In this paper, the common centralized DEA models are extended to the bi-level centralized resource allocation (CRA) models based on revenue efficiency. Based on the Karush–Kuhn–Tucker (KKT) conditions, the bi-level CRA model is reduced to a one-level mathematical program subject to complementarity constraints (MPCC). A recurrent neural network is developed for solving this one-level mathematica...

When adapting services in a SOA environment, not only the validity of the adapter may be of importance, but also non-functional properties like the costs of the adapter. We introduce an approach for finding cost-efficient adapters based on the operating guideline, which characterizes all valid adapters for the given services.

Merge-and-shrink (M&S) is a framework to generate abstraction heuristics for cost-optimal planning. A recent approach computes simulation relations on a set of M&S abstractions in order to identify states that are better than others. This relation is then used for pruning states in the search when a “better” state is already known. We propose the usage of simulation relations inside the M&S fra...

Health care delivery in the developed world is in constant transformation. Structures and values are changing. New and more effective tools and technology are being used to identify and overcome diseases. Yet even if these new technologies are increasingly available to the public, not all of them have market potential. Cost efficiency is at the core of our health care system. Cost consideration...

This study aims to inspect and evaluate the integration of database queries and their use in e-commerce product searches. It has been observed that e-commerce is one of the most prominent trends, which have been emerged in the business world, for the past decade. E-commerce has gained tremendous popularity, as it offers higher flexibility, cost efficiency, effectiveness, and convenience, to bot...

For variable annuities, the cost of hedging must be taken into consideration when firms use the dynamic hedging strategy. In this paper, we study hedging strategies by assuming the hedge position follows a random walk with boundary conditions. We find that re-balancing delta to the initial position is always more cost-efficient than re-balancing it to the edge for a fixed transaction cost. Howe...

Cloud computing is very common today due to its various characteristics and benefits. It is cost efficient and thus very popular, but has great impact on environment such as increase in pollution, climatic changes and shortage of energy resources. Green cloud computing is important issue at present time. In this paper, the author have made critical observations of energy efficiency in all field...

Understanding the phenomenon of propagation of disruptions regarding security is a critical factor for designing of robust export supply chains. From a system dynamics approach, this research analyses the effects of the materialization and simultaneous propagation of disruptions of security at various points in export supply chains (ESC). The model allows understanding why the production sites ...

This paper analyzes the cost efficiency and optimal scale of the electricity distribution industry in Taiwan. Due to the substantial difference in network density, firms may differ widely in production technology. We employ the stochastic metafrontier approach to estimate the cost efficiency of 24 distribution units during the period of 1997 and 2002. Empirical results find that the average cos...

This study examines the determinants of bank profitability in China over the period 2003-2009. The determinants are divided into three groups: bank-specific, industryspecific and macroeconomic variables. The two-step General Method of Moments (GMM) system estimator is used. The results show that there is a positive relationship between bank profitability, cost efficiency, banking sector develop...