Effect of Implementation Time on Real Options Valuation

Exercising real options often requires an implementation time, whereas financial options can be exercised instantly. Neglecting the implementation time needed to exercise a real option causes overvaluing that option. We develop lattice and Monte Carlo simulation techniques to value real option problems, where exercising the option requires an implementation time. We present the application of the proposed techniques on a global supply chain network problem with exchange rate uncertainty and value the flexibility to switch between manufacturing options for a firm that has operations in different countries.