An analysis of operations efficiency in large-scale distribution systems

This research applies Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) methodology to evaluate the efficiency of units within a large-scale network of petroleum distribution facilities in the USA. Multiple inputs and outputs are incorporated into a broad set of DEA models, yielding a comprehensive approach to evaluating supply chain efficiency. This study empirically separates three recognized, important and yet different causes of performance shortfalls which have been generally difficult for managers to identify. They are: (1) managerial effectiveness; (2) scale of operations and potential for a given market area (and efficiency of resource allocation given the scale); and (3) understanding the resource heterogeneity via programmatic differences in efficiency. Overall, the efficiency differences identified raised insightful questions regarding top management’s selection of the appropriate form and type of inputs and outputs, as well as questions regarding the DEA model form selected.     

An economic analysis of cooperative research

The U.S. government's most recent policy initiative to increase industrial research activity is the National Cooperative Research Act of 1984. Since its passage much attention has been given to this new organizational research form, but to date there has not been any systematic investigation of the participants in cooperative research. This paper is an initial attempt to fill that void. First, a classification scheme is presented to describe the research activity of firms currently engaged in cooperative endeavors, as evidenced by mandated filings reported in the Federal Register. Then, a model of inter-firm differences in cooperative research activity is posited and tested using survey-based data for a sample of R&D active firms in the U.S. manufacturing sector. We conclude that market power is the principal determinant of involvement in cooperative research.     

An economic theory of the distribution of traffic speeds

A Cournot-Nash equilibrium model of the distribution of speeds in vehicular traffic is presented. The analysis reveals the possibilities of Pareto-optimal speed limit regulation, of gasoline as a Giffen, but not necessarily an inferior good, and of multiple traffic-flow maximums with respect to density.     

Neighborhood amenities: An economic analysis

A spatial model of household and firm demand and supply of market goods is developed. Housing and neighborhood amenity markets are explicitly considered in deriving market equilibrium. The equilibrium relationships are empirically investigated, yielding important insights into the functioning of the urban economy. Attention is focused on externalities involved in neighborhood markets and the simultaneous determination of housing and amenity market equilibrium. The effect of neighborhood amenities on household equilibrium is of a major magnitude and effects of “externality” variables on both housing and amenity equilibrium are substantiated. The degree of neighborhood homogeneity and the extent of government programs aimed at neighborhood development are found to have significant impacts on housing and amenity markets.     

The innovation decision: An economic analysis

Studies of the determinants and effects of innovation commonly make an assumption about the way in which firms make the decision to innovate, but rarely test this assumption. Using a panel of Irish manufacturing firms we test the performance of two alternative models of the innovation decision, and find that a two-stage model (the firm decides whether to innovate, then whether to perform product only, process only or both) outperforms a one-stage, simultaneous model. We also find that external knowledge sourcing affects the innovation decision and the type of innovation undertaken in a way not previously recognised in the literature.     

An economic efficiency analysis of deconcentrating poverty populations

This paper presents a comparative static analysis using a conceptual model of the social benefits and costs associated with alternative spatial distributions of the poor. This analysis demonstrates that the necessary and sufficient conditions for justifying deconcentration of the poor on the grounds of increasing net social benefits are much more stringent than is commonly believed, fundamentally involving particular sorts of non-linear relationships between neighborhood poverty rates and the propensity of neighboring individuals to engage in problem behaviors and to earn less. The paper then conducts a meta-analysis of the limited empirical evidence available. The weight of the evidence implies that net social benefits would be improved if neighborhoods with greater than about 15% poverty rates were replaced with (an appropriately larger number) of neighborhoods having less than 15% poverty rates. However, net social benefits would be smaller if neighborhoods with greater than about 40% poverty rates were replaced with (an appropriately larger number) of neighborhoods having between about 15–40% poverty rates.     

An economic analysis of local inducements for business

This paper presents a theoretical and preliminary empirical examination of various local real estate subsidies to business. Local governments can subsidize the structure capital, land, or both at a particular urban site. Standard microeconomic theory is used to investigate the effects of subsidy programs on the structure-land ratio, the employment-land ratio, and the amount of real estate taxes collected at the site in question. It is concluded that municipalities may benefit from subsidies to businesses even if those businesses would have located in the municipality without the subsidy.     

An economic analysis of the earnings of industrial accountants

This paper explores hypothesized determinants of accountants' earnings using a conventional Mincer earnings function. Findings indicate that the CPA credential, MBA degree, and years of work experience increase earnings. Also presented is a more detailed analysis of the earnings gap between accountants employed in traditional accounting positions and those in finance-related positions.     

市场主体诚信缺失的经济学分析

目前,在我国经济体制改革和市场经济机制形成的关键时期,市场主体的诚信缺失已经成为举国上下高度关注的问题。本文试图从经济学的角度来探讨市场主体诚信缺失的原因所在,并据此提出解决的对策建议,以期能为我国信用管理体系的建立提供一些积极的思路和启发。     

An analytical theory of multi-echelon production/distribution systems

In this paper, we study inventory control problems arising in multi-echelon production/distribution chains. In these chains, material is delivered by outside suppliers, proceeds through a number of manufacturing stages, and is distributed finally among a number of local warehouses in order to meet market demand. Each stage requires a fixed leadtime; furthermore, we assume a stochastic, stationary end-item demand process.
The problem to balance inventory levels and service degrees can be modelled and analyzed by defining appropriate cost functions. Under an average cost criterion, we study the three most important structures arising in multi-echelon systems: assembly systems, serial systems and distribution systems. For all three systems, it is possible to prove exact decomposition results which reduce complex multi-dimensional control problems to simple one-dimensional problems. In addition, we establish the optimality of base-stock control policies.     

An economic analysis of R & D joint ventures

A graphical model of co-operative R & D activity is presented, from which outcomes of R & D joint ventures are posited. The analysis predicts that R & D spending will increase as a result of co-operation and that the increment will tend to be in basic research more than applied or development.     

城乡收入差距经济分析与治本之策

我国改革开放的26年是社会财富高度增长的26年,也是社会利益高度多元化的26年。为追求经济稳定发展,建设和谐社会,必须从根本上解决城乡收入差距扩大问题。本文对我国城乡居民生活水平的变化趋势和城乡收入差距的现状进行了比较详细的实证分析,在此基础之上提出了收入差距的适度范围,并探讨解决"三农"问题的治本之策。     

Designing vendor evaluation systems: An empirical analysis

Companies today are increasing efforts to develop their vendor evaluation system (VES) to qualify and select the best suppliers, monitor their performance and foster continuous improvement. VES lies at the intersection of three disciplines: purchasing management, supply chain management, and performance management. The extant literature especially focuses on vendor rating tools from a mathematical modeling standpoint, whereas firms are mostly concerned with guidelines necessary to design and implement an effective VES. The present study develops an encompassing research framework to investigate VES by means of thirteen case studies. In particular, the paper investigates VES design in terms of strategic alignment, process configuration and execution, as well as corresponding benefits and costs, exploring how the combination of the previous elements determines company satisfaction. Three groups of VESs are identified, leading to different levels of satisfaction.     

The market for street crime: An economic analysis of victim-offender interaction

This paper views the economic explanation of crime rates from a new perspective by explicitly deriving an economic model of the behavior of potential victims and considering the interaction of the behavior of potential victims with the behavior of offenders. Crime is produced through offenders supplying time in search of victims and victims demanding to expose themselves to the environment. A model is set up in which the crime rate, the probability of being a victim per unit of exposure time, and the probability of finding a victim per unit of offenders' search time are simultaneously determined. The model leads us to distinguish the “real” crime rate (the probability of being a victim per unit of exposure time) from the “nominal” crime rate (the number of crimes per capita). The nominal crime rate can be inversely related to the real crime rate.     

On a noncentral chi-square distribution in the analysis of weapon systems effectiveness

Summary A natural conjugate prior distribution for the parameters involved in the noncentral chi-square leads to many known distributions. The applications of the distributions thus obtained are briefly pointed out in evaluating the ‘kill’ probability in the analysis of weapon systems effectiveness. The ‘kill’ probabilities or the expected coverage are obtained associated with a gamma prior distribution and compared with those obtained byMcnolty. This paper is read in a symposium on Mathematical Sciences held under the auspices of Delhi University, Delhi im January 1966.