Submitted by Irene Nascimento (irene.kessia@ufpe.br) on 2017-04-18T17:55:13Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Dissertação de Mestrado MARIA ROSA FRAGOSO DE MELO DIAS- CCSA-PPGGES-2016.pdf: 3296509 bytes, checksum: 6212fec483e7a5cb1f477ab67f4dcf56 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-04-18T17:55:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Dissertação de Mestrado MARIA ROSA FRAGOSO DE MELO DIAS- CCSA-PPGGES-2016.pdf: 3296509 bytes, checksum: 6212fec483e7a5cb1f477ab67f4dcf56 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-06-13 / Avaliar o desempenho da assistência à saúde na Atenção Primária, aprimorar a eficiência técnica nos processos é, atualmente, imprescindível para a gestão dos sistemas de saúde, assim como para a qualidade da assistência ofertada aos usuários. Diante disso, objetiva-se analisar o nível de eficiência da Atenção Primária à saúde nos municípios do Estado de Pernambuco mediante a Análise Envoltória de Dados. Aplicou-se a metodologia Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), com o modelo desenvolvido por Banker, Charnes e Cooper, através da orientação produto, ou seja, visou-se maximizar os produtos sem diminuir os insumos. O trabalho utilizou de informações disponíveis na base de dados do DATASUS, na qual foram selecionados indicadores de números de equipes de saúde da família, números de agentes comunitários de saúde, gastos per capita com saúde, população SUS dependente e número de leitos SUS como insumos. Já as variáveis selecionadas como produto foram estabelecidas como o inverso do número de óbitos infantis e inverso de internação por causas sensíveis a atenção primária e à produção médica. Os resultados demonstram que entre os 184 municípios menos da metade é eficiente tecnicamente e que a região que mais apresentou municípios eficientes compõe a faixa espacial da Região Metropolitana de Recife. Dessa forma, os resultados exibidos podem ser vistos como fatos estilizados para futuras investigações na atenção primária à saúde, assim como subsidiar os gestores e usuários nas políticas públicas. / Performance evaluation of the primary health care is indispensable to improve technical efficiency in the management of health systems, as well as the quality of service offered to users. Therefore, the objective is to analyze the level of efficiency of primary care given to the health of users in the municipalities of the state of Pernambuco by data envelopment analysis (DEA). It was applied a BCC model developed by Banker, Charnes and Cooper, with product orientation, that is, aimed to maximize product without diminishing the inputs. The study used information available in the DATASUS database, which were selected indicators of numbers of family health teams, number of community health workers, per capita spending on health, population dependent on SUS, number of NHS beds as inputs. The variables selected as outputs were established as the inverse of the number of infant deaths and inverse of hospitalization for causes sensitive to primary production and medical attention. The results show that among the 184 municipalities less than half are technically efficient and the region that showed efficient municipalities make up the spatial range of the Metropolitan Region of Recife. The displayed results can be seen as stylized facts for future research in primary health care as well as support managers and users in public policy.

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Grootvlei Power Station’s thermal efficiency had been on a steady declining trend since it was re-commissioned in 2008, which had tremendous financial implications to the company at the time of writing. The main contributory factor to the thermal efficiency losses was identified to be the condenser backpressure losses that the station was experiencing. This loss was responsible for approximately 17% of the total efficiency losses. Therefore an investigation was conducted to determine the potential impact of the condenser backpressure loss on the thermal efficiency and the financial implications thereof. The deliverables were to determine the cause of the condenser backpressure loss and propose possible resolutions, to quantify the financial effect and to produce a cost benefit analysis in order to justify certain corrective actions. Grootvlei Power Station is one of the older power stations in South Africa and it was used as the first testing facility for dry-cooling in South Africa. It consists of six 200MW units, two of which are dry-cooled units. In 1990 it was mothballed and due to rising power demands in South Africa, it was re-commissioned in 2008. Thermal efficiency has been playing a great role due to the power constraints and therefore it was deemed necessary to conduct this study. The approach that was used was one of experimental and quantitative research and analyses, incorporating deductive reasoning in order to test various hypotheses of factors that could have been contributing to the backpressure losses. In order to do so, a logic diagram was designed which could be used to aid in the identification of possible causes of the condenser backpressure losses. The logic diagram was able to identify whether the problem had to do with the cooling tower or the condenser. It was able to identify which area on the condenser was defective i.e. whether the pumps were not performing, or whether the air ejectors were not performing. It was also able to indicate whether the inefficiency was due to air ingress or fouling. Alongside the logic diagram, a condenser efficiency analysis was used in order to strengthen and improve on the investigation. This analysis was able to identify whether the condenser was experiencing fouling conditions, air ingress, passing valves or low cooling water flow. After the investigation commenced, it was decided to focus on the two largest contributing units since the largest contributor was a dry-cooled unit and the second largest contributor was a wet-cooled unit, thus some comparison between the units was incorporated. The condenser efficiency analysis on Unit 3 (wet-cooled unit) indicated a low cooling water flow, fouling as well as air ingress. The logic diagram indicated poor cooling tower performance, high air ingress as well as fouling. Further tests and analyses as well as visual inspections confirmed these phenomena and condenser fouling was identified to be the largest contributor to the backpressure loss on this unit. The condenser efficiency analysis on Unit 6 indicated that air was entering the condenser. The logic diagram indicated that a segment of the backpressure loss was due to poor cooling tower performance. Inspection of the cooling tower indicated damage and leaks. A cooling tower performance test was conducted and the result of the test indicated that the tower was in need of cleaning. Further analyses according to the logic diagram indicated that the condenser was experiencing air ingress which concurred with the condenser efficiency analysis. A helium test, condensate extraction pump pressure test as well as a flood test was conducted on this unit and various air in-leakage points were identified. The financial implications of the backpressure losses were investigated and found to be costing millions each month. The condenser backpressure loss was contributing more than 2% to the thermal efficiency loss. The cost benefit analysis indicated that the cost of cleaning the condenser on Unit 3 would be made up within six months and a return on investment of 16,6% was calculated. The cost benefit analysis motivates for extended outage times for the purpose of cleaning the condensers from a financial perspective. Therefore, it was recommended to clean the condenser on Unit 3 and fix all known defects on the unit as well as on Unit 6. The cooling towers were recommended to be refurbished. Further investigation was recommended to determine the feasibility of installing an online cleaning system on the wet-cooled units’ condensers such as a Taprogge system. Alternative investigation methods were suggested such as smoke stick analyses for air ingress determination. It was also recommended to review the maintenance strategies that were being used since many of the defects were found to be maintenance related. If the identified problem areas are attended to, the condenser backpressure loss will decrease and the condensers transfer heat more efficiently which will lead to financial gains for Grootvlei Power Station as well as efficiency gains, plant reliability and availability gains. / MIng (Development and Management Engineering), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Grootvlei Power Station’s thermal efficiency had been on a steady declining trend since it was re-commissioned in 2008, which had tremendous financial implications to the company at the time of writing. The main contributory factor to the thermal efficiency losses was identified to be the condenser backpressure losses that the station was experiencing. This loss was responsible for approximately 17% of the total efficiency losses. Therefore an investigation was conducted to determine the potential impact of the condenser backpressure loss on the thermal efficiency and the financial implications thereof. The deliverables were to determine the cause of the condenser backpressure loss and propose possible resolutions, to quantify the financial effect and to produce a cost benefit analysis in order to justify certain corrective actions. Grootvlei Power Station is one of the older power stations in South Africa and it was used as the first testing facility for dry-cooling in South Africa. It consists of six 200MW units, two of which are dry-cooled units. In 1990 it was mothballed and due to rising power demands in South Africa, it was re-commissioned in 2008. Thermal efficiency has been playing a great role due to the power constraints and therefore it was deemed necessary to conduct this study. The approach that was used was one of experimental and quantitative research and analyses, incorporating deductive reasoning in order to test various hypotheses of factors that could have been contributing to the backpressure losses. In order to do so, a logic diagram was designed which could be used to aid in the identification of possible causes of the condenser backpressure losses. The logic diagram was able to identify whether the problem had to do with the cooling tower or the condenser. It was able to identify which area on the condenser was defective i.e. whether the pumps were not performing, or whether the air ejectors were not performing. It was also able to indicate whether the inefficiency was due to air ingress or fouling. Alongside the logic diagram, a condenser efficiency analysis was used in order to strengthen and improve on the investigation. This analysis was able to identify whether the condenser was experiencing fouling conditions, air ingress, passing valves or low cooling water flow. After the investigation commenced, it was decided to focus on the two largest contributing units since the largest contributor was a dry-cooled unit and the second largest contributor was a wet-cooled unit, thus some comparison between the units was incorporated. The condenser efficiency analysis on Unit 3 (wet-cooled unit) indicated a low cooling water flow, fouling as well as air ingress. The logic diagram indicated poor cooling tower performance, high air ingress as well as fouling. Further tests and analyses as well as visual inspections confirmed these phenomena and condenser fouling was identified to be the largest contributor to the backpressure loss on this unit. The condenser efficiency analysis on Unit 6 indicated that air was entering the condenser. The logic diagram indicated that a segment of the backpressure loss was due to poor cooling tower performance. Inspection of the cooling tower indicated damage and leaks. A cooling tower performance test was conducted and the result of the test indicated that the tower was in need of cleaning. Further analyses according to the logic diagram indicated that the condenser was experiencing air ingress which concurred with the condenser efficiency analysis. A helium test, condensate extraction pump pressure test as well as a flood test was conducted on this unit and various air in-leakage points were identified. The financial implications of the backpressure losses were investigated and found to be costing millions each month. The condenser backpressure loss was contributing more than 2% to the thermal efficiency loss. The cost benefit analysis indicated that the cost of cleaning the condenser on Unit 3 would be made up within six months and a return on investment of 16,6% was calculated. The cost benefit analysis motivates for extended outage times for the purpose of cleaning the condensers from a financial perspective. Therefore, it was recommended to clean the condenser on Unit 3 and fix all known defects on the unit as well as on Unit 6. The cooling towers were recommended to be refurbished. Further investigation was recommended to determine the feasibility of installing an online cleaning system on the wet-cooled units’ condensers such as a Taprogge system. Alternative investigation methods were suggested such as smoke stick analyses for air ingress determination. It was also recommended to review the maintenance strategies that were being used since many of the defects were found to be maintenance related. If the identified problem areas are attended to, the condenser backpressure loss will decrease and the condensers transfer heat more efficiently which will lead to financial gains for Grootvlei Power Station as well as efficiency gains, plant reliability and availability gains. / MIng (Development and Management Engineering), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is a powerful technique for relatively efficiency measurement and it is intensively used in different kind of disciplines but this technique has some drawbacks. In the conventional DEA technique, total number of inputs and outputs is determined by the number of evaluated firms. Therefore, this powerful efficiency measurement technique cannot be employed for limited number firm problems. DEA uses realized data so it can be used for objective evaluations. However, in some Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and mining cases, subjective evaluation is also very important so it should be included in DEA analyses. To get rid of these drawbacks, a new technique is developed with integration of DEA and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and it is named as AHP.DEA Method. The developed method creates an opportunity using more inputs and outputs in the relatively efficiency measurement for limited number firm cases. Therefore, reliability of the estimation is increased with increasing the number of inputs and outputs in the estimations. The AHP.DEA technique also integrates both subjective opinion of experts and objective evaluation. Combination of them can give more consistent results when compared only subjective or objective evaluation methods. After the application of AHP.DEA method in mining and OHS industry, managers of mining companies can compare their organizations with the competitors or their branches and they can identify strengths and weakness of them. Therefore, quantity and quality of output may be increased while number of accidents is decreased and also new opportunities can be identified to upgrade current operations.

Orientadores: Cristiano Morini, Antonio Carlos Moretti / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Aplicadas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-27T12:25:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Mauricio_MatheusPereiraGaruti_M.pdf: 1836936 bytes, checksum: 30f682d5f201a7cba565279ba72bd66d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015 / Resumo: O mundo tem passado por mudanças expressivas em relação ao comércio internacional, no qual as importações representam uma fatia importante da economia dos países. Neste sentido, a aduana (alfândega) presta um papel de controlar o fluxo de mercadorias, garantir um ambiente de concorrência leal e combater esforços criminosos associados. Porém, existem poucos métodos quantitativos específicos para avaliar o desempenho neste contexto, sendo um campo de estudos ainda pouco explorado. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo a aplicação do método da Análise Envoltória de Dados (DEA) para avaliar o desempenho aduaneiro brasileiro, a fim de verificar a necessidade de melhor alocação e aproveitamento de recursos públicos, por unidades da federação. Os modelos clássicos da literatura DEA (CCR e BCC) são aplicados para analisar as eficiências técnica e de escala da importação de mercadorias nos anos de 2012 e 2013, nas Regiões Fiscais da Receita Federal, órgão responsável pela administração tributária e aduaneira no Brasil. Os dados primários coletados foram obtidos por meio de consulta via Lei de Acesso à Informação. Os resultados apontam para alto desempenho na unidade 8 (correspondente ao estado de São Paulo), enquanto as regiões 6 e 10 apresentam desempenho distante da fronteira de eficiência, considerando inputs como número de funcionários e investimentos e outputs como valores de apreensões e fluidez nas importações. Este estudo é inédito, considerando a utilização da ferramenta DEA na área aduaneira no Brasil. A partir dos resultados encontrados são registradas sugestões para gestores, como forma de melhorar os níveis de eficiência relativos ao número de funcionários, planejamento de obras e níveis de fluxo de mercadorias. Para futuros estudos na área, recomenda-se a avaliação entre os desempenhos dos diferentes modais e a atuação da aduana, considerando parâmetros como tempo de desembaraço e mercadorias fiscalizadas por servidor, embora a coleta de dados nesta área seja um gargalo, pelo fato de que assuntos aduaneiros são considerados, em certa medida, de segurança nacional. Outra sugestão é a avaliação por métodos estatísticos aliados a DEA dos fatores que influenciam o desempenho das unidades avaliadas, utilizando modelos de duas fases como o proposto por Simar e Wilson (2000) / Abstract: The world is going through significant changes in relation to international trade, where imports account for a major share of countries¿ economies. In this sense, Customs provides the main role of controlling the flow of goods, securing a fair competitive environment and combating associated criminal efforts. However, there are few specific quantitative methods to assess performance in this context, representing a field of studies still barely explored. This project aims at applying the method of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to evaluate Brazilian customs performance on the Federative Units in order to verify the need of better allocation and use of public resources. The classic models of DEA literature (CCR and BCC) are applied to analyze technical and scale efficiencies for the years 2012 and 2013 in the Tax Regions of the Receita Federal do Brasil, the agency responsible for tax and customs administration in Brazil. The primary data collected were obtained through consultation using Information Access Law (LAI). Results show a high performance in unit 8 (corresponding to São Paulo state), while regions 6 and 10 presented performance distant from the efficient frontiers considering inputs such as number of employees and investments and outputs such as value of apprehensions and fluidity of imported goods. The study can be considered unprecedented regarding to the usage of DEA tool in the Brazilian customs area. Several suggestions are remarked for public managers concerning the number of employees, construction planning and the scale of imports in order to improve the relative efficiency levels. For future studies in the area, the evaluation of performance of Customs within different modes of transportation of goods is recommended. New parameters can be considered such as clearance times and trade goods inspected by fiscal, although data collection in those cases might be a bottleneck due to the fact that some Customs data are confidential and, to some extent, matter of national security. Another suggestion is the combination of statistical methods with the DEA to analyze the factors that can influence the performance of the evaluated units, using two-phase models such as those proposed by Simar and Wilson (2000) / Mestrado / Pesquisa Operacional / Mestre em Pesquisa Operacional

This master’s thesis deals with information system Nika Pharmacies. Based on the theoretical background and good familiarity with the running of the company, will analyze the current state of information system. The main part is practical, based on the analytical part. The aim of this thesis is to improve or change information system, which lead to improvement of the current situation and risk elimination.

In order to assist governments in ensuring efficient housing markets and providing access to suitable housing conditions for all people, research about the functioning of housing markets is needed. My thesis, which is comprised of three essays that repre-sent the main chapters, contributes to the research on the economic processes that work within housing markets, especially with regard to challenges that arise from ur-ban concentration. In particular, I study the following research questions: • What are causes of vacancies in the housing market? • What are the effects of real estate transfer taxes on activity in the housing market? • What are the differences between counties in the provision of technical infra-structure? 1. Causes of Vacancies We summarize theoretical approaches, which may explain the mechanisms leading to vacancies under the assumptions of the standard market model, search and matching theory and behavioral economics. Concerning the latter, we propose a new frame-work to explain why and under which conditions homeowners are hesitant to sell their dwellings, which may lead to vacancies. In this framework, we highlight the fact that even if buyers and sellers are homogenous individuals, their willingness to pay differs depending on market developments. Under the assumptions of the standard market model, we hypothesize that vacancies only arise if the market price equals the suppliers’ minimum price. Next to that, we identify the following factors that could explain an increase in vacancies: Greater market power, higher heterogeneity between dwellings, low holding costs of dwellings, high list prices, a high share of small dwell-ings, less intermediaries and a shorter mandatory period of notice of tenants. Despite the wide range of models explaining vacancies, there is need for new theoretical frameworks. We evaluate the identified hypotheses in the theoretical literature by comparing them with the results found in the empirical studies. Some hypotheses have either been in-vestigated by the empirical literature only to a limited degree or have not been inves-tigated at all. Next to the positive analysis of the mechanisms that cause vacancies, we need to pose the normative question, if and under which circumstances vacancies should be considered problematic. Vacancies in the short run may be a necessity in a search and matching context to reach an efficient market outcome; i.e., to offer poten-tial buyers a heterogeneous pool of options to choose from and to fit their individual needs. Additionally, with the assumptions of behavioral economics, an owner of a vacant dwelling might find greater pleasure in speculating with the object than a buyer would enjoy living in it. However, vacancies could indicate a welfare loss if caused by a monopoly that artificially reduces the housing supply on a market. A reduction of information asymmetry could reduce vacancies and increase welfare. 2. Effects of Real Estate Transfer Taxes German states can set their own real estate transfer tax rates. To date, the real estate transfer tax rates range between 3.5% and 6.5%. Although the tax rates do not seem to be particularly high, the tax results in a relatively high tax amount to be paid; even small changes in the tax rate may cause buyers to accelerate a planned transaction to pay a lower tax rate. In our empirical analysis of different German states, we estimate that a one-percentage-point increase in the transfer tax produces significant anticipation effects for the month just before a tax is increased (about 43% more transactions before and 44% less after) and yields approximately 6% fewer overall transactions and therefore much lower market activity. We show that in many cases, the former first-best option – to buy or sell a single-family home – is apparently no longer the optimal choice. Thus, we expect ownership rates to decrease as letting apartments becomes more attractive than selling. This questions the wisdom of real estate transfer tax increases when other political measures that attempt to support homeownership creation are in place. Addi-tionally, retired households, which tend to stay in houses that are too large after their children have left, could be discouraged from downsizing to their actual needs. Indi-viduals may forgo better job offers in other regions or accept longer commutes, which can have negative consequences on urban labor markets. 3. Efficiency of County Road Provision When houses in urban areas are expensive, an adequate road network allows residents to locate further away from agglomeration centers. This takes pressure off housing prices and infrastructure systems in cities and supports housing markets in rural areas. I use the example of county roads to study whether counties differ in their efficiency of the provision of infrastructure. Efficiency refers to the use of economic resources (input) in the most technologically efficient manner to produce a certain amount of output. Studies on the efficient provision of roads incorporated the ‘quantity’ of roads (e.g., the length of the road network) and the ‘quality’ of roads (e.g., an index that measures road condition) as the relevant output indicators. I address two major problems of previous studies. First, to measure the quality of roads, I acquired new and improved data on road condition by county governments. Second, I focus on the data referring to a road network of approximately the same age. An old road network asks for more frequent maintenance and thus higher costs. Therefore, it is possible that governments with an older road network in their region could be identified as less efficient than governments with a newer road network, even if they do not actually employ their financial resources in a less efficient manner. The results of my study indicate that there are substantial efficiency differences and efficiency reserves in the provision of roads in eastern German counties: Depending on the specification, in the median county, the same level of outputs (i.e., area of roads and road condition) could be achieved using 48% to 70% fewer inputs (i.e., expendi-tures). I also find that my results differ greatly from existing studies applying proxy data for the quality of roads (e.g., the number of accidents).

Currently, the development of science and technology is a very acute issue in Russia. All the scientific potential of Russia gradually flows down abroad with the ideas, developments and scientific staff. State and entrepreneurs create special platforms which are adapted to the modern scientific trends to perform research activities. Such organizations are beginning to exist independently and produce some results of their activities. It is known that any organization needs to assessment and analysis of the efficiency of their work - need to understand positive results. Only in this case, the organization has the right to exist as an effectively operating enterprise. Objective of the work: to compare the centers of collective use for identify indicators of the major parameters of the effectiveness of the CCU, which can be recommended and included in the development plan of less efficient CCU. / В настоящее время в России очень остро стоит вопрос развития науки и технологий. Весь научный потенциал России плавно стекается за рубеж вместе с идеями, разработками и научными сотрудниками. Государством и предпринимателями создаются специальные платформы, которые адаптированы к современным научным течениям, для осуществления научной деятельности. Данные организации начинают самостоятельно существовать и выдавать некие результаты деятельности. Как известно, любая организация нуждается в оценке или анализе эффективности своей работы – необходимо осознание положительного результата деятельности. Только в этом случае, организация имеет право на существование в качестве эффективно-действующего предприятия. Цель работы: провести сравнительный анализ центров коллективного пользования для выявления показателей основных параметров эффективности деятельности ЦКП, которые могут быть рекомендованы и включены в план развития менее эффективных ЦКП.

Топливо-энергетический комплекс (ТЭК) – это сложноорганизованная система, включающая в себя добычу природных энергоресурсов, их переработку и преобразование в мобильные виды энергии с последующим распределением энергоресурсов между всеми отраслями экономики. ТЭК в настоящее время является одной из важнейших составляющей экономики Российской Федерации, поскольку вносит значительный вклад в национальную безопасность и социально-экономическое развитие страны. Целью данного исследования является развитие методики анализа эффективности деятельности предприятий топливно-энергетического комплекса. В результате исследования были получены следующие результаты: на основе обзора нормативной базы, регламентирующей деятельность ТЭК в РФ, и анализа международного опыта регламентирования деятельности энергетического комплекса сформулированы особенности экономических отношений субъектов электроэнергетики; в результате рассмотрения существующей финансовой стратегии предприятия ТЭК выявлены направления анализа его эффективности деятельности предложена методика анализа эффективности деятельности предприятия ТЭК на основе оценки отдельных его категорий, таких как финансовые результаты или трудовые ресурсы. / The fuel and energy complex (FEC) is a complex system that includes the extraction of natural energy resources, their processing and transformation into mobile types of energy, followed by the distribution of energy resources among all sectors of the economy. The fuel and energy complex is currently one of the most important components of the economy of the Russian Federation, since it makes a significant contribution to the national security and socio-economic development of the country. The aim of this study is to develop a methodology for analyzing the efficiency of the enterprises of the fuel and energy complex. As a result of the study, the following results were obtained: on the basis of a review of the regulatory framework governing the activities of the fuel and energy complex in the Russian Federation, and an analysis of international experience in regulating the activities of the energy complex, the features of economic relations of subjects of the electric power industry are formulated; as a result of consideration of the existing financial strategy of the fuel and energy complex, the directions of analysis of its effectiveness were identified a methodology for analyzing the efficiency of a fuel and energy enterprise based on an assessment of its individual categories, such as financial results or labor resources, is proposed.