Internet of things is developing at a dizzying rate, and companies are forced to implement it in order to maintain their operational efficiency. The high flexibility inherent to these technologies makes it necessary to apply an appropriate measure, which properly assesses risks and rewards. Real options methodology is available as a tool which fits the conditions, both economic and strategic, under which investment in internet of things technologies is developed. The contribution of this paper is twofold. On the one hand, it offers an adequate tool to assess the strategic value of investment in internet of things technologies. On the other hand, it tries to raise awareness among managers of internet of things technologies because of their potential to contribute to economic and social progress. The results of the research described in this paper highlight the importance of taking action as quickly as possible if companies want to obtain the best possible performance. In order to enhance the understanding of internet of things technologies investment, this paper provides a methodology to assess the implementation of internet of things technologies by using the real options approach; in particular, the option to expand has been proposed for use in the decision-making process.

Traditional methods of investment appraisal, like the Net Present Value, are not able to include the value of the operational flexibility of the project. In this paper, real options, and more specifically the option to expand, are assumed to be included in the project information in addition to the expected cash flows. Thus, to calculate the total value of the project, we are going to apply the methodology of the Net Present Value to the different scenarios derived from the existence of the real option to expand. Taking into account the analogy between real and financial options, the value of including an option to expand is explored by using the binomial options pricing model. In this way, estimating the value of the option to expand is a tool which facilitates the control of the uncertainty element implicit in the project. Keywords: Real options, Option to expand, Binomial options pricing model, Investment project appraisa

Usually, traditional methods for investment project appraisal such as the net present value (hereinafter NPV) do not incorporate in their values the operational flexibility offered by including a real option included in the project. In this paper, real options, and more specifically the option to abandon, are analysed as a complement to cash flow sequence which quantifies the project. In this way, by considering the existing analogy with financial options, a mathematical expression is derived by using the binomial options pricing model. This methodology provides the value of the option to abandon the project within one, two, and in general n periods. Therefore, this paper aims to be a useful tool in determining the value of the option to abandon according to its residual value, thus making easier the control of the uncertainty element within the project.

Blockchain technology has demonstrated huge potential in providing simplicity and efficiency for different industries. However, its implementation in the automotive and aerospace industry is quite slow because of its difficulty to show value creation. Real option methodology, specifically the learning option, is an assessment tool which fits the conditions under which investment in blockchain technology is carried out. Thus, its application can help managers to wisely invest in this technology despite the complexity of this industry. This study offers a suitable tool to assess the strategic value of an investment in blockchain technology from a conservative position by using the real option approach, particularly the learning option. Specifically, this paper provides the mathematical expression to obtain the value of a project which includes the learning option for n periods. Likewise, it tries to raise awareness among managers of the importance to gather relevant information before making irreversible decisions. The results show that, despite the high profitability of the analyzed sector and the strategic value added by the learning option to the investment, the value of this option remains constant over the project lifespan. This indicates that the blockchain investment has to be implemented as soon as possible given that it is a highly profitable project whose value increases very slowly by waiting to get more new information. In this way, the immediate investment in blockchain technology in the automotive and aerospace industry is recommended to reap the competitive advantages offered by digital technologies.

The framework of this paper is the field of decision-making processes in which people face the choice between probabilistic and dated rewards. Traditionally, the preferences for probabilistic outcomes have been analyzed by the Expected Utility (EU) model whilst the preferences for dated rewards have been studied by the Discounted Utility (DU) model. Nevertheless, recent empirical findings have revealed the existence of several anomalies or paradoxes in both contexts. Specifically, EU and DU models exhibit an anomaly affecting the amount of the reward, viz the “peanuts” and the magnitude effects, respectively, which seem to go in opposite directions. The aim of this paper is to analyze both effects jointly in a wide setting involving choices subject to risk and over a period of time, and thereby identify and consider the implications of one anomaly on the other.