Eco-efficiency measurement and improvement of Chinese industry using a new closest target method

Author(s):  
Beibei Xiong ◽  
Yongli Li ◽  
Ernesto D.R. Santibanez Gonzalez ◽  
Malin Song

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to measure Chinese industries’ eco-efficiency during 2006-2013. The Chinese industry attained rapid achievement in recent decades, but meanwhile, overconsumption of energy and environmental pollution have become serious problems. To solve these problems, many research studies used the data envelopment analysis (DEA) to measure the Chinese industry’s eco-efficiency. However, because the target set by these works is usually the furthest one for a province to be efficient, it may hardly be accepted by any province. Design/methodology/approach This paper builds a new “closest target method” based on an additive DEA model considering the undesirable outputs. This method is a mixed-integer programming problem which can measure the ecological efficiency of provinces and more importantly guide the province to perform efficiently with minimum effort. Findings The results show that the eco-efficiency of Chinese provinces increased at the average level, but the deviations remained at a larger value. Compared to the “furthest” target methods, the targets by the approach proposed by this study are more acceptable for a province to improve its performance on both economy and environment counts. Originality/value This study is the first attempt to introduce the closest targets concept to measure the eco-efficiency and set the target for each provincial industry in China.

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 114-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianfeng Zheng ◽  
Cong Fu ◽  
Haibo Kuang

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the location of regional and international hub ports in liner shipping by proposing a hierarchical hub location problem. Design/methodology/approach This paper develops a mixed-integer linear programming model for the authors’ proposed problem. Numerical experiments based on a realistic Asia-Europe-Oceania liner shipping network are carried out to account for the effectiveness of this model. Findings The results show that one international hub port (i.e. Rotterdam) and one regional hub port (i.e. Zeebrugge) are opened in Europe. Two international hub ports (i.e. Sokhna and Salalah) are located in Western Asia, where no regional hub port is established. One international hub port (i.e. Colombo) and one regional hub port (i.e. Cochin) are opened in Southern Asia. One international hub port (i.e. Singapore) and one regional hub port (i.e. Jakarta) are opened in Southeastern Asia and Australia. Three international hub ports (i.e. Hong Kong, Shanghai and Yokohama) and two regional hub ports (i.e. Qingdao and Kwangyang) are opened in Eastern Asia. Originality/value This paper proposes a hierarchical hub location problem, in which the authors distinguish between regional and international hub ports in liner shipping. Moreover, scale economies in ship size are considered. Furthermore, the proposed problem introduces the main ports.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Godfrey Chagwiza ◽  
Chipo Chivuraise ◽  
Christopher T. Gadzirayi

In this paper, a feed ration problem is presented as a mixed integer programming problem. An attempt to find the optimal quantities of Moringa oleifera inclusion into the poultry feed ration was done and the problem was solved using the Bat algorithm and the Cplex solver. The study used findings of previous research to investigate the effects of Moringa oleifera inclusion in poultry feed ration. The results show that the farmer is likely to gain US$0.89 more if Moringa oleifera is included in the feed ration. Results also show superiority of the Bat algorithm in terms of execution time and number of iterations required to find the optimum solution as compared with the results obtained by the Cplex solver. Results revealed that there is a significant economic benefit of Moringa oleifera inclusion into the poultry feed ration.


Author(s):  
Yinping Gao ◽  
Daofang Chang ◽  
Jun Yuan ◽  
Chengji Liang

With the rapid growth of containers and scarce of land, the underground container logistics system (UCLS) presents a logical alternative for container terminals to better protect the environment and relieve traffic pressure. The operating efficiency of container terminals is one of the competitive edges over other terminals, which requires UCLS to be well integrated with the handling process of the storage yard. In UCLS, yard trucks (YTs) serve different handling points dynamically instead of one fixed handling point, and yard cranes (YCs) perform loading and unloading simultaneously. To minimize the total time of handling all containers in UCLS, the mixed integer programming problem is described and solved using an adaptive genetic algorithm (AGA). The convergence speed and accuracy of AGA are demonstrated by comparison with conventional genetic algorithm (GA). Additionally, AGA and CPLEX are compared with different scale cases. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm is superior to CPLEX in resulted solutions and calculation time. A sensitivity analysis is provided to obtain reasonable numbers of YTs for scheduling between handling points and the storage yard in UCLS.


2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 891-909 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justo De Jorge-Moreno ◽  
Virignia De Jorge-Huertas

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to conduct a benchmark analysis of European cities based on the estimation of a composite index of efficiency from the dimensions of the Cultural and Creative Cities Monitor 2017 (CCCM). The study helps to initiate a new exploration path based on this information, using a segmentation criterion of countries according to their economic and demographic characteristics, in search of greater comparative homogeneity.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper, the metafrontier methodological proposal with data envelopment analysis (DEA) has been used to compare the groups of cities individually with their joint reference.FindingsThe results obtained indicate, from a greater control of heterogeneity, through the segmentation of the sample of cities and the metafrontier methodology, that the composite index (IEC3) through the enveloping data analysis methodology (DEA) is more robust than that obtained with the arbitrary assignment of CCCM weights. The analyses carried out make it possible to study and conduct more real and rigorous comparisons of the cities that experience the best practices, unlike other more distant ones. Reference to cities such as Paris, Louvain and Cork could serve as a basis for possible improvements.Originality/valueIt is important to bear in mind that the possible urban policies of a city and the creative strategies and their derived impact are different, because of the diversity in each city. These new comparability possibilities could serve as a tool for economic policy makers, companies and local managers to carry out learning and simulation processes in the improvement of creative cities.


2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 573-591
Author(s):  
Micael Queiroga dos Santos ◽  
Xosé A. Rodríguez ◽  
Ana Marta-Costa

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to estimate and analyse the technical efficiency (TE) component of productivity for a sample of winegrowers from the Douro Demarcated Region in Portugal. Design/methodology/approach The data were collected through face-to-face surveys and includes a sample of 110 farmers’ vineyards with specific input-output information and other data about production systems during the year of 2017. The authors use a two-stage data envelopment analysis using bootstrap techniques to obtain TE scores in the farmers’ vineyards and to examine the determinants of its efficiency. Findings The results show that some farmers’ vineyards have a low efficiency level and that there are essential determinants of the production system, which can influence its efficiency. This suggests considerable opportunities for improvement of wine grape productivity through better use of available resources considering the state of technology. Originality/value This work has overcome the lack of data in the farmers’ vineyards, the lack of efficiency studies in the region and also allowed to evaluate the production systems and to assess their impact on efficiency.


2013 ◽  
Vol 385-386 ◽  
pp. 999-1006
Author(s):  
Wei Wang ◽  
Ting Yu ◽  
Tian Jiao Pu ◽  
Ai Zhong Tian ◽  
Ji Keng Lin

Controlled partitioning strategy is one of the effective measures taken for the situation when system out-of-step occurs. The complete splitting model, mostly solved by approximate decomposition algorithms, is a large-scale nonlinear mixed integer programming problem. A new alternate optimization method based on master-slave problem to search for optimal splitting strategy is proposed hereby. The complete model was converted into master-slave problems based on CGKP (Connected Graph Constrained Knapsack Problem). The coupling between master problem and slave problem is achieved through load adjustment. A better splitting strategy can be obtained through the alternating iteration between the master problem and the salve problem. The results of the examples show that the method can obtain better splitting strategy with less shed load than other approximate algorithms, which verifies the feasibility and effectiveness of the new approach presented.


2008 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 160-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Athanasios G. Noulas ◽  
Niki Glaveli ◽  
Ioannis Kiriakopoulos

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the cost efficiency of 58 branches of a major Greek commercial bank, in six major Greek cities, for the years 2000 and 2001.Design/methodology/approachThe efficiency is measured through the data envelopment analysis (DEA) method. Using regression analysis, the effect of size on cost efficiency is also examined.FindingsThe results indicate that there is a room for substantial efficiency improvements. The average inefficiency is about 30 per cent. It has also been observed that rural branches tend, on average, to be more efficient than urban branches.Research limitations/implicationsA direction of future research would be to extend the analysis of determinants of bank branch efficiency in order to investigate the role that the region and the characteristics of the branch play in relation to efficiency.Originality/valueThe paper provides a comparative evaluation of the efficiency of 58 branches of a major Greek commercial bank using the DEA method.


2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ioannis Tsolas

Purpose – This paper aims to assess two distinct aspects of performance in terms of technical (sales) efficiency and efficiency in market value generation of a sample of Greek metallurgical firms listed on the Athens Exchange by using data envelopment analysis (DEA). Design/methodology/approach – Both aspects of performance are measured by employing the DEA BCC model, combined with bootstrap and generalized proportional distance function (GPDF). Statistical analysis is performed to investigate whether there is a positive link between the two examined performance dimensions. Findings – Inefficiency is uncovered in both performance dimensions, but there is a lower level of performance in market value generation than in technical efficiency. Correlation analysis results do not point out positive links between performance measures for the sample firms. Research limitations/implications – The derived performance measures allow firm managers to set their own priorities and to seek out improvements along the two dimensions of performance; moreover, they may contribute to the reduction of information asymmetry among investors. Originality/value – This paper is one of a few that investigate the link between DEA-based sales performance and performance in market value generation. It contributes methodologically through the adoption of fundamental analysis principles in estimating efficiency in the two performance dimensions and the development of a DEA efficiency model in the presence of negative data.


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