Capacity Utilization Rate Research Articles

Anti-corruption campaign and capacity utilization of state-owned enterprises: Evidence from China’s central committee inspection

Firms cannot utilize capacity probably rooted in factors beyond technical constraints, like corruption. This paper systematically investigates the causal effect of the anti-corruption campaign (ACUC) on corporate capacity utilization. Based on the financial data of China’s state-owned listed companies from 2007 to 2018, we calculate the firm-level capacity utilization rate and employ central committee inspection (CCI) as a quasi-natural experiment to come to the following findings. Firstly, we find that the anti-corruption campaign significantly increases the capacity utilization of SOEs by 10.4 percentage points, which remains robust across a set of robustness checks. Secondly, anti-corruption campaign affects corporate capacity utilization by diminishing agency cost, improving investment efficiency and promoting technological innovation. Thirdly, the positive policy effects are more pronounced for firms with a lower level of capacity utilization and weaker motivation for political promotion. Finally, we find the impact spillover through the supply chain, but only for suppliers to customers. And the multiple-treatment effects are insignificant. Our findings highlight the evidence of having an anti-corruption campaign for enhancing the operational efficiency and performance of SOEs and provide new views for emerging markets on how to supervise SOEs.

A Study on The Projection of Coal-Fired Thermal Power Plants

In this study, the main countries with high coal-fired power plant installation capacity and Türkiye, which are among the first in the world in electricity production in this field, and Türkiye are discussed, and parameters such as the installed power and capacity developments of the coal-fired power plants in these countries, electrical energy production values and CO2 emissions from fossil fuels have been evaluated over the years. Emissions from fossil fuels have been evaluated over the years. In this study, predictions about the future of coal-fired power plants were tried to be made by making projection studies. Analysis results are indicated and interpreted with figures and tables. When projections are made according to the current situation, it is predicted that in 2030 and 2050, China will be the first in coal-fired power plant installed power development and electricity production, and accordingly in CO2 emissions from fossil fuels. In addition, the capacity utilization rates, which are an important parameter regarding the efficient operation of coal-fired thermal power plants and their age, have been determined for certain countries over the years. In this study, the country with the highest capacity ratio, with a capacity ratio of around 90%, was determined as Japan. Today, in connection with the re-emergence of coal with the emergence of the energy crisis, energy production planning, and projection studies gain strategic importance for each country. In the literature, country-based projection studies for coal-fired power plants are insufficient and limited. Comprehensive projection study in this area contributes to the studies in the literature.

Critical notes on some recent Neo-Kaleckian contributions on capacity utilization

Within the non-mainstream growth literature, the Neo-Kaleckian model is the only one that presents an endogenous capacity utilization in the long run. After systematizing the debate around recent contributions, presenting the baseline and extensions of the Neo-Kaleckian model and providing some notes on the normal rate of capacity utilization, I critically assess three recent alternatives that try to justify endogenous utilization in Neo-Kaleckian models. All these contributions present different theoretical and empirical shortcomings that should be addressed in order to substantiate their claims.

Thermal performance of an ice storage device for cooling compressed mine air in high-temperature mine refuge chambers

Power outages and the risk of explosion in disaster areas make the temperature control in hot mine refuge chambers become extremely challenging. In this article, an ice storage cooling mine compressed air device with a volume of 1 m3 was newly developed for high-temperature mine refuge chambers. Both the ice storage performance and the compressed air cooling performance of the device were tested in a systematic manner. A full-size numerical model was established and validated against experimental data. The effects of the heat exchange tubes number, inlet air velocity and inlet air temperature on its thermal performance were analyzed in detail. Results indicate that: (i) the ice storage function is completed within 60 h with the ice being cooled to below −15 °C. (ii) When the number of heat exchange tubes is 18, the device achieves the best thermal performance with an ice melting rate of 85.02 % within 96 h, and the average outlet temperature could be cooled to approximately 20 °C. (iii) increasing the inlet air temperature from 30 to 34 °C could increase the ice melting rate by 4.59 %, and increasing the inlet air velocity from 5 to 15 m/s could increase the ice melting rate by 16.36 %. the rational allocation of cold storage capacity by mixing air supply is the key to improving the utilization rate of the cold capacity and prolonging the effective temperature control time of the refuge chamber.

On the utilization controversy in the demand-led growth literature: A quantile unit root approach

The demand-led growth literature is embroiled in a controversy surrounding the long-run stationarity of capacity utilization. One perspective posits that a non-stationary rate of capacity utilization implies its endogeneity to aggregate demand, aligning with the neo-Kaleckian model. In contrast, an opposing viewpoint suggests the possibility of long-run stability independent of demand fluctuations. Conventional empirical approaches generally support the latter viewpoint. This study proposes a novel way to estimate capacity utilization persistence by using a quantile autoregression (QAR) model, which allows for the possibility that shocks of different signs and magnitudes impact capacity utilization differently. Using official survey measures from developed and developing countries, we find evidence in favor of local unit root tendencies, with recessions exhibiting persistent effects on utilization. Additionally, we identify an asymmetric capacity utilization response, where, in general, recessive shocks are persistent while positive shocks are transitory. These results provide a fresh perspective on how capacity utilization responds to different economic conditions.

Research on international logistics supply chain management strategy based on deep reinforcement learning

Abstract The use of deep reinforcement learning algorithms for strategy formulation in supply chain management enables the nodes in the supply chain to better improve their management strategies. In this paper, a supply chain model is constructed as a starting point, and deep reinforcement learning algorithms are introduced on this basis. Firstly, the decision problem of uncertainty is handled by the reinforcement learning method of functions, and the DQN algorithm (deep neural network algorithm) is divided into two parts for iterative rules. Then the target network is established to make the iterative process more stable, to improve the convergence of the algorithm, evaluate the loss function in the training process of the network, and to determine its influence factor. Then the neural network is used to improve the iteration rule, improve the output layer, select the final action, and define the model expectation reward. Finally, the Bellman equation is fitted to the function by a deep neural network to calculate the final result. The experimental results show that by analyzing and constructing the cost of international logistics under supply chain management, the capacity utilization rate of ocean freight link is 57% The unloading link is 74% and the total capacity utilization rate is calculated as 76%. It shows that using deep reinforcement learning algorithms under international logistics supply chain management is feasible and necessary for improving the management strategy research of supply chains.

Asphalt mixture with nucleus-shell structural microwave enhanced aggregate: Structure design, preparation and performance

The natural aggregates in asphalt mixture with poor electromagnetic loss have poorer microwave absorption capacity and lower microwave energy utilization. The nucleus-shell structural microwave enhanced aggregate (NSSA) consisting with external microwave absorbing and heat collecting structure layer (ESL) and internal limestone was designed to enhance the microwave absorption capacity. The composition and thickness of the ESL were determined. The microwave heating efficiency, microwave energy utilization rate and water stability of asphalt mixture with NSSA and the influence of NSSA on the distribution of electromagnetic field intensity were studied by laboratory test and numerical simulation. The electromagnetic parameters test results show that the ESL had better impedance matching with air when the SiC: Fe3O4: cement: water = 1:2:15:6.3. The ESL thickness should not exceed 4.68 mm considering the penetration ability of 2.45 GHz electromagnetic wave. The microwave heating test results show that the heating rate and energy utilization rate of NSSA were 1.76 times and 5.93 times higher than those of limestone. Furthermore, the asphalt mixture with NSSA had higher heating rate, temperature uniformity and energy utilization rate. The overall water stability of asphalt mixture with NSSA remained the same or even better because the ESL wrapped the pores inside the limestone. The simulation results show that the asphalt mixture with NSSA had larger electromagnetic field intensity and better uniformity of electromagnetic field distribution during microwave heating. In conclusion, the NSSA and the asphalt mixture with NSSA has better microwave absorption capacity and microwave energy utilization rate.

Operation characteristics based on a novel performance model based on capacity utilization rate of a variable refrigerant flow air conditioning system

In the context of a large market share, enhancing the actual performance of variable refrigerant flow (VRF) air-conditioning systems is of considerable importance. The operating states of indoor units (IUs) significantly influence the energy efficiency of a VRF system with multiple indoor terminals. Therefore, it is challenging to address accurate and concise representation of the operational characteristics of IUs for analyzing their impact on system performance. This study explored a novel performance index called capacity utilization rate (CUR) to illustrate the effect of IUs on system performance and developed a performance model based on this index. Simulation and experimental results demonstrated that energy efficiency and evaporating temperature decrease with a reduction in CUR under specific ambient temperatures and part-load rates. The proposed performance model was applied to real buildings in field tests to examine the operational characteristics of the VRF system. This research offers valuable insights for system design, performance simulation, and performance evaluation of VRF systems.

Equalization technology of special vehicle power battery pack

In special vehicles, single cells or battery packs often provide energy for the vehicle after being connected in series and parallel. However, due to the influence of the single battery production process and the use environment, inconsistencies may occur in the battery pack, resulting in a decline in the performance of the battery pack. Therefore, the battery balance management system has increasingly become an indispensable module in the battery management system. It can perform real-time balanced management of the battery pack according to the battery pack status information, thereby avoiding the expansion of inconsistency, improving the capacity utilization rate of the battery pack, slowing down the aging speed of the battery pack, and increasing the driving mileage of the vehicle. To sort out and summarize the current development of battery pack balancing system, based on a large number of references, this paper studies and analyzes the mechanism of inconsistency, the commonly used equalization topology and control strategy of lithium power battery pack. And finally, the development trend of battery pack equalization technology for special vehicles is prospected.

Biased Technological Progress, Factor Price Distribution, and Overcapacity: A Case from China

This study aims to investigate the effects and mechanisms of biased technological progress on China’s industrial overcapacity. Using a time-varying stochastic frontier model, standardized supply-side system method, and the production function method, we measure the capacity utilization rate, biased technological progress index, and factor price distortion index in China’s industrial sector. Additionally, we employ a mediation effect model to analyze the impact of biased technological progress on overcapacity through factor price distortion. The findings suggest that biased technological progress can alleviate overcapacity, while factor price distortion exacerbates the problem. Biased technological progress alleviates overcapacity through capital price distortion, with a more significant effect in heavy industries than in light industries. Based on the results, we propose a series of policy recommendations, including optimizing the bias towards technological progress, improving the factor market, and enhancing the original innovation capability.

Post-Keynesian Economics: New Foundations, by Marc Lavoie Chapter 6: Accumulation and Capacity

ABSTRACT This article reviews the chapter on growth and distribution of the 2022 edition of the book Post-Keynesian Economics: New Foundations by Marc Lavoie. The review goes through most of the chapter’s main topics, including the main classes of growth and distribution models along post-Keynesian lines and the criticism and extensions of these models. It stresses the macroeconomic paradoxes that result from the relation between aggregate demand and either income distribution or debt dynamics in these models. The review also addresses the new additions to the chapter, among which the recent contributions on the controversy on the convergence towards the normal capacity utilization rate and the non-capacity creating autonomous demand growth models, and Lavoie’s new section on wealth and personal income distribution. At last, the review discusses three issues raised by the chapter’s reading: the relation between realism and complexity for a model’s calibration, the consequences of abstracting the financial side of growth models, and how we address financial issues in growth and stock-flow consistent (SFC) models. The chapter reviewed is balanced and constructive; it critically informs the reader and provides a good map of the post-Keynesian literature on growth and distribution, addressing the canons while bringing novelty.

Energy and Economic Analysis of a Hydroelectric Power Plant: A Case Study

In this study, the electricity production and energy costs of hydroelectric power plant is analyzed by using actual power plants data. Using long term actual data, the capacity utilization rates of the hydroelectric power plant were estimated on an hourly basis. Economic analysis of the power plant and factors affecting the energy production costs (initial investment cost, operating-maintenance costs, etc.) were researched and the energy production costs of the power plant were assessed in detail. Additionally, for the first time in this study, a dimensionless number was defined to denote the variation of electricity consumption in the country on an hourly, monthly and yearly basis. This number was called the hourly electricity consumption coefficient (HECC). A detailed investigation of the electricity consumption in Turkey was analyzed.

Poland: Policies dealing with the inflation crisis

The aim of the national case study is to investigate the recent inflationary developments in Poland, against the background of tendencies present in the EMU economies. It provides insights into the structural aspects of inflation in Poland, as well as into its outcomes for growth prospects and income distribution. For this purpose, the main tendencies in nominal wages and corporate mark-ups, as well as the up-to-date strategies of the government and domestic trade unions are analysed. The study combines quantitative analysis with qualitative overview of policy making and the activities of social partners, including the trade unions. First, we demonstrate that post-pandemic inflationary dynamics in Poland are similar to the CEE average, yet much higher than in the EMU. This can be attributed to the composition of the consumption basket, with a relatively high share of energy, food and transport expenses. There are also inflationary pressures from a strong expansion, as reflected in low unemployment, full capacity utilisation and exchange rate depreciation. Second, we identified strong redistributive effects of the inflation in Poland, as reflected in declining real wages and labour share in national income. We see extraordinarily high mark-ups and profits in the business sector, particularly in 2021. Finally, we identify the social dialogue in Poland as conflictual, with virtually no coordinated efforts to limit the rate of inflation. Under such conditions, government policies are of even higher importance. These focused primarily on mitigating the social costs of inflation for households, and mostly took form of economy-wide tax cuts and transfers.

Can the cancellation of government subsidies alleviate the phenomenon of overcapacity in the photovoltaic module industry? From a dynamic perspective.

The environmental pollution problem stimulates the photovoltaic industry's vigorous development and further promotes the prosperity of the module manufacturing industry. After the cancellation of government subsidies, how the phenomenon of overcapacity that has always existed in the module manufacturing industry will develop is one of the essential issues that we need to consider. This paper constructs a systematic framework to analyze the driving mechanism of government subsidies on overcapacity. Then, a system dynamics model is established to predict the development trend of overcapacity after the cancellation of government subsidies. The result shows that: (i) By 2030, the production capacity will exceed 600 GW in China's photovoltaic module industry, which is about two times that of 2021. Moreover, its price and cost will drop to 0.46 yuan/W and 0.41 yuan/W, which are down 67% and 60%, respectively, compared to 2021; (ii) After the cancellation of government subsidies, the phenomenon of overcapacity will not disappear soon, and it will continue until 2030. In 2030, the production capacity utilization rate will reach 80%, and the phenomenon of overcapacity will disappear; (iii) From the perspective of production factors, the impact of the labor factor on the production capacity is minimal. In the initial stage, technology and capital factors are vital. As the industry matures, the influence of the capital factor will gradually weaken. Finally, we have put forward corresponding policy implications.

Solutions for improved hospital-wide patient flows – a qualitative interview study of leading healthcare providers

BackgroundHospital productivity is of great importance for patients and public health to achieve better availability and health outcomes. Previous research demonstrates that improvements can be reached by directing more attention to the flow of patients. There is a significant body of literature on how to improve patient flows, but these research projects rarely encompass complete hospitals. Therefore, through interviews with senior managers at the world’s leading hospitals, this study aims to identify effective solutions to enable swift patient flows across hospitals and develop a framework to guide improvements in hospital-wide patient flows.MethodsThis study drew on qualitative data from interviews with 33 senior managers at 18 of the world’s 25 leading hospitals, spread across nine countries. The interviews were conducted between June 2021 and November 2021 and transcribed verbatim. A thematic analysis followed, based on inductive reasoning to identify meaningful subjects and themes.ResultsWe have identified 50 solutions to efficient hospital-wide patient flows. They describe the importance for hospitals to align the organization; build a coordination and transfer structure; ensure physical capacity capabilities; develop standards, checklists, and routines; invest in digital and analytical tools; improve the management of operations; optimize capacity utilization and occupancy rates; and seek external solutions and policy changes. This study also presents a patient flow improvement framework to be used by healthcare managers, commissioners, and decision-makers when designing strategies to improve the delivery of healthcare services to meet the needs of patients.ConclusionsHospitals must invest in new capabilities and technologies, implement new working methods, and build a patient flow-focused culture. It is also important to strategically look at the patient’s whole trajectory of care as one unified flow that must be aligned and integrated between and across all actors, internally and externally. Hospitals need to both proactively and reactively optimize their capacity use around the patient flow to provide care for as many patients as possible and to spread the burden evenly across the organization.

Investment, autonomous demand and long-run capacity utilization: an empirical test for the Euro Area

This paper reviews and empirically tests the validity of the Sraffian Supermultiplier model (SSM) and the modified Neo-Kaleckian model after the inclusion of autonomous components of aggregate demand. First, we theoretically assess whether the SSM may constitute a complex variant of the Neo-Kaleckian model. In this sense, it is shown that results compatible with the SSM can be obtained by implementing a set of mechanisms in a modified Neo-Kaleckian model. Second, the paper empirically tests the main implications of the models in the Euro Area, based on Eurostat data. In particular, the discussion outlines the short and long-run relation between autonomous demand and output, by testing cointegration and causality with a VECM model. Moreover, the role accounted by both theories to the rate of capacity utilization is empirically assessed, through a time-series estimation of the Sraffian and Neo-Kaleckian investment functions. While confirming the theoretical relation between autonomous demand and output in the long run, the results also show that capacity utilization still plays a key role in the short-run adjustment mechanism.

The impact of excess capacity on the investment falloff

I documented a widespread decline in the rate of capacity utilization in the US manufacturing industry during the last decades, which parallels a worsening trend of gross capital formation. I conducted several exploratory exercises to investigate whether utilization rates were actually related to the investment performance during 1952-2014. Vector auto-regressive estimates imply a nontrivial quantitative relationship between utilization rates and investment, which accounts for a decline equivalent to more than 30% of the average investment falloff over the whole period considered. Finally, I used firm-level data to control for other investment determinants. The relationship remains statistically and economically significant. In addition, I found a link between past accumulated utilization variation and current investment, suggesting that excess capacity could be a relevant force behind current investment weakness.

Study on optimization of heat-resistant conductor in line capacity expansion

Due to the low transmission capacity margin of overhead conductors of ACSR type in the existing grid structure, the large-scale grid connection of new energy is greatly limited. However, 60% of IACS heat-resistant conductors have low conductivity and high power loss in the transmission process. Therefore, 61.5% of IACS heat-resistant aluminum alloy conductors with high conductivity are developed for line capacity expansion and reconstruction. The feasibility of 61.5% IACS high conductivity heat-resistant aluminum alloy stranded conductor is analyzed in combination with the example of urban power line capacity expansion and transformation. Under the condition that the call height margin of the original line tower is sufficient, the use of this type of conductor can achieve obvious energy saving effect and effectively improve the transmission capacity and energy utilization rate of the line have been increased. Under the condition that the sag of the conductor and the bearing capacity of the tower do not increase compared with the original line, the capacity of the original line can be increased by at least 1.4 times by using this type of conductor. At the same time, because the conductor uses aluminum clad steel core as the reinforcing core, the corrosion resistance of the conductor is effectively improved to ensure the overhead transmission in coastal areas or heavily polluted areas safe operation reliability of electric lines.

Mitigating the financial risk behind emission cap compliance: A case in maritime transportation

The enforcement of ever‐stringent regulatory requirements capping emission limits is challenging the traditional operations of various transportation sectors. In maritime transportation, the recent regulation tightening fuel sulfur limits to 0.50%, known as the “IMO 2020,” has been enforced. There is a flurry of activities by ocean carriers to equip their vessels to comply with this regulation. Although the technical conditions are clear, investment decisions are hard to make due to inevitable uncertainties in the current transition period, especially on the impact of fuel prices in the long run. In this study, we consider an ocean carrier's technology investment decisions. Each compliance solution is subject to uncertain operating costs with a partially characterized probability distribution that may deviate from current expected norms. The carrier chooses a portfolio of compliance solutions for its entire fleet that would best adhere to two decision criteria characterized by a net present value (NPV) target in investment and a capacity utilization rate target in fleet deployment. To find optimal decisions that will perform well in the uncertain transition period, we introduce a tractable mathematical model, termed the ambiguous robustness optimization model, to minimize the financial riskiness index associated with the risk of expected NPV not meeting a specified target. We further propose a solution scheme through mixed‐integer second‐order cone programming approximation that can be efficiently solved by off‐the‐shelf solvers. We show that this decision support system performs well in numerical experiments constructed using real data on the Asia‐North America West Coast shipping network.

Группировка промышленных предприятий по загрузке производственных мощностей и уровню банковской задолженности (за II квартал 2022 года)

Russian industrial enterprises, examined by the «Russian Economic Barometer» are grouped according to two criteria: the level of capacity utilization rate, as well as the level of debts to banks. This grouping allows you to see how key characteristics of enterprises differ depending on how their production capacities are loaded and what level of debts to banks they have. Data are presented for the second quarter of 2022.