Monitoring hotel performance

There is a pressing need to address productivity analysis in the hospitality industry if hotels are to exist as sustainable business entities in rapidly maturing markets. Unfortunately, productivity ratios commonly used by managers are narrowly defined. This study illustrates data envelopment analysis of cross-sectional data that benchmark hotels on observed best performances. Data envelopment analysis enables management to integrate unlike multiple inputs and outputs to make simultaneous comparisons. Findings from the cross-sectional data suggest that some of the hotels have the potential to reduce number of beds and number of part-time staff while increasing revenue.

Productivity growth in pre-1990 Mongolian agriculture: Spiralling disaster or emerging success?

The reasons for the spectacular collapse of so many centrally-planned economies are a source of ongoing debate. In this paper, we use detailed farm-level data to measure total factor productivity (TFP) changes in Mongolian grain and potato farming during the 14-year period immediately preceding the 1990 economic reforms. We measure TFP growth using stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) and data envelopment analysis (DEA) methods. Our results indicate quite poor overall performance, with an average annual TFP change of - 1.7% in grain and 0.8% in potatoes, over the 14-year period. However, the pattern of TFP growth changed substantially during this period, with TFP growth exceeding 7% per year in the latter half of this period. This suggests that the new policies of improved education, greater management autonomy, and improved incentives, which were introduced in final two planning periods in the 1980s, were beginning to have a significant influence upon the performance of Mongolian crop farming. Crown Copyright (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

The phylogeography and connectivity of the latitudinally widespread scleractinian coral Plesiastrea versipora in the Western Pacific

Whereas terrestrial animal populations might show genetic connectivity within a continent, marine species, such as hermatypic corals, may have connectivity stretching to all corners of the planet. We quantified the genetic variability within and among populations of the widespread scleractinian coral, Plesiastrea versipora along the eastern Australian seaboard (4145 km) and the Ryukyu Archipelago (Japan, 681 km) using sequences of internal transcribed spacers (ITS1-2) from ribosomal DNA. Geographic patterns in genetic variability were deduced from a nested clade analysis (NCA) performed on a parsimony network haplotype. This analysis allowed the establishment of geographical associations in the distribution of haplotypes within the network cladogram, therefore allowing us to deduce phylogeographical patterns based under models of restricted gene flow, fragmentation and range expansion. No significant structure was found among Ryukyu Archipelago populations. The lack of an association between the positions of haplotypes in the cladogram with geographical location of these populations may be accounted for by a high level of gene flow of P. versipora within this region, probably due to the strong Kuroshio Current. In contrast, strong geographical associations were apparent among populations of P. versipora along the south-east coast of Australia. This pattern of restricted genetic connectivity among populations of P. versipora on the eastern seaboard of Australia seems to be associated with the present surface ocean current (the East Australian Current) on this side of the south-western Pacific Ocean.

Gest??o p??blica e pesquisa operacional: avalia????o de desempenho em ag??ncias da Previd??ncia Social

O presente trabalho utiliza a metodologia DEA (Data Envelopment Analysis ), para avaliar a efici??ncia das 22 Ag??ncias da Previd??ncia Social ??? Ger??ncia Executiva Fortaleza (APS-GEXFOR). DEA utiliza programa????o linear cujo n??cleo das estruturas anal??ticas ?? formado a partir do modelo original CCR (Charnes, Cooper, e Rhodes). Aplicada ??s DMU (Decision Making Units), define uma Fronteira de Efici??ncia identificando Unidades Eficientes e Ineficientes. Foi utilizado o modelo DEA-CCR implementado pelo software DEA Solver??. A Previd??ncia Social (INSS) disp??e de indicadores de desempenho. Algumas vari??veis utilizadas no modelo implementado derivam desses indicadores, outras informa????es foram disponibilizadas pelos sistemas de informa????o da institui????o. A avalia????o de efici??ncia DEA das APS-GEXFOR permitiu identificar as melhores pr??ticas, mensurar a participa????o de cada vari??vel envolvida na avalia????o da unidade e projetar as unidades ineficientes na fronteira de efici??ncia, identificando metas a serem atingidas para torn??-las eficientes no conjunto observado.

An??lise da efici??ncia relativa dos programas de p??s-gradua????o acad??micos em administra????o, contabilidade e turismo

O objetivo deste artigo ?? apresentar um modelo alternativo de an??lise da efici??ncia dos programas de p??s-gradua????o acad??micos em Administra????o, Contabilidade e Turismo, vinculados ??s institui????es de ensino superior p??blicas e privadas. O estudo tem como base te??rica a efici??ncia e a otimiza????o de recursos, tomando como refer??ncia a maximiza????o do retorno, sujeito ??s limita????es de recursos. Como modelo anal??tico foi utilizada a An??lise Envolt??ria de Dados (DEA), enquanto t??cnica n??o param??trica de an??lise da efici??ncia relativa. Os resultados apontaram que os programas de p??s-gradua????o foram mais eficientes em 2006, seguido por 2004 e 2005, respectivamente. Notou- se ainda que, em m??dia, os programas vinculados ??s institui????es privadas de ensino foram mais eficientes que os da rede p??blica no tri??nio 2004/2006. Os gestores desses programas podem utilizar a an??lise da efici??ncia relativa como estrat??gia de benchmarking, adotando as melhores pr??ticas observadas nos programas eficientes, visando ?? maximiza????o da efici??ncia em sua gest??o.

Análise da eficiência técnica dos Institutos Federais de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia

Este trabalho tem por objetivo identificar a eficiência técnica e as mudanças quanto à produtividade dos Institutos Federais de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia (IF) no período de 2012 e 2013, perfazendo uma amostra formada por 19 unidades. Paralelamente a isso, procedeu-se a uma análise sobre a expansão da Rede Federal e os gastos correntes por aluno envolvido no processo de interiorização do ensino profissional e tecnológico. Como vertente teórica, discutiu-se a teoria do capital humano (SCHULTZ, 1960, 1961, 1962; BECKER, 1960; MINCER, 1958) junto às formas de investimentos em educação no Brasil e a sua política de prestação de contas. Para operacionalizar a pesquisa, verificou-se a eficiência técnica por meio da metodologia Análise Envoltória de Dados (DEA) utilizando os indicadores elaborados pela Secretaria de Educação Profissional e Tecnológica (SETEC) instituídos pelo Tribunal de Contas da União (TCU) e apresentados anualmente no Relatório de Prestação de Contas Anual. O resultado referente à eficiência demonstra que apenas 31% dos institutos federais analisados atingiram o escore de eficiência em 2012 e também em 2013. Porém, quando analisada a produtividade através do tempo com o Índice de Malmquist, é possível notar que 63% dos institutos federais estão se deslocando para a fronteira de eficiência demonstrando aumento do produto educação dentro das unidades. Adicionalmente, com o teste de diferença de médias (teste t), ocorreram evidências de que os institutos federais considerados eficientes apresentaram melhores resultados médios de concluintes e menores gastos correntes por aluno matriculado indicando que a obtenção do resultado pode não estar condicionada a maiores dispêndios financeiros.

EVALUATING THE EFFICIENCY PROGRESS WITH TECHNOLOGY IN A SPANISH HOTEL CHAIN

ABSTRACTThis paper analyzes the changes in the total factor productivity index of a Spanish hotel chain in the period from 2007 to 2010 with the purpose of identifying efficiency patterns for the chain in a period of financial crisis. The data envelopment analysis (DEA) Malmquist productivity index was used to estimate productivity change in 38 hotels of the AC chain. Results reveal AC hotels' efficiency trends and, therefore, their competitiveness in the recession period; they also show the changes experienced in these hotels' total productivity and its components: technological and efficiency changes. Positive efficiency changes were due to positive technical efficiency rather than technological efficiency. The recession period certainly influenced the performance of AC Hotels, which focused on organizational changes rather than investing in technology.

Efficiency Measures in the Agricultural Sector: The Beginning

Copyright © 2013 Springer Netherlands.

Azorean Agriculture Efficiency by PAR

Copyright © 2013 Springer Netherlands.

Sustainable Tourism and Agriculture Multifunctionality by PAR: A Variable Selection Approach

Copyright © 2013 Springer Netherlands.

Efficiency Assessment: Final Remarks

Copyright © 2013 Springer Netherlands.

Efficiency Measures in the Agricultural Sector: With Applications

Copyright 2013 Springer Netherlands.

Water quality issues in rivers, lakes and reservoirs in Asian countries: an approach to the problems and the methodologies

Water covers over 70% of the Earth's surface, and is vital for all known forms of life. But only 3% of the Earth's water is fresh water, and less than 0.3% of all freshwater is in rivers, lakes, reservoirs and the atmosphere. However, rivers and lakes are an important part of fresh surface water, amounting to about 89%. In this Master Thesis dissertation, the focus is on three types of water bodies – rivers, lakes and reservoirs, and their water quality issues in Asian countries. The surface water quality in a region is largely determined both by the natural processes such as climate or geographic conditions, and the anthropogenic influences such as industrial and agricultural activities or land use conversion. The quality of the water can be affected by pollutants discharge from a specific point through a sewer pipe and also by extensive drainage from agriculture/urban areas and within basin. Hence, water pollutant sources can be divided into two categories: Point source pollution and Non-point source (NPS) pollution. Seasonal variations in precipitation and surface run-off have a strong effect on river discharge and the concentration of pollutants in water bodies. For example, in the rainy season, heavy and persistent rain wash off the ground, the runoff flow increases and may contain various kinds of pollutants and, eventually, enters the water bodies. In some cases, especially in confined water bodies, the quality may be positive related with rainfall in the wet season, because this confined type of fresh water systems allows high dilution of pollutants, decreasing their possible impacts. During the dry season, the quality of water is largely related to industrialization and urbanization pollution. The aim of this study is to identify the most common water quality problems in Asian countries and to enumerate and analyze the methodologies used for assessment of water quality conditions of both rivers and confined water bodies (lakes and reservoirs). Based on the evaluation of a sample of 57 papers, dated between 2000 and 2012, it was found that over the past decade, the water quality of rivers, lakes, and reservoirs in developing countries is being degraded. Water pollution and destruction of aquatic ecosystems have caused massive damage to the functions and integrity of water resources. The most widespread NPS in Asian countries and those which have the greatest spatial impacts are urban runoff and agriculture. Locally, mine waste runoff and rice paddy are serious NPS problems. The most relevant point pollution sources are the effluents from factories, sewage treatment plant, and public or household facilities. It was found that the most used methodology was unquestionably the monitoring activity, used in 49 of analyzed studies, accounting for 86%. Sometimes, data from historical databases were used as well. It can be seen that taking samples from the water body and then carry on laboratory work (chemical analyses) is important because it can give an understanding of the water quality. 6 papers (11%) used a method that combined monitoring data and modeling. 6 papers (11%) just applied a model to estimate the quality of water. Modeling is a useful resource when there is limited budget since some models are of free download and use. In particular, several of used models come from the U.S.A, but they have their own purposes and features, meaning that a careful application of the models to other countries and a critical discussion of the results are crucial. 5 papers (9%) focus on a method combining monitoring data and statistical analysis. When there is a huge data matrix, the researchers need an efficient way of interpretation of the information which is provided by statistics. 3 papers (5%) used a method combining monitoring data, statistical analysis and modeling. These different methods are all valuable to evaluate the water quality. It was also found that the evaluation of water quality was made as well by using other types of sampling different than water itself, and they also provide useful information to understand the condition of the water body. These additional monitoring activities are: Air sampling, sediment sampling, phytoplankton sampling and aquatic animal tissues sampling. Despite considerable progress in developing and applying control regulations to point and NPS pollution, the pollution status of rivers, lakes, and reservoirs in Asian countries is not improving. In fact, this reflects the slow pace of investment in new infrastructure for pollution control and growing population pressures. Water laws or regulations and public involvement in enforcement can play a constructive and indispensable role in environmental protection. In the near future, in order to protect water from further contamination, rapid action is highly needed to control the various kinds of effluents in one region. Environmental remediation and treatment of industrial effluent and municipal wastewaters is essential. It is also important to prevent the direct input of agricultural and mine site runoff. Finally, stricter environmental regulation for water quality is required to support protection and management strategies. It would have been possible to get further information based in the 57 sample of papers. For instance, it would have been interesting to compare the level of concentrations of some pollutants in the diferente Asian countries. However the limit of three months duration for this study prevented further work to take place. In spite of this, the study objectives were achieved: the work provided an overview of the most relevant water quality problems in rivers, lakes and reservoirs in Asian countries, and also listed and analyzed the most common methodologies.

Avaliação de desempenho e integração docente-assistencial nos hospitais universitários

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o desempenho e a integração entre as dimensões de assistência e de ensino dos hospitais universitários brasileiros. MÉTODOS: Um modelo de data envelopment analysis em redes (network DEA) foi elaborado para aferir o desempenho de hospitais universitários federais, o qual permite considerar a relação entre as dimensões de ensino e de assistência, simultaneamente. Foram utilizados os dados do Sistema de Informação dos Hospitais Universitários do Ministério da Educação, referentes ao segundo semestre de 2003, e os resultados do modelo network foram comparados àqueles dos modelos DEA tradicionais para avaliação das vantagens da nova proposta metodológica. RESULTADOS: A eficiência dos hospitais avaliados variou entre 0,19 e 1,00 (média = 0,54). O escore dimensional mostrou que os hospitais priorizam o ganho de eficiência assistencial. Observou-se que há necessidade de dobrar o número de alunos de medicina e de aumentar os residentes em 14% para que se tornem eficientes na dimensão de ensino. CONCLUSÕES: O modelo mostrou utilidade de aplicação tanto para os gestores das unidades, visando à integração docente-assistencial, como para os órgãos reguladores, na definição de políticas e incentivos.

Avaliação da função diastólica no ventrículo esquerdo em mulheres hipertensas com excesso de peso ou obesidade

Mestrado em Tecnologia de Diagnóstico e Intervenção Cardiovascular - Ramo de especialização: Ultrassonografia Cardiovascular