THE TIMING OF REAL OPTION EXERCISE: SOME RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper briefly reviews one recent development in real options modeling. This development aims to extend traditional real options models. We show that previous models are incomplete in that only the optimal action threshold is derived. The new literature aims to provide, further information on optimal option exercise. By introducing the first passage time approach, empirically testable propositions on the probability of option exercise and the expected waiting time before an option is exercised are provided.