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...

Are organized markets necessary in the U.S. Western Interconnection for cost-optimal integration of renewable energy resources that, in accordance with state mandates, must be brought online in the coming decades? We examine the technological components of the western power grid as well as its political, institutional, economic, legal, and cultural attributes to assess the potential and feasibi...

the present research is seeking to assess the technical efficiency of bank sepah branches (in tehran province) and to identify the factors which exert influence on it. data over the period 2005-2007 relating to 52 different branches of tehran province sepah bank. in order to do this, the estimated stochastic cost function with the use of maximum likelihood (ml) method has been exercised in this...

The aim of this paper is the evaluation overall performance of buyer-supplier relationships.In some situations the cost of inputs in a buyer-supplier chain are available, on the other hand, achieving a low cost position is necessary for most businesses. And, in a buyer-supplier chain wants to know how assign inputs with the least cost. This paper introduces cost efficiency with same and dierent...

background: in 2012, switzerland changed from retrospective to prospective hospital payment based on diagnosis related groups (drgs), following the example of the united states, australia, and germany. as in these countries, the objective of this transition was to motivate hospitals to improve efficiency by making them bear financial risk to some extent.objective: this contribution seeks to fin...

Today, one of the most fundamental issues within the field of industrial and nonindustrial activities is evaluate the costs performance of the units which are associated with industrial and nonindustrial activities. Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is a nonparametric method for evaluating performance. Fuzzy sets theory is a powerful tool for mentioning ambiguous situations. Traditional DEA model...

Based on the aggregated findings of 25 studies from the literature, this paper presents a comprehensive overview of the impacts, motivation, and success factors of the adoption of the IS/IT service management reference framework ITIL in IS/IT service organizations in practice. Positive effects across studies include increased customer satisfaction, service quality, and the increase of time and ...