In today's fiercely competitive environment, not only in the tourism sector, we see a rise in the need to identify the weak and strong sides of the performance of the entire branch network of a travel agency, as well as of its components, the particular branches. This problem can be approached using the process of benchmarking. This method is currently widely used to compare the similarly behaving systems and processes in all areas of human activity. Data envelopment analysis models can be used as one of the methods of benchmarking. This thesis deals first with the theoretical description of the basic models of data envelopment analysis. It then moves on to concentrate on the description of the network-based models, which are then used in the practical part of the thesis. In this last part, it compares selected travel agency branches and identifies the deficiencies in particular areas of their performance.

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

No Brasil, o sistema de saúde é composto por duas estruturas: pública, representada pelo Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) e privada suplementar, composta por 1.268 operadoras de planos de saúde, supervisionadas pela Agência Nacional de Saúde (ANS). No entanto, as operadoras têm sido consideradas ineficientes tanto na geração de resultados financeiros quanto na prestação de serviços aos beneficiários, destacando-se a necessidade e relevância para a saúde pública ao se buscar avaliar o seu desempenho sob essas perspectivas. O objetivo do trabalho foi, para um mesmo nível de eficiência na prestação de serviços, identificar as práticas administrativas que diferenciam as operadoras de planos de saúde (OPS) financeiramente sustentáveis. Para tanto, inicialmente foi aplicada a técnica da Análise Envoltória de Dados (DEA) no intuito de identificar operadoras eficientes em transformar inputs em outputs e, a partir dos escores obtidos, selecionar duas OPS de nível de serviços semelhantes e desempenho financeiro opostos para que fossem comparadas por meio de um estudo de múltiplos casos. A análise quantitativa indicou que as OPS de medicina de grupo apresentaram maior eficiência do que as demais modalidades. Já o estudo de múltiplos casos identificou que a gestão de políticas de crédito, de captação e aplicação de recursos, o planejamento tributário, a adoção de políticas de promoção e prevenção à saúde, as formas de remuneração dos médicos e a estratégia de composição de receitas diferenciaram a OPS de melhor desempenho. / In Brazil, the health system is composed of two structures: the public represented by the Unified Health System (SUS) and private supplementary, comprising 1,268 operators of health plans supervised by the National Health Agency (ANS). However, operators have been considered inefficient, both in the generation of financial results as in the provision of services to beneficiaries, highlighting the need and relevance to public health when it comes to assessing their performance in these prospects. The goal was for the same level of efficiency in service delivery, identify management practices that differentiate the health plan operators (OPS) financially sustainable. Thus, it was initially applied to Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to identify carriers of efficient health plans in the processing of inputs and outputs, and the scores by selecting two of them with a similar level of service and opposite financial performance they were compared to the cases of multiple analysis. Quantitative analysis indicated that the support type operators managed showed greater efficiency than other types. The study analysis of multiple cases identified that the political credit management, finance and investments, tax planning, adoption of health promotion and prevention policies, forms of remuneration of doctors and recipe composition of strategy were practices that differentiate the operator with the best performance.

Industries related to agricultural cooperatives record some of the highest injury rates in the U.S. Therefore, agricultural cooperatives are highly motivated to invest in occupational health and safety (OHS). This thesis examines the economic efficiency of OHS investments at agricultural cooperatives and identifies cooperative characteristics leading to greater economic efficiency of OHS investments. A multiple input-output data envelopment analysis (DEA) is used to estimate technical efficiency. The effects of cooperative characteristics on the efficiency of OHS investments are estimated using ordinary least squares, censored regression, truncated regression, and the Simar and Wilson (2007) bootstrap procedure. Results show that the mean technical efficiency score was 0.833. Furthermore, a cooperative’s annual insurance premia has a significant, negative relationship with technical efficiency. In contrast, the experience levels of a cooperative’s top safety person and top managerial person and a location’s total workers employed have significant, positive relationships with efficiency in all estimated models. / North Dakota State University. Department of College of Agriculture, Food Systems and Natural Resources

L'évaluation croisée d'efficacité basée sur la data envelopment analysis (DEA) a été largement appliquéepour l'évaluation d'efficacité et le classement des unités de prise de décision (decision-making units, DMUs). A l’heureactuelle, cette méthode présente toujours deux défauts majeurs : la non-unicité des poids optimaux attachés aux entréeset aux sorties et la non Pareto-optimalité des résultats d’évaluation. Cette thèse propose des méthodes alternatives poury remédier. Nous montrons d’abord que les efficacités croisées visées dans les modèles traditionnels avec objectifssecondaires ne sont pas toujours atteignables pour toutes les DMUs. Nous proposons ensuite un modèle capable detoujours fournir des objectifs d'efficacité croisée atteignables pour toutes les DMUs. Plusieurs nouveaux modèles avecobjectifs secondaires bienveillants ou agressifs et un modèle neutre sont proposés. Un exemple numérique est utilisépour comparer les modèles proposés à ceux qui existent dans la littérature. Nous présentons ensuite une approched'évaluation croisée d'efficacité basée sur l'amélioration de Pareto. Cette approche est composée de deux modèles etd’un algorithme. Les modèles sont utilisés respectivement pour estimer si un ensemble donné de scores d’efficacitécroisée est Pareto-optimal et pour améliorer l’efficacité croisée de cet ensemble si cela est possible. L'algorithme estutilisé pour générer un ensemble Pareto-optimal de scores d'efficacité croisée pour les DMUs. L'approche proposéeest finalement appliquée pour la sélection de projets de R&D et comparée aux approches traditionnelles. En outre,nous proposons une approche d’évaluation croisée d’efficacité qui traite simultanément les deux problématiquesmentionnées ci-dessus. Un modèle de jeu de négociation croisée est proposé pour simuler la négociation entre chaquecouple de DMUs au sein du groupe afin d'identifier un ensemble unique de poids à utiliser pour le calcul de l'efficacitécroisée entre eux. De plus, un algorithme est développé pour résoudre ce modèle via une suite de programmes linéaires.L'approche est finalement illustrée en l'appliquant à la sélection des fournisseurs verts. Enfin, nous proposons uneévaluation croisée d'efficacité basée sur le degré de satisfaction. Nous introduisons d'abord la nation de degré desatisfaction de chaque DMU sur les poids optimaux sélectionnés par les autres. Ensuite, un modèle max-min est fournipour déterminer un ensemble des poids optimaux pour chaque DMU afin de maximiser tous les degrés de satisfactiondes DMUs. Deux algorithmes sont ensuite développés pour résoudre le modèle et garantir l’unicité des poids optimauxde chaque DMU, respectivement. Enfin, l’approche proposée est appliquée sur une étude des cas pour la sélection detechnologies. / Data envelopment analysis (DEA) cross-efficiency evaluation has been widely applied for efficiencyevaluation and ranking of decision-making units (DMUs). However, two issues still need to be addressed: nonuniquenessof optimal weights attached to the inputs and outputs and non-Pareto optimality of the evaluationresults. This thesis proposes alternative methods to address these issues. We first point out that the crossefficiencytargets for the DMUs in the traditional secondary goal models are not always feasible. We then givea model which can always provide feasible cross-efficiency targets for all the DMUs. New benevolent andaggressive secondary goal models and a neutral model are proposed. A numerical example is further used tocompare the proposed models with the previous ones. Then, we present a DEA cross-efficiency evaluationapproach based on Pareto improvement. This approach contains two models and an algorithm. The models areused to estimate whether a given set of cross-efficiency scores is Pareto optimal and to improve the crossefficiencyscores if possible, respectively. The algorithm is used to generate a set of Pareto-optimal crossefficiencyscores for the DMUs. The proposed approach is finally applied for R&D project selection andcompared with the traditional approaches. Additionally, we give a cross-bargaining game DEA cross-efficiencyevaluation approach which addresses both the issues mentioned above. A cross-bargaining game model is proposedto simulate the bargaining between each pair of DMUs among the group to identify a unique set of weights to beused in each other’s cross-efficiency calculation. An algorithm is then developed to solve this model by solvinga series of linear programs. The approach is finally illustrated by applying it to green supplier selection. Finally,we propose a DEA cross-efficiency evaluation approach based on satisfaction degree. We first introduce theconcept of satisfaction degree of each DMU on the optimal weights selected by the other DMUs. Then, a maxminmodel is given to select the set of optimal weights for each DMU which maximizes all the DMUs’satisfaction degrees. Two algorithms are given to solve the model and to ensure the uniqueness of each DMU’soptimal weights, respectively. Finally, the proposed approach is used for a case study for technology selection.

To date, police organizations have not been rigorously analyzed by organizational scholars and most analysis of these organizations has been captured through a single construct. The purpose of this study is to develop confirmatory police organizational analysis by validating a multi-dimensional conceptual framework that explains the relationships among three constructs: environmental constraints, the design structures of police organizations, and organizational performance indicators. The modeling is deeply rooted in contingency theory, and the influence of isomorphism and institutional theory on the covariance structure model are investigated. One hundred and thirteen local police organizations from the State of Florida are included in this non-experimental, cross-sectional study to determine the direct effect of the environmental constraints on the performance of police organizations, the indirect effect of environmental constraints on the performance of police organizations via the organizational design structure of police organizations, and the direct affect of organizational design structure on performance of police organizations. For the first time, structural equation modeling and data envelopment analysis are used together to confirm the effects of the environment on police organization structure and performance. The results indicate that environmental social economic disparity indicators have a large positive effect on police resources and a medium effect on police efficiency. Propensity of crime indicators has a large negative effect on police resources, and population density has a small to medium negative effect on crime clearance. Structure has a much smaller effect on performance than the environment. The results of the efficiency analysis revealed unexpected findings. Three of the top five largest police organizations in the study scored maximum efficiency. The cause of this unexpected result is explained and confirmed in the covariance model. The study methodology and results enhances the understanding of the relationship among the constructs while subjecting environmental and police organizational data to two comprehensive analytical techniques. The policy implications and practical contributions of the study provide new knowledge and information to organizational management of police organizations. Furthermore, the study establishes a new approach to police organizational analysis and police services management research called Police Services Management Research (PSMR) that encompasses a variety of disciplines with a primary responsibility of theory building and the selection of theoretical framework.

Commuters in urban areas suffer from traffic congestion on a daily basis. The increasing number of vehicles and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) are exacerbating this congested roadway problem for society. Although literature contains numerous studies that strive to propose solutions to this congestion problem, the problem is still prevalent today. Traffic congestion problem affects society’s quality of life socially, economically, and environmentally. In order to alleviate the unsustainable impacts of the congested roadway problem, Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) has been utilized to improve sustainable transportation systems in the world. The purpose of this thesis is to analyze the sustainable impacts and performance of the utilization of ITS in the United States. This thesis advances the body of knowledge of sustainability impacts of ITS related congestion relief through a triple bottom line (TBL) evaluation in the United States. TBL impacts analyze from a holistic perspective, rather than considering only the direct economic benefits. A critical approach to this research was to include both the direct and the indirect environmental and socio-economic impacts associated with the chain of supply paths of traffic congestion relief. To accomplish this aim, net benefits of ITS implementations are analyzed in 101 cities in the United States. In addition to the state level results, seven metropolitan cities in Florida are investigated in detail among these 101 cities. For instance, the results of this study indicated that Florida saved 1.38 E+05 tons of greenhouse gas emissions (tons of carbon dioxide equivalent), $420 million of annual delay reduction costs, and $17.2 million of net fuel-based costs. Furthermore, to quantify the relative impact and sustainability performance of different ITS technologies, several ITS solutions are analyzed in terms of total costs (initial and operation & maintenance costs) and benefits (value of time, emissions, and safety). To account for the uncertainty in benefit and cost ii analyses, a fuzzy-data envelopment analysis (DEA) methodology is utilized instead of the traditional DEA approach for sustainability performance analysis. The results using the fuzzy-DEA approach indicate that some of the ITS investments are not efficient compared to other investments where as all of them are highly effective investments in terms of the cost/benefit ratios approach. The TBL results of this study provide more comprehensive picture of socio-economic benefits which include the negative and indirect indicators and environmental benefits for ITS related congestion relief. In addition, sustainability performance comparisons and TBL analysis of ITS investments contained encouraging results to support decision makers to pursue ITS projects in the future.

Standard empirical models of operating efficiency (OE) and managerial ability (MA) assume a symmetric linear relation of OE and MA with firm performance. However, OE and MA metrics are likely to respond faster to a demand decrease than a demand increase due to cost stickiness and respond faster to negative returns than to positive returns due to accounting conservatism. As predicted, I find large asymmetries in the behavior of OE and MA measures. OE and MA in levels (changes) are 2.4 (1.4) times and 1.5 (1.6) times more sensitive to demand decreases than demand increases. Similarly, OE and MA levels (changes) are 1.7 (1.5) times and 3.6 (2.3) times more sensitive to negative returns than to positive returns. The incremental explanatory power of modeling asymmetry in OE and MA levels (changes) is 20.9% (39.5%) and 263.3% (27.6%), measured as incremental adjusted R2. Cross-sectionally, asymmetry in OE and MA varies with the determinants of cost stickiness: (1) asset intensity and (2) employee intensity. Moreover, the degree of asymmetry also varies with the determinants of accounting conservatism: (1) book-to-market value of equity, (2) leverage, and (3) market capitalization. In addition, demand decline (i.e., cost stickiness) and bad news (i.e., accounting conservatism) during prior and successive periods have an incremental impact on the asymmetry in OE and MA. The standard models of OE and MA do not control for these correlated-omitted variables or incorporate the cost stickiness and accounting conservatism asymmetries, which yield biased measurements and render incorrect regression estimates and inferences. / Business Administration/Accounting

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京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(農学) / 甲第23964号 / 農博第2513号 / 新制||農||1093(附属図書館) / 学位論文||R4||N5399(農学部図書室) / 京都大学大学院農学研究科生物資源経済学専攻 / (主査)教授 梅津 千恵子, 教授 浅見 淳之, 准教授 三谷 羊平 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Agricultural Science / Kyoto University / DFAM