Private Sector Applications Research Articles

Integrating Reward Maximization and Population Estimation: Sequential Decision-Making for Internal Revenue Service Audit Selection

We introduce a new setting, optimize-and-estimate structured bandits. Here, a policy must select a batch of arms, each characterized by its own context, that would allow it to both maximize reward and maintain an accurate (ideally unbiased) population estimate of the reward. This setting is inherent to many public and private sector applications and often requires handling delayed feedback, small data, and distribution shifts. We demonstrate its importance on real data from the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The IRS performs yearly audits of the tax base. Two of its most important objectives are to identify suspected misreporting and to estimate the "tax gap" -- the global difference between the amount paid and true amount owed. Based on a unique collaboration with the IRS, we cast these two processes as a unified optimize-and-estimate structured bandit. We analyze optimize-and-estimate approaches to the IRS problem and propose a novel mechanism for unbiased population estimation that achieves rewards comparable to baseline approaches. This approach has the potential to improve audit efficacy, while maintaining policy-relevant estimates of the tax gap. This has important social consequences given that the current tax gap is estimated at nearly half a trillion dollars. We suggest that this problem setting is fertile ground for further research and we highlight its interesting challenges. The results of this and related research are currently being incorporated into the continual improvement of the IRS audit selection methods.

RegTech and creating public value: opportunities and challenges

Regulatory technology (RegTech) has its origins in private sector applications of information technology in pursuit of more efficient compliance with government regulations. Initially, the term “RegTech” referred to either the technical solutions intended to aid financial service providers in managing regulatory issues or to the companies and organizations that develop and deliver such solutions. Increasingly, regulatory experts are stretching the term’s coverage to include efforts by governments to harness technical solutions in pursuit of more efficient targeting and conduct of regulatory monitoring and enforcement. Whether deployed within the private or public sectors, RegTech holds significant potential to improve regulatory compliance, reduce compliance costs, and improve the speed and accuracy with which known harms can be addressed and emerging risks can be identified. Here, we focus on the potential for RegTech to support the creation of public value. We suggest public value is most likely to be realized when governments (1) keep focused on regulatory purpose and effective design and (2) build effective collaboration with RegTech providers and regulated entities.

Rankıng value-creatıng green approach practıces and choosıng ıdeal green marketıng strategy for logıstıcs companıes

The deterioration of environmental factors, economic and technological development, the formation of complexity in societies, the rise of complex structures have made the environment and green management practices more important. Especially value-creating green approaches are considered as critical components in both public and private sector applications and defined as indicators of success in terms of sustainability. On the other hand, green marketing strategies are also important practices that have a positive impact on the environment and should be carefully emphasized for the inheritance of nature to future generations. Recently, it has been on the agenda quite a lot and it is understood for all sectors.In this study, it is aimed to determine the criteria for value-creating green approach practices in logistics companies operating in the TR A1 region due to the above mentioned importance and to choose the most ideal green marketing strategy. In solving this problem, Multi Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) methods, which are a complex decision-making method, have been used. According to the results of the research, it was determined that the most important criterion in value creating green approach applications as Environmental Focused Strategic Decisions (C3), and the least important criterion as Environmental Life Cycle Analysis (C2). It has been determined that the most ideal green marketing strategy is Green Innovation (A1). Accordingly the importance of the environmental based strategic decisions is revealed in terms of creating green marketing strategy for companies.

PUBLIC VALUE MANAGEMENT: PROPOSAL OF A METHOD REGARDING APPLICATION

Bu çalışmada Kamu Değeri Yönetimi’nin Kamu Özel Ortaklıkları bağlamında bir uygulama yönteminin sunulması ve bu yöntemin tartışılması amaçlanmıştır. Uygulama yöntemi önerisi özel sektördeki benzer yönetim yaklaşımlarından esinlenerek ortaya konmuştur. Konunun daha iyi anlaşılabilmesi açısından çalışmanın başında kamu değeri yönetimi kavramından özet olarak bahsedilmiştir. Yaklaşımın uygulama konusundaki sıkıntılarına istinaden öncelikle risk ve fırsatlar ortaya konmuştur. Bu şekilde olası bir yöntemin uygulanabilirliği değerlendirilmiştir. Yöntemin oluşturulması esnasında yardımcı olabilecek çeşitli özel sektör uygulamalarından da bahsedilmiştir. Gerek bu yöntemlerin uyarlanması gerekse özgün öneriler neticesinde sadece Kamu Özel Ortaklıkları alanında uygulanmak üzere bir yöntem önerisi geliştirilmiştir. Böylece hem konunun geliştirilmesine yönelik kavramsal bir girdi oluşturulması hem de daha sonra yapılacak uygulamaya yönelik çalışmalar için bir katkı sunulması amaçlanmıştır.

Rule of Law 2.0: Blockchain Technology and the Development of Legal Institutions in Africa

The blockchain technology - or more generally, the technology of distributed ledgers (DLT) - has been heralded as a ‘game changer’ for the development of African economies. Whilst the focus of the discussion is usually on private sector applications, most notably including digital currencies such as ‘Bitcoin’, blockchain technology could also be used to improve the administration of public services and to strengthen the rule of law. With a view to the latter, this paper outlines the opportunities of DLT for developing nations in particular and offers an analysis of the most pressing legal and factual challenges that African governments need to resolve. The objective is to illustrate solutions which may be suitable for African jurisdictions in particular, hopefully assisting governments across the continent in developing their own tailor-made approach.

A Pathway to the Athermal Impact Initiation of Energetic Azides

Energetic materials (explosives, propellants, and pyrotechnics) are used in a broad range of public and private sector applications. The design of novel, safe materials is therefore of critical imp...

Determinants of Emergency Management Decision Support Software Technology: An Empirical Analysis of Social Influence in Technology Adoption

AbstractTechnology is being applied to governmental functions with the intent to improve governmental operations. Most research on technology acceptance has focused on the private sector with less being applied to the public sector, and little applied to the domain of disaster management. As we continue to expand upon technological applications in governmental affairs, it is important to understand how the increasing role of information and communications technology (ICT) affects disaster management. Utilizing a conceptual model adapting Venkatesh et al’s (2003) unified theory of acceptance and use of technology model to an emergency management context, factors of performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and social influence along with emergency management specific factors such as threat perception, disaster history, social vulnerability, disaster exercises and emergency management collaboration are used to examine the intent to use EMDSS. Multiple regression analysis using data obtained from a survey of local emergency managers in FEMA Region VI taken in the fall of 2012 indicate that social influence, effort expectancy, community social vulnerability and collaboration among emergency management agencies influences the intent to use EMDSS technology. This study contributes to our understanding of technology adoption among local governments by showing that the factors that influence emergency management officials’ intent to use EMDSS differ from factors found in private sector applications. Most notably, in EMDSS applications, social influence and ease of use are the strongest predictors of intent to use rather than performance expectations.

Organizations Adoption of MyKad Initiative

Malaysia has invested multi-million ringgit on the Malaysia’s Multipurpose Identity Card (MyKad) initiative for the protection of citizens from terrorism as well as for effective and efficient government and private sector applications. If it is not used, the initiative is wasted. For the success of MyKad adoption, both individual and organizations need to accept this initiative. Prior studies have been conducted on individual acceptance (e.g. Yeow et al., 2007; Loo et al., 2011); however no study has been conducted on organization acceptance. This research investigates organizations (such as banks, insurance companies, unit trust agencies and hotels) acceptance of MyKad initiative. Organizations do not have MyKad; therefore, their MyKad acceptance (i.e., the dependent variable) can only be measured by their intention to use MyKad reader for identity verification of transactions such as opening a bank/unit trust account, making insurance claims and registering a hotel room. The independent variables were taken from UTAUT’s (Venkatesth, 2003) four constructs (i.e. performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence and facilitating conditions) and two other variables (i.e. anxiety and perceived credibility). In this preliminary study, fifty questionnaire samples were collected from two cities in Malaysia. The findings show that organizations did not have a high intention to use MyKad reader because of their lack of understanding about its benefits (performance expectancy), ease of use, social support and facilitating conditions. Recommendations were given to increase adoption.

Cooperative vehicle-highway systems: gap analysis for emergency transportation operations

A cooperative network of communications between motor vehicles and roadside or other non-mobile elements would enable or improve vehicle safety applications, transportation management functions and other public- and private-sector applications. An area that highlights the potential of this cooperative system is emergency transportation operations, which refers to activities by public agencies to manage the movement of vehicles in response to everyday incidents and large-scale emergencies. This paper provides a gap analysis for the use of cooperative vehicle-highway systems to support emergency transportation operations. This analysis may promote the exploration and implementation of such a system. A methodology for gap analysis is developed and applied to this problem. Included in the methodology is the development of a framework based on information paths, an application of the framework to explore scenarios in parallel with a technology assessment, and finally the generation and classification of gaps, especially those associated with the communications network.

Some alternative approaches to performance management for councils

PurposeArising from a study exploring whether best value and performance management had caused change within councils' waste services, this study, having found alternative approaches to those promoted by Government which could warrant further study, sets out to pursue this line of enquiry.Design/methodology/approachThis was an exploratory, inductive theory‐building study using a practitioner‐researcher approach to develop a conceptual model based upon a literature review and a case study research methodology.FindingsDespite much publicity, the cases studied did not use performance management frameworks to structure change. Several of the cases were aware of the intent of performance management and, in light of those approaches promoted by Government, other systems were considered to be potentially more suitable.Research limitations/implicationsThe practitioner‐researcher approach provided particular insights to this study which may not be apparent otherwise. One of the principal findings was that there appeared to be an absence of coordinated independent research relating to management theory and councils' service delivery, as opposed to private sector applications of theory and practice, which appears unbalanced, especially given that the public sector is one of the largest employers in the UK. In particular, this paper highlights that simply transferring private sector performance management approaches without scrutiny and amendment to the different cultural and structural working environment within councils would appear imperfect and likely to create ad hoc success. These findings relate specifically to councils' waste services but may have a relevance outwith these operations.Practical implicationsThis study recommended that further research should be conducted to develop a greater understanding of council management practice and examine how this could be positively affected. Simply recommending the transposition of private sector approaches was unlikely to work and, similarly, the current hands‐off approach adopted both between Government and councils and between councils' corporate centres and their operational services suggested the emergence of strategic/operational divides. This could be overcome with a more balanced approach and secondments between the different tiers.Originality/valueAs practitioner‐research, this paper provides an insight into how councils' waste services are prioritizing change which highlights the emergence of an apparent, growing dislocation between different government tiers. These findings emerge following case study research from a service whose perspectives on management theory rarely get expressed, owing to the demands arising from daily operational delivery.

Exploring strategy‐misaligned performance measurement

PurposeThe objective of this paper is to explore the possibility that some degree of misalignment between performance measures and strategy, far from being counterproductive, could indeed have some benefits. The research question underpinning this paper is what the benefits are of misalignment between performance measurement and strategy.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is based on the results of a four‐year empirical study into performance management. The four research sites were central government agencies that should be adept at managing realignment of performance measures, as government strategy is often the subject of frequent change. Data were collected from 30 semi‐structured interviews and from documentation.FindingsIt could be contended that alignment deterioration, in both private and public organisations, is a natural phenomenon resulting from either continuous changes in the external environment and/or frequent, or at least occasional, changes in the internal environment. It could further be suggested that in some cases these misalignments might not be accidental but understood and created by the managers. All the senior managers interviewed understood that their measures ought to align with strategy.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper has several limitations including the limited number of organisations studied and the number of interviews conducted. The paper raises several questions for further research.Practical implicationsSeveral questions are posed for managers as to how they might deal with opportunities from the misalignment of performance measures and strategy.Originality/valueA substantial body of knowledge has developed over the last 20 years on performance measurement and management in both the private and public sectors, though the majority of material is concerned with private sector applications. This review of the performance management literature has identified over 400 papers and texts, just under a quarter of which (92/425) are set in a public sector context.

The applicability of an operations management approach to councils' waste services

PurposeThis paper arises from a study examining the causality of change by exploring whether best value and performance management had caused change within councils' waste services. The purpose of this paper is to represent one of the unforeseen findings arising from the research programme.Design/methodology/approachThe paper was an exploratory, inductive theory‐building study using a practitioner‐researcher approach to develop a conceptual model based upon a literature review and a case study research methodology.FindingsThe paper finds that, despite much publicity, the cases studied did not use performance management frameworks to structure change and, in this regard, operations management may offer a better approach by which councils could include operational service delivery within the development of corporate strategy. Research limitations/implications – The practitioner‐researcher approach provided particular insights to this paper, which may not be apparent otherwise. One of the principal findings was that there appeared to be an absence of coordinated independent research relating to management theory and councils' service delivery, as opposed to private sector applications of theory and practice, which appears unbalanced, especially given that the public sector is one of the largest employers in the UK. Simply transferring private sector performance management approaches without scrutiny and amendment to the different cultural and structural working environment within councils would appear imperfect and likely to create ad hoc success. These findings relate specifically to councils' waste services but may have a relevance outwith these operations.Practical implicationsThis paper recommended that further research should be conducted to develop a greater understanding of council management practice and how this could be positively affected. Simply recommending the transposition of private sector approaches was unlikely to work and, similarly, the current hands‐off approach adopted both between government and councils and between councils' corporate centres and their operational services suggested the emergence of strategic/operational divides. This could be overcome with a more balanced approach and secondments between the different tiers.Originality/valueAs practitioner‐research, this paper provides an insight into how councils' waste services are prioritizing change, which highlights the emergence of an apparent, growing dislocation between different government tiers. These findings emerge following case study research from a service whose perspectives on management theory rarely get expressed, due to the demands arising from daily operational delivery.

The Manganese Health Research Program (MHRP): Status report and future research needs and directions

The manganese (Mn) research health program (MHRP) symposium was a full day session at the 22nd International Neurotoxicology Conference. Mn is a critical metal in many defense and defense-related private sector applications including steel making and fabrication, improved fuel efficiency, and welding, and a vital and large component in portable power sources (batteries). At the current time, there is much debate concerning the potential adverse health effects of the use of manganese in these and other applications. Due to the significant use of manganese by the Department of Defense, its contractors and its suppliers, the Manganese Health Research Program (MHRP) seeks to use the resources of the federal government, in tandem with manganese researchers, as well as those industries that are involved with manganese, to determine the exact health effects of manganese, as well as to devise proper safeguard measures for both public and private sector workers. Humans require manganese as an essential element; however, exposure to high levels of this metal is sometimes associated with adverse health effects, most notably within the central nervous system. Exposure scenarios vary extensively in relation to geographical location, urban versus rural environment, lifestyles, diet, and occupational setting. Furthermore, exposure may be brief or chronic, it may be to different types of manganese compounds (aerosols or salts of manganese with different physical and/or chemical properties), and it may occur at different life-stages (e.g., in utero, neonatal life, puberty, adult life, or senescence). These factors along with diverse genetic composition that imposes both a background and disease occurrence likely reflect on differential sensitivity of individuals to manganese exposure. Unraveling these complexities requires a multi-pronged research approach to address multiple questions about the role of manganese as an essential metal as well as its modulation of disease processes and dysfunction. A symposium on the Health Effects of Manganese (Mn) was held on Wednesday, September 14, 1005, to discuss advances in the understanding on role of Mn both in health and disease. The symposium was sponsored by the Manganese Health Research Program (MHRP). This summary provides background on the MHRP, identifies the speakers and topics discussed at the symposium, and identifies research needs and anticipated progress in understanding Mn health- and disease-related issues.

BPR: alive and well in the public sector

This paper examines three business process re‐engineering (BPR) projects, one conducted in the private sector and two conducted in the UK's higher education sector. The broad aim of the paper is to compare public and private sector applications of BPR. The paper begins with a brief overview of BPR and identifies three unresolved issues from the literature (the choice of modelling techniques used to describe business processes, whether to use generic or context specific process maps and whether to aim for radical or incremental change). An overview of each project is given and the paper considers how each of the unresolved theoretical issues was addressed in the cases before making a public vs private sector comparison. The paper illustrates differences and similarities between private sector usage of BPR and the two public sector examples given here and concludes that the techniques of BPR are highly applicable in the public sector.

Strategic Operations Research and the Edelman Prize Finalist Applications 1989–1998

In an earlier study we examined the available evidence on the Edelman Prize finalist applications 1989–1998. This study concluded that 13 of the 42 private sector applications provide examples of strategic operations research (SOR) when SOR is defined as operations research that creates a sustainable competitive advantage. In a follow-up study we tested our classifications, gathering longitudinal information on the continued success of the Edelman applications. We contacted people who were familiar with all the private sector applications that were Edelman finalists 1989–1996 and had at least five years of history since the competition. We describe the post-Edelman history of these applications and use this data to reassess their strategic role. We found that the longitudinal data provides evidence to support our original classification, but also suggests that several additional applications were more strategic than was originally apparent. We conclude that almost 60% (20 of 34) of these applications created a sustainable competitive advantage for their firms and provide examples of SOR.

In Search of Strategic Operations Research/Management Science

We define strategic OR/MS as “OR/MS work that leads to a sustainable competitive advantage.” We found evidence of strategic OR/MS in the literature of strategic information systems (SIS) and OR/MS. We examined 30 early examples of SIS, many of which contained OR/MS work. Many of the most successful had high OR/MS content, while the least successful contained none. The inclusion of OR/MS work may be a key to sustaining an advantage from information technology. We also examined the Edelman Prize finalist articles published between 1990 and 1999. We found that 13 of the 42 private sector applications meet our definition of strategic OR/MS.

Productivity Improvement and Information: Private Sector Applications — Public Sector Implications

Both public sector and private sector organizations are devoting increasing attention to their “productivity environments” as they deal with declining resource availability, increasing technological and work complexity, and organizational imperatives to increase “overall productive capacity.” Two major objectives are involved in developing successful integrated approaches to productivity improvement: generating productivity measurement/management information through organizational surveys and work reporting systems; and enhancing employee involvement and commitment through training and development, communications, and new forms of participative management efforts. The private sector case described here was based on identifying productivity problems and linking information/measurement systems with participative management efforts and could be adapted and applied to public sector organizations.

Research directions in transportation regulation and pricing

In his paper, Daughety presents an overview of the historical development of pricing and regulation research as applied to transportation systems, and points toward future research directions in this field. In this paper, he makes a very important observation: if there is one point to be made after wading through the above (of future research directions in the pricing and regulation field) it is that regulatory change has not reduced the number of issues to be examined; it has, in fact, increased them. The purpose of this brief paper is to highlight and expand on some of Daughety's observations and to extend this list of future research directions. These comments will be divided into three categories: issues involved in the analysis of intercity transport systems, issues surrounding urban transport systems, and issues related to private sector applications of the results of this type of research. For paper by Daughety, AF see IRRD 287442. (TRRL)