Performance Measurement Methodology Research Articles

Assessing the Sustainability Reporting Transparency and Engagement of European Energy Companies

Energy companies are facing increasing pressure from institutional and industry stakeholders to prioritize their responsibility to the environment and society, including providing accurate, reliable, and comprehensive reports on their sustainability practices. Three metrics were developed in this study: the average sustainability reporting score and two sustainability performance reporting indices based on two different performance measurement methodologies. These were designed to assess the effect of mandatory non-financial disclosure on sustainability reporting and the level of transparency and engagement of energy companies. The study also examined the relationship between the level of sustainability reporting and sustainability performance in the period of 2016–2019 by correlating these metrics. The analysis sheds light on the effectiveness of non-financial disclosure regulations in promoting sustainability practices in the energy industry. The results revealed no difference in metric scores prior to, or even following, the adoption of Directive 2014/95/EU. Energy companies performed better in terms of sustainability when more indicators were reported. Their primary focus was on the economic aspect of sustainability, particularly corruption. They gave less importance to the environmental aspect, mainly reporting on emissions. The social aspect received the least attention, although indicators for employee education and training were mentioned most frequently. The analysis showed that the metrics are statistically significantly correlated and complement each other, highlighting the need to consider a variety of metrics when assessing sustainability performance in the energy industry.

Measuring and managing organizational performance based on organizational capitals, service quality and BSC performance outcomes

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop and test empirically a new holistic performance measurement model that integrates the best of current performance measurement frameworks and methodologies and builds upon the resource-based view to strategic management. Design/methodology/approach A survey collected responses from 379 top-, middle- and supervisory-level managers from 3 telecommunications service providers in Egypt. The hypothesized direct relationships were tested through multiple linear regression (using SPSS software), and the mediating effect was tested using the structural equation modeling technique (using AMOS software). Findings The results reveal that the proposed model is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring and managing holistic organizational performance. The results also reveal that Egyptian telecommunications companies have primarily emphasized the use of structural and relational capital to enhance their service quality (SQ) and performance outcomes (POs). Moreover, SQ was found to significantly and partially mediate the effect of organizational capitals (OCs) on POs. Research limitations/implications The proposed model is a novel model that needs further investigation using various research designs and multiple research methods to assure its reliability and validity as a holistic performance measurement system. Practical implications The Egyptian telecommunications companies should efficiently manage and leverage all four components of OCs, especially the components of intellectual capital to improve their SQ and consequently enhance their POs. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first research to study the relationships among OCs, SQ and POs, merge them in an integrated performance measurement model and test this model empirically in the Egyptian telecommunications setting.

Processes Optimization with Lean Tools Intensification in the Non-manufacturing Sector

The tourism industry can currently be considered one of the most important sectors of the business sphere, which largely affects the development of the national economy. Modern technologies have influenced the development of tourism in various directions and significantly contributed to the transformation of the classic customer into the so-called active customer. An active customer directly enters the product creation process through a specific corporate business model that the given company has. The constantly increasing share of online customers thus represents a huge base of potential clients but also information that needs to be processed and flexibly responded to. The article is processed as a case study, where lean principles, which are part of the process approach, are applied during the analysis. They are effective in finding and defining 7/8 basic types of losses in the production sphere, which is also related to the decision by the author of the article to use these tools in the non-production sphere as well. The output of the case study is a processed proposal of the methodology for performance measurement, and schemes of key indicators for the non-production area are proposed. Through the proposed methodology, it is possible to improve processes in the field of service provision, focusing primarily on the hotel industry, and to transform them from a classic model to a model with implemented lean tools.

Comparisons of Load-Based and AHRI 210/240 Testing and Rating for Residential Heat Pumps

The current testing and rating procedure for residential air conditioners and heat pumps is based on a steady-state performance measurement approach with a degradation coefficient to account for cycling losses at part-load conditions. Test equipment performance is measured under various ambient conditions with varying compressor and fan speeds, and the results are propagated through a temperature-bin method to estimate seasonal performance. Although the current rating approach offers a standardized performance metric for comparing the relative performances of different equipment, it involves disabling the native controls and, as a result, does not consider the impact of integrated controls for test units and their dynamic interactions with representative building loads. As an alternative, a load-based testing methodology (CSA EXP07) has been developed in which the dynamic performance of equipment is measured in a test facility by allowing it to respond to a simulated virtual building model. This study compares the steady-state and dynamic load-based performance measurement methodologies for use on a 5-ton residential heat pump system in order to understand the differences and their significance for the next-generation rating procedure. The differences in the two test methodologies' performance evaluation results are discussed with a causal analysis of the observed differences.

A Methodology for Performance Measurement and Benchmarking in SMEs

Strategic analysis based on Performance Measurement System (PMS) guidelines allows managers to better plan ahead, communicate, and collaborate. Motivating rational, rather than emotional, discussion amongst team members about strategic options helps ensure that the set goals are understood, that managers are coordinating their teams effectively, and that the set goals are actually carried out. Support from upper management is essential to the success of the performance management process, as is support from managers at all levels. But internal and external factors can influence an organization's goals, leading to shifts over time that strain limited resources and the time managers have available, setting the stage for natural resistance. This paper provides an analysis of performance measurement and benchmarking using the European Network for Advanced Performance Studies (ENAPS) methodology. The ENAPS methodology has been used as a basis for comparing factories because it offers a framework for developing comparable and comprehensive performance indicators.

Dissecting Cloud Gaming Performance with DECAF

Cloud gaming platforms have witnessed tremendous growth over the past two years, with a number of large Internet companies including Amazon, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, and Nvidia publicly launching their own platforms. However, there is an absence of systematic performance measurement methodologies which can generally be applied. In this paper, we implement DECAF, a methodology to systematically analyze and dissect the performance of cloud gaming platforms across different game genres and game platforms. By applying DECAF, we measure the performance of Google Stadia, Amazon Luna, and Nvidia GeForceNow, and uncover a number of important findings such as processing delays in the cloud comprise majority of the total round trip delay (≈73.54%), the video streams delivered by these platforms are characterized by high variability of bitrate, frame rate, and resolution. Our work has important implications for cloud gaming platforms and opens the door for further research on measurement methodologies for cloud gaming.

How much workload is workload? A human neurophysiological and affective-cognitive performance measurement methodology for ATCOs

PurposeAir traffic controllers (ATCOs) play a fundamental role in the safe, orderly and efficient management of air traffic. In the interests of improving safety, it would be beneficial to know what the workload thresholds are that permit ATCOs to carry out their functions safely and efficiently. The purpose of this paper is to present the development of a simulation platform to be able to validate an affective-cognitive performance methodology based on neurophysiological factors applied to ATCOs, to define the said thresholds.Design/methodology/approachThe process followed in setting up the simulation platform is explained, with particular emphasis on the design of the program of exercises. The tools designed to obtain additional information on the actions of ATCOs and how their workload will be evaluated are also explained.FindingsTo establish the desired methodology, a series of exercises has been designed to be simulated. This paper describes the project development framework and validates it, taking preliminary results as a reference. The validation of the framework justifies further study to extend the preliminary results.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper describes the first part of the project only, i.e. the definition of the problem and a proposed methodology to arrive at a workable solution. Further work will concentrate on carrying out a program of simulations and subsequent detailed analysis of the data obtained, based on the conclusions drawn from the preliminary results presented.Originality/valueThe methodology will be an important tool from the point of view of safety and the work carried out by ATCOs. This first phase is crucial as it provides a solid foundation for later stages.

How much workload is workload? A human neurophysiological and affective - cognitive performance measurement methodology for air traffic controllers

Air traffic controllers play an important role in enabling safe, orderly, and efficient flight management within airspace. By the very nature of their work, they must make critical decisions in a time-critical environment. From a safety point of view, it would be of interest to obtain the workload thresholds (upper and lower limits) in order to define a range in which it would be safe and efficient for air traffic controllers to work. This collaboration project between CRIDA and UPM aims to obtain a methodology to define these workload limits, based on experimental affective-cognitive data and neurophysiological parameters of the performance of air traffic controllers. The workload assessment combines objective and subjective approaches. From the objective point of view, electroencephalography and eye-tracking techniques will be employed. In this paper, the first milestones achieved in the project are presented, as well as the simulation platform to be used in the experiment and the simulation-based set of exercises that has been specially designed for this project.

An evidence-based, structured, expert approach to selecting essential indicators of primary care quality.

BackgroundThe purpose of this article is to illustrate the application of an evidence-based, structured performance measurement methodology to identify, prioritize, and (when appropriate) generate new measures of health care quality, using primary care as a case example. Primary health care is central to the health care system and health of the American public; thus, ensuring high quality is essential. Due to its complexity, ensuring high-quality primary care requires measurement frameworks that can assess the quality of the infrastructure, workforce configurations, and processes available. This paper describes the use of the Productivity Measurement and Enhancement System (ProMES) to compile a targeted set of such measures, prioritized according to their contribution and value to primary care.MethodsWe adapted ProMES to select and rank existing primary care measures according to value to the primary care clinic. Nine subject matter experts (SMEs) consisting of clinicians, hospital leaders and national policymakers participated in facilitated expert elicitation sessions to identify objectives of performance, corresponding measures, and priority rankings.ResultsThe SMEs identified three fundamental objectives: access, patient-health care team partnerships, and technical quality. The SMEs also selected sixteen performance indicators from the 44 pre-vetted, currently existing measures from three different data sources for primary care. One indicator, Team 2-Day Post Discharge Contact Ratio, was selected as an indicator of both team partnerships and technical quality. Indicators were prioritized according to value using the contingency functions developed by the SMEs.ConclusionOur article provides an actionable guide to applying ProMES, which can be adapted to the needs of various industries, including measure selection and modification from existing data sources, and proposing new measures. Future work should address both logistical considerations (e.g., data capture, common data/programming language) and lingering measurement challenges, such as operationalizating measures to be meaningful and interpretable across health care settings.

Renaissance of Alternate Finance: Bibliometric Visualization of Private Equity and Venture Capital

PE/VC investment as a financial instrument plays a pivotal role in nurturing newly setup and growth-oriented firms. In this article, we attempted to visualize the most vibrant work done in the field of PE/VC and to put both private equity and venture into a single frame. Using bibliometric analysis techniques, we conducted a deep analysis of articles published in the past two decades in the Web of Science database. Most of the articles were exclusively published in top journals in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Italy, and France. Our study reveals that academic research on the venture capital segment is more frequent than research on private equity investment. More than half of the articles were published on topics related to venture capital investment. TOPICS:Real assets/alternative investments/private equity, information providers/credit ratings, financial crises and financial market history Key Findings ▪ Bibliometric visualization reveals that York University, Harvard University, Polytechnic University of Milan, Stanford University, and Nottingham University are among the premier institutions continuously contributing in the field of PE/VC. ▪ Most of the articles were shared by the developed countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Italy, and France. Emerging markets (especially Asian markets) were less targeted in the fields of both private equity and venture capital. ▪ Academic research in the venture capital segment is more frequent than in private equity investment; more than half of the research was on topics related to venture capital investment. Private equity, while a larger tool for financing, was discussed in the literature less often. ▪ Research in the venture capital segment tended to discuss innovations, the experience of venture capitalists, and corporate governance mechanism; it rarely touched the fundamentals of venture capital, such as the rigorous methodology for performance measurement, venture capital as a value investment, financing rounds, strategic investment, or early exit by venture capital firms.

A comprehensive KPI network for the performance measurement and management in global production networks

The trend of globalization has led to a structural change in the sales and procurement markets of manufacturing companies in recent decades. In order not to be left behind by this change, companies have internationalized their production structures. Global production networks with diverse supply and service interdependencies are the result. However, the management of global production networks is highly complex. Key performance indicator (KPI) networks already exist at the corporate level and site level to support the management of complex systems. However, such KPI networks are not yet available to support the management of entire production networks. In this article, a KPI network for global production networks is presented, which links the key figures of the site level and the corporate level. By integrating both levels into a comprehensive KPI network, cause and effect relationship between the production-related KPIs and the strategic KPIs of a corporate strategy become transparent. To this end, this KPI network is integrated into a Performance Measurement and Management (PMM) methodology. This methodology consists of three phases: performance planning, performance improvement, and performance review. For testing the practical suitability, the PMM methodology is applied to the production network of an automotive supplier using a simulation model to estimate the effects of proposed improvement actions of the methodology.

Modeling the public distribution system: a PO-P approach

Public distribution system (PDS) is the lifeline of food security in India which involves provisioning of foodgrains. To manage this supply chain more efficiently, an effective performance management system is a pre-requisite. This paper utilises the performance objectives-productivity approach to formalise a performance measurement methodology for the PDS supply chain of foodgrains at state level. Here, the actual values of the performance measures are compared with the objectivated values to arrive at the productivity index which indicates the degree of performance of PDS and its various components. In this model the optimal values of the “objectivated output” can be obtained either by solving a goal programming model or through benchmarking in the multi attribute utility theory framework. As fast movement of foodgrains is vital to reduce the degree of perishability due to losses during transit and storage, this multi-dimensional performance measurement system also rates the losses of foodgrains during various stages of freight transportation with a view to minimise the same. The primary aim in applying this method is to arrive at a benchmarking technique to assess if such supply chain is working effectively and efficiently which is akin to auditing the system. By using the given approach some standardisation could be brought into arrive at the authentic performance level of the PDS.

Measuring performance in the presence of noisy data with targeted desirable levels: evidence from healthcare units

Noise in data is not uncommon in real-world cases, although it is commonly omitted from performance measurement studies. In this paper, we develop a stochastic DEA-based methodology to measure performance when the endogenous (e.g. efficiency) and exogenous variables (e.g. perspectives of patients’ satisfaction), which are incorporated in the assessment, are inversely related. This methodology identifies benchmark units that are not only efficient but are also assigned scores for their exogenous variables, which are at least equal to user-defined critical values. We apply the performance measurement methodology to the 14 largest Cypriot health centers. The advantages of our methodology are pointed out through comparative analysis with alternative stochastic and non-stochastic DEA approaches.

Qualification of a vertical cryostat for MLI performances tests between 20 K and 60 K to 4.2 K

Boil-off calorimetric measurements of Multilayer Insulation (MLI) performance from 20 K-60 K to 4.2 K are being performed at CERN, extending the range of measurements of MLI to cover cryostat applications where thermal shields are operated at lower temperatures than that of LN2. Possible applications include future large accelerators like the Future Circular Collider (FCC). The tests are carried out in an existing vertical test cryostat shielded with a liquid nitrogen cooled vessel and with an inner cylindrical liquid helium tank carrying the wrapped MLI sample. The cryostat has been modified to insert an additional intermediate thermal shield maintained at controlled temperatures in the 20 K-60 K range, by means of regulated power input from an electrical heater. This paper describes the test cryostat and the MLI performance measurement methodology as well as experimental results of the commissioning and calibration of the instrument.

Port performance measurement in the context of port choice: an MCDA approach

PurposePort performance and port choice have been treated as separate streams of research. This hampers the efforts of ports to anticipate on and respond to possible future changes in port choice by shippers, freight forwarders and carriers. The purpose of this paper is to develop and demonstrate a port performance measurement methodology, extended from the perspective of port choice, which includes hinterland performance and a weighting of attributes from a port choice perspective.Design/methodology/approachA review of literature is used to extend the scope of port performance indicators. Multi-criteria decision analysis is used to operationalize the context of port choice, presenting a weighted approach using the Best-Worst Method (BWM). An empirical model is built based on an extensive port stakeholder survey.FindingsTransport costs and times along the transport chain are the dominant factors for port competitiveness. Satisfaction, reputation and flexibility criteria are the other important decision criteria. The results also show how the availability of different modal alternatives impact on the position of a port. A ranking of routes for hinterland regions is done.Originality/valueThe paper focuses on two extensions of port performance measurement. So far, not all factors that determine port choice have been included in port performance studies. Here, first, factors related to hinterland services are included. Second, a weighting of port performance measures is proposed. The importance of factors is assessed using BWM. The approach is demonstrated empirically for a case of the European contestable hinterland regions, which so far have lacked quantitative analysis.

Content Delivery Networks – A Survey

Content Delivery Network is a network of servers hosted by a service provider in multiple locations of the world so that the content could deliver from a server that is nearest to the consumer requesting for it. It has evolved to overcome the inherent limitations of the internet regarding user perceived Quality of Service (QoS) when accessing the Web Content. It has been proposed to maximize bandwidth, improve accessibility and maintain correctness through content replication. The content is distributed to cache servers and located close to the users, resulting in fast, reliable applications and web services for the users. In this paper we provide a components, technologies and comprehensive taxonomy with a broad coverage of CDNs regarding the organizational structure, content distribution mechanisms, request redirection techniques, and performance measurement methodologies.

Development of Rope Connected Life-Saving Equipment for Transferring Numerous People

BackgroundThis study is focused on a rapid and safe transfer when there are many people who need rescuing in unapproachable location. Generally, a stretcher, a basket or a mesh drawing is used to transfer injured people or survivors in the emergency rescue, however, it turned out that it takes long time to transfer a number of people with a stretcher and it is difficult to transfer injured people safely with a basket or a mesh drawing. It would expect to transfer many people who need rescuing promptly and harmlessly. MethodsIn this article, Targeted Acceptable Responses to Generated Events of Tasks (TARGETS), an event-based team performance measurement methodology was used to investigate the effects of Mission Oriented Protective Posture (MOPP) on the behavioral processes underlying team performance during simulated rescue tasks while wearing chemical protective equipment. In addition, this study determined which team processes were related to team performance outcomes. Results of six primary analyses indicated that team process performance was not degraded by MOPP 4 on any rescue task and that the team processes critical for successful task performance are task-dependent. ResultsAs a result, authors have developed a new life-saving equipment. Numerous people who need rescuing can be quickly and safely rescued and transferred to the hospital with it. From a medical point of view, it reduces the risk of secondary damage from transport and helps avoid missing the golden time for first aid caused by delay in transferring emergency patients as numerous people can be transferred safely and quickly. ConclusionThe article is due to introduce the equipment which can transfer people who need rescuing promptly and effectively in a situation such as when numerous people need rescuing in the mountain. In a rescue situation such as mountain rescue, rope connected life-saving equipment is dropped to the rescue site with a rope from a rescue helicopter and laying down the injured on the life-saving equipment body and equip life-saving equipment to the rope consecutively. In this way, it is expected to transfer the injured rapidly and safely.

English

The paper deals with the CRM performance measurement in the banking sectors of Serbia, Greece and India, using the integrated BSC and the customized ANP-BOCR approach. The BSC is used to develop and identify key financial and non-financial indicators attempting to holistically consider all related aspects on successful application of customer relationship management in banking. The customized ANP-BOCR model aims to prioritize the corresponding indicators to obtain more realistic performance results through the controlled hierarchy in the BOCR model. This study extends and deepens the performance measurement methodology based on the ANP-BOCR model and introduces a novel approach that is based on measuring scale customization, aiming at overcoming the major disadvantage of the original ANP-BOCR method which refers to the pair-comparison process. Thus, it provides a simple, efficient and effective way of data collection in geographically distant territories. The research findings depict poorly developed aspects of CRM in banking, that is, those indicators that may require further improvement to achieve outstanding organizational performances. Finally, the study shows that the applied methodological approach can be useful for benchmarking purposes in geographically distant territories, which further implies facilitating of strategies development towards achieving excellence in business. This paper can contribute to strategic management, financial management, innovation management, IT management and business decision-making in service organizations.JEL Classification: G21, L25, M20, C44, C83

Five Project-Duration Control Methods in Time Units: Case Study of a Linearly Distributed Planned Value

AbstractChanges in projects often affect planned performance. Earned value management (EVM) is a performance measurement methodology to control costs and scheduling by evaluating project progress u...

Use of Balanced Scorecard Methodology for Performance Measurement of the Health Extension Program in Ethiopia.

In 2004, Ethiopia introduced a community-based Health Extension Program to deliver basic and essential health services. We developed a comprehensive performance scoring methodology to assess the performance of the program. A balanced scorecard with six domains and 32 indicators was developed. Data collected from 1,014 service providers, 433 health facilities, and 10,068 community members sampled from 298 villages were used to generate weighted national, regional, and agroecological zone scores for each indicator. The national median indicator scores ranged from 37% to 98% with poor performance in commodity availability, workforce motivation, referral linkage, infection prevention, and quality of care. Indicator scores showed significant difference by region (P < 0.001). Regional performance varied across indicators suggesting that each region had specific areas of strength and deficiency, with Tigray and the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region being the best performers while the mainly pastoral regions of Gambela, Afar, and Benishangul-Gumuz were the worst. The findings of this study suggest the need for strategies aimed at improving specific elements of the program and its performance in specific regions to achieve quality and equitable health services.