Applying efficiency measurement techniques to the measurement of productivity change

Deterministic frontier analysis (DFA), stochastic frontier analysis (SFA), and data envelopment analysis (DEA) are alternative analytical techniques designed to measure the efficiency of producers. All three techniques were originally developed within a cross-sectional context, in which the objective is to compare the efficiencies of producers. More recently all three techniques have been extended for use in a panel data context. In the latter context it is possible to measure productivity change, and to decompose measured productivity change into its sources, one of which is efficiency change. However when efficiency measurement techniques, particularly SFA, have been applied to panel data, it has infrequently been made clear what the objective of the analysis is: the measurement of efficiency, which may vary through time as well as across producers, or the measurement and decomposition of productivity change. In this paper I explore the use of each technique in a panel data context. I find DFA and DEA to have achieved a more satisfactory reorientation toward productivity measurement than SFA has.     

In at the deep end: Conducting processual research on organisational change

This article provides a series of reflections on the practice of carrying out processual research on organisational change. At a broad level, some of the main tasks associated with conducting company case studies are described and the benefits of this approach for dealing with complex change data are outlined. At a more specific level, the article addresses three main areas tied to the actual “doing” of processual research. First, the notion of tacit knowledge and “getting your hands dirty” by engaging in ongoing in-depth fieldwork. Second, the design and implementation of a longitudinal case study research programme. Third, the advantages and concerns of combining a range of different data collecting techniques in carrying out processual studies. Overall, the main intention is to provide some useful reflections and practical insights, as well as providing something of the flavour of carrying out this type of research.     

Bayesian life test planning for the Weibull distribution with given shape parameter

This paper describes Bayesian methods for life test planning with Type II censored data from a Weibull distribution, when the Weibull shape parameter is given. We use conjugate prior distributions and criteria based on estimating a quantile of interest of the lifetime distribution. One criterion is based on a precision factor for a credibility interval for a distribution quantile and the other is based on the length of the credibility interval. We provide simple closed form expressions for the relationship between the needed number of failures and the precision criteria. Examples are used to illustrate the results.Received: October 2002 / Revised: March 2004     

The Impact of Non-Normality and Estimation Methods in SEM on Satisfaction Research in Marketing

This paper discusses consequences of violating the normal distribution assumption imbedded in Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Based on real data from a large sample customer satisfaction survey we follow the procedures as suggested in leading textbooks. We document consequences of this practice and discuss its impact on decision making in marketing.     

数据挖掘在信用风险管理中的应用

本文详细分析了在现代信用风险管理中不同方法对数据质量的要求,并在此基础上提出采用数据挖掘方法改进数据质量、提高计算精度的建议,供我国金融机构信用风险管理之借鉴。     

基于数据融合的自来水浊度检测方法

为了提高流动电流仪(SCM)对自来水浊度检测的精度,文章提出了一种基于神经网络数据融合技术的数据处理方法。该方法可以消除测量中的原水流量、供电电源波动、絮凝剂浓度、温度等干扰量对流动电流仪的影响,提高了测量的精度。     

第三方物流管理系统设计

物流管理软件在我国市场具有巨大的应用前景。由于我国企业的物流支出成本过高、管理水平落后，所以物流服务业市场潜力很大。物流管理软件的出现成为物流业发展的必然。然而，现在出现的各种物流管理软件很多存在自身的弊端和局限性。因此能设计出一个功能比较完备且经济、实用的物流管理系统迫在眉睫。本文主要对第三方物流管理系统的各种功能进行了论述和说明。     

Pseudo empirical likelihood method in the presence of missing data

In this paper, we propose an estimator for the population mean when some observations on the study and auxiliary variables are missing from the sample. The proposed estimator is valid for any unequal probability sampling design, and is based upon the pseudo empirical likelihood method. The proposed estimator is compared with other estimators in a simulation study.     

数据挖掘在高校体育数据分析中的应用

此文通过对数据挖掘技术的基本原理研究，分析和探讨了它在高校体育数据分析中的应用。