Efficient Ranking Research Articles

Geophysical investigation of aquifer flow unit characteristics in northern parts of Akwa Ibom State, Southern Nigeria

The heterogeneous nature of the aquifer system poses significant challenges to both aquifer delineation into hydraulic flow units (HFUs) and the assessment of groundwater flow efficiency. This heterogeneity leads to changes in aquifers’ hydraulic parameters, which include porosity, flow and storage capacities, permeability, flow Zone Indicator (FZI) and aquifer quality index (AQI). Thus, the key aim of this study is to examine aquifer flow unit characteristics in Ikot Ekpene and Obot Akara municipalities by categorizing the units into distinctive HFUs via the combined application of the electrical resistivity technology (ERT), Stratigraphic Modified Lorenz Plot (SMLP) and Flow Zone Indicator (FZI) techniques. The area is shown to comprise successions of three to four sandy layers with minor clay interbeddings at few locations from the ERT results. The aquifer units are found in layers two and three respectively at depths of between 1.6 and 30.2 m with 30.2–89.0 m thickness. The results of the FZI technique identify two distinct HFUs in the area with respective discrete rock typing (DRT) values of 14 and 15 whereas that of the SMLP method reveal 5 unique HFUs, each characterised by similar flow characteristics. The delineated flow units from the SMLP results are classified as conductors with a fair efficiency ranking. This ranking seems to correlate with the DRT results for the delineated unconsolidated sandy and gravelly sand aquifers, which are shown to be perfectly heterogeneous. These findings from this maiden study in the area are very promising and provide useful insights on groundwater flow characteristics in the area to assist groundwater resource regulating authorities and policy makers in making decisions on appropriate location of new water boreholes to satisfy the mushrooming water needs of the local population.

Research on Export Sophistication, Efficiency, and Potential of Agriculture Product Trade between South Korea and RCEP Countries: Based on the Stochastic Frontier Gravity Model

Purpose - This study examines the structure of agricultural export sophistication, export efficiency, and the potential of South Korea’s agricultural products for Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) countries. Design/Methodology – This study evaluates the agricultural export sophistication of RCEP countries and investigate export sophistication’s effects on the efficiency and potential of South Korea’s agricultural exports to RCEP countries. To this end, we construct a stochastic frontier gravity model (SFGM) based on panel data of agricultural product trade and other factors that impact agricultural imports and exports between South Korea and 36 countries from 2001 to 2020. Using this “one-step method” trade inefficiency model, we evaluate the impact of export sophistication on export efficiency and potential and calculate trade efficiency and potential. Findings – The results reveal a growing trend in the structure of global and RCEP countries’ agricultural export sophistication where the export sophistication of the target countries positively impacts Korea’s agricultural exports to those nations. In addition, RCEP member countries accounted for 50% of the top ten countries in the 2020 trade efficiency ranking, and the average trade efficiency of RCEP member countries show an upward trend. Originality/value - South Korea is geographically close to most RCEP countries, which facilitates agricultural trade. Moreover, there are significant differences in climate conditions and resource endowments between South Korea and most RCEP countries, providing opportunities for expanding agricultural trade with these nations. This study contributes to the extant literature by further exploring the trade efficiency and potential of Korea’s agricultural exports to RCEP countries by considering export sophistication as an important potential factor affecting the competitiveness of Korea’s agricultural exports and analyzing the relationship between the structure of export sophistication and the trade efficiency of Korea’s agricultural product exports to RCEP members.

Сучасний стан та особливості розвитку логістичної інфраструктури Малайзії

The aim of the article is to determine the current state and features of the development of the logistics infrastructure of Malaysia. During the analysis and generalization of scientific works of scientists, the definition of the concept of «logistics infrastructure» was considered. As a result of the study, the place of Malaysia in the Logistics Performance Index (LPI) is analyzed. Malaysia’s logistics infrastructure has undergone rapid development in recent years. Malaysia is one of the most developed countries in Southeast Asia in terms of logistics infrastructure. According to the logistics efficiency ranking analyzed by the World Bank, Malaysia ranked 26th in 2023. The main factors of development of the logistics infrastructure of Malaysia are considered. The dynamics of freight transportation by different modes of transport has been determined and analyzed. The country has access to the seas with a developed port infrastructure. Malaysia invests significant resources in the development of transport infrastructure, including ports, airports, roads, and railways. This contributes to improving the quality of logistics services. Regular investment in the development of logistics infrastructure and the introduction of modern technologies contribute to improving the efficiency of logistics processes, which is an important factor for the economic growth and development of Malaysia. Promising areas for the development of logistics infrastructure in Malaysia are: automation and digital technologies; the development of e-commerce that facilitates last-mile delivery; integration and cooperation within the supply chain; sustainability imperatives; talent development and upskilling, data analysis and predictive modeling. Malaysia occupies a strategic position in Southeast Asia, which makes it worthy of receiving the title of regional center.

The efficiency and the stability of efficiency rankings of Vietnamese commercial banks through mergers and acquisitions from 2008 to 2018

The efficiency and the stability of efficiency rankings of Vietnamese commercial banks through mergers and acquisitions from 2008 to 2018

The efficiency and the stability of efficiency rankings of Vietnamese commercial banks through mergers and acquisitions from 2008 to 2018

The efficiency and the stability of efficiency rankings of Vietnamese commercial banks through mergers and acquisitions from 2008 to 2018

The cross-efficiency evaluation model with judgmental information: Cooperative game and optimal coordination perspective

In the actual efficiency evaluation process, it frequently occurs that the quantitative input and output data of each decision-making unit is difficult to obtain due to the limitation in data measurement and the absence of prior information. Instead, the form of judgment information can be selected to express the input–output state of the evaluated decision-making units compared with the reference level. Traditional cross-efficiency evaluation methods do not involve this case and cannot be well used in this situation. Based on the above problems, a multiplicative cross-efficiency evaluation model with judgmental information is constructed, and the optimal adjustment model is provided by introducing deviation variables to deal with the inconsistent issue of data features. In addition, for the case of multiple optimal solutions, the maximizing and minimizing secondary objective models of the multiplicative cross-efficiency are established respectively to reasonably identify the corresponding optimal weights. Simultaneously, in order to effectively depict the interaction between decision-making units, the characteristic functions of JM-cross efficiency cooperative game and the multiplicative Shapley value are established based on benevolent and aggressive cross-efficiency matrices. Moreover, in order to avoid the extreme ranking results that are oriented by high impact decision-making units, a series of optimization coordination models are developed, and an optimal efficiency ranking vector generation method with strong applicability and decision flexibility is proposed. The optimal efficiency ranking vector not only creates a precise match with the given Shapley index of the multiplicative cross-efficiency game, but also bounds between the minimum and the maximum average efficiency. Finally, the validity and rationality of the discussed models are illustrated by a concrete example.

Whole ofgovernment approaches to accelerate adolescent success: efficiency andfinancing considerations.

The multiple domains of development covered by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) present a practical challenge for governments. This is particularly acute in highly resource-constrained settings which use a sector-by-sector approach to structure financing and prioritization. One potentially under-prioritized solution is to implement interventions with the potential to simultaneously improve multiple outcomes across sectors, what United Nations Development Programme refer to as development 'accelerators'. An increasing number of accelerators are being identified in the literature. There are, however, challenges associated with the evaluation and implementation of accelerators. First, as accelerators have multiple benefits, possibly in different sectors, they will be undervalued if the priority setting is conducted sector-by-sector. Second, even if their value is recognized, accelerators may not be adopted if doing so clashes with any of the multiple competing interests policymakers consider, of which efficiency/social desirability is but one. To illustrate the first challenge, and outline a possible solution, we conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis comparing the implementation of three sector-specific interventions to an accelerator, first using a sector-by-sector planning perspective, then a whole of government approach. The case study demonstrates how evaluating the cost-effectiveness of interventions sector-by-sector can lead to suboptimal efficiency rankings and overlook interventions that are efficient from a whole of government perspective. We then examine why recommendations based on a whole of government approach to evaluation are unlikely to be heeded. To overcome this second challenge, we outline a menu of existing and novel financing mechanisms that aim to address the mismatch between political incentives and logistical constraints in the priority setting and the economic evaluation evidence for cost-effective accelerators. These approaches to financing accelerators have the potential to improve efficiency, and in doing so, progress towards the SDGs, by aligning political incentives more closely with recommendations based on efficiency rankings.

Non‐performance loans, operation, and recycle efficiency analysis—Dynamic Two‐stage Directional Distance Function Recycle with Assurance Regions model

AbstractPrevious studies have failed to analyze a bank's operation performance and non‐performing loans at the same time. Therefore, this research uses the Dynamic Two‐stage directional distance function (DDF) Recycle with Assurance Regions (ARs) model to explore the efficiency of Taiwanese banks in their operation stage and recycling stage. The research results are as follows. (1) The six‐year overall average efficiency is .7966. Taipei Star Bank has the best efficiency, and Fubon, Bank SinoPac, and Union Bank have the worst efficiency rankings. (2) Most banks have good efficiency in the operation stage, while efficiency in the recovery cycle stage fluctuates.

Flood Attenuation Potential of Italian Dams: Sensitivity on Geomorphic and Climatological Factors

In this work the attenuation potential of flood peaks of 265 large reservoirs all over Italy is analysed, considering a flood management that excludes gates opening and then configures strictly unsupervised attenuation effects. Key factors of dams and related basins are considered to develop a ranking method that can emphasize the interplay between dam geometry and the hydrological processes acting in the upstream watershed. To maintain a homogeneous approach in such a wide geographic area, the attenuation index is computed applying the numerical solution of the differential equation of lakes and only two different standardized hydrograph shapes have been used. An index design flood from the rational method is used as the incoming peak value for each dam, enhancing the use of the results of a recent analysis of all Italian rainfall extremes. Even with a very simple approach, twenty-four different design incoming floods are derived, by varying the shape of the incoming hydrograph and the parameters of the rational method. Exploring the ranking results in all the alternatives, the attenuation potential obtained for all dams demonstrates to be strongly sensitive to the assumptions on the time of concentration and to some rainfall features. On the other hand, the hydrograph shape seems to exert much less influence on the ranking outcome. Results obtained can be useful to studies of wide-area flood frequency analyses, as we highlighted the sensitivity of the rank of attenuation efficiency to hydrologic parameters widely used in the assessment of the design flood peaks in ungauged basins.

A sustainable nanotechnology producing high-quality remediated sewage wastewater used for microalgal protein-rich biomass and biodiesel production

Water scarcity is a crucial environmental challenge. Wastewater remediation is an important way to tackle the challenge. Using nanoparticles of natural and agricultural wastes is considered a low-cost sustainable remediation technology. This study develops an effective prototype of a sustainable sewage wastewater (SWW) remediation process using zeolite and bagasse nanoparticles. All studied physico-chemical parameters and heavy metals of the SWW were reduced over the course of treatment with nanobagasse (NB), nanozeolite (NZ), and nanobagasse-nanozeolite double treatments (DT). After only 2 weeks of remediation, the chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD), total suspended solid (TSS), and total dissolved solid (TDS) concentrations were decreased (in NB 38, 33, 58, and 30%; in NZ 40, 30, 63, and 58%; and in DT 47, 38, 75, and 62%), respectively, compared to raw SWW. The DT for 4 and 6 weeks (DT4W and DT6W) show 0.94 and 0.67 Kelly ratios, respectively, which are suitable for irrigation. According to the water pollution index (WPI), all types of DT treatments produce excellent-quality water. DT6W recorded the highest significant rank of removal efficiency of COD, BOD, TSS, TDS, PO4, NO3, Ca, Mg, Na, Cu, Cd, Fe, and Ni (72.7, 59.6, 88.6, 74, 56.7, 88.2, 72.7, 58.7, 80.7, 94.6, 91.1, 65.3, and 84.4%). This remediated water may be used directly for irrigation or other purposes. Also, this study proves that DT4W and DT6W are suitable for Chlorella sorokiniana growth and production of safe protein-rich biomass, 26 and 31.8% protein, respectively. DT for 2, 4, and 6 weeks are suitable growth media for C. sorokiniana to produce diesel engines’ compatible biodiesel. Finally, this recent study presents an interpretation of the physiological status of C. sorokiniana cells grown in the raw SWW and DT media.

DEA에 의한 전통시장의 효율성측정 개선에 관한 연구

In order to increase the effectiveness of traditional market policies, in which enormous funds are invested, it can be said that objective and transparent performance evaluation of traditional markets takes precedence. This study proposed two improvements to the existing DEA method in order to improve efficiency studies on traditional markets. In other words, by using a two-step approach using bootstrap, we first calculated the bias-corrected efficiency and examined how external environmental factors affect the efficiency of the traditional market. First, in order to improve the current DEA efficiency index, which is overestimated based on a finite number of samples, we tried to obtain a bias-corrected efficiency index through bootstrapping. This improvement has caused significant changes in the efficiency rankings among existing traditional markets. Second, truncated regression analysis was conducted by bootstrapping to explain the differences in efficiency between traditional markets that inevitably occur depending on the external environment such as location of traditional markets. As a result, it was found that the existence of large retail stores had a negative effect on the efficiency of traditional markets, while the existence of public facilities and transportation facilities had a positive effect on efficiency. If such an external environment becomes an important cause for the difference in efficiency between traditional markets, regardless of internal management efforts in traditional markets, it can be said that appropriate adjustments and modifications are required in performance evaluation.

A Comparative Study on the Efficiency of Health Care Systems in OECD Countries Against COVID-19

Abstract Background COVID-19 has resulted in more than 670 million confirmed cases and more than 6.8 million deaths worldwide as of March 2023. This pandemic situation has put a significant strain on health care systems in each country, and the crises experienced by the USA, Britain and Italy have shown that even developed countries’ systems can collapse. This this study aims to measure and evaluate the performance of OECD countries’ health care systems against COVID-19 in terms of relative efficiency. Methods This study uses DEA to measure and compare the relative efficiency of national health care systems in response to COVID-19. We calculate technical, pure technical, scale, and super efficiency ranks based on the CCR, BCC, and Super-SBM models. The input variables are COVID-19-related health expenses, ICUs, facilities and equipment, and the number of examiners, and the output variable is the excess mortality rate due to COVID-19 of 2020, one year. Results According to the CCR model, two of the 20 analyzed countries, including Denmark and Iceland, are 100% efficient, and the remaining 18 countries are relatively inefficient. The average of technological efficiency is 0.26. According to the BCC model, a total of 10 countries are 100% efficient. The average of pure technical efficiency is 0.71. As a result of measuring the efficiency of scale, Denmark and Iceland are 100% efficient, and the remaining 18 countries are relatively inefficient. The average scale efficiency is 0.28. The super-efficiency ranking was followed by Denmark, Iceland, Korea and, etc. Conclusions When the analysis results were classified by health security system again, efficiency was high in the order of NHS, NHI, and SHI. When classified by financing sources and service provider, it was confirmed that tax-type countries were more efficient than insurance-type countries, and public supply-oriented countries were more efficient than private supply-oriented countries. Key messages • The efficiency of health care system of OECD countries against COVID-19 was measured, and the causes of performance were explored in terms of the structure of the system. • Through this, we intend to derive policy implications that can maintain the sustainability of the health care system in the face of health security crises such as the pandemic.

Uncovering the global ranking of greenhouse gases intensity, efficiency and structural transformation

This study incorporated the index decomposition analysis to drive the GHGs emissions intensity and separate the impact into true efficiency and structural transformation of economic activities on GHGs emissions. The global perspective is investigated in three aspects; (i) global groups of countries regarding income level, (ii) global countries bifurcated into geo-political regions and, (iii) hundred countries are taken to perform individual country level analysis, by taking 20 years (2000–2019) data. The hundred countries are ranked regarding GHGs intensity, efficiency and economic activities with respect to (i) for the latest year performance, (ii) twenty years average performance and, (iii) annual average reduction of GHGs emissions, comparable with base year 2000. Income-based countries groups explicate the improvement of GHGs intensity for HIC only and the economic transformation contributed to it. Efficiency index for all income groups while economic activities of LMIC, MIC and UMIC deteriorated the GHGs emissions. Global geo-political regions explicate the mixed pattern of GHGs intensity. Efficiency index is best for Azerbaijan and least for Uzbekistan. While ranking average GHGs emission reduction countries; Zimbabwe is the best and Qatar is the last country in the intensity list.

Efficiency ranking of economic growth toward sustainable growth with grey system theory: the case of small countries in advanced and emerging economies

Abstract The article refers to the new Synthetic Efficiency Indicator for Economic Growth (SEI-EG) proposed in an earlier publication. Research from 2016–2018 in 11 EU countries revealed small nations were notably more effective at sustainable growth than their larger counterparts. This prompted the authors to ask about the differences between small countries with developed economies and small countries with lower levels of development joining the EU in 2004. The article aims to determine the relative efficiency of transforming growth inputs and debt into sustainability outcomes for small countries in the EU using the SEI-EG index over the period 2016–2020. The study group symmetrically includes six countries each from developed economies and six countries that joined the EU in 2004. The adopted indicator complements the expanded SDGs and aligns with the trend linking research inputs to sustainable development effects.

Intertemporal environmental efficiency assessment in China: A new network-based dynamic super-efficiency measure.

In order to make a complete ranking of intertemporal environmental efficiency in a dynamic manner, this paper combines the network-based dynamic data envelopment analysis (DEA), super-efficiency with the unified efficiency under natural and managerial disposability, and designs a dynamic DEA model and the corresponding dynamic super-efficiency DEA model. Compared with previous studies, the proposed measure can fully rank the overall environmental efficiency of all decision making units (DMUs) in a dynamic manner, and more importantly, it provides the information about when and what factors lead to inefficiency or efficiency of DMUs. The proposed models are applied to examine the environmental efficiency of 30 provinces in China from 2008 to 2017. The results show that there are significant regional differences of environmental efficiency in China. In addition, slack analysis shows that most eastern efficient provinces have no obvious advantages in energy consumption, labor and waste water emission; most central and western efficient provinces have no advantages in sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions and GDP. To improve overall efficiency, eastern inefficient provinces should mainly focus on reducing energy consumption, SO2 emissions and labor, and increasing capital investment in right years, central and western inefficient provinces can focus on reducing SO2 emissions and labor in most years, most of provinces need to increase gross domestic capital formation.

Development of an efficiency ranking system for beef cows and effects on feed intake, ruminal fermentation, NDF turnover, and apparent total tract digestibility

Beef cows ( n = 100) were ranked for efficiency based on cow rump fat thickness at calving, calving date, and calf weaning weight (% dam BW) over 2 years. The nine most (ME) and least efficient (LE) cows were used to compare feed intake and ruminal fermentation using four 26-day periods with decreasing dietary nutrient density. There were no phenotype × diet interactions for variables of primary interest. Rump fat and calf weaning weight were greater, and the calving date was earlier for ME cows than LE cows ( P ≤ 0.032). The ME cows were lighter ( P < 0.001) but had similar DMI ( P = 0.93) to the LE cows, resulting in greater dry matter intake (DMI) %BW ( P < 0.001). Ruminal contraction amplitude height and area ( P ≤ 0.015) and ruminal digesta weight were greater for LE than ME cows ( P = 0.043). Ruminal ash-free neutral detergent fiber (aNDFom) passage was greater for ME cows than LE cows ( P = 0.047), but the rate of aNDFom degradation did not differ ( P = 0.69). Total tract digestibility did not differ. Efficient cows had greater rump fat, weaned heavier calves, ate more relative to their BW, had a smaller ruminal digesta mass, and had greater ruminal passage of aNDFom without reducing digestibility.

Assessing Farm Efficiency Through Quantities or Revenues and Costs: Does It Matter?

AbstractWe examined the effect of using input and output quantities as compared with costs and revenues when estimating farm-level efficiency scores and ranking. We used farm-level data from the 2015 Ethiopia Rural Socioeconomic Survey (ERSS) where production inputs and outputs in quantities as well as monetary units could be distinguished. Average technical efficiency scores of 72.2% and 68.6%, respectively, were found for analysis based on quantities and on costs and revenues. Efficiency ranking differed significantly. Results suggest that type of data compilation introduces bias to the efficiency assessment and that conclusions may be unclear, which complicates policy advice.

Effects of anesthetic adjunctive agents on postoperative cognitive dysfunction in elderly patients undergoing noncardiac surgery: A Bayesian network meta-analysis.

Elderly patients are prone to postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD). The comparison of the effects of anesthetic adjuvant drugs on POCD in elderly patients undergoing noncardiac surgery remains controversial. The final search took place on June 10, 2023. Randomized controlled trials including ketamine, ulinastatin, dexmedetomidine, parecoxib, and midazolam on the prevention and treatment of POCD in elderly undergoing noncardiac surgery were collected. A Bayesian network meta-analysis was performed to quantitatively combine the evidence. A total of 35 randomized trials were finally included in this systematic review, and the overall risk of bias is Allocation concealment. These anesthetic adjuvant drugs did not show significant differences in preventing POCD on postoperative days 1 and 7 compared with each other, but ulinastatin may be more effective in preventing POCD than dexmedetomidine [odds ratio (OR)=0.28, 95% confidence interval (CI)=(0.10, 0.71)] and parecoxib [OR=0.3, 95% CI=(0.10, 0.82 on postoperative day 3. The efficiency ranking results also find that ulinastatin and ketamine might provide better effects regarding POCD prevention. Ketamine and ulinastatin might have better effects in preventing POCD in elderly patients undergoing noncardiac surgery. Our meta-analysis provided evidence for the use of ulinastatin and ketamine in the prevention of POCD in elderly patients undergoing noncardiac surgery.

Determining the effectiveness of countries in combating pandemics: COVID-19 case

The aim of this study is to develop a multidimensional integrated efficiency analysis (MDIEA) model to be implemented when a pandemic breaks out. The first phase of the model involved the determination of input and output criteria that might affect the course of combat against the pandemic. Two methods were employed in the second phase: the CRITIC method, which uses objective values to determine criteria weights; and, the Fuzzy SWARA method, which is based on subjective values and decision-makers opinions due to the assumption that the criteria might not be determined precisely and completely. The subjective and objective criteria weights obtained from these two methods were combined using the SOWIA method so that integrated criteria weights could be determined. In the third phase, three separate efficiency rankings were obtained using EATWOS, OCRA, and FDEA methods depending on the criteria weights. In the fourth phase, these efficiency rankings were combined by employing the TPOP method to obtain one single precise ranking. The previous studies mostly analyzed the efficiency of countries by using one single efficiency method, where, the model proposed in this study determines countries’ efficiency by employing three different efficiency analysis methods together; it makes use of different points of view and different calculation procedures of different methods. As another aspect, rural population ratio, diabetes prevalence rate, proportion of the population over 65 years old, number of intensive care beds and number of vaccine doses are study-specific criteria, unlike other studies. The present study is expected to contribute to the literature since it is the first study that proposes a model to evaluate the performances of countries during pandemics. The proposed model was implemented to assess OECD countries’ efficiency in their fight against COVID-19, which was a prevailing crisis worldwide. When all the obtained results are considered, it is difficult to claim that one single criterion is effective in combating the pandemic. For an effective fight against the pandemic, it is of great importance to keep the rate of infection and therefore the number of infected people under control. It is also possible for countries to change their policies or adopt stricter policies to contain the spread of the virus.

The Relationship between the Budgetary Fiscal Policy and Macroeconomic Indicators, a Comparative Study of Germany-France versus Romania-Bulgaria

Abstract Fiscal-budgetary policy in the current economic context is a challenge for all EU27 governments. The literature, although consistent on this topic, still does not provide sufficient modeling-based solutions for decision-makers. The objectives of the study are to identify relevant indicators for fiscal-budgetary policy analysis, to build a related statistical database, to conceptualize a fiscal-budgetary policy efficiency model, to test and validate this model and the working hypotheses, to formulate relevant conclusions on the influence of macroeconomic indicators on fiscal-budgetary policy elements and to establish a ranking of fiscal-budgetary efficiency at the level of the four Member States in the European context. As a result, our scientific approach becomes necessary and is based on econometric research on the correlations between fiscal-budgetary policy elements and the evolution of macroeconomic indicators. The main results of the study are the conceptualization of the regional model of correlation between budgetary fiscal policy and macro indicators and the identification of the differentiated influences of macroeconomic elements on the fiscal-budgetary policy according to the level of development of the Member States. The results are useful for supranational decision-makers in setting medium- and long-term fiscal and budgetary policy measures, as well as for economic entities that can adjust their macroeconomic risk behavior and future economic development strategies based on this information.