Proper Allocation Research Articles

The Impact of Market Power on Capital Misallocation: A Total Factor Productivity Perspective

The proper allocation of corporate capital is critical to sustainable business development, and misallocation of resources can impede sustainable economic growth and competitive markets. This study investigates the relationship between market power and capital misallocation in Chinese A-share listed companies, with a novel focus on the mediating role of total factor productivity (TFP). Using a comprehensive dataset of 20,818 firm-year observations from 2009 to 2021, we employ linear regression analysis to elucidate the mechanisms through which market power influences capital allocation efficiency. The results reveal a significant positive correlation between market power and capital misallocation, with TFP partially mediating this relationship. Specifically, a one-unit increase in the market power index is associated with a 1.106 unit decrease in TFP, and a 0.028 unit increase in the capital misallocation, indicating potential threats to long-term sustainability. This effect is more pronounced in non-state-owned enterprises, firms located in eastern regions, and those without shareholdings in financial institutions. These results contribute to the literature on market structure and resource allocation by providing empirical evidence of the detrimental effects of market power on capital allocation efficiency, operating through the channel of reduced productivity. Our findings have important implications for policymakers and firm managers, suggesting the need for targeted antitrust measures, promotion of market competition, and strategies to enhance TFP. This research advances our understanding of the complex interplay between market power, productivity, and capital allocation in emerging economies, offering valuable insights for addressing market failures, improving allocative efficiency and actively promoting sustainable business and sustainable socio-economic development in the Chinese context.

Development of a Framework to Implement a Web-Based Thesis Management System in Colleges of Education in Nigeria

This study investigates the challenges of the manual thesis management process in colleges of education in Nigeria and explores the potential benefits and barriers to adopting a web-based thesis management system. This study employed a mixed-methods research design and data were collected through questionnaire and interview. The findings highlight the need for automation to improve efficiency and consistency. Despite the identified advantages of a web-based system, such as streamlined processes, enhanced communication, and improved quality control, the study also uncovered significant barriers to adoption. These include underdeveloped IT infrastructure, limited human resources, high implementation costs, and resistance to change. The study emphasizes the importance of institutional readiness, with a focus on improving internet connectivity, expanding IT resources, and securing external funding to address financial constraints. A framework for adoption is proposed, encompassing key stages such as assessment and planning, technical requirements, training and support, and continuous monitoring and evaluation. The study concludes that a web-based thesis management system can greatly enhance the efficiency and quality of thesis processes if implemented with proper resource allocation, training, and long-term sustainability planning.

Rehabilitation and habilitation of disabled children: A review

The article presents approaches to the habilitation/rehabilitation of disabled children in Russia and in the countries of the European Union. The areas of rehabilitation, rehabilitation/habilitation activities that disabled children in the Russian Federation need are shown, and the legislative framework is presented. The data on the need for children with disabilities in rehabilitation are given. Research into pediatric rehabilitation care is essential to develop proper policies, programs, guidelines and resource allocation. The lack of evidence-based data comparing different national health systems is a major barrier to decision making in various European countries. To solve this problem, paediatricians and other healthcare professionals need to collect experimental and evidence-based data on the quality of rehabilitation care throughout Europe.

Hypersonic High Speed Strike Weapons: Design, Research and Development

Hypersonic High-Speed Strike Weapons are a part of advanced weapon technology used in military engagements, designed to travel and sustain speeds of at least Mach 5, which is five times the speed of sound. These specially designed weapons are capable of maneuvering and changing directions unpredictably. In this paper, we explore the advantages of using such weapons, the research behind them, and how their implementation could enhance military engagements. By employing this system of weapons, we can expect quick weapon system activation times and precise deployment regarding targets. This study examines the design, overview, technical aspects, feasibility, advantages, and disadvantages of deploying this weapon technology in real-time use. However, several challenges must be addressed to successfully deploy these weapons systems. The primary challenges associated with the deployment of hypersonic weapons include temperature management, propulsion technology, material science (which is critical due to the high-speed demands), safety and reliability, strategic and ethical considerations, financial and time constraints, testing facilities, and the guidance and control of these systems. Overcoming these challenges through advanced technology and innovative ideas is essential for the successful implementation of Hypersonic High-Speed Strike Weapons (HHSSW) systems. The HHSSW systems hold promise for advancing the current weapons technology that humanity possesses. With proper research and resource allocation for HHSSW systems, we can anticipate their development for applications such as asteroid or comet deflection and, if necessary, space warfare.

SCIENTIFIC PRODUCTION ON PUBLIC CONTRACT MANAGEMENT IN BRAZIL: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Efficient management of public contracts is essential to ensure the proper allocation of resources and the effectiveness of operations in government institutions, including military ones. This study conducts a systematic review of the scientific literature on contract management in Brazilian military institutions between 2013 and 2023, aiming to identify trends, gaps, and research opportunities. The research employed a mixed-method approach, combining systematic review and bibliometric analysis, and analyzed articles from the SPELL database. The results show a significant increase in the number of publications in 2023, with a focus on the Southeast and Northeast regions, while the North region exhibited a notable lack of studies. Revista de Administração Pública was the most productive journal, and Eduardo José Grin the most cited researcher. The analysis also revealed a concentration of studies in public universities in the Southeast. The study suggests that adopting technological innovations, such as automation and digital tools, has the potential to enhance transparency and efficiency in public procurement processes. The lack of research on contract management in the North region underscores the need for greater academic attention in this area, creating opportunities for further studies.

Transforming Higher Education: The Power of Educational Breakouts

Introduction: This research investigates the design process of educational breakouts within higher education, focusing on the perspectives of a teacher training program at a Spanish University. Methodology: Utilizing a qualitative approach, data were collected through a comprehensive survey to evaluate the perception concerning the design of these educational breakouts. The study identifies key strengths, such as enhanced engagement and creativity, while also highlighting challenges like technical difficulties and content complexity. It also explores the opportunities these methods present for fostering innovative teaching practices and skill development, alongside potential threats including technical issues, student engagement variability, and time constraints. Results: Findings suggest that while designing educational breakouts can significantly boost motivation and active learning, their effectiveness is contingent on proper training and resource allocation. Discussions: The discussion provides insights into improving teacher training programs through gamification, emphasizing the need for support in digital literacy and collaborative practices. Conclusions: Recommendations for future research include refining breakout designs to overcome identified challenges and optimizing their educational impact.

Analyzing Operational Dynamics: Centralized Load Distribution and Suspended Wagons in Self‐Propelled Trains

ABSTRACTThis paper primarily focuses on the distribution of axial loads in railway networks. The analysis assesses the advantages and disadvantages of articulated trains. In addition, the perspectives and proposed solutions of academicians are analyzed. Simpack accurately models all aspects of this articulated train model. Subsequently, the program emulates the control system of the train. This study demonstrates a control system that utilizes a hydraulic actuator. The proposed model and control system actuator's dynamic response are evaluated according to EN14363 and UIC518 standards to validate the functionality of the component. The stability of a railway train, particularly when making turns, relies on the proper allocation of weight on the wheels and axles. This research investigates the hazards associated with the uneven distribution of loads in train wagons, particularly when navigating curving tracks. A train designed for intercity travel was constructed utilizing a specific control system. The discrepancy in axle load is mitigated by implementing a straightforward control method. The train's carriage, which is suspended without bogies, resulted in fluctuating axle load. A disparity in axle load was established by an actuator positioned between the wagons. The control mechanism minimized load disparity and regulated axle load.

Transition flight of a concept of lifting-wing quadcopter

Abstract This paper presents the concept of a lifting-wing quadcopter unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a vertical take-off and landing vehicle (VTOL) with a rear wing, a canard at its front and four propellers. The aerodynamic surfaces are designed so that their mounting angle can be adjusted and fixed before flight, so its performance in transition flight can be studied for a combination of wing and canard mounting angles. A dynamic model using rigid-body equations of motion is presented, which is used to compute the transition flight trajectory from hover to cruise in horizontal flight. The trim conditions were computed for a range of fixed wing and canard mounting angles to study the effects of these variables on transition trajectory parameters such as required power, body pitch angle and propeller rotation speeds as a function of flight speed. Furthermore, a transition flight control algorithm is presented, which has a cascaded PID controller and a reference scheduler to switch between the proper reference states, controls and control allocation matrix. Finally, the transition control algorithm of the conceptual UAV is numerically simulated. Results show that this configuration can perform a fast and smooth transition from hover to cruise flight using the proposed flight control algorithm, substantially reducing required propulsive power in cruise of up to 64%. The application of the control algorithm made notable a transition manoeuver that consists of negatively inclining the aircraft at a negative pitch angle, initially at high intensity, and as the final cruising speed approaches, the inclination is attenuated until the equilibrium pitch angle is reached. Simultaneously with the negative inclination of the pitch angle, there is a slight drop in altitude, which is quickly resumed as the trajectory develops until the final cruising speed. Lastly, this aircraft configuration can be widely used in applications where performance gains in operations currently carried out by multicopters, which cover large distances and need long flight time, would bring great operational advantages.

Determining Factors to Develop Periodic Plan, Strategic Plan and Medium-Term Expenditure Framework in Local Governments in Nepal

This research article explores the factors influencing the development and implementation of periodic plan, strategic plans, and the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) in local governments of Nepal, particularly focus on Bharatpur Metropolitan City. The study adopts a qualitative research design, employing document analysis, focus group discussions, and interviews with key stakeholders, including government officials, local communities, NGOs and civil societies. The findings identify key determinants: public responsible governance; efficiency, financial integrity, and systematic implementation of programs; proper resource allocation; and risk identification and management. Major findings emphasize the importance of public responsible governance, which includes public voice, participation, and shared responsibility in decision-making processes. Additionally, the study highlights the necessity of efficiency, financial integrity, and systematic implementation of programs for effective service delivery. Proper resource allocation and risk management are also crucial, ensuring that development projects meet community needs and sustainable goals. These elements collectively contribute to the successful governance and development of local governments in Nepal. The research also highlights the need for further studies, particularly in other regions of Nepal, using diverse methodologies to strengthen the understanding of local-level planning and its implications. Int. J. Soc. Sc. Manage. Vol. 11, Issue-4: 88-94.

A distributed simulation-optimization framework for many-objective water resources allocation in canal-well combined irrigation district under diverse supply and demand scenarios

To address the issues of both water resources allocation and sustainable management in agriculture areas with rising food demand, a simulation-optimization framework based on Flopy and Pymoo was proposed and developed for canal-well combined irrigation districts. The proposed framework first solved the many-objective water resources allocation problem which integrates groundwater simulation, crop production, and farmer income modules to quantitatively reveal the various trade-offs and synergies by using NSGA-III algorithm. The Entropy-TOPSIS method was then applied to recommend proper water allocation schemes. The proposed framework was further tested in Baojixia irrigation district considering various water supply and crop demand scenarios based on Copula-based uncertainty analysis. The Key findings are as follows: (1) the proposed framework could effectively optimize conjunctive water resources allocation problems of both surface water and groundwater; (2) low supply combined with high demand (p=0.17) is more likely to occur than high supply with high demand (p=0.02); (3) increased crop demand and restricted surface water negatively impact both water productivity and groundwater sustainability; and (4) the cumulative groundwater drawdown of recommend schemes is 36.9 % and 6.5 % higher under low to medium supply scenarios, while water productivity of recommend schemes decreases 28.2 % and 9.7 % with high and medium demand. This framework could provide useful insights for sustainable agricultural water management in canal-well combined irrigation district with various uncertainties in supply and demand scenarios.

A global assessment of mangrove soil organic carbon sources and implications for blue carbon credit.

Mangroves can retain both autochthonous and allochthonous marine and/or terrestrial organic carbon (OC) in sediments. Accurate quantification of these OC sources is essential for the proper allocation of blue C credits. Here, we conduct a global-scale analysis of sediments autochthonous and allochthonous OC contributions in estuarine and marine mangroves using stable isotopes. Globally, mangrove-derived autochthonous OC was the main contributor to estuarine and marine mangrove top-meter soil organic carbon (SOC) (49% and 62%, respectively). Less marine allochthonous OC (21%) was deposited than terrestrial allochthonous OC (30%) in estuarine mangrove sediments. Estuarine mangroves accumulated more SOC in sediments than marine mangroves (282 ± 8.1 Mg C ha-1 and 250 ± 5.0 Mg C ha-1, respectively), primarily due to the additional terrestrial OC inputs. Globally, marine mangroves held 67% of the total mangrove SOC, reaching 3025 ± 345 Tg C, while 1502 ± 154 Tg C was stored in estuarine mangrove sediments. The findings emphasize the substantial influence of coastal environmental settings on OC contributions, underlining the necessity of accurate OC source quantification for the effective allocation of blue carbon credits.

Energy Reserve Allocation in the Trade-Off between Migration and Reproduction in Fall Armyworm.

Striking a trade-off between migration and reproduction becomes imperative during long-range migration to ensure proper energy allocation. However, the mechanisms involved in this trade-off remain poorly understood. Here, we used a takeoff assay to distinguish migratory from non-migratory individuals in the fall armyworm, which is a major migratory insect worldwide. Migratory females displayed delayed ovarian development and flew further and faster than non-migratory females during tethered flight. Transcriptome analyses demonstrated an enrichment of fatty acid genes across successive levels of ovarian development and different migratory behaviors. Additionally, genes with roles in phototransduction and carbohydrate digestion along with absorption function were enriched in migratory females. Consistent with this, we identified increased abdominal lipids in migratory females that were mobilized to supply energy to the flight muscles in the thorax. Our study reveals that the fall armyworm faces a trade-off in allocating abdominal triglycerides between migration and reproduction during flight. The findings provide valuable insights for future research on this trade-off and highlight the key energy components involved in this strategic balance.

Ways of Social Inclusion and Integration of Children with Autism in Secondary Education, Inside and Outside the School Context, In the Region Thessaly

The aim of this study is to advocate the aggregate development of the future adults with autism, in terms of social integration. Thus, in order to study the autistic people’s course of development through the interaction between primary and secondary education, it focuses on school-based as well as out-of-school activities and interventions used by special education stuff in the Thessaly region. 99 people (mental health providers, trainers and relatives of people with autism) took part is the research, which combines qualitative and quantitative methods aiming to shed light on different perspectives of the issue. Early intervention, customized teaching methods and inclusive education seem to be of great significance, while the need for creating restricted programs and school-mental health services networks, along with a proper resource allocation play a significant role in the socialintegration of autistic people.

Development Model of Sustainable Agrotourism-Based Village Tourism for Improving Community Welfare in Tapanuli Utara Regency, Indonesia

This study examines the impact of village tourism development on sustainable agrotourism and community welfare in Tapanuli Utara Regency, Indonesia. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach that combines household surveys and structural equation modeling (SEM), data were collected from 203 respondents across 22 villages to evaluate the relationships among infrastructure development, local economic benefits, community participation, rural tourism products, sustainable agrotourism, and community welfare. The results indicate that village tourism development significantly and directly enhances both sustainable agrotourism and community welfare, with infrastructure and local economic benefits being the most influential factors. In contrast, community participation and rural tourism products did not show significant individual effects, suggesting that without proper support, training, and resource allocation, these elements may not effectively contribute to sustainable agrotourism. Moreover, sustainable agrotourism was found to significantly mediate the relationship between tourism development and community welfare, highlighting its role as a catalyst for long-term socio-economic improvement. The study underscores the necessity for integrated development strategies that prioritize infrastructure enhancement and local economic engagement while fostering sustainable agricultural practices within tourism. Limitations of the study include its regional focus, which may affect the generalizability of the findings, and the need for further research to explore effective mechanisms for boosting community participation and developing rural tourism products. These insights offer valuable guidance for policymakers and stakeholders aiming to promote sustainable rural tourism and enhance community welfare in similar contexts.

Reliability and security performances analysis of rate splitting based VLC system with HARQ

This work first attempts to investigate the reliability and physical layer security (PLS) performances of a rate splitting (RS) based visible light communication (VLC) system with one trusted user and one untrusted user. Specifically, the hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) protocol is adopted at the trusted user and the movement of users is assumed to be subject to the random way point (RWP) model with four decoding strategies considered at receiver side. The exact closed-form expressions of outage probability (OP) for both users are then obtained, and the analytical expressions of secrecy outage probability (SOP), reliable and secure transmission probability (RSP), and effective secrecy throughput (EST) of trusted user are also mathematically derived. Through simulations, it is found that to guarantee the reliability and PLS performances, the trusted user should first decode the untrusted user's private stream and the untrusted user should first decode the trusted user's private stream. Besides, the reliability and PLS performances of RS-VLC system could be enhanced with the appropriate increase in the maximum transmission round of HARQ with the best decoding strategy. Moreover, they could be further enhanced by the proper common stream power allocation coefficient. This work will benefit the research and development of indoor VLC system.

Routine health data use for decision making and its associated factors among primary healthcare managers in dodoma region

BackgroundData demand and use culture have a tremendous impact on the proper allocation of scarce resources and evidence-based decision making. However, primary healthcare managers in the majority of Sub-Saharan African countries continue to struggle with using routine health data for decision-making.Purpose/objectiveThis study aimed to assess routine health data use for decision making among primary healthcare managers in Dodoma region.MethodsCross-sectional study design involved 188 primary healthcare managers from Dodoma City Council, Kondoa Town Council and Bahi District Council was conducted. A self-administered questionnaire adapted from the Performance of Routine Information System Management (PRISM) tools was used to collect the data. Data was analysed by using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) program. Principal Component Analysis was used to find the level of routine health data use, binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with routine health data use for decision making among primary healthcare managers. The study was conducted from May to June, 2022.ResultsThe level of adequate routine health data use for decision making among healthcare managers was 63.30%. Factors associated with adequate routine health data use for decision making among healthcare managers were; respondents characteristics: years of working experience (OR = 1.955, 95% CI= [0.892,4.287]), district surveyed (OR = 4.760, 95%CI= [1.412,16.049]), level of health facility (OR = 3.867, 95%CI= [1.354,7.122]) and male gender (OR = 1.901, 95%CI= [1.027,3.521]). Individual factors: comparing data with strategic objectives (OR = 2.986, 95%CI= [1.233–7.229]), decision based on health needs (OR = 7.330, 95%CI= [1.968–27.295]) and decision based on detection of outbreak (OR = 3.769, 95%CI= [1.091–13.019]). Technical factors: ability to check data accuracy (OR = 3.120, 95%CI= [1.682–5.789]), ability to explain findings and its implication (OR = 2.443, 95%CI= [1.278–4.670]) and ability to use information to identity gaps and targets (OR = 2.621, 95%CI= [1.381–4.974]). Organizational factors: organizational support (OR = 3.530, CI= [1.397–8.919]), analyse data regularly (OR = 2.026, 95%CI= [1.075–3.820]) and displays information on key performance indicators (OR = 3.464, 95%CI= [1.525–7.870]).Conclusion and recommendationThe level of routine health data use for decision making among primary healthcare managers was found to be modest. The level of data demand and use culture may increase more quickly if capacity building is strengthened and issues that de-motivate primary health care managers from using data are addressed.

Implementation of the PLAVON Dukcapil Program in Population Administration Services

The general background of this research highlights the increasing importance of e-government services in enhancing administrative efficiency and accessibility for citizens. The specific background focuses on the implementation of the PLAVON Dukcapil program, which is an online service initiative aimed at improving population administration services in a local government setting. The knowledge gap identified in this study pertains to the lack of comprehensive evaluation regarding the effectiveness of communication, resources, disposition, and bureaucratic structure in this program’s implementation. The aims of the research are to assess the operational aspects of the PLAVON Dukcapil program and to provide recommendations for improvement. The results reveal four key aspects affecting implementation: communication has not been optimized, resource placement needs attention, the village head's commitment is lacking, and while the bureaucratic structure follows established SOPs, continuous evaluation is necessary. The novelty of this study lies in its focus on qualitative descriptive analysis, providing insights into practical challenges faced by local administrators. The implications suggest that improvements in communication strategies, proper resource allocation, enhanced commitment from leadership, and ongoing evaluation of procedures are essential for the successful implementation of e-government services, ultimately leading to better community engagement and service delivery in population administration. Highlights: Communication strategies need improvement for better community understanding of PLAVON. Resource allocation and staff training are crucial for effective program implementation. Continuous evaluation of bureaucratic structures is necessary to enhance service delivery. Keywords: E-Government, PLAVON, Administration, Communication, Resources

How hours allocated to year-round auditing procedures affect audit quality

PurposeThis paper aims to examine how the allocation of audit hours to the year-round procedures, based on the risk of material misstatements in financial statements, impacts audit quality.Design/methodology/approachUsing a data set on audit hours spent on year-round and year-end procedures, the authors build an empirical model for testing the effectiveness of year-round auditing of Korean public firms during the period of 2014–2018.FindingsThe initial tests do not show that proportionate increases in year-round procedures increase audit quality. However, after the authors control for the risk of material misstatements, the authors find that proportionate increases in year-round audit hours generally increase audit quality, except for high-risk firms where audit quality increases only as year-end hours proportionately increase. For high-risk firms, the results suggest that increases in year-round audit procedures occur at the cost of the essential year-end work. Similarly, except for high-risk firms, the authors find that the allocation of more audit effort to year-round procedures improves audit efficiency.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study provides some of the first empirical evidence showing how a risk-based approach to allocating audit effort over the duration of an audit can impact audit quality and efficiency. Regulatory bodies, such as the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board and Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, which consider the proper allocation of audit hours as a key audit quality indicator, should find the results useful.

How does contractual governance affect construction project performance? The mediating role of the contractor’s behavior

ABSTRACT The contractor’s performance behavior is fundamental in improving project performance. However, few studies have investigated the impact of contractual mechanisms on contractor’s performance behavior and how this impacts project performance. Therefore, this study developed and tested a theoretical model to examine the mediating role of contractor’s performance behavior between risk allocation(contractual governance) and project performance. A total of 208 valid questionnaires collected from project managers in the Chinese construction industry were analyzed by partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to test the theoretical hypotheses. The empirical results show that proper risk allocation can induce both contractors’ perfunctory and consummate behavior and restrict opportunistic behavior, thus achieving basic project performance. Although the mediating effect of perfunctory behavior is insignificant, consummate and opportunistic behavior can mediate between proper risk allocation and value-added project performance, where the mediating role of consummate behavior is more critical. The findings contribute to the impact of contractual mechanisms on the construction project performance and guide the owner’s contract design strategy and the contractor’s choice of performance strategy.

A Novel Pelican Bird Optimization Algorithm based Optimal Allocation of Combined DGs and EVCSs for Improving Voltage Stability of RDS

Objectives: The main objective of the proposed investigation is to enhance the voltage stability of Radial Distribution System (RDS). It is achieved by proper allocation between combined Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (EVCSs) and Distributed Generators (DGs) in RDS. Here, three objective functions such as Real Power loss, Average Voltage Devotion Index (AVDI) and Voltage Stability Index (VSI) are considered. Methods: The multi-objective optimization problem is implemented using a novel and an effective Pelican Optimization Algorithm (POA) to attain the best compromised solutions. POA is a nature inspired parameter less optimization tool and it is well suited for solution of complex, non-linear voltage stability problem. It determines the most excellent site and size of the EVCSs and DG units. The control parameter of POA considered are population size as 40, the number of variables as 8 and the maximum number of iterations as 100. MATLAB 14.0 platform is utilized for the projected problem. Findings: The bench mark test system of IEEE-33 node system is considered to authenticate the presentation of planned POA methodology. The outcomes such as minimized power loss and AVDI, improved voltage at each bus and VSI are presented. The percentage of loss reduction 39.30% is enhanced, when compared with the base case approach and 5.42 % more improved than the other existing methods like TLBO and HHO approaches. Similarly, the VSI 24.96 % is improved, when compared with the base case method and 1.58 % better than the other obtainable methods. Novelty: The POA is a newly urbanized and well-designed optimization algorithm. It efficiently reaches the global optimal solutions with less time duration. The comparative study with the existing algorithm of TLBO and HHO is considered to prove the performance of Projected POA approach. Keywords: Radial distribution system, Distributed Generators, Electric Vehicles, Charging Stations, Voltage stability, Network loss reduction, Pelican Optimization Algorithm