Incentive regulation and benchmarking are becoming frequently used tools in tariff regulation of public utilities, including natural gas distribution companies. We present a review of existing approaches to economic regulation using benchmarking models, their advantages and disadvantages and discuss practical experience with these methods. The work also includes a comparison of the total factor produktivity (TFP) approach with frontier-based methods such as data envelopment analysis or corrected ordinary least squares and discussion of the differences, possible weaknesses and misinterpretation of results. Consequently, we analyze the development of total factor productivity of Czech natural gas distribution companies with other industries (water and sewerage, electricity distribution and transmission) using index analysis. The main outcome of the dissertation thesis is the discussion of the applicability of TFP benchmarking in the conditions of the Czech energy market, a synthesis of findings, discussion of associated issues, assumptions and recommendations for implementation of TFP benchmarking into the tariff regulation of Czech energy industries.

The performance of optimization algorithms is sensitive to both the optimization problem's numerical characteristics and the termination criteria of the algorithm. Given these considerations two tuning algorithms named tMOPSO and MOTA are proposed to assist optimization practitioners to nd algorithm settings which are approximate for the problem at hand. For a speci ed problem tMOPSO aims to determine multiple groups of control parameter values, each of which results in optimal performance at a di erent objective function evaluation budget. To achieve this, the control parameter tuning problem is formulated as a multi-objective optimization problem. Furthermore, tMOPSO uses a noise-handling strategy and control parameter value assessment procedure, which are specialized for tuning stochastic optimization algorithms. The principles upon which tMOPSO were designed are expanded into the context of many objective optimization, to create the MOTA tuning algorithm. MOTA tunes an optimization algorithm to multiple problems over a range of objective function evaluation budgets. To optimize the resulting many objective tuning problem, MOTA makes use of bi-objective decomposition. The last section of work entails an application of the tMOPSO and MOTA algorithms to benchmark optimization algorithms according to their tunability. Benchmarking via tunability is shown to be an effective approach for comparing optimization algorithms, where the various control parameter choices available to an optimization practitioner are included into the benchmarking process. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2014 / gm2015 / Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering / PhD / Unrestricted

Este trabalho busca identificar, discutir e propor um método capaz de avaliar e comparar eficiência na gestão e operação da infraestrutura concedida. Com foco na busca por um método que permita auxiliar a regulação price-cap, propõe uma forma de cálculo para o fator “x” dos reajustes tarifários, fator vinculado ao desempenho das concessionárias de serviços públicos. Serão identificados os principais métodos matemáticos utilizados em estudos acadêmicos e na prática regulatória, para avaliação e comparação de eficiência, bem como apresentadas suas principais vantagens e desvantagens. Apresentar-se-á uma discussão sobre quais modelos regulatórios permitem o uso do benchmarking como ferramenta auxiliar na decisão e uma proposta de uso para o cálculo do fator “x”, utilizando os métodos da Análise Estocástica de Fronteira (SFA) e a Análise Envoltória de Dados (DEA). Ao final, a aplicação do modelo proposto, em estudo de caso com concessionárias de rodovias federais brasileiras, permitirá avaliar a aplicabilidade da ferramenta. O objetivo do benchmarking como ferramenta regulatória é incentivar a inovação e promover, artificialmente, a concorrência entre empresas em mercados naturalmente monopolistas, como o da infraestrutura de transportes. / This work tries to identify, discuss and propose a method to evaluate and compare management and operational efficiency in infrastructure concessions. Proposing a method to calculate the “x” factor from the price-cap regulation, this paper wants to promote the discussion about the performance of the public services concessionaries. Through the text we identify the two most used mathematics methods, in academic studies and practical regulation, to evaluate and compare performance. We discuss it advantages and disadvantages, proposing a combination of the two methods to make a benchmarking approach. After this, we use the Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) and the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to make a case study about the Brazilian federal highways concessionaries. For it we use our proposed model to find the “x” factor, attempt to propose the benchmarking like a tool to promote innovation and to insert, artificially, competition, between companies, in monopolistic markets like the transport infrastructure.

As software projects become larger and more complex, software optimization at that scale is only feasible through automated means. One such component of software optimization is alias analysis, which attempts to determine which variables in a program refer to the same area in memory, and is used to relocate instructions to improve performance without interfering with program execution. Several alias analyses have been proposed over the past few decades, with varying degrees of precision and time and space complexity, but few studies have been conducted to compare these techniques with one another, nor to measure with program data to confirm their accuracy. Normally, this is out of the scope of alias analyses because these processes are static, and can only rely upon the input source code. We address these limitations by instrumenting several benchmarks and combining their data with commonly used alias analyses to objectively measure the accuracy of those analyses. Additionally, we also gather additional program statistics to further determine which programs are the most suitable for evaluating subsequent alias analysis techniques.

This Master's thesis deals with the evaluation of the performance of the company Měšťanský pivovar Polička, a. s. In the first part of this thesis are executed its theoretical resources and subsequently, in the second part, is accomplished an evaluation of the company by using of benchmarking techniques. The company Měšťanský pivovar Polička, a. s. is compared with four competing companies by using of financial analysis methods - method of vertical and horizontal analyses and method of financial ratios. In the concluding part are proposed strategical modifications in the company for its better performance.

Ingeniero Civil Industrial / El sistema de salud privada se encuentra constantemente en el ojo de las autoridades sanitarias, debido a la complejidad del sistema de financiamiento que se basa en las cotizaciones de salud provenientes del bolsillo de los cotizantes. Alzas desmedidas y alta dispersión de precios caracterizan a un mercado sostenido por un segmento reducido de la población, de ingresos sobre la media. La asimetría de información es el principal factor. En el marco de un proyecto de consultoría, desarrollado por Genesis Partners y financiado por la Red de Salud UC-Christus -quienes buscan nuevas estrategias para potenciar los servicios de atención hospitalaria- este trabajo de tesis busca contribuir en la búsqueda de un nuevo estándar en la industria para comparar niveles de precios y determinar la competitividad de los principales prestadores privados en Chile. En el proceso de diseño de un estudio de benchmarking de procedimientos hospitalarios, se ahonda en los factores que hoy ponen en riesgo la continuidad del sistema de salud privada con evidencia estadística sostenida por grandes volúmenes de información transaccional entre prestadores privados e Isapres. A través de estos datos, es posible reconstruir gran parte de la facturación de la Red de Salud UC-Christus y de toda su competencia relevante, desagregada a nivel de cuentas individuales de procedimientos hospitalarios -principalmente cirugías- y utilizarlas para caracterizar el mercado y establecer métricas e indicadores de competencia. Se desarrolla una metodología de comparación de cirugías relevantes en el mercado, haciéndose cargo de la variabilidad que estas presentan en su composición a nivel de prestaciones individuales. Los resultados confirman la existencia de alta variabilidad en los procedimientos dentro de cada prestador, y entre prestadores. De este proyecto nace un benchmark que permite identificar fortalezas, debilidades, oportunidades y amenazas en el mercado de las cirugías, se espera que este sea un insumo para la fijación de metas, diseño de estrategias comerciales y apoyo en negociaciones entre prestadores y aseguradoras.

The purpose of sustainability reports is to represent the progress of a company’s sustainability effort and status to stakeholders. There is a need for stakeholders to benchmark sustainability performance of companies. The objective of this research was to find evidence that the GRI Application Level used in the ranking GRI compliant sustainability reports, is an indicator of financial performance for companies trading on the JSE in South Africa.The results will show that there is no evidence to show that the GRI Applications Level is an indicator of financial performance. The consequence of this evidence is that the lack of adequate benchmark standards can de-motivate companies to strive for higher sustainability performance. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

Tesis para optar al grado de Magíster en Administración / Patricio Olivares O. [Parte I]no autoriza el acceso a texto completo de su documento / Patricio Olivares O. [Parte I Concentración AFE Estratégico y de Mercados ], Cristian Espoz [Parte II Concentración AFE Organizativo-Financiero] / La gran minería es una industria que está en constante dinamismo, con una fuerte presencia en nuestra economía, llegando a aportar hasta un 20% del PIB de nuestro país. El desarrollo de la minería genera negocios complementarios que dependen directamente de ella, por lo cual son importantes los niveles de inversión en esta industria, además del precio del cobre, como son la venta de insumos y producto y los de los servicios entregados, ya sea de tecnología, mantención, traslado, casinos, apoyo operacional, etc. las empresas que ofrecen estos servicios pasas a ser colaboradores en la producción y parte importante del desarrollo minero. Una preocupación constante del negocio minero es producir cobre sin sustentabilidad, ya sea con incidentes ambientales, a las personas o a las comunidades, sin productividad y a un alto costo, es por ello que las empresas colaboradoras tienen que satisfacer estas necesidades para poder participar del mercado. Nuestro emprendimiento es ayudar a nuestros clientes, la gran minería del norte de chile, en la sustentabilidad de sus procesos, a través de una operación estable, sin incidentes, con altos estándares, gran calidad y satisfacer sus necesidades comprometiéndonos con el cumplimiento de sus metas, con un equipo humano de excelencia, con innovación y soluciones creativas. Teniendo como principal ventaja en ser un socio estratégico más que una empresa contratista, compartiendo los ciclos de mercado, integrando nuestros procesos, entregando constante innovación y superando las metas de mercado capturadas a través de Benchmarking.

Žáková, A. Use of information provided by database FADN CZ for the management of agricultural holdings. Diploma thesis. Brno: Mendel University in Brno, 2017. The diploma thesis deals with the use of information provided by the Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) for the management of agricultural holdings. It aims to propose a possible use of the FADN CZ, which contains much detailed information on agricultural holdings in the Czech Republic. In the diploma thesis is used descriptive and analytical method and method of comparison. The literature review is focused on agriculture, its position in the Czech Republic and a description of the Common Agricultural Policy and Economic Accounts for Agriculture. Subsequently is described the Farm Accountancy Data Network in detail and the possibility of its use. In the practical part there is proposed use of information obtained from the FADN CZ for benchmarking. First of all, the pyramid system of indicators is created. Benchmarks for individual indicators are determined on the basis of the information from the database of the FADN CZ. The proposed methodology is subsequently verified on the selected agricultural holding. Finally, there are proposed recommendations for the Farm Accountancy Data Network and for the farms that use it or plan to use it.

In an effort to reduce waste in construction projects, hence promoting value creation, the focus on the construction logistics becomes increasingly important, especially with increasing complexity of the project. This is in order to coordinate and effectively plan the routines and deliveries that occur regularly at the construction site. In an effort of becoming more efficient regarding this matter and to reduce the amount of waste, procurement of a third party logistics company that conducts all necessary logistical activities has become more and more recognized. The purpose of the master thesis is to analyze the procurement of a third party logistics company (3PL) and how it has been handled during a project life cycle and how to optimize this type of solution as a partnership and as a benchmarking method. Finally client perception and satisfaction of the executed work is analyzed, all of which are summarized in the research questions stated below: • How has the collaboration with the procured third party logistics company (3PL) been conducted during the project life cycle? • How is it possible to develop and optimize the collaboration with a 3PL in order to achieve better results in the future as a partnership and a benchmarking method? • What is the client perception and satisfaction of the executed work by the third party logistics company? The theoretical chapter will serve as a foundation of the thesis where the relevant concepts are described complemented with a comparative case study of two projects with relevance to the stated questions. The case study consists of documents and interviews with key participants. The result will show a holistic profitability with additional suggestions to further develop this type of collaboration as a benchmarking method, what is the next reasonable step of further optimization regarding 3PL procurement and what generalizations can be made.