Efficiency Gap Research Articles

Government procurement and zombie firms' productivity: Evidence from China

AbstractThe growing number of zombie firms has severely hampered economic growth in most countries, especially after the COVID‐19 pandemic when zombie firms increased dramatically. Improving the productivity of zombie firms has become a major concern around the world. This paper, using Chinese government procurement contract data and listed firm data, empirically investigates the relationship between government procurement and zombie firms' productivity. The research findings indicate that government procurement can improve zombie firms' productivity and narrow the production efficiency gap with non‐zombie firms. This impact is more pronounced for local and low‐level government clients. Our research further investigates the channels through which government procurement improves zombie firms' productivity. The results demonstrate that government procurement promotes productivity by enhancing technological innovation, improving sales performance, and increasing market supervision. Additionally, this study identifies that government procurement exhibits a spillover effect, which enhances the productivity of non‐zombie firms within the same city. These findings contribute significantly to bridging the existing knowledge gap regarding the impact of government procurement on the productivity of zombie firms. Furthermore, the results offer innovative strategies for policy makers to address the challenges posed by zombie firms.

Socio-economic inequalities in climate policies: unpacking energy efficiency barriers in low-income households

ABSTRACT While it seems sensible for households to invest in energy-efficient appliances if for nothing else than to save money, many do not. Studying this from the perspective of Low-income Households (LIH) is of particular interest as it must be recognized that they face a different set of barriers. This paper establishes that there is an energy efficiency gap in LIH and the analysis of survey results revealed a few key reasons as to why this is the case based on an analysis of the interrelationship between the barriers. The findings of this study not only show that any single policy is unable to address the energy efficiency gap for LIH, it also sheds light on the importance of considering the interactions between different factors affecting sustainable consumption decision-making for LIH for policy-making. This paper argues that a policy toolkit must be adopted to address these different factors simultaneously.

A High-Performance Organic Photovoltaic System with Versatile Solution Processability.

Recently developed organic photovoltaic (OPV) materials have simultaneously closed the gaps in efficiency, stability, and cost for single-junction devices. Nonetheless, the developed OPV materials still pose big challenges in meeting the requirements for practical applications, especially regarding the prevalent issues of solution processability. Herein, a highly efficient polymer donor, named DP3, incorporating an electron-rich benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']dithiophene unit as well as two similar and simple acceptor units is presented. Its primary objective is to enhance the interchain and/or intrachain interactions and ultimately fine-tune bulk-heterojunction microstructure. The DP3:L8-BO system demonstrates the highest power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 19.12%. This system also exhibits high-performance devices with over 18% efficiencies for five batches with various molecular weights (23.6-80.8KDa), six different blend thicknesses (95-308nm), differenced coating speeds (3.0-29.1mmin-1), with promising PCEs of 18.65% and 15.53% for toluene-processed small-area (0.029cm2) cells and large-area (15.40cm2) modules, thereby demonstrating versatile solution processability of the designed DP3:L8-BO system that is a strong candidate for commercial applications.

Quantum Computational and Spectroscopic Investigation of 3-aminosalicylic Acid.

Quantum chemical calculations of3-aminosalicylic acid (3ASA) (monomer and dimer forms) have been performed using DFT and TD-DFT theories with B3LYP/6-311 G(d,p) functional level in the ground and excited states. Using TD-DFT with IEF-PCM model, the electronic spectra of 3ASA in solvents were computed and correlated with the experimental data. The theoretically calculated absorption and emission maxima of 3ASA (monomer) are observed in the range of 343- 347nm (S0 → S1 transition) and 429- 448nm (S1 → S0 transition), respectively. The natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis shows that charge transfer interaction contributes significantly to stabilize the molecular system. In the case of dimer, hydrogen bonding plays a dominant role in stabilizing the molecular framework. Additionally, the obtained nonlinear optical (NLO) properties: polarizability (13.86 × 10-24 e.s.u for monomer and 29.46 × 10-24 e.s.u. for dimer), first-order hyperpolarizability (4.21 × 10-30 e.s.u for monomer and 0.18 × 10-30 e.s.u for dimer) and second-order hyperpolarizability (7.44 × 10-36 e.s.u. for monomer and 14.32 × 10-36 e.s.u. for dimer) were found to be larger than those of standard organic compounds suggesting that 3ASA has a significant NLO character for optoelectronic applications. The NLO properties of dimer may differ from monomer due to dimerization. Further, the radiative lifetime, light harvesting efficiency and band gap energy were calculated, and proposed that 3ASA may be useful in photovoltaics and wide bandgap power devices. HIGHLIGHTS: • DFT and TD-DFT theories were employed to calculate structural and molecular properties of 3ASA (monomer and dimer) in ground and excited states. • HOMO-LUMO study shows monomer and dimer of 3ASA are good reactive. • NBO analysis reflects that charge transfer interactions stabilized the 3ASA molecule. • Electronic absorption/emission spectra in solvents calculated by IEF-PCM/TD-DFT method correlate with experimental results. • Calculated NLO parameters suggested that 3ASA is a potential candidate for NLO material.

RESOURCE USE EFFICIENCY IN IMPROVE HYBRID TOMATO PRODUCTION IN AKWA IBOM STATE, SOUTHERN REGION OF NIGERIA

The study estimates the technical efficiency of tomato farmers in Akwa Ibom State in the Southern Region of Nigeria. One hundred and twenty tomato farmers were randomly selected using multistage sampling technique. Descriptive statistics and maximum likelihood estimation of the stochastic Cobb- Douglas production function were used to analyze the collected data. The results of socioeconomic characteristics showed that male farmers dominated tomato cultivation in the region. The majority of farmers were relatively young, educated, and had moderate household size but low social capital accumulation. The empirical results identified seeds, manure, fertilizer, farm size, hired labour and family labour as significant inputs in tomato production. The study found decreasing return to scale in tomato production in the region. An average technical efficiency index of 0.797 was estimated, which corresponds to an efficiency gap of approximately 20.30%. Determinants of technical efficiency were: farming experience, socialization, education, training, farm income, household size and non-farm income. To increase the technical efficiency of tomato farmers, it is recommended that they should be encouraged to join existing cooperatives to obtain production information that would improve their technical efficiency; and providing formal education, especially in rural areas, would encourage tomato farmers to update their knowledge and acquire more skills necessary for efficient management of farm resources.

Banking efficiency, ownership types, and operations: A quasi-natural experiment of conventional and Islamic banks

This study examines the banking efficiency of different ownership types and operations in an emerging market in South Asia. It further explores the moderating effect of Islamic banking operations on such relationships. The effects of banking regulatory developments on banking efficiency are also examined through a quasi-natural experiment approach. Using 533 banking unit observations of banks for FY 2002/2003 to 2017/2018 period, and applying the data envelopment analysis (DEA) method for banking efficiency and Tobit regression, the findings document that the banking efficiency of the state-owned conventional banks outperforms privately-owned domestic banks, as well as conventional domestically owned banks (state-owned and privately-owned banks) outperforms the foreign-owned banks. Again, the banking efficiency outperformance of the conventional banking operation over the Islamic banking operation is found. However, the outperformance of conventional state-owned banks diminishes with the moderation of Islamic banking operations. Additionally, the quasi-natural experiment with difference-in-difference (DID) regression result reveals that the banking efficiency of Islamic banks and conventional state-owned banks has improved during the post-regulatory period and reduced the efficiency gap between them (in favor of conventional banks). However, the banking efficiency of conventional state-owned banks offering Islamic banking services has diminished in the post-regulatory period. These findings remain robust during the global financial crisis (GFC) and non-GFC periods. Overall, the results add a new dimension to the banking efficiency and regulatory development research for the policymakers and regulators in the financial services sector.

Evaluating China's primary healthcare services' efficiency and spatial correlation: a three-stage DEA-Malmquist model.

Enhancing the efficiency of primary healthcare services is essential for a populous and developing nation like China. This study offers a systematic analysis of the efficiency and spatial distribution of primary healthcare services in China. It elucidates the fundamental landscape and regional variances in efficiency, thereby furnishing a scientific foundation for enhancing service efficiency and fostering coordinated regional development. Employs a three-stage DEA-Malmquist model to assess the efficiency of primary healthcare services across 31 provincial units in mainland China from 2012 to 2020. Additionally, it examines the spatial correlation of efficiency distribution using the Moran Index. The efficiency of primary healthcare services in China is generally suboptimal with a noticeable declining trend, highlighting significant potential for improvement in both pure technical efficiency and scale efficiency. There is a pronounced efficiency gap among provinces, yet a positive spatial correlation is evident. Regionally, efficiency ranks in the order of East > Central > West. Factors such as GDP per capita and population density positively influence efficiency enhancements, while urbanization levels and government health expenditures appear to have a detrimental impact. The application of the three-stage DEA-Malmquist model and the Moran Index not only expands the methodological framework for researching primary healthcare service efficiency but also provides scientifically valuable insights for enhancing the efficiency of primary healthcare services in China and other developing nations.

Impact of spouses' access to financial services on technological and managerial gaps in rice production

AbstractThe study investigates the effect of the spouse's access to financial services via self‐help groups (SHGs) on technical efficiency, technology and managerial gaps. We use farm‐level data from rice farming households in eastern India, propensity score matching method and selectivity‐corrected stochastic production frontier model. Results show that farms with access to financial services via a spouse's membership in SHGs have slightly higher technical efficiency than their counterparts. Technology and managerial gaps are higher for farms where spouses have access to financial services via SHGs than their counterparts. With access to financial services via spouses, rice farmers reallocated family labour and hired more labour for crop establishment. Thus, women joining SHGs can increase crop productivity, and extension agents should also focus on spouses and their role in farming decision‐making, not just financial management.

An examination of health care efficiency in Canada: a two-stage semi-parametric approach.

Using data envelopment analysis, we examine the efficiency of Canada's universal health care system by considering a set of labour (physicians) and capital (beds) inputs, which produce a level of care (measured in terms of health quality and quantity) in a given region. Data from 2013-2015 were collected from the Canadian Institute for Health Information regarding inputs and from the Canadian Community Health Survey and Statistics Canada regarding our output variables, health utility (quality) and life expectancy (quantity). We posit that variation in efficiency scores across Canada is the result of regional heterogeneity regarding socioeconomic and demographic disparities. Regressing efficiency scores on such covariates suggests that regional unemployment and an older population are quite impactful and associated with less efficient health care production. Moreover, regional variation indicates the Atlantic provinces (Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick) are quite inefficient, have poorer economic prospects, and tend to have an older population than the rest of Canada. Oaxaca-Blinder decompositions suggest that the latter two factors explain about one-third of this efficiency gap. Based on our two-stage semi-parametric analysis, we recommend Canada adjust their transfer payments to reflect these disparities, thereby potentially reducing inequality in regional efficiency.

Trends in mass utilization of a magnetically shielded Hall thruster operating on xenon and krypton

The trends in mass utilization with increasing discharge voltage and current are investigated for a magnetically shielded Hall thruster operating on xenon and krypton. A 9 kW class shielded thruster is operated with discharge voltages from 300 to 600 V and discharge currents from 15 to 30 A on xenon and krypton. Experimental measurements of discharge current, thrust, anode efficiency, and ion velocity as a function of axial position are used to calibrate a multi-fluid 2D Hall thruster code at all operating conditions. The results of these calibrated simulations are employed to interrogate the plasma properties inside the thruster channel. A simplified 0D model for mass utilization evaluated on spatial averages of the simulated plasma parameters is employed to interpret the response of this efficiency mode with power for each propellant. It is found that with both higher voltage and current, mass utilization increases for both gases and their relative gap in this efficiency decreases. This can be attributed to the higher plasma densities and ionization rate coefficients at high voltage, and solely to higher plasma densities at high current. The driving factors for the increase in mass utilization are examined in the context of its nonlinear response to internal plasma properties. The behavior of mass utilization is also discussed in context of the gap in overall efficiency between the propellants. Finally, the implications of these results for improving the performance of high power Hall thrusters operating on krypton are examined.

Does the Trade of Livestock Products Enhance Micro-Nutrient Availability While Minimizing Environmental Impact?

Providing sufficient, high-quality food without compromising efforts in climate change and environmental pollution control is a long-term imperative for humanity. Livestock product trade may help bridge the gap in micro-nutrient supply; however, its potential environmental impacts remain underexplored. Using data from 200 countries and 77 different livestock commodities from 1961 to 2019, this study uncovers the impact of livestock trade on micro-nutrient productivity per livestock unit and per feed nitrogen input. Our results indicate that livestock trade has improved productivity for all seven studied micro-nutrients over the past 59 years, except for vitamin A. This improvement has led to a substantial reduction in the number of livestock units and feed nitrogen requirements needed to deliver the same amount of micro-nutrients, thereby reducing related greenhouse gas emissions and nitrogen losses globally. Generally, livestock trade has become more optimal and functional in terms of livestock productivity and feed use efficiency, particularly in the most recent decade, although there were slight differences between various micro-nutrients. We recommend continuing and potentially increasing international livestock trade, given the higher efficiency gap between exporting and importing countries; however, this should be structured more appropriately.

Interfacial toughening for high-efficiency perovskite solar modules

The distinctive benefits of perovskite solar cells, such as their lightweight nature, high flexibility, and ease of deformation, have garnered significant interest. These characteristics make them well-suited for use in portable electronic devices. Nevertheless, a large efficiency gap still exists between laboratory-based small cells and industrial-oriented large-scale modules. One of the primary reasons for the efficiency losses is the limited adhesion at the brittle interface between the perovskite layer and hole transport layer. Herein, potassium acetate is selected to tailor the interface of perovskite/hole transport layer. The presence of potassium acetate between the perovskite layer and hole transport layer has the potential to enhance the p-type perovskite interface. The strengthening of the interface contact could be verified by the utilization of KPFM and DFT calculations. As a result, the charge separation is accelerated associated with the substantial enhancement in Voc from 1.118 V to 1.139 V and the power conversion efficiency of the solar cell has been enhanced, resulting in an increase from 23.76% to 24.81%. Additionally, the perovskite solar module exhibits little loss, with an efficiency of 21.13% with an aperture area of 29.0 cm2.

Economic efficiency of rice production among the small-scale women farmers in the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria

This study evaluated the economic efficiency of rice production among the small-scale women farmers in the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 100 small-scale women rice farmers. The primary data were collected with the aid of a well-designed and well-structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, farm budgeting technique, financial analysis, the Stochastic production frontier efficiency model, and the Tobit dichotomous regression model. The results show that 88% of women rice farmers were below 50 years old. The mean age was 44 years. Averagely, they were small-scale farmers with 1.31 hectares of farm land. The labor input in man-days constituted the highest percentage of about 50.8% of the total costs of activities involved in rice production. The net farm income and gross margin ratio was estimated at 416,800 Naira and 0.63 respectively. This shows that the rice production by women farmers was profitable and worthwhile. The mean allocative, economic, technical efficiency scores were 50.3%, 50.8%, and 51.20% leaving the efficiency gaps of 49.7%, 49.2%, and 48.8% for improvement respectively. The significant factors influencing the economic efficiency of the rice production among women farmers include the following: – farm size, labor input, household size, seed input, fertilizer input, chemical input, farm experience, and access to credit. The major constraints encountered by women rice farmers include the following: inadequate credit facilities (1st), high cost of labor (2nd), high cost of fertilizers (3rd) and high cost of herbicides (4th). The study recommends that farm inputs such as improved seeds, fertilizer input, chemical input and herbicides should be made available to women farmers at affordable prices. Credit facilities devoid of rigorous administrative procedures at low interest rate should be made available to women farmers Keywords: economic efficiency, rice production, Tobit regression model, small-scale women farmers, Abuja, Nigeria

Provincial Coal Flow Efficiency of China Quantified by Three-Stage Data-Envelopment Analysis

The exploration of regional variations in coal flow efficiency (CFE) in China and the collaborative strategies for emission reduction are vital for accelerating the progress of ecological civilization within the coal industry and achieving an optimal allocation of coal resources. To unveil the evolutionary traits of actual CFE and its decomposition, this study employs a current technology based on a combined super-efficient measure (SBM), global SBM, the stochastic frontier approach (SFA), and the global Malmquist–Luenberger index (GML) model on panel data from 2010 to 2021 across 30 provinces in China. The research conclusions are as follows. First, significant efficiency gaps are observed among provinces, showcasing superior performance in the north and east regions. Moreover, the impact of environmental factors and random disruptions on individual slack variables varies, resulting in a decrease of 0.18 and 0.43 in the CFE of source-area and sink-area when these factors are not taken into account. Thirdly, a clear distinction emerges between the technical efficiency change index (EC) and the best-practice gap change index (BPC). Lastly, the CFE displays regional disparities marked by an upward trajectory and fluctuating patterns resembling a “W” shape.

Upgrade and performance evaluation of G8+ large-size cast mono-Si ingot

With the rapid growth of CZ mono-Si solar cell technology in the global market, the development of cast mono-Si faces challenges in terms of crystal quality and cost. This study introduces the first preparation of a G8+ large-size casting furnace by upgrading a G7 furnace to enhance casting mono-Si's performance and economic benefits. The effects of the G8+ casting furnace on the preparation cost of mono-Si ingot, crystal quality and its impact on the performance of solar cells were thoroughly investigated. Modifying the thermal field and optimizing the seed pavement strategy increased the G8+ cast mono-Si ingot weight to 1600 kg, raised the monocrystalline ratio to approximately 98 %, and achieved an effective yield exceeding 50 %. Solar cells made from G8+ cast mono-Si demonstrated electrical performance comparable to CZ mono-Si cells, achieving an average efficiency of 22.64 % with only a 0.3 % efficiency gap. Consequently, the upsizing of cast mono-Si ingots and adopting rigorous defect control strategies could significantly enhance the electrical performance and manufacturing productivity of cast mono-Si.

Closing the Efficiency Gap: Insights into curbing the direct rebound effect of residential electricity consumption in Saudi Arabia

The rebound effect refers to the phenomenon where energy efficiency improvements lead to increased energy consumption, offsetting some of the expected energy savings. This article aims to estimate the direct rebound effect of residential electricity consumption in Saudi Arabia and explores potential solutions to mitigate its impact. Understanding the magnitude of the rebound effect is crucial for policymakers to develop effective energy conservation strategies. This study employs a time-series modeling approach, using a dataset covering 31 years, 1990–2021, and four regions within Saudi Arabia, incorporating various socioeconomic and energy-related variables. The magnitude of the rebound effect in residential electricity consumption in the Kingdom, which varies across regions, ranges from 41% to 71%. Since the inception of the first wave of the energy price reform in 2016, the Kingdom has witnessed a power consumption rebound in the residential sector totaling 39.02 TWh (6.5 Twh per annum), and a total of 28.13 Mt. in CO2 equivalent emissions (4.69 Mt. in CO2 equivalent per annum) during the period of 2016–2021. These findings add to the existing literature on the rebound effect, further enriching our understanding of this complex phenomenon and its implications. They also provide valuable insights for policymakers and energy planners in Saudi Arabia, helping them develop effective strategies to minimize the rebound effect and promote energy conservation.

Partisan Gerrymandering and Political Geography: A Simulation-Based Analysis on the Effectiveness of the Efficiency Gap and Mean–Median as Measures of Partisan Gerrymandering

Partisan Gerrymandering and Political Geography: A Simulation-Based Analysis on the Effectiveness of the Efficiency Gap and Mean–Median as Measures of Partisan Gerrymandering

A Synergistic Effect among Multiple Functional Groups of 4‐PyAO Additive for Performance Enhancement of Tin‐Based Perovskite Solar Cells

Tin‐based perovskite is a competitive analog with lead halide perovskite, but there are significant gaps in power conversion efficiency (PCE) and stability between tin‐ and lead‐based perovskite solar cells. The characteristics of the easy oxidizability of Sn2+ and the rapid crystal growth for tin‐based perovskite are two major issues remained to be overcome. Herein, an additive (4‐pyridylamidoxime (4‐PyAO)) with multiple functional groups is introduced in the perovskite precursor solution. The oxidation of Sn2+ and the crystallization rate of perovskite are both retarded by 4‐PyAO addition. The prepared perovskite film is of high quality with fewer trap states and carrier recombination, and carrier extraction and transfer between the perovskite film and the adjacent carrier transport layer also become more efficient. As a result, the corresponding devices deliver the highest PCE of 9.02%, accompanied by short‐circuit current density, open‐circuit voltage, and fill factor of 19.90 mA cm−2, 0.63 V, and 72.48%, respectively. More importantly, the best device without encapsulation maintains 92% of its initial PCE after 2500 h aging test in nitrogen atmosphere, which may be attributed to a synergic effect among the different functional groups.

Exploring the Efficiency of Off-Chain vs. On-Chain Transactions in Blockchain Network

Blockchain technology, which offers decentralised, safe, and transparent systems, has completely changed the financial and digital transaction industries. Nevertheless, given the rising use of cryptocurrencies, there are still major issues with transaction speed and scalability. This study explores the workings of blockchain networks' off-chain and on-chain transaction processes, exploring the reasons for the frequent speed and accessibility advantages of off-chain transactions over on-chain ones. This research paper delves into the mechanisms of off-chain and on-chain transactions within blockchain networks, examining why off-chain transactions are often faster and more accessible compared to their on-chain counterparts. This paper sheds light on the efficiency gap between off-chain and on-chain transactions in cryptocurrency networks, through a comprehensive analysis of the underlying technology, scalability solutions, and practical applications.

Does digital transformation contribute to improving financing efficiency? Evidence and implications for energy enterprises in China

The high penetration of digitalization has emerged as a crucial driving force in enhancing financing efficiency across global enterprises. However, few studies have explored the potential effects of digital transformation on enterprises' financing efficiency, wherein the financing system is composed of fund procurement and application stages. Under such background, this study constructs a novel network DEA model with dominance probability and adjusted utility to analyze the multiple-dimensional performance of the financing system. Then an empirical econometric model is developed from the theoretical analysis and applied to Chinese energy enterprises for the period 2015-2021. The main findings are summarized as follows. First, our research demonstrates that digital transformation can significantly increase financing efficiency, with fund procurement identified as the lagging stage to efficiency improvement. Second, when considering the heterogeneous analysis, digital transformation is particularly effective in alleviating financing constraints and enhancing operating performance for clean energy enterprises. Finally, with regard to the mechanism's explorations, digital transformation increases enterprises' financing efficiency by reducing the ownership concentration and management expense rate. These findings provide an empirical foundation for the advancement of digital transformation, and also hold significant implications for narrowing financing efficiency gaps across energy enterprises.