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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of fuel flow processes in a network of eight gas stations, located in the mesoregion of Alto Paranaíba and Triângulo Mineiro.

Design/methodology/approach

Two multi-criteria decision support methods were applied, respectively, of a statistical and mathematical nature, namely, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). The research method used was quantitative, with a brief complement of qualitative research, and descriptive in purpose, supported by the inductive method. The data collection stage took place with the support of interviews, with the application of a structured questionnaire, and non-probabilistic sampling, for convenience.

Findings

It was possible to verify that the gas station that stood out the most was station 2 (GS2), which achieved maximum efficiency, a fact that can be justified by the analysis resulting from the application of PCA, as for the product purchase variable (PP), the GS2 is the one that buys the most fuel, and is also the one with the largest storage capacity (C), and the highest volume of product sales (PS), which suggests signs of balance between supply and demand for this station, justifying its prominence.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations of the study were related to the DEA technique, which requires a number of variables/indicators three times smaller than the number of DMUs considered, and the difficulty in obtaining financial data on the DMUs analyzed. Considering the security and anonymity of the gas station network, it was not possible to use this data.

Practical implications

The performance assessment of fuel flow processes carried out in this study promotes the efficient use of available resources as well as identifying efficient DMUs that represent benchmarks for improving management processes and performance of inefficient DMUs.

Social implications

From a social perspective, this study promotes the improvement of the quality of flow processes and effective management of the fuel supply chain, ensuring the safe storage and transportation of fuels to customer supply. Performance management in this sector moves other sectors of the economy, since an efficient unit represents a balance between supply and demand, and consequently, boosts the regional economy, promoting economic growth of the population. Hiring qualified labor for this purpose also represents one of the implications of the study. From an environmental perspective, optimizing flow processes generates a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and encourages the formulation of public policies aimed at consolidating sustainable practices.

Originality/value

Performance management applied to the context of the fuel supply chain is a relevant topic that has been little explored in scientific research, with a low level of information detail. This study using the inductive method allows the generalization and replication of this management pattern in other organizations in the sector in order to increase the efficiency of the fuel distribution system, with the perspective of maximizing outputs and reducing input consumption. In this aspect, the study introduces possibilities for advancement in social and environmental perspectives based on the effective management of fuel logistics.

Details

Journal of Advances in Management Research, vol. 21 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0972-7981

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 November 2024

Maria Gabriela Mendonça Peixoto, Gustavo Alves de Melo, Maria Cristina Angélico Mendonça, Marcel Andreotti Musetti, André Luiz Marques Serrano, Lucas Oliveira Gomes Ferreira and Clovis Neumann

This paper aims to contextualize the process of public hospital providing services, based on the measurement of the performance of Federal University Hospitals (HUFs) of Brazil…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to contextualize the process of public hospital providing services, based on the measurement of the performance of Federal University Hospitals (HUFs) of Brazil, using the technique of multivariate statistics of principal component analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

This research presented a descriptive and quantitative character, as well as exploratory purpose and followed the inductive logic, being empirically structured in two stages, that is, the application of principal component analysis (PCA) in four healthcare performance dimensions; subsequently, the full reapplication of principal component analysis in the most highly correlated variables, in module, with the first three main components (PC1, PC2 and PC3).

Findings

From the principal component analysis, considering mainly the component I, with twice the explanatory power of the second (PC2) and third components (PC3), it was possible to evidence the efficient or inefficient behavior of the HUFs evaluated, through the production of medical residency, by specialty area. Finally, it was observed the formation of two groups composed of seven and eight hospitals, that is, Groups II and IV, which shows that these groups reflect similarities, with respect to the scores and importance of the variables for both hospitals’ groups.

Research limitations/implications

Among the main limitations, it was observed incomplete data for some HUFs, which made it impossible to search for information to explain and better contextualize certain aspects. More specifically, a limited number of hospitals with complete information was dealt with for 60% of SIMEC/REHUF performance indicators.

Practical implications

The use of PCA multivariate technique was of great contribution to the contextualization of the performance and productivity of homogeneous and autonomous units, represented by the hospitals. It was possible to generate a high quantity of information, to contribute with assumptions to complement the decision-making processes in these organizations.

Social implications

Development of public policies, with emphasis on hospitals linked to teaching centers represented by university hospitals. The projection of improvements in the reach of the efficiency of the services of assistance to the public health, from the qualified formation of professionals, both to academy, as to clinical practice.

Originality/value

The originality of this paper for the scenarios, Brazilian public health sector and academic area involved the application of a consolidated performance analysis technique, that is, PCA, obtaining a rich work in relation to the extensive exploitation of techniques to support decision-making processes. In addition, the sequence and the way in which the content, formed by object of study and techniques, has been organized, generating a particular scenario for the measurement of performance in hospital organizations.

Details

International Journal of Organizational Analysis, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1934-8835

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 May 2024

Gustavo Alves de Melo, Maria Gabriela Mendonça Peixoto, Maria Cristina Angélico Mendonça, Marcel Andreotti Musetti, André Luiz Marques Serrano and Lucas Oliveira Gomes Ferreira

This paper aimed to contextualize the process of public hospital providing services, based on the measurement of the performance of Federal University Hospitals (HUFs) of Brazil…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aimed to contextualize the process of public hospital providing services, based on the measurement of the performance of Federal University Hospitals (HUFs) of Brazil, using the technique of multivariate statistics of principal component analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

This research presented a descriptive and quantitative character, as well as exploratory purpose and followed the inductive logic, being empirically structured in two stages, that is, the application of principal component analysis (PCA) in four healthcare performance dimensions; subsequently, the full reapplication of principal component analysis in the most highly correlated variables, in module, with the first three main components (PC1, PC2 and PC3).

Findings

From the principal component analysis, considering mainly component I, with twice the explanatory power of the second (PC2) and third components (PC3), it was possible to evidence the efficient or inefficient behavior of the HUFs evaluated through the production of medical residency, by specialty area. Finally, it was observed that the formation of two groups composed of seven and eight hospitals, that is, Groups II and IV shows that these groups reflect similarities with respect to the scores and importance of the variables for both hospitals’ groups.

Research limitations/implications

Among the main limitations it was observed that there was incomplete data for some HUFs, which made it impossible to search for information to explain and better contextualize certain aspects. More specifically, a limited number of hospitals with complete information were dealt with for 60% of SIMEC/REHUF performance indicators.

Practical implications

The use of PCA multivariate technique was of great contribution to the contextualization of the performance and productivity of homogeneous and autonomous units represented by the hospitals. It was possible to generate a large quantity of information in order to contribute with assumptions to complement the decision-making processes in these organizations.

Social implications

Development of public policies with emphasis on hospitals linked to teaching centers represented by university hospitals. This also involved the projection of improvements in the reach of the efficiency of the services of assistance to the public health, from the qualified formation of professionals, both to academy, as to clinical practice.

Originality/value

The originality of this paper for the scenarios of the Brazilian public health sector and academic area involved the application of a consolidated performance analysis technique, that is, PCA, obtaining a rich work in relation to the extensive exploitation of techniques to support decision-making processes. In addition, the sequence and the way in which the content, formed by object of study and techniques, has been organized, generates a particular scenario for the measurement of performance in hospital organizations.

Details

Journal of Health Organization and Management, vol. 38 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7266

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 May 2021

Rafael Sousa Lima, André Luiz Marques Serrano, Joshua Onome Imoniana and César Medeiros Cupertino

This study aims to understand how forensic accountants can analyse bank transactions suspected of being involved with money laundering crimes in Brazil through social network…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to understand how forensic accountants can analyse bank transactions suspected of being involved with money laundering crimes in Brazil through social network analysis (SNA).

Design/methodology/approach

The methodological approach taken in this study was exploratory. This study cleaned and debugged bank statements from criminal investigations in Brazil using computational algorithms. Then graphs were designed and matched with money laundering regulations.

Findings

The findings indicated that graph techniques contribute to a range of beneficial information to help identify typical banking transactions (pooling accounts, strawmen, smurfing) used to conceal or disguise the movement of illicit resources, enhancing visual aspects of financial analysis.

Research limitations/implications

Research found limitations in the data sets with reduced identification of originators and beneficiaries, considered low compared to other investigations in Brazil. Furthermore, to preserve restrict information and keep data confidential, data sets used in research were not made available.

Practical implications

Law enforcement agencies and financial intelligence units can apply graph-based technique cited in this research to strengthen anti-money laundering activities. The results, grounded in analytical approaches, may offer a source of data to regulators and academia for future research.

Originality/value

This study created data sets using real-life bank statements from two investigations of competence by the Brazilian Federal Justice, including real-data perspectives in academic research. This study uses SNA, which is a popular approach in several areas of knowledge.

Details

Journal of Money Laundering Control, vol. 25 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1368-5201

Keywords

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