Theoretical Framework of Foreign Exchange Exposure, Competition and the Market Value of Domestic Corporations

The purpose of this study is to examine the foreign exchange rate exposure of domestic corporations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the implications of that exposure for the market value of those corporations, considering the effect of competition as a determinant of exchange rate exposure. The justification for this study is that the UAE has an open economy with a high per capita income and a sizable annual trade surplus. In addition, the World Economic Forum issued its Global Competitiveness report for the year 2010-2011 in which the UAE was the only Arab country that was included in the elite club of countries that have shown an increment in endorsing new and improved methods for developing their economies. However, because of the indirect nature of foreign exchange rate exposure for local or domestic firms, the managers of these firms are unwilling to engage in hedging activities that may mitigate exchange rate exposure. A change in prices, the cost of final goods, the cost of raw material, labor costs or the costs of input or output and other substitute goods due to fluctuating exchange rates may have an adverse effect on the competitive position of a local or domestic firm with no international and foreign activities. The outcomes of this study will determine whether the domestic firms are exposure to the fluctuation of foreign exchange rates.