Network Investment Research Articles

Stakeholder Power Analysis of the Facilitators and Barriers for Telehealth Solution Implementation in China: A Qualitative Study of Individual Users in Beijing and Interviews With Institutional Stakeholders.

BackgroundFacing COVID 19, the use of telehealth solutions grows exponentially. However, despite the large investments made into telehealth solutions, the implementation process remains slow and sluggish. Moreover, during COVID-19, older people experienced difficulties and had the highest mortality rates, and those lucky enough to survive faced tremendous pressure to use QR code-based health monitoring systems.ObjectiveThis paper aims to determine the barriers and incentives for the implementation of telehealth solutions via a case study about telehealth implementation in China.MethodsWe conducted 8 semi-structured interviews following the design of the interactive learning framework (research question defining, participant recruitment, exploratory stage, consultation stage, integration stage, and follow-up interview). One interview with a government official from the National Health Commission and another interview with a government official from the China Center for Disease Control and Prevention was conducted in the exploratory stage. The consultation stage comprised one interview with a business manager from the Huawei Wearable Unit, one interview with a business manager from Alibaba Health Brain Unit, and one interview with a business manager from Xiaomi. Two interviews with doctors from Fudan University-affiliated Huashan Hospital and Fudan University-affiliated Zhongshan hospital were conducted in the integration stage. In addition, 8 focus group studies with 64 participants from rural and urban Beijing were conducted. Finally, another telephone interview with a business manager of the Xiaomi Wearable Unit was conducted in the follow-up stage.ResultsTelehealth solutions are designed to assist health care providers in realizing the quadruple aim of better health outcomes, lowering health care costs, improved health care quality, and improved doctor and patient experiences. Governments have high incentives to improve health care efficiency via telehealth solutions. However, they have limited resources to make the necessary infrastructure transformation.ConclusionsTo fully realize the potential of telehealth devices, heavy infrastructure investment in the telecommunication network is required beforehand to resolve the interoperability issue occurring during the data collection process for telehealth solutions. The industry also demands a mature business model incorporating collaboration between various stakeholders and industrial partners to invest in infrastructure. Governments have high interest and significant influence on building the necessary infrastructure for telehealth solution implementation in China. Industrial actors have a high interest and a medium level of power for telehealth solution implementation. Users have high interest but a lower level of power for the usage of telehealth solutions, and doctors have low interest and a medium level of power for telehealth solutions implementation.

Path Design and Planning and Investment and Construction Mode of Multimodal Transport Network Based on Big Data Analysis

Currently, long‐distance freight transport is shifting towards multimodal transport, the combination of multiple freight transport modes. Multimodal transport enables enterprises with the same logistics function to operate on the same level of the supply chain. Through horizontal cooperation, these enterprises can give play to their advantages, make up their deficiencies, improve service levels, reduce cost input, and thereby enhance market status. Therefore, multimodal transport is an intensive development model that promotes the alliance between giants. The reasonable path design and planning (PDP) and investment and construction mode (ICM) of the multimodal transport network help freight demanders, as well as multimodal freight transport platforms, obtain the maximum profit. Therefore, this paper explores the PDP and ICM of the multimodal transport network based on big data analysis. Firstly, the influencing factors and behavioral features of multimodal transport were deeply examined, drawing on the logit model and the big data on multiple freight services, namely, railway transport, highway transport, waterway transport, and airway transport. After classifying the freights, the authors analyzed the modeling and decision‐making of path design and optimization (PDO) for multimodal transport network. The proposed model was proved effective through experiments. This paper theoretically explores the goals, principles, and needs of path selection in the modern transportation industry. In a realistic sense, the research findings help decision‐makers optimize their decisions on the multimodal transport network and operate the network at the minimum transport cost.

An impact of local loop unbundling on investment in broadband networks

망세분화(local loop unbundling; LLU) 정책의 주요 목표는 신규 기업의 광대역 네트워크 투자를 촉진하는 것이지만, 규제의 실효성에 대한 논쟁이 끊이지 않고 있다. 본 논문에서는 디딤돌 효과 (stepping-stone hypothesis; SSH)에 대한 다음과 같은 기존 연구들의 한계를 보완한다. 첫째로, 설비기반 보급률(facility-based penetration rate)을 종속변수로 설정하여 네트워크 공급자들의 실제 투자의 정도를 반영한다. 둘째로, 비교적 최신 데이터를 추가하고 데이터를 두 기간(제1기와 제2기)으로 구분하여 SSH의 동태적 측면을 분석한다.<BR> 분석 결과, 기존 연구에서와 같이, 플랫폼 간 경쟁(inter-platform competition)은 설비기반 보급률을 증가시키는 것으로 나타났다. 설비기반 플랫폼 내 경쟁(facility-based intra-platform competition)을 촉진하는 망세분화 정책은 제1기와 제2기 모두 기존 기업과 신규 기업에게 네트워크 설비에 대한 충분한 투자유인을 제공하지 않는 것으로 나타났다. 더 나아가서, 서비스기반 플랫폼 내 경쟁(service-based intra-platform competition)은 제1기에는 기존 기업의 투자 유인을 약화시키며, 제2기에는 기존 기업뿐만 아니라 신규 기업의 설비 투자 동기까지 떨어뜨리는 것으로 나타났다. 위와 같은 분석을 바탕으로, 망세분화 정책을 통하여 설비기반 또는 서비스기반 플랫폼 내 경쟁을 도입하는 것이 네트워크 설비 투자를 유발하는데 효과적이지 않은 것으로 판단한다.

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Nutrition Determine the Outcome of Competition Between Lolium multiflorum and Trifolium subterraneum

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) may affect competitive plant interactions, which are considered a prevalent force in shaping plant communities. Aiming at understanding the role of AMF in the competition between two pasture species and its dependence on soil nutritional status, a pot experiment with mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal Lolium multiflorum and Trifolium subterraneum was conducted, with manipulation of species composition (five levels), and nitrogen (N)- and phosphorus (P)- fertilization (three levels). In the non-mycorrhizal state, interspecific competition did not play a major role. However, in the presence of AMF, Lolium was the strongest competitor, with this species being facilitated by Trifolium. While N-fertilization did not change the competitive balance, P-fertilization gave Lolium, a competitive advantage over Trifolium. The effect of AMF on the competitive outcome may be driven by differential C-P trade benefits, with Lolium modulating carbon investment in the mycorrhizal network and the arbuscule/vesicle ratio at the cost of Trifolium.

General models for topology layout of oil and gas star-tree pipeline network

Oil&amp;gas gathering pipeline network structure is a significant part of oil&amp;gas field construction, and the rational construction of pipeline network is directly related to the efficiency and benefits of oil&amp;gas field production. Therefore, optimizing the gathering and transportation system of oil and gas fields is the key to reducing development costs. The star-tree type pipe network is widely used in the gathering and transportation system. In order to optimize the star-tree pipe networks (STPNs) that has restrictions on the processing capacity and gathering radius of the station as a whole, this paper establishes four models of pipe network layout with specific constraints. They are Mixed-Integer Linear Programming Models with a large number of discrete variables. We take two virtual fields as examples, use CPLEX solver to solve the above four models as a whole, to obtain the optimal scheme, and also figure out the investment of the pipeline network. We further optimize the hierarchical optimization of the pipeline network with special constraints, then compare and analyze results obtained by the overall optimization. Finally, models are applied to an actual oil field and an actual gas field as examples to optimize the layout, which verifies the validity and feasibility of the models.

Return on investment of the electronic vaccine intelligence network in India

ABSTRACT The electronic vaccine intelligence network (eVIN) was introduced by India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in 12 states and was implemented by the United Nations Development Programme through the Gavi health system strengthening support during 2014–17 to replace the traditional paper-based cold-chain management system with an electronic vaccine logistics management system. An economic assessment was conducted as part of the overall assessment of eVIN. The objective of the economic assessment was to conduct a return on investment analysis of eVIN implementation. Return on investment was defined as the ratio of total benefits (savings) from eVIN to total investment in eVIN. All costs were calculated in 2020 prices and reported in Indian rupees (1 US dollar = INR 74.132). A one-rupee investment in eVIN led to a return of INR 0.52 for traditional vaccines. The highest cost savings from eVIN was from better vaccine stock management. When same percentage of savings from the new vaccines were incorporated into the analysis, one-rupee investment in eVIN led to a return of INR 1.41. In the future, when only recurrent costs will exist, the return from eVIN will be even higher: a one-rupee investment in eVIN will yield a return of INR 2.93. The assessment of eVIN showed promising results in streamlining the vaccine flow network and ensuring equity in vaccine stock management along with good return on investment; hence, there was a rapid expansion of eVIN in all 731 districts across 36 states and union territories in the country.

Social Capital during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Outbreak: The Case of the Island of Menorca.

The rapidly evolving coronavirus pandemic has drastically altered the economic and social lives of people throughout the world. Our overall goal is to understand the mechanisms through which social capital shaped the community response to the pandemic on the island of Menorca, Spain, which was under a strict lockdown in 2020. Between April and June 2020, we performed qualitative interviews (n = 25) of permanent residents of the island. From the findings, it is evident that social capital is an important resource with the capacity to organize help and support. However, the dark sides of social capital, with lack of social cohesion and lack of trust, also emerged as an important negative issue. We identified sources of tension that were not resolved, as well as important sociodemographic differences that are primary drivers for health inequalities. The investment in social networks and social capital is a long-term need that should consider sociodemographic vulnerability.

Assessment of electricity network investment for the integration of high RES shares: A Spanish-like case study

In the course of the energy transition, the EU member states’ National Energy and Climate Plans seek to install significant amounts of intermittent renewable generation capacity over this decade. Previous studies underline the social, political, and economic benefits of the electricity sector decarbonisation. The economic analysis of renewable energy sources (RES) integration is commonly performed with single-bus generation expansion models that seek the cost-optimal expansion of RES generation capacity to reduce operational expenses. However, electricity grids will require investments to adapt to the integration of high amounts of RES capacity. This paper contrasts the cost-optimal generation capacity mix obtained from a single-bus expansion model with a conservative estimation of electricity network investment requirements for an exemplary Spanish-like case study. RES network investment costs are put in context with an alternative non-RES generation expansion pathway. Network investment costs considered include expansion costs for both transmission and distribution grids. Electricity network expansion costs represent 6 to 10% of the corresponding generation capacity investment. Despite increasing network investment costs, the integration of high RES shares into electricity grids reduces operating costs when compared to non-RES pathways. Fuel and emission savings exceed total investments (generation capacity, network expansion, and connection costs). • We quantify the grid investments needed to integrate high amounts of RES. • Results show that RES drive significant grid expansion and connection costs. • However, incremental grid investments represent only 6%–10% of RES investment costs. • RES-driven reduction in operating costs compensate for incremental grid costs. • High RES penetration is found to reduce total system costs (investment + operation).

Optimal Cybersecurity Investments in Large Networks Using SIS Model: Algorithm Design

We study the problem of minimizing the (time) average security costs in large networks/systems comprising many interdependent subsystems, where the state evolution is captured by a susceptible-infected-susceptible (SIS) model. The security costs reflect security investments, economic losses and recovery costs from infections and failures following successful attacks. We show that the resulting optimization problem is nonconvex and propose a suite of algorithms – two based on convex relaxations, and the other two for finding a local minimizer, based on a reduced gradient method and sequential convex programming. Also, we provide a sufficient condition under which the convex relaxations are exact and, hence, an optimal solution of the original problem can be recovered. Numerical results are provided to validate our analytical results and to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms.

A comprehensive framework to efficiently plan short and long-term investments in water supply and sewer networks

Water supply and sewer networks are critical infrastructures that provide a basic service to society. However, these systems constantly age and degrade over time. In addition, since network infrastructures are so extensive in length, they require a significant investment in maintenance tasks. Hence, within the context of infrastructure asset management (IAM), accurately defining the most efficient investment planning possible is essential to ensure their long-term sustainability. This paper presents an original five-step comprehensive framework to successfully implement an infrastructure asset management strategy and plan long-term investments. Moreover, this methodology integrates innovative and relevant operational and convenience factors that, while provide the problem both with realism and practicality, have not been addressed so far. To illustrate the usefulness and applicability of this methodology, the case study of a large water company in Spain is presented.

Evaluating the Flexibility Benefits of Smart Grid Innovations in Transmission Networks

The decision-making process during system planning of power systems is something that requires integrated tools that evaluate technical parameters, environmental impact, and overall costs and benefits with various performance indicators (i.e., key performance indicators KPIs). Several cost–benefit analysis approaches have been presented worldwide, providing analytic procedures to quantify the impact and practical effects of specific electricity projects. The implementation of innovation technology into the electricity networks play a critical role to optimizing overall costs. The targets set by the Clean Energy Package have been the main driver for the disruption occurring in the electricity sector, setting electrification of sectors and digitalization as additional emerging challenges. In the present paper, an evaluation approach for the flexibility benefits of smart grid innovations will be presented, as it has been developed and implemented in the context of the Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation project FLEXITRANSTORE. Flexibility is a prerequisite in an effort to achieve an electrical system of low CO2 emissions. Moreover, flexibility contributes to the increase of renewable energy sources penetration, to the network investments deferral and to the enhancement of the efficiency of the system operation, avoiding generation capacity oversizing. Thus, flexibility has been the scope of many projects lately. FLEXITRANSTORE pilot projects are implemented in various sites across Europe and are briefly presented and the respective technologies are propagated on system level approach, evaluating the respective benefits on a specific use case for the power system of Cyprus, where the one of the pilots is located. The paper tries to show the big picture of the project and presents system study use case to highlight the system impacts of the technologies. To this direction, the installation of a BESS to the Cypriot power system is studied, in an effort to examine its impact to the enhancement of the system’s flexibility, considering IRRE as an indicator.

How decentralized treatment can contribute to the symbiosis between environmental protection and resource recovery

Challenges associated with the sustainability of the water cycle pose new opportunities for resource recovery and greater environmental protection. While centralized wastewater treatment plants must evolve in their design and operation to adapt to a scenario of increasing demand for water, resources and energy, the decentralized approach emerges as an option to be considered in small communities or developing residential areas where bioenergy production can be improved through the recovery of organic matter in segregated streams or where the investment in the sewer network for connection to a centralized facility may be technologically or economically unfeasible. The main objective of this work is to evaluate the environmental and economic profile of a hybrid-decentralized configuration for the purpose of efficient wastewater management and resource recovery and its comparative evaluation with the centralized treatment scenario. Beyond water reclamation, decentralized treatment offers the possibility of valorization of digestate streams as nutrient sources for horticultural or ornamental crops in the vicinity of the plant. Based on the results of the environmental profile, this manuscript shows that the decentralized treatment approach is in line with the philosophy and guidelines of the circular economy, as it allows the use of reclaimed water and biofertilizers under safe and environmental-friendly conditions.

Natura 2000 Network vs. Tourism and Investment Potential of Communes—A Case Study of Czarnkowsko-Trzcianecki County

The Natura 2000 is a network of protected areas established in the European Union on the basis of EU Directives. Simultaneously it is the youngest form of protected areas in Poland. Hence conflicts between conservation objectives and opportunities as well as needs of community economic development are quite common. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the tourism and investment potential of Czarnkowsko-Trzcianecki County and determine whether the Natura 2000 network is a factor in increasing the tourism and investment development of the commune or limiting it. We evaluated the tourism and investment potential based on modification of the Gołembski method (i.e., multidimensional comparative analysis) and measured the proportion of the Natura 2000 network in the total area of the commune. The Trzcianka commune was found to have the greatest tourism development and investment potential, but the Wieleń commune was the most attractive in terms of tourism, and Czarnków (municipal commune) was found to have the highest investment attractiveness. Moreover, there was no correlation between the Natura 2000 network and tourism and investment potential of communes. However, these areas had a negative impact on the investment attractiveness of communes, due to socio-economic and technical aspects, which may cause future potential limitation of development.

Probabilistic impact assessment of phase power imbalance in the LV networks with increasing penetrations of low carbon technologies

Phase imbalances cause a range of network issue, from day-to-day energy losses to long-run capacity wastes that increase investment costs. The impact on low voltage (LV) network from phase imbalance has been investigated independently for losses and investment. However, no research was carried out on the total imbalance-induced cost (TIC) that includes both day-to-day energy losses and long-run capacity wastes, and how the relationship between the two may change with the increasing penetrations of single-phase low carbon technologies (LCTs). Analyzing the TIC is important for distribution network operators (DNOs) as the day-to-day energy loss cost cannot be ignored as it may exceed the long-run network investment cost. This paper develops a new probabilistic framework to investigate the impact of increasing LCT penetration on TIC in the UK's LV distribution networks. Monte Carlo simulations are performed to account for the uncertainties in LCT sizes, connection locations and connection time. Case studies show that the additional energy loss cost exceeds the additional reinforcement cost in urban networks when the LCT penetration level reaches 70%. The key findings will help the DNOs understand the range of TIC and the relationship between imbalance-induced energy losses and capacity wastes under increasing LCT penetrations.

Childhood cancer control during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic set the research community on a new path to understand the virus, how it affects different populations, and how it influences access to essential services. The ensuing research could have been done in isolation or with a competitive spirit. In childhood cancer, the opposite occurred; the research community united in solidarity, offering another opportunity to use investments in data systems and collaborative networks, which have defined childhood cancer research for the past half century.

Transmission and storage expansion planning under imperfect market competition: Social planner versus merchant investor

The growing penetration of renewable technologies and the increasing need for energy storage technologies constitute a new challenge for electricity market design. In this context, decentralized generation companies decide their investments by maximizing their own profit, while centralized TSOs decide network expansion by aiming to maximize the overall social welfare. This already challenging environment is further complicated by the intermittency of renewable production and the short- and long-term dynamics of storage technologies, which may enable generation companies to exercise new forms of market power. However, traditional (and widely utilized) cost minimization planning models do not account for these types of strategic interactions, nor for the introduction of new transmission merchant investors needed to achieve the full integration of isolated renewables in the system. In this paper, we study the policy implications of planning the system, either by a merchant investor or by a traditional cost-minimization planner, instead of a social planner through a proactive framework that accounts for distinctive degrees of competition. Therefore, we present a bi-level proactive transmission framework, in which a centralized TSO takes network investment decisions by anticipating the reaction of decentralized generation companies, as well as a merchant investor that maximizes congestion rents. Finally, we carry out a comprehensive analysis of a 3-node greenfield case, and we extract more general insights from a brownfield IEEE 24-node case. We found that, compared to a social planner, both the traditional cost-minimization planner and the merchant investor would lead to a relatively small diminishing of social welfare. Nonetheless, the resulting generation mix of the system can drastically change.

Use of social networks in stock investment

PurposeDrawing on the literature regarding the social network and stock investment, this paper aims to focus on the use of the social network on stock ownership decisions at individual levels. This paper also attempts to shed light on potential mediators of the relationship between the social network and stock ownership.Design/methodology/approachTo determine the relationship between stock ownership and using the social network, logistic regression was used. In order to isolate the effect of using hs on stock ownership, a decomposing method was adopted.FindingsThe findings provide evidence of the positive contribution of the use of social networks in stock ownership. Personal characteristics, such as household net worth, homeownership, education level and risk tolerance, may play a vital role in influencing individuals' decisions regarding stock investment. In addition, this study contributes to our understanding of income's mediating role in stock investment decisions.Originality/valueFirst, the authors contribute theoretically by drawing from the assumptions of social networking contagion theory, social influence theory, and social capital theory. Second, we explored potential mediators of the relationship between the social network and stock ownership. Third, this study complements the literature in incorporating the social network in business, financial professionals to be exact.

IT-Enabled Sustainable Innovation and the Global Digital Divides

This article investigates the impact of information and communication technologies (ICTs), human capital, institutional settings, socio-economic, and environmental parameters on sustainable innovation (SI) using archival data for 127 economies from 2008 to 2017. We developed an econometrics research framework for investigating factors influencing SI on a global scale. We found that ICT variables, such as ICT access and ICT broadband network, positively influence sustainable innovation in conjunction with the socio-economic and political parameters. Despite differences among economies in terms of ICTs, socio-economic development, and educational attainment, ICTs are the significant drivers of sustainable innovation and economic growth. We observed a growing digital divide among nations within the context of the knowledge-based economy and the expansion of digital commerce, particularly in the least developed countries and Africa, a phenomenon impeding sustainable innovation growth. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that empirically investigates the global digital divide from sustainable innovation perspectives. The results of this study suggest that to tackle the digital divide issues, policymakers and educational institutes need to perform constructive educational reform in higher education curricula, particularly concerning STEM programs, which should reflect the necessary skills and competencies for deploying emergent technologies. In addition, ICT should be considered part of a country’s critical infrastructure, particularly investment in the broadband networks regarded as the backbone of today’s innovation.

Qualitative Evaluation of the Africa Malaria Task Force Symposia Effectiveness on African Partner Nations' Malaria Vector Management Capacity.

Creating health alliances to build meaningful networks is critical to combating regional and global burdens of disease. These alliances work by uniting support for elimination efforts through cooperative engagement at the national and international levels. The reduction in malaria-related morbidity and mortality in Africa since 2001 is in part because of investments of international organizations and governments in national level malaria control and prevention-related programs and research. Investment in malaria reduction networks has contributed to this success by strengthening support to overcome the conditions that restrict or prevent change through local laboratory and epidemiological capacity building, thereby resulting in a decrease in burden of disease, increase in economic prosperity, and improvements in stability worldwide.The reformation of local military efforts to combat disease through incorporation into health security alliance networks by the provision of training and financial support is key to reinforcing this success at the national level. One such example of this is the U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) established and partner nation (PN) led Africa Malaria Task Force (AMTF) program. USAFRICOM's mission for AMTF as a health security alliance was to develop sustainable African-led malaria diagnostic, vector surveillance and control capabilities, and to increase collaborations among AMTF military PNs by enabling national and international-level network capacity. The overall objective of this evaluation of the AMTF program was to assess the implementation effectiveness of two AMTF supported symposia in improving the individual, organizational, and institutional diagnostic capacity of the Ghanaian, Ivorian, and Senegalese armed forces. The specific aims of this process evaluation were to identify procedural, contextual, and capacity-related factors that influence the effect of the symposia events on laboratory capabilities at the individual, organizational, and institutional levels through a two-phased formative evaluation approach utilizing qualitative methodologies. Findings indicate that the AMTF program symposia positively encouraged malaria prevention and control efforts in all three countries included in the evaluation. Conclusions suggest that learning about the different types of malaria prevention and control efforts underway in other countries helped to contextualize the burden of malaria-related morbidity and mortality not only within their respective countries, but also across the African continent. Participation in the AMTF Symposia and Key Leader Events helped military leadership clarify the purpose and intention of their military objectives related to systemic malaria prevention and control while purposefully contributing to national land international-level malaria reduction capacity.

Spanish women pastoralists' pathways into livestock management: Motivations, challenges and learning

Rural studies has made considerable theoretical and empirical progress on gender and agriculture, yet almost none of this work focuses specifically on women involved in livestock production in the Global North. To address this gap, we explored the experiences of women involved in extensive livestock farming in Spain, including their motivations, identities, challenges, and sources of learning and support. Using a life-history approach, we interviewed 29 women across four regions of Spain and conducted follow-up participatory workshops in three regions. We investigated how women enter the extensive livestock sector, learn the occupation and business of livestock husbandry, and their experiences of power relations and discrimination, then interpreted our findings through the lens of Feminist Agrifood Systems Theory (FAST). Women's narratives reveal three primary pathways into livestock management: via family, via a partner/spouse, and from zero. Although interviewees shared common experiences and struggles, each pathway is associated with distinct motivations, challenges, and sources of learning. This variety of goals and experiences disrupts stereotypes about women's roles in extensive pastoralism and points to the need for outreach and policy grounded in the diverse realities of women's lived experiences. Our results underscore the obstacles pastoralist women face in gaining and maintaining economic and decision-making autonomy. Our findings partially support all FAST propositions, yet highlight continuing challenges for Spanish women entering a historically male-dominated sector. In the Spanish context, we found strongest support for FAST propositions 5 and 6, which posit that women must carefully navigate agricultural institutions, often encountering exclusion and discrimination, and that women create their own networks to address their specific needs and advance agroecology and rural sustainability. Increased training for officials overseeing new enterprise incorporations, and investment in women's networks could reduce institutional bias and increase support for women operators.