The required data were collected through the distribution of questionnaires among 315 individual investors. This study was done in the Tehran stock exchange's second and third seasons of 2023. According to the research, neurotransmitters through eight components of adrenaline or epinephrine, noradrenaline or norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin, GABA (gamma-aminobutyric add), acetylcholine, glutamate, and endorphins affect the behavior of individual investors. Based on the second-order confirmatory factor analysis, the GABA component (0.39) has the highest impact, and adrenaline or epinephrine (0.25) has the least effect on the behavior of individual investors. The findings indicate the necessity of redefining rationality and considering its effects on investors' decisions and behavior.

Purpose: Neurotransmitters, emotional intelligence, and personality traits are the key factors that affect the behavior and decisions of individual investors. This study aimed to investigate the effects of neurotransmitters, emotional intelligence, and personality traits on the behavior and decisions of individual investors simultaneously, in the Tehran stock exchange. Design/methodology/approach: In terms of purpose, the current research was practical. In terms of method, it was a descriptive survey research. In terms of time, it was a cross-sectional research. The research data were collected through a questionnaire and convenience sampling method. The sample size was 212 individual investors. Composite reliability, average variance extracted, convergent validity and divergent validity were used to measure the validity and reliability of the questionnaire. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Findings: This study includes 19 constructs (variables). These constructs include dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, and epinephrine (neurotransmitters); Self-appraisal of emotions, other’s emotion appraisal, use of emotion and regulation of emotion (emotional intelligence); extraversion, neuroticism, openness, conscientiousness, and agreeableness (personality traits); investment horizon, risk attitude, personalization of loss, confidence, and control (investors' behavior); and investors' decisions. The current study includes six main hypotheses and 78 sub-hypotheses. The research findings showed that neurotransmitters, emotional intelligence, and personality traits affect the investors' behavior and decisions. Originality/value: The findings of this study showed that the neurofinance and behavioral finance have a key role in decision making of policymakers and investors. Finally, the findings of this study would provide new horizons in neurofinance and behavioral finance.

Transparency can be defined as the provision of sufficient, relevant, and reliable information for stakeholders. Due to numerous limitations, transparency and disclosure remain a challenge in the Iranian banking sector. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the impact of ownership structure on the transparency and disclosure of banks. To assess ownership structure, three variables are used: the percentage of shares held by the largest shareholder, the percentage of shares held by institutional shareholders, and the percentage of shares held by individual investors. The research method is of a correlational type in terms of content and nature. This study is applied in terms of its goal and is quantitative in nature based on the data. Statistical analysis was conducted on the information of 13 banks listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange during the years 2014 to 2022. An ordinary least squares (OLS) estimator with fixed-year effects and Stata software version 17 were used to test the research hypotheses. The results of this study show that the variables of individual investors' shares, the largest shareholder's shares, and institutional shareholders' shares have the most significant impact on the transparency and disclosure of banks, respectively. These findings indicate that the presence and influence of individual investors, large shareholders, and institutional shareholders each play a crucial role in improving the transparency and disclosure of banks.