Impediment in Adaptation of Algorithm Trading: A Case of Frontier Stock Exchange

Abstract

The global financial markets have been significantly affected by the rapid change in technology. The study is an attempt to get to know the barriers to not adopting algorithmic trading in conventional stock exchanges. This research aims to plan and analytically proposed a model for explaining the reasons why frontier stock exchange traders and investors are hesitant to adopt algorithmic trading as a tool. The research includes variables; Lack of awareness, Trust, Lack of Government interest, unemployment, and unnecessary investment, which were extracted from previously available literature based on the theory of reason and technology acceptance model (TAM). A sample of 50 traders/investors from Pakistan stock markets was taken by using convenience sampling. Data was collected through a questionnaire and analyzed using correlation and linear regression techniques. The results show trust factor is the biggest hurdle in implementing Algorithm Trading which means countries like Pakistan which are following conventional methods for trading in stock markets have great doubts about the efficiency of Algorithm base trading because of the less human interaction and dependency on machines. Fear of miscalculation and the inexperience of data engineers are also one of the reasons conventional stock exchanges are reluctant to adopt algorithm trading. Similarly, variables like Lack of Government interest, unnecessary investment, and employment have a significant effect on the implementation of algorithm trading. Moreover, lack of awareness is the least significant factor, which shows the traders and investors in the Pakistan Stock Exchange are well aware of algorithm trading but the results cannot be generalized to the population due to a limited sample size of the study.