Application of PCA and DEA to recognize the true expertise of a firm: a case with primary schools

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 740-751
Author(s):  
Subhadip Sarkar
Keyword(s):  
Primary Schools ◽  
Basic Education ◽  
Basic Skills ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Special Schools ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Rich ◽  
The Cost

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify important dimensions which are essential to remain competitive. To generate scores which will be as effective as the original outputs to determine the radial efficiency scores etc. Design/methodology/approach – A non-central principal component analysis (PCA) were used to determine various dimensions for each output. The objective was set to identify those special schools which could minimize certain pre-prescribed scores. Findings – Few schools were trying to concentrate on the students from the rich society and spending less per student. There were other schools which targeted to minimize the social loss by providing education to the poorer section and were funding more for them. Research limitations/implications – Small group was considered. However, the number can be extended. Practical implications – The valuable findings of Hillman and Jenkner (2002), stated that – “Children are entitled to a free, quality basic education. Many children who do attend school receive an inadequate education because of poorly trained, underpaid teachers, overcrowded classrooms, and a lack of basic teaching tools such as textbooks, blackboards, and pens and paper […].” “In an ideal world, primary education would be universal and publicly financed, and all children would be able to attend school regardless of their parents’ ability or willingness to pay. The reason is simple: when any child fails to acquire the basic skills needed to function as a productive, responsible member of society, […] The cost of educating children is far outweighed by the cost of not educating them. Adults who lack basic skills have greater difficulty in finding well-paying jobs and escaping poverty […].” In order to understand which fact has been stressed more the proposed model is very useful. Social implications – It is capable of describing the current standpoint of a group of homogenous schools or firms. Quality and cost cutting principals can be isolated quite easily. Originality/value – Introduces concepts of non-central PCA. Provides alternative scores which are as important as the original output. Detects and analyze various important dimensions.

Detection of cost leaders using non-central principal component analysis and data envelopment analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 548-566 ◽  
Author(s):  
Subhadip Sarkar
Keyword(s):  
Data Envelopment Analysis ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Data Envelopment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cost Leadership ◽  
True Cost ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Decision Making Unit ◽  
The Cost

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to express the strategic positioning of a firm among its rivals based on an overall analysis. The proposed model uses data envelopment analysis (DEA) to determine the indexes due to cost leadership and differentiation. The model can be useful to identify the true cost leaders and those who are stuck in the middle. This work suggests the way how the strategic position can be explored from the consumption of resources (unlike the prevalent models like Banker et al., 2014). Design/methodology/approach Depending on the previous surveys, two inputs (spending per student and percentage of non-poor income group) and two outputs (average scores attained by students in science group and in language group in six private schools, located within the outskirt of Durgapur) were analyzed. Findings The classification made on the basis of the result of the proposed model reveals that out of the six schools (A, B, C, D, E and F), A, E and F occupy a strong position in this context, whereas B can be an example of stuck in the middle scenario. It not only has to reduce cost by 30 percent but also improve the differentiation index by 140 percent. C and D are lagging behind as they do not have enough differentiating qualities. Research limitations/implications Only six schools were taken for the analysis. Second, the input and output vectors had to be non-negative. In case of a negative input (output) set, separate treatment must be applied to them before the application of non-central PCA. Any decision-making unit producing an output of 0 will prohibit the use of the non-central PCA. Practical implications The extant study provides the indices to measure cost leadership and differentiation strategies for the classification as per the generic strategies. A firm which is lagging behind can adjust its consumption to remain successful. Social implications According to Hillman and Jenkner (2002), the developing countries lack the willingness of a primary school to impart education to children. The current study is used to explore whether any private primary school has the same goal or not. They also pointed out the possible future consequences while stating that the cost of educating children from the poorer section might be outweighed by the cost of not educating them and adults lacking basic skills had greater difficulty in finding well-paying jobs to escape poverty. So it is important to understand the role of a private primary school to offer seats to underprivileged students for educating them. The intention of six private primary schools toward educating the population of the small area within Durgapur is analyzed in this study, The study revealed that few schools spend more to serve the students belonging to upper classes to remain successful, whereas few schools as a differentiator make conscious attempts for providing services to poorer sections in an economical manner like a cost leader. Originality/value The extant research aims to formulate the determining methods of identifying strategic groups (proposed by Hunt, 1983) to make a parity between business definition view and strategic type concepts. The model can assess the rivals within an industry to explore the true cost leaders and those who are stuck in the middle using DEA. There are not enough kinds of literature which could effectively measure them.

Food education in Finnish primary education – defining themes and learning objectives using the Delphi technique

2021 ◽  
Vol 123 (13) ◽  
pp. 404-427
Author(s):  
Aija Liisa Laitinen ◽  
Tanja Tilles-Tirkkonen ◽  
Leila Karhunen ◽  
Sanna Talvia
Keyword(s):  
Primary Education ◽  
Delphi Study ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Basic Education ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
School Curriculum ◽  
Learning Objectives ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Food Education

PurposeThe importance of food education in primary schools has been globally recognised. However, more detailed definitions of its learning objectives are rarely found. The study aimed to define multisectoral themes and learning objectives for food education in primary education in Finland.Design/methodology/approachA descriptive three-round Delphi study was conducted with experts in food education in various organisations. In the first questionnaire, the participants were asked to define possible objectives for food education related to general objectives for basic education. Respondents of the first questionnaire formed a research panel (n = 22). These panellists were then invited to complete the second (n = 16) and third questionnaires (n = 12), where the objectives were further modified. Qualitative content analysis and Bloom's taxonomy were applied in the process of creating the learning objectives.FindingsIn the iterative process, 42 learning objectives for food education in primary schools were defined. Further, “Sustainability and ethics of food systems” was defined as the cross-cutting theme of food education. In addition, 13 subthemes were defined, which fell into three thematic categories: personal (e.g. feelings), practical (e.g. eating) and intangible (e.g. culture) issues.Originality/valueThe defined learning objectives for a holistic food education may be used in advancing primary school curriculum in Finland and perhaps other countries.

A quality system’s impact on the service experience

2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (12) ◽  
pp. 1817-1839 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffery Smith ◽  
Sidney Anderson ◽  
Gavin Fox
Keyword(s):  
Service Quality ◽  
Social Systems ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Service Experience ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
The Social ◽  
Two Samples ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Integrated Service

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the interplay between technical and social systems within an organization that potentially affect the service experience, as perceived by end customers. Design/methodology/approach The paper explores the potential impact of an integrated service quality system on the service experience. A conceptual model is presented, accompanied by a detailed development of the hypotheses. Two samples (Study 1: n=474, Study 2: n=225) of consumers are used to empirically test the proposed model. Findings The analysis reveals the impact a technical system has on employees’ inherent abilities (i.e. the social system), which, in turn, affect the overall assessment by customers. Additionally, the situation in which an employee works (i.e. operating environmental conditions) results in differences in the model. Research limitations/implications This paper’s main implication is this paper employs established theory to develop a model that is empirically tested to show that implementing and maintaining a quality-oriented service system can positively influence the overall customer experience. The limitations are based primarily on the methodology in which individual employees assessed all aspects of both the social and technical systems. Practical implications Managers should be diligent in their design and implementation of the quality components as these affect the work setting in which employees operate. Originality/value Prior research has neither explored an integrated service quality system’s impact on the service experience nor employed an established theoretical framework. This work accomplishes both with the results providing contributions to both theory and practice.

Seeking legitimacy

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1009-1021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis M. Patten
Keyword(s):  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Legitimacy Theory ◽  
Environmental Disclosure ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Social And Environmental Disclosure ◽  
The Rich ◽  
Csr Disclosure ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose In this essay, the author reflects on the legitimacy theory in corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure research. Design/methodology/approach This is a reflection/review essay based on a review of relevant literature. Findings Although almost constantly under attack from a variety of scholars, legitimacy theory seems to hold on in the social and environmental disclosure arena. However, the failure of the recent wave of CSR-themed work published in The Accounting Review to even acknowledge, let alone engage with, the theory is problematic. Research limitations/implications We, in the CSR disclosure arena, need to do all we can to help emerging scholars (particularly in the USA) find the rich body of research the mainstream journals fail to discuss. Practical implications Legitimacy-based research can help move CSR disclosure at least closer to being a tool of accountability, as opposed to a tool for legitimation. Social implications Perhaps the critique of the mainstream North American literature’s failure to consider legitimacy theory can lead to the recognition of the need to focus on the harm to sustainability that a narrow, shareholder-centric focus leads to. Originality/value This reflection takes a unique look at the contributions of legitimacy theory to CSR disclosure research.

Generalized software release and testing stop time policy

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (6/7) ◽  
pp. 1087-1111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Avinash Kumar Shrivastava ◽  
Nitin Sachdeva
Keyword(s):  
Market Competition ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Early Release ◽  
Stop Time ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Software Firms ◽  
Generalized Framework ◽  
Two Factors ◽  
Software Release ◽  
The Cost

Purpose Almost everything around us is the output of software-driven machines or working with software. Software firms are working hard to meet the user’s requirements. But developing a fault-free software is not possible. Also due to market competition, firms do not want to delay their software release. But early release software comes with the problem of user reporting more failures during operations due to more number of faults lying in it. To overcome the above situation, software firms these days are releasing software with an adequate amount of testing instead of delaying the release to develop reliable software and releasing software patches post release to make the software more reliable. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach The authors have developed a generalized framework by assuming that testing continues beyond software release to determine the time to release and stop testing of software. As the testing team is always not skilled, hence, the rate of detection correction of faults during testing may change over time. Also, they may commit an error during software development, hence increasing the number of faults. Therefore, the authors have to consider these two factors as well in our proposed model. Further, the authors have done sensitivity analysis based on the cost-modeling parameters to check and analyze their impact on the software testing and release policy. Findings From the proposed model, the authors found that it is better to release early and continue testing in the post-release phase. By using this model, firms can get the benefits of early release, and at the same time, users get the benefit of post-release software reliability assurance. Originality/value The authors are proposing a generalized model for software scheduling.

The impact of entertainment and social interaction with salespeople on mall shopper satisfaction

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 94-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maher Georges Elmashhara ◽  
Ana Maria Soares
Keyword(s):  
Social Interaction ◽  
Emotional States ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
The Social ◽  
Shopping Experience ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand the role played by emotional states in the relationship between entertainment and social interaction with salespeople and shopper satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach The proposed model was tested using a survey-based study, with a sample size of 318 mall shoppers. Findings The results indicate that pleasure and dominance are mediators in the relationship between entertainment and social interaction with salespeople and mall shopper satisfaction. Moreover, regarding the direct relations, entertainment directly influences satisfaction, while social interaction does not. Practical implications The results have practical implications for mall managers and mall developers. Specifically, entertainment can be used to attract shoppers and to enhance their satisfaction with the overall shopping experience. Practical suggestions to this end are offered. Originality/value This study’s contribution is twofold: first, this study adds to research by addressing the gap in research regarding shopper emotional states. Specifically, it addresses the mediating role played by emotional states of shoppers on the impact of entertainment and social interaction in satisfaction. Second, the study concentrates on the role of salespeople by focusing on the social aspects of the interaction.

A novel model for risk management of outsourced construction projects using decision-making methods: a case study

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 97-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amin Mahmoudi ◽  
Mehdi Abbasi ◽  
Xiaopeng Deng ◽  
Muhammad Ikram ◽  
Salman Yeganeh
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Analytic Hierarchy ◽  
Suitable Alternative ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
The Cost ◽  
First Time

PurposeSelecting a suitable contract to outsource construction projects is an ongoing concern for project managers and organizational directors. This study aims to propose a comprehensive model to manage the risks of outsourced construction project contracts.Design/methodology/approachTo employ the proposed model, firstly, the types of contracts and risks in the organization should be identified, then, to prioritize the contracts, the identified risks are considered as criteria. After receiving the experts' opinions, the best–worst method (BWM) integrated with grey relation analysis (GRA) method was used to prioritize the contracts. BWM and GRA are multi-criteria decision-making methods with different approaches and applications. In the current study, BWM has been employed to calculate the weights of criteria because it has better performance than other methods such as the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). After calculating the weights of criteria, the GRA method has been utilized for ranking the alternatives.FindingsAccording to the results obtained from the case study, the cost plus award fee contract is the most suitable alternative for outsourcing construction projects. The proposed methodology can be practically applied through different types of the projects such as construction or “engineering, procurement and construction”.Originality/valueTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first time a conceptual model has been proposed to select an appropriate contract for construction projects. Also, for the first time, the BWM integrated with GRA method has been used to prioritize project contracts based on the potential risks. The proposed model can contribute to project managers for selecting a suitable contract with the least risk in construction projects.

scholarly journals Forecasting residential natural gas consumption in Egypt

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 297-308
Author(s):  
Mohamed Ali Ismail ◽  
Eman Mahmoud Abd El-Metaal
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Moving Average ◽  
Percentage Error ◽  
Seasonal Patterns ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cost Of Energy ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Gas Consumption ◽  
Natural Gas Consumption ◽  
The Cost

Purpose This paper aims to obtain accurate forecasts of the hourly residential natural gas consumption, in Egypt, taken into consideration the volatile multiple seasonal nature of the gas series. This matter helps in both minimizing the cost of energy and maintaining the reliability of the Egyptian power system as well. Design/methodology/approach Double seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average-generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity model is used to obtain accurate forecasts of the hourly Egyptian gas consumption series. This model captures both daily and weekly seasonal patterns apparent in the series as well as the volatility of the series. Findings Using the mean absolute percentage error to check the forecasting accuracy of the model, it is proved that the produced outcomes are accurate. Therefore, the proposed model could be recommended for forecasting the Egyptian natural gas consumption. Originality/value The contribution of this research lies in the ingenuity of using time series models that accommodate both daily and weekly seasonal patterns, which have not been taken into consideration before, in addition to the series volatility to forecast hourly consumption of natural gas in Egypt.

Components of psychosocial health

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Waqar Husain
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychosocial Health ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Comprehensive Picture ◽  
Spiritual Satisfaction ◽  
Social Environmental

Purpose“Psychosocial health” is a new term to comprehend the already established factors involved in mental health and psychological well-being. The term has not been specifically defined and explained within the framework of psychology.Design/methodology/approachThe study proposed and validated a new model of psychosocial health. Principal component analysis, exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted by involving a total of 4,086 participants.FindingsPsychosocial health was interpreted as the “sexual, emotional, social, environmental, cognitive, religious, moral and spiritual satisfaction” of a person. The proposed model of psychosocial health was statistically validated. The additional findings revealed significantly higher levels of psychosocial health in women and significant inverse correlations between psychosocial health and age.Originality/valueThe current paper provided a comprehensive picture of psychosocial health from a psychological perspective and presented a statistically reliable tool for measuring psychosocial health.

The cost of corruption and undue private benefit: two hidden faces of the same mirror

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vicente Humberto Monteverde
Keyword(s):  
Public Works ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
Cost Models ◽  
Private Benefit ◽  
Cost Overruns ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social ◽  
Private Profit ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Practical Demonstration

Purpose The purpose of this study is to formulate the cost of corruption and undue private benefit. Design/methodology/approach The design is based on cost formulas of the corruption already formulated, and the design of these formulas allows the calculation for Argentina in 2021 of the cost of the corruption. Findings The corruption cost models for bribes and cost overruns for public works are the theoretical basis for obtaining the undue private benefit. Based on the formulas developed to calculate the costs of corruption for Argentina 2021. Research limitations/implications There are no limitations in the model. Practical implications In addition to the calculation of the cost of corruption, the formula of private profit undue by corruption is developed. Social implications The social implications are certainty about the cost of corruption for Argentina in 2021. Originality/value The present work is original and its value is given by the formulation and practical demonstration of the cost of corruption for Argentina in 2021 and the undue private benefit.

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