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In production economics, one of the most interesting questions is that of the causal relationship between technical efficiency and allocative efficiency. This as yet remains a puzzle without a unique answer. There are a few theoretical analyses conceptualizing the relationship, but consensus has not yet been reached, and empirical tests are rare. Presents the empirical results of applying Granger’s (1969) and Sims’ (1972) causality tests using time series data on technical and allocative efficiencies of random samples of Indian farmers. These causality tests, with respect to technical and allocative effciences show that there is unidirectional causality from technical efficiency to allocative efficiency, and that the causative process is not bidirectional.

The traditional predictor of technical inefficiency proposed by Jondrow, Lovell, Materov, and Schmidt (1982) is a conditional expectation. This chapter explores whether, and by how much, the predictor can be improved by using auxiliary information in the conditioning set. It considers two types of stochastic frontier models. The first type is a panel data model where composed errors from past and future time periods contain information about contemporaneous technical inefficiency. The second type is when the stochastic frontier model is augmented by input ratio equations in which allocative inefficiency is correlated with technical inefficiency. Compared to the standard kernel-smoothing estimator, a newer estimator based on a local linear random forest helps mitigate the curse of dimensionality when the conditioning set is large. Besides numerous simulations, there is an illustrative empirical example.

Based on a short analysis of the underlying ideas of state and administrative reform, conceptual schemes of self‐management as instruments for public‐sector reforms are analysed. If self‐management is to become part of organisational innovation, decision‐makers will need to be well‐informed about its capacity to improve organisational effectiveness and efficiency. Yet, self‐management research is hampered by a lack of conceptual clarity and by an analysis of its functions in different organisational settings. Its application proves to be insignificant whenever underlying assumptions are not fully applicable.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how healthcare professionals understand a new organisational brand and examine the ideas discussed in relation to it within healthcare organisations.

The research is based on a discursive approach that facilitates understanding how the informants perceived a new organisation brand and how that might shape their activities in the enterprise.

The study identified four distinct interpretative repertoires: the organisational brand as an economic solution, the magic wand, the factory and a servant to the customer. The new brand was understood in terms of economic and business-like functions marked by external branding and its signs (logos, etc.). The brand is not communicated to patients or colleagues and the factory metaphor is applied to work practices. Hence, several potential dilemmas arise concerning the brand promise, customer expectations, economic and efficiency gains and the professional values of employees.

Adoption of private-sector practices in semi-public or public-sector organisations is common. This study focuses on how private-sector ideas diffuse into the organisations and how they are translated within them.

The authors suggest a stronger emphasis on internal branding as a reconciliation to enhance legitimacy, high-quality customer service and staff wellbeing.

Theoretically, the unique contribution of the study is drawing upon healthcare branding, dilemma theory and discursive institutionalism in its interpretation. Consequently, it demonstrates how ideas about the brand and public healthcare are translated and communicated in the examined discourses and how those ideas reconstruct understanding and change behaviour within the organisations.

The aim of this paper is to review 73 survey articles relating to information technology outsourcing (ITO) published by 17 information technology journals over the 20‐year period 1991‐2010. The review focuses on seven attributes of survey methodology (i.e. information on research questions, pilot testing of the survey instrument, sampling method employed, sample size, response rate, nonresponse bias and internal validity) and ascertains the extent to which those attributes have been addressed. The main purpose of this study is to provide insights for researchers to help improve the data quality, and reliability of survey results.

Review of literature over the past 20 years (1991‐2010).

There is strong evidence that deficiencies in the administration of survey methods in ITO persist and that such shortcomings compromise rigour, and therefore need to be redressed.

Although this review is performed in an ITO context, findings are of interest and benefit to all survey researchers. The key contribution of this paper is that it provides up‐to‐date evidence regarding quality of survey research as it applies to ITO by identifying areas needing attention so that the integrity of survey research methodology can be maintained and it can continue to provide reliable findings for the advancement of knowledge.

This study provides an examination of literature dealing exclusively with an IT outsourcing survey. It can, however, serve as a guide for all survey researchers regarding the pitfalls in survey methodology.

This is a field-researched case about a nonprofit organization, the Accelerated Cure Project (ACP), dedicated to accelerating advances toward a cure for multiple sclerosis (MS). Inspired by the successful open source software development platform, ACP brings the strengths of that platform into the medical research and development environment. At the opening of the case, Robert McBurney, an Australian scientist with extensive experience in the biotech world, has been named CEO. McBurney and his team want to use ACP's bio-sample and data Repository to drive innovation in the search for the cure for MS by fostering collaborative research and development across research institutions, pharmaceutical and bio-tech companies. To encourage such collaboration ACP waives its rights to potentially lucrative Intellectual Property. This decision to foster collaboration at the expense of revenue sources appears problematic, since ACP does not have the staff or resources to undertake fundraising at the scale needed to fund current projects. ACP chooses to serve instead as an open access research accelerator making an impact on the field by functioning as an innovation driver rather than a profit maker. Is this an innovative recipe for success in finding a cure for MS or a recipe for financial disaster for ACP?

Interviews provided the primary source of data for this case. Four semi-structured interviews were conducted with the CEO of ACP, the Vice President of Scientific Operations, and a member of the organization's Board of Trustees, a collaborating university researcher, and the President of a bio-tech company working with ACP. Interview data was supplemented with additional information from ACP's web site, news reports, McBurney's comments at Suffolk University's Global Leadership in Innovation and Collaboration Award event, and follow-up conversations.

This case is intended for use in an undergraduate course examining strategic management issues midway through the term. The case discussion can center on issues relating to: first, the development of the business model; second, revenue resources and fundraising. Students are expected to spend two to three hours of outside preparation reviewing concepts of change leadership and the collaborative enterprise business model. They should read the case materials and brainstorm options for improved change leadership. The case can be taught in one two-hour class period.

The purpose of this case is to introduce students to the strategic management and funding challenges faced by an organization that is using a non-traditional business model in an increasingly complex environment. As a result of discussing this case, students should be able to: first, examine strategic organizational strengths, analyze opportunities created by business, market and environmental factors, and strategize to minimize weaknesses and to address threats identify an organization's strategic focus; recognize and recommend options at crucial decision making junctures in a business situation; second, assess an organization's revenue model; analyze how this model can be improved; third, analyze the functionality and sustainability of an organization's business model.

This paper deals with a cost‐related evaluation and a comparison of the problems that arise on pure IP networks (i.e. big fat routers), IP over static optical networks (i.e. IP over synchronous digital hierarchy/optical transport network (SDH/OTN)) and IP over ASON/GMPLS‐based dynamic optical network architectures. The aim is to develop easy‐to‐use CAPEX models, which can be evaluated using statistical parameters to describe the actual network and the traffic characteristics. Since there are no experimental results on these statistical parameters that can be practically used in real networks, the CAPEX model should be not only general, but also scalable enough to evaluate the network cost in extreme situations.

In this paper, the comparative CAPEX models are developed (in the framework of the IST Project MUPBED – Multi‐Partner European Test Beds for Research Networking) and the practical parameters are defined. Then the models are applied for the cost evaluation of a pan‐European research network based on the GÉANT2 network topology to validate the simplified comparison technique that is proposed.

The simulation results prove, on one hand, the applicability of the simplified cost models and on the other hand, the cost efficiency of the “IP over ASON/GMPLS” architecture.

This paper deals with a cost‐related evaluation and a comparison of the problems that are arise on pure IP networks, IP over static optical networks and IP over ASON/GMPLS‐based dynamic optical network architectures.

This paper studies the profit efficiency of a sample of large U.S. commercial banks and explores how this performance varies with selected measures of bank risk reflecting aspects of credit risk, liquidity risk, and insolvency risk. We use a standard profit function and the stochastic frontier approach, and compare two standard functional forms – Cobb‐Douglas and translog – to assess the tradeoff between precision and parsimony. We find that profit efficiency is sensitive to credit risk and insolvency risk but not to liquidity risk or to the mix of loan products.

Advances in Econometrics is a series of research volumes first published in 1982 by JAI Press. The authors present an update to the history of the Advances in Econometrics series. The initial history, published in 2012 for the 30th Anniversary Volume, describes key events in the history of the series and provides information about key authors and contributors to Advances in Econometrics. The authors update the original history and discuss significant changes that have occurred since 2012. These changes include the addition of five new Senior Co-Editors, seven new AIE Fellows, an expansion of the AIE conferences throughout the United States and abroad, and the increase in the number of citations for the series from 7,473 in 2012 to over 25,000 by 2022.

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether political elements affect entry mode decisions of foreign small- to medium-sized manufacturing enterprises (SMMEs) into post-communist Russia.

The paper employs a qualitative research technique. The data were collected using confidential, semi-structured face-to-face interviews.

Smaller manufacturers are more sensitive to the political environment. More specifically, during face-to-face interview, corruption and ineffective law enforcement were found to be the factors of significant concern to SMMEs in Russia.

The research on sensitive topics has limitations largely due to possible political implications for firms operating in Russia.

This study on Russia is significant particularly for foreign small and medium enterprises, it will also raise concerns for firms entry modes into emerging markets of former USSR members.

The paper presents findings that are based on primary sources – interviews with foreign firms currently conducting business in Russia. The research findings will be a valuable source of information to contemporary firms conducting feasibility studies with a view to doing business in Russia. In addition, this study contributes to the limited body of research knowledge on the business environment in Russia and the emerging markets of former USSR members.