Constructing SAMs for Development Policy Analysis: Lessons Learned and Challenges Ahead

The aim of this paper is to appraise a few of the key innovative features of the early work in compiling SAMs for development policy analysis; to set out and review some recent methodological advances; and to identify those areas where compilation continues to be problematic. It briefly re-visits the features of the SAM as an integrating framework and sets out its relationship to the SNA 1993. The main compilation problems faced in practice arise from assembling the household accounts from household survey data where income data are especially unreliable and are difficult to link to the factor accounts and to income transfers. Experience is drawn from the construction of a Ghana SAM. In the literature relatively more attention has been devoted to balancing and data reconciliation methods, which are briefly reviewed, although these are second order adjustments and much still depends on the quality of the initial estimates     

A Synthetic Approach to Projecting Input–Output Tables

This paper describes an approach used in the Canadian input–output (IO) accounts, which seeks to enhance the timeliness of the tables. It combines traditional updating methods, balancing techniques and the most recent data. To assess the performance of this approach, aggregate estimates from the synthetic accounts are presented for two years, and compared with estimates from benchmarks and with estimates obtained from a mechanical estimation technique. The results show that most IO components can be estimated with a relatively small estimation error and that substantial accuracy is gained from using the synthetic approach compared with a mechanical technique. Results based on data which are two years away from IO benchmarks are obtained at the cost of large errors. Synthetic estimates of the IO accounts improve the timeliness problem by at least a full year.     

On new variance approximations for linear models with inequality constraints

In this paper, we examine the estimation of linear models subject to inequality constraints with a special focus on new variance approximations for the estimated parameters. For models with one inequality restriction, the proposed variance formulas are exact. The variance approximations proposed in this paper can be used in regression analysis, Kalman filtering, and balancing national accounts, when inequality constraints are to be incorporated in the estimation procedure.     

A cost evaluation method for dynamic line balancing

A procedure is presented for calculating stochastic costs, which include operator (labor) and inventory costs, associated with dynamic line balancing. Dynamic line balancing, unlike the traditional methods of assembly and production line balancing, assigns operators to one or more operations, where each operation has a predetermined processing time and is defined as a group of identical parallel stations. Operator costs and inventory costs are stochastic because they are functions of the assignment process employed in balancing the line, which may vary throughout the balancing period, and the required flow rate. Earlier studies focused on the calculation of the required number of stations and demonstrated why the initial and final inventories at the different operations are balanced.The cost minimization method developed in the article can be used to evaluate and compare the assignment of operators to stations for various assignment heuristics. Operator costs and inventory costs are the components of the cost function. The operator costs are based on the operations to which operators are assigned and are calculated for the entire work week regardless of whether an operator is given only a partial assignment which results in idle time. It is assumed that there is no variation in station speeds, no learning curve effect for operators' performance times, and no limit on the number of operators available for assignment. The costs associated with work-in-process inventories are computed on a “value added” basis. There is no charge for finished goods inventory after the last operation or raw material before the first operation.The conditions which must be examined before using the cost evaluation method are yield, input requirements, operator requirements, scheduling requirements and output requirements. Yield reflects the output of good units at any operation. The input requirement accounts for units discarded or in need of reworking. The operator requirements define the calculation of operator-hours per hour, set the minimum number of operators at an operation, and require that the work is completed. The scheduling requirements ensure that operators are either working or idle at all times, and that no operator is assigned to more than one operation at any time. The calculation of the output reflects the yield, station speed, and work assignments at the last operation on the line.An application of the cost evaluation method is discussed in the final section of the article. Using a simple heuristic to assign operators, the conditions for yield, inputs, operators, scheduling, and output are satisfied. The costs are then calculated for operators and inventories.In conclusion, the cost evaluation method for dynamic balancing enables a manager to compare the costs of assigning operators to work stations. Using this method to calculate the operator and inventory costs, a number of different heuristics for assigning operators in dynamic balancing can be evaluated and compared for various configurations of the production line. The least cost solution procedure then can be applied to a real manufacturing situation with similar characteristics.     

Balancing Multiple Competing Objectives with a Balanced Scorecard

This paper investigates how multiple and competing objectives are managed within an organisation, and the role that the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) plays in balancing organisational objectives. The issue of achieving multiple objectives, those which represent the interests of various stakeholders, has come to the forefront of the corporate agenda, as companies are seen increasingly as more than a source of profit for shareholders, but rather as ‘citizens’ playing a broader role in society. This study adopts an exploratory case study approach to understand how the BSC is used in management decision and control processes to assist with the balancing of objectives. The case organisation is a state-owned electricity company, and provides a unique setting where multiple and equally important strategic objectives exist. The results demonstrate that the BSC has the potential to help in making trade-offs and balancing objectives, but there are certain requirements for this to succeed. The paper provides insights into issues of balanced strategic management, as it discusses ‘balance’ in terms of both process and outcomes.     

An Algorithm for Balancing Commodity-flow Systems

In many cases there is a need to balance commodity-flow system data quickly and with limited resources. In order to compile new supply and use tables and investment matrices consistent with revised national accounts data, it can be necessary to apply some sort of automatic balancing technique. The paper proposes an algorithm that, contrary to RAS, can balance a commodity-flow system with unequal net row and column sums. The algorithm is applied to a recent revision of Danish capital stock estimates.     

A CARBON FOOTPRINT TIME SERIES OF THE UK – RESULTS FROM A MULTI-REGION INPUT–OUTPUT MODEL

The framework and results of an international multi-region input–output (MRIO) model for the UK are presented. A time series of balanced input–output tables for the UK was constructed for the period 1992 to 2004 by using a matrix balancing procedure that is able to handle conflicting external data and inconsistent constraints. Detailed sectoral and country-specific trade data for the UK were compiled and reconciled with the UK input–output data, and economic and environmental accounts for three world regions were integrated in a UK-specific MRIO model. This was subsequently used to calculate a time series of national carbon footprints for the UK from 1992 to 2004. Greenhouse gas emissions embedded in UK trade are distinguished by destination of imports to intermediate and final demand. Most greenhouse gases show a significant increase over time in consumer emissions and a widening gap between producer and consumer emissions. Net CO₂ emissions embedded in UK imports increased from 4.3% of producer emissions in 1992 to a maximum of 20% in 2002. The total estimated UK carbon footprint in 2004 was 730 Mt for CO₂ and 934 Mt CO₂ equivalents for all greenhouse gases.     

城中村改造:政府、城市与村民利益的统一--以广州市文冲城中村为例

城中村是我国快速城市化背景下、城市向乡村蔓延过程中出现的普遍地理现象和城乡矛盾激化的一个缩影.城中村改造的过程是城市政府、城市发展要求和原村民三方利益主体对土地收益和城市功能的博弈过程,城中村的改造也只有在保证三方的利益得到合理保障的情况下才能顺利进行.以"广州市文冲城中村改造方案"为基础,探讨城中村改造的规划方案中如何体现政府管理、城市发展要求和原村民三方利益的共赢,提出一条切实可行的城中村改造思路.     

Test procedures and test problems for least squares algorithms

Numerous test problems have been introduced in the past twenty years for the purpose of studying and comparing least squares algorithms and computer programs. This paper discusses and classifies some of the useful test problems which have appeared in the literature. A recent large scale test procedure is briefly summarized. Several neat, mathematical examples are displayed. One of these, first introduced by Läuchli, is modified so that it can be solved by the method of inverting a matrix of correlation coefficients. Comparative results from running two types of problems on several different algorithms are given which illustrate some of the factors affecting computational accuracy: choice of algorithm, scaling of the data, tolerance parameters, and iterative refinement.     

BSC在我国企业绩效考核管理中的应用分析

平衡计分卡(BSC)是企业绩效考核管理的一种新的方法手段。文章在充分分析、研究平衡计分卡(BSC)理论的基础上,介绍了运用平衡计分卡(BSC)进行绩效考核管理的基本步骤,并基于对我国企业应用平衡计分卡(BSC)进行绩效管理存在的一些问题进行分析,提出了改善性建议和意见,以及给予我国已经实施和将要实施平衡计分卡(BSC)企业一定的启示。     

我国对国民经济核算的贡献

国民经济核算是国民经济分析和政策的重要工具。改革开放以来,我国统计理论界的专家学者和实际工作部门的工作者从实际出发,理论联系实际,不断开拓创新,不仅推动了我国统计事业的不断发展,而且对国民经济核算理论与方法的发展做出了较大的贡献,主要包括四个方面:提出国民经济核算的平衡原则,消除了理论与方法上的误解;创立社会劳动价值论,奠定了我国国民经济核算体系的理论基础;提出国民大核算理论,明确了国民经济核算理论与方法的发展方向;整合MPS与SNA,丰富了国民经济核算的理论与方法     

A new interpretation of the “normalizing” or “balancing” factors of gravity-type spatial models

As the title implies, this paper provides a new way of viewing the so-called “normalizing” or “balancing” factors of generalized gravity-type spatial models. This new interpretation—a more precise version of an earlier interpretation offered by Wilson—is made in terms of the notions of origin and destination accessibilities which are shown to implicitly underly the model.The first part of the paper discusses several previous interpretations of balancing factors. The notions of origin and destination accessibilities are presented in the second section. The third section provides new interpretations of balancing factors in terms of these accessibility notions. The fourth section presents some new modeling results which are made possible by this new interpretation of balancing factors. The fifth and final section of the paper discusses a potentially fruitful direction for further research.     

基于航空公司飞机滑行油耗均衡原则的机场停机位分配算法

机位是机场的重要资源,高效、合理的分配机位是机场运行的一个重要环节,也是机场地面作业的一个重要任务。本文建立了以各航空公司飞机滑行耗油均衡的目标机位分配策略,并采用遗传算法进行求解。数据结果证明了模型的和算法的有效性,表明该分配策略具有一定的理论价值和实际意义。     

Increasing the Timeliness of US Annual Input-Output Accounts

The timeliness of the US input-output (I-O) accounts is a major concern for policymakers and industry analysts, as well as academics. In response, the Bureau of Economic Analysis initiated research in 2001 to identify, develop and implement an estimating method for producing more timely and reliable annual I-O accounts than are currently available. The research included reviewing the frameworks and methods currently used by other statistical agencies and academic researchers, obtaining more timely industry source data, and developing enhanced methods and processes for the automated updating and balancing of annual I-O tables. The results of this research indicate that our new automated updating and balancing method can reduce the time lag for producing the annual I-O accounts from three years to one year without reducing quality. Our method is based on an adjusted RAS process that simultaneously balances the I-O table in producers' and purchasers' prices; uses more exogenous data; and processes tables at the most detailed level.     

中国广告服务贸易国际竞争力的测度及评价

中国广告服务贸易进出口总体来看比较均衡,但进出口总量发展非常小,在中国服务贸易内部结构中的比重很低。近年,随着中国广告业的快速发展,中国广告服务贸易已具备一定的国际竞争力。这种竞争优势还不稳固,总体上比较弱,尚具有较大的发展潜力和提升空间。     

A note on the balancing factors of gravity models

Application of the production constrained gravity-type spatial interaction model generally incorporates a “balancing of attractions” procedure to yield the fully constrained condition. Two techniques for balancing a singly constrained gravity model are compared in this note. These are the Federal Highways Administration adjusted attraction factor method and the Furness column and row balancing procedure. This comparison shows firstly that the two techniques are identical, and secondly that the balancing procedure results in an arbitrary distortion of the calibrated distribution function. Furthermore, some empirical results show that the balancing procedure does not necessarily improve the model's predictions on a cell by cell basis. These results indicate that balancing may be an unnecessary as well as undesirable step in the application of the singly constrained gravity model.     

Using Simulation and Data Envelopment Analysis to Compare Assembly Line Balancing Solutions

This paper presents a technique for comparing the results of different assembly line balancing strategies by using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). Initially, several heuristics--which can be thought of as assembly line balancing strategies--were used to solve seven line-balancing problems. The resulting line balance solutions provided two pieces of information that were of particular interest: the number of workers needed and the amount of equipment needed. These two items were considered inputs for DEA. The different line balance solutions were then used as layouts for simulated production runs. From the simulation experiments, several output performance measures were obtained which were of particular interest and were used as outputs for DEA. The analysis shows that DEA is effective in suggesting which line balancing heuristics are most promising.     

Incorporating data quality improvement into supply–use table balancing

This paper investigates the benefits of using a boundary tightening algorithm to improve the quality of the data used in supply and use table (SUT) balancing, building on similarities with certain approaches to statistical disclosure control. Boundary tightening was shown to significantly improve the quality of the finally balanced SUTs well beyond that of existing techniques. Most notably, improvements occurred when boundary tightening was applied prior to the balancing process – showing that it can be used as a valuable preliminary to other approaches. It also multiplied the improvement in SUTs quality when more accurate updated information was added to the SUTs. The findings of this paper strongly suggest that this boundary tightening algorithm will improve the quality of the output of the balancing process and it is equally likely to be useful when applied to other processes that handle uncertain data.     

A SAM for Europe: Problems and Perspectives

This paper examines the conceptual and practical problems of constructing a social accounting matrix for Europe. It involves integrating the accounts of member countries within a complete system of regional accounts. The standard matrix framework first proposed by Stone is modified in two respects. First, functional and geographical transactions are distinguished between in order to simplify the accounting structure. Secondly, supraregional accounts are more formally incorporated so as to include accounts for the rest of the world and EC institutions, as well as to accommodate distribution and other transaction costs involved in moving goods, factors and assets between member countries. The general system of regional accounts can then be aggregated, consolidated or apportioned across member states but this has implications for both harmonizing accounts and classifications and considering the extent to which there is truly a ‘single European market’. Finally, the paper considers the availability of data and presents a preliminary compilation of aggregate accounts for three member countries.     

雁木西盐膏层调整井固井技术探讨

雁木西油田地层富含盐膏层,矿化度高达130000mg/l以上,近几年由于油田采取注水开发,地层压力系统遭到严重破坏,地层压力系数由原来的0.85-0.95上升到现在的1.75,给固井带来了诸多难题;本文详细论述了在雁木西盐膏层调整井固井中运用的抗盐水泥浆技术、洗井顶替技术、地质技术、平衡固井措施和振动固井技术,以及应用效果;分析了原因,提出了对策。