Using DEA window analysis to measure efficiencies of Taiwan's integrated telecommunication firms

Taiwan's telecommunication firms are faced with an important challenge arising from a situation in which the growth rate of telephone subscribers has gradually decreased owing to limited market size and the policy of continuous deregulation propagated by the government. To deal with the challenge, several acquisitions among telecommunication firms have taken place and have caused the three currently leading firms to capture a market share of more than 80%. Considering how acquisitions and related strategies might affect the firms, this paper uses data envelopment analysis (DEA) under constant and variable returns-to-scale to measure firms’ efficiencies over the period 2001–2005. Because there are only three firms, DEA window analysis is employed to increase the number of decision-making units so that discriminating power can be increased. According to the results, the first finding shows that the acquisitions are justified by exhibiting higher scale efficiency (but lower pure technical efficiency) in the short run. The second finding indicates that adjusting the strategies such as enlarging market share to improving financial portfolios helps firms to achieve better scale size. The third finding justifies government efforts to privatize state-owned enterprises and liberalize the market to strengthen competitiveness.     

Does corporate social responsibility influence the corporate performance of the U.S. telecommunications industry?

This study uses a two-stage approach to explore the relationship between the operational performance of U.S. telecommunications companies and their implementation of corporate social responsibility (CSR). In the first stage, this study adopts the dynamic data envelopment analysis model to measure the efficiency of the telecommunications industry in the U.S. from 2004 to 2008. The empirical results show that the corporate efficiency of those companies that implemented CSR was higher than that of those companies that did not. In the second stage, the study adopts OLS and 2SLS to explore the influence of the execution level of CSR on performance. The results show that the Kinder, Lyndenberg, and Domini & Co (KLD) social ratings indexes are significantly and positively related to corporate performance. Finally, this study suggests ways in which corporate policy makers can enhance CSR in order to improve corporate performance in the U.S. telecommunications industry.     

Assessment of intellectual capital management in Taiwanese IC design companies: using DEA and the Malmquist productivity index

While withstanding a highly competitive environment, an increasing number of firms have recognized that intangible assets rather than tangible ones are vital to achieving competitive advantages. Intellectual capital has replaced physical capital as the primary basis of value creation. Although the importance of intellectual capital in ensuring superior competitive advantages is well accepted, exactly how these two constructs are related has seldom been investigated, particularly for the high-technology industry. Taking a sample of 39 Taiwanese IC design companies, this study adopted data envelopment analysis and the Malmquist productivity index to evaluate the impact of intellectual capital on competitive advantage. The analytical results revealed that approximately one third of the companies sampled had excellent efficiency in intellectual capital management, while the others still had considerable room to improve their intellectual capital management. The results of this study provide a valuable reference for future studies in alternative contexts.     

基于DEA的上市科技型中小企业融资效率评价

为了解上市科技型中小企业的融资现状,运用数据包络分析方法,以深圳创业板2009年至2012年初次发行股票的38家上市科技型中小企业为研究对象,对其融资效率进行综合评价,评价结果为只有15.79%的上市科技型中小企业融资综合有效,55.26%的企业既未实现技术有效,也未实现规模有效。与以往研究结果相比,中国上市科技型中小企业的融资效率有所提升,但总体效率仍然偏低。从政府和科技型中小企业自身角度出发,针对性地给出了科技型中小企业提高融资效率的意见和建议。     

Privatization and production efficiency in Taiwan's telecommunications industry

Many managers, economists, and policy-makers have long believed that the production of a private enterprise is more efficient than that of a public one. This paper investigated whether it was good policy to privatize Taiwan's telecommunications industry by comparing the changes in efficiency in Chunghwa Telecom Company (CHT Co.) before and after privatization. The data envelopment analysis (DEA) model was used to evaluate their operational performance both pre- and post-privatization. The technical efficiency (CRS) computed with the CCR model assuming constant returns to scale, the technical efficiency (VRS), and the scale efficiency (VRS) were obtained with the BCC model assuming variable returns to scale, using the time-series data from CHT. The findings of this study show that the production efficiencies of CHT, both pre- and post-privatization are inefficient since all of the technical efficiencies are smaller than one.     

基于数据包络分析的炼油企业绩效评价

炼油企业绩效评价对炼油企业的发展具有重要的意义，以炼油企业绩效评价指标体系为基础，建立了炼油企业绩效评价的数据包络分析模型，并进行了实例分析。评价结果表明，方法科学有效、实际可行，为炼油企业绩效评价提供了新的途径。     

我国省域电子信息制造业效率测算及影响因素分析——基于DEA和面板Tobit模型

首先通过数据包络分析方法测算了我国30个省市区的电子信息制造业技术效率,在此基础上,在考虑了人力资本、产业集聚度、对外开放度、经济发展水平以及资本投入5个因素后,利用面板Tobit回归分别构建了全国、东部、中部及西部电子信息制造业效率影响因素模型。模型结果发现这5个因素对于各区域效率有着不同的影响,产业集聚度对东部、中部及西部区域的效率有着十分显著的正影响,经济发展水平仅仅对于西部区域的效率有着十分显著的积极影响。而人力资本对于东部、中部及西部的效率有着显著的负影响。对外开放度对东部区域效率没有显著的影响,与中部及西部区域效率之间呈现相反的相关关系。     

Technical efficiency and use of information and communication technology in Spanish firms

The literature concerned with the relationship between performance and information and communications technology (ICT) is usually focused on the ICT investments. This paper shows that it is the level of use of ICT within organisations, with preference as regards the expenses of ICT, which is responsible for the effect on performance. A general sample of 2255 Spanish companies has been used. Firms’ performance is measured as technical efficiency, which is determined by a data envelopment analysis (DEA), in which special attention is paid to the problem of the outliers. Finally, the analysis of the level of use of ICT is focused on a key area of the organisations, the supply chain, which affects the technical efficiency of the firms analysed. Results show that there is evidence of a positive effect of the use of ICT on technical efficiency. This effect is especially notable at intensive use levels in activities related to operations/manufacturing, purchasing or sales.     

NPD as a sustainable work process in a dynamic business environment

New technologies are having a widespread impact on new product development (NPD)projects. In the telecommunication industry, companies are forced to integrate 'old' and 'new' ways of working with the utilization of unknown technologies. There is an emerging need to develop sustainable work systems. This paper investigates the complex relationship between NPD and the sustainability of the work systems in which it is organized. A proposed framework for analysis is followed by an examination of a specific NPD project at Ericsson.     

Supply chain risk, simulation, and vendor selection

This paper considers three types of risk evaluation models within supply chains: chance constrained programming (CCP), data envelopment analysis (DEA), and multi-objective programming (MOP) models. Various risks are modeled in the form of probability and simulation of specific probability distribution in risk-embedded attributes is conducted in these three types of risk evaluation models. We model a supply chain consisting of three levels and use simulated data with representative distributions. Results from three models as well as simulation models are compared and analysis is conducted. The results show that the proposed approach allows decision makers to perform trade-off analysis among expected costs, quality acceptance levels, and on-time delivery distributions. It also provides alternative tools to evaluate and improve supplier selection decisions in an uncertain supply chain environment.     

基于DEA的我国钢铁企业节能减排潜力研究

本文基于数据包络分析(DEA)的基础理论和方法,从不期望产出的角度出发,将钢铁产业污染物排放作为一种非期望输入引入到数据包络分析模型中,并将该模型应用于我国钢铁产业生态效率评价及节能减排潜力的研究。研究结论表明,我国各钢铁企业生态效率总体上不高,但呈现出逐渐增强的趋势;通过进一步的钢铁企业效率改进分析得知,我国钢铁企业还存在着较严重的投入拥挤和产出不足现象,仅从钢铁企业的47家样本来看,我国钢铁企业有着巨大的节能减排潜力。     

INVESTMENT SPIKES AND UNCERTAINTY IN THE PETROLEUM REFINING INDUSTRY*

This paper investigates the effect of uncertainty on the investment decisions of petroleum refineries in the U.S. We construct uncertainty measures from the commodity futures market and use data on actual capacity changes to measure investment episodes. Since capacity changes in U.S. refineries occur infrequently, we empirically model the investment process using hazard models. An increase in uncertainty decreases the probability that a refinery might adjust its capacity. The results are robust to various investment thresholds. Our findings lend support to theories that emphasize the role of irreversibility in investment decisions.     

On-line spectrum auctions in TV white spaces for supporting mobile services—A practical manual

This paper considers an approach for dynamic short-term spectrum leasing in TV white spaces (TVWS) using an on-line auction. The secondary spectrum market discussed here is organized by a central entity called the spectrum broker. The auctioned spectrum appears in blocks of available DVB-T channels with some transmit power constraints set-up to protect the primary users (DVB-T receivers). The bidders are institutional spectrum operators (telecommunication companies or service providers), operating in a given area. These players are characterized by heterogeneous demands concerning the spectrum bandwidth, the operation period with temporarily-exclusive rights for using the spectrum and the transmit power needed for successful transmission. Thus, the auctioned objects are non-identical and present different value for different players. Two auction models are proposed. The first one is the simultaneous auction in time domain and combinatorial in frequency and power dimension. The second proposed auction is fully combinatorial. Simulations results are also provided showing effectiveness of the analyzed auctions (high spectrum utilization ratio) and relation between the players’ satisfaction, their spectrum valuation and varying competition. Finally the guidelines concerning the spectrum auctions in TVWS for the policy makers are proposed.     

我国中型高技术企业创新效率的区域比较研究——创新价值链视角

相比大型高技术企业,中型高技术企业在我国所有省（市）均有分布,统计数据也相对完整。在国家和区域创新战略实施过程中,中型高技术企业也是大部分中西部省份的重要创新载体。但是,国内外针对中等规模高技术企业创新效率的研究较少,专门探讨我国省际中型高技术企业创新效率的文献基本为空白。本文基于“研究→开发→转化”的创新价值链视角,结合2010～2015年《中国高技术产业统计年鉴》中有关中型高技术企业的专项统计数据,结合传统的数据包络分析方法,对我国不同地区的中型高技术企业的创新效率进行了分析和比较。实证研究显示,中型高技术企业在不同地区的综合创新效率存在显著性差异,这种差异也给相关科技政策制定带来了一定的挑战。     

Comparing the operational efficiency of the main European telecommunications organizations: A quantitative analysis

There are today many operators competing within the European telecommunications market. For these operators, efficiency should be considered as a key element for achieving greater revenue and enhancing market position. In this paper, comparison is made of the main European public telecommunications organizations (PTOs) in terms of their operational efficiency using data envelopment analysis, a well-known quantitative technique from operational research. The analysis is based on data provided in the edition (Communications Outlook, 1999, OECD Publication Service, Paris). The main conclusion is that full operational efficiency can equally be achieved by PTOs with large revenues as well as by others with medium and smaller revenues. Also notable is the presence of certain PTOs with full efficiency ratings which are considered here as models or benchmarks for the less efficient organizations. Finally, some implications of the findings for telecommunications management are examined at the end of this paper.     

Bootstrapping the Malmquist indexes for Italian airports

This paper uses data envelopment analysis to assess the operational performance of 28 Italian airports during the period of 2000 through 2006. Recent developments in bootstrapping techniques are used to correct total factor productivity estimates for bias and to assess the uncertainty surrounding such estimates. This study found that the Italian airport industry experienced a significant technological regress, with few airports achieving an increase in productivity led by improvements in efficiency. Moreover, the paper shows that the form of ownership (public majority vs. private majority) of an airport management company does not significantly affect performance. In contrast, this type of the concession agreement has positive and significant effects on airport productivity. Finally, the paper highlights the existence of a productivity gap between airports located in the North-Central part of the country and those located in the south.     

A multi-objective robust optimization model for multi-product multi-site aggregate production planning in a supply chain under uncertainty

Manufacturers need to satisfy consumer demands in order to compete in the real world. This requires the efficient operation of a supply chain planning. In this research we consider a supply chain including multiple suppliers, multiple manufacturers and multiple customers, addressing a multi-site, multi-period, multi-product aggregate production planning (APP) problem under uncertainty. First a new robust multi-objective mixed integer nonlinear programming model is proposed to deal with APP considering two conflicting objectives simultaneously, as well as the uncertain nature of the supply chain. Cost parameters of the supply chain and demand fluctuations are subject to uncertainty. Then the problem transformed into a multi-objective linear one. The first objective function aims to minimize total losses of supply chain including production cost, hiring, firing and training cost, raw material and end product inventory holding cost, transportation and shortage cost. The second objective function considers customer satisfaction through minimizing sum of the maximum amount of shortages among the customers’ zones in all periods. Working levels, workers productivity, overtime, subcontracting, storage capacity and lead time are also considered. Finally, the proposed model is solved as a single-objective mixed integer programming model applying the LP-metrics method. The practicability of the proposed model is demonstrated through its application in solving an APP problem in an industrial case study. The results indicate that the proposed model can provide a promising approach to fulfill an efficient production planning in a supply chain.     

Robust future‐oriented technology portfolios: Black–Litterman approach

We propose a new way of constructing more robust technology portfolios to overcome the weaknesses of previous technology portfolios based either on the judgments of experts or on quantitative data such as patents. Instead of using historical data, the method of nonlinear forecasting enables us to forecast the future number of patent citations and accordingly, to use the forecast as a quantitative proxy for future returns and risks of technologies. Using the Black–Litterman portfolio model, we improve the accuracy of inputs by combining the future views of experts with the future returns and risks of technologies. As a consequence of this, the portfolio becomes strongly future‐oriented. With our approach, corporate managers use both experts and data more effectively to build robust technology portfolios. In particular, our method is of great help for companies launching new businesses because the method avoids heavy dependency on internal experts with little knowledge about emerging technologies. A company entering the molecular amplification instrument market is exemplified herein.     

Exploring Robust Design Capabilities,Their Role in Creating Global Products,and Their Relationship to Firm Performance*

With the increasing desire for products suitable for widely varying markets worldwide, this study offers insight into capabilities associated with successful robust design in global product markets. These robust design capabilities (i.e., the possibility for success under varying circumstances or scenarios) are a potential organizational response to rapid change and uncertainty, which also improve the likelihood of product acceptance on a global basis. From literature, executive interviews, and anecdotal evidence, four capabilities associated with robust product design are derived: (1) functional; (2) aesthetic; (3) technological; and (4) quality based. A model is proposed and an empirical test conducted that considers the moderating influence of environmental uncertainty on the relationship between these robust capabilities and firm performance. The findings suggest that the use of robust design capabilities are affected by uncertainty and have an important influence on firm performance and speed to market. Specifically, the product development process tends to be characterized by aesthetic and technological robust design capabilities in more certain environments and functional robust design capabilities in more uncertain environments when seeking to improve firm performance. Alternatively, technological design capabilities in more certain environments and functional design capabilities in more uncertain environments are associated with improved speed to market.     

Productive efficiency and firm exit in the food sector

This work examines the effects of productive efficiency on the survival of firms in the Greek food sector. Technical and scale efficiency scores are computed within a data envelopment analysis (DEA) framework and are used as explanatory variables in a parametric (Weibull) survival model. High technical efficiency increases the median survival time and lowers the hazard rate of exit. As the scale efficiency of a firm operating either at increasing or decreasing returns to scale approaches one (1), its theoretically maximum value, the expected median survival time, is maximized for all types of exits. Developments in biotechnology, the evolution of alternative food supply networks, innovations in the food sector and competition policy are likely to affect technical and scale efficiency of food manufacturing firms. Results unraveling the effects of technical and scale efficiency on the survival of firms in the food sector are of particular relevance to food policy makers.