Search results for " Costs"

Eminence, or rather eloquence, or rather economy-based medicine?

2004

Innovation in retail: influence of ICT and its impact on customer satisfaction

2017

espanolEn la literatura se ha definido tradicionalmente el concepto “innovacion” como aspecto necesario para el desarrollo economico y competitivo de las empresas y/o industrias, considerando esta como un determinante primordial para la creacion de riqueza y crecimiento de las economias. Con este trabajo se pretende llevar a cabo una aproximacion al concepto “innovacion en el comercio minorista”, identificando su naturaleza y alcance, y definiendo vinculos con variables de larga tradicion en la investigacion en marketing como los beneficios y costes de la relacion, la satisfaccion percibida de los consumidores y la lealtad hacia el establecimiento. Se propone un modelo teorico que se invest…

Non-dominated “trade-off” solutions in television scheduling optimization

2014

The main approaches for the television scheduling design are commonly based on the ratings or revenues maximization objective, and thus, only a single optimal solution can be obtained, corresponding to the best result for the considered objective. Therefore, these approaches lead up to the alternative solutions loss which, even if less effective from the ratings or revenues maximization viewpoint, may be more suitable for the decision maker because of better compromise in relation to factors influencing the decision process. Specifically, such a compromise could be achieved through a suitable “trade-off” between these factors, with reference to the decision context in which the decision mak…

Selecting Genetic Operators to Maximise Preference Satisfaction in a Workforce Scheduling and Routing Problem

2017

The Workforce Scheduling and Routing Problem (WSRP) is a combinatorial optimisation problem that involves scheduling and routing of workforce. Tackling this type of problem often requires handling a considerable number of requirements, including customers and workers preferences while minimising both operational costs and travelling distance. This study seeks to determine effective combinations of genetic operators combined with heuristics that help to find good solutions for this constrained combinatorial optimisation problem. In particular, it aims to identify the best set of operators that help to maximise customers and workers preferences satisfaction. This paper advances the understand…

THE ROLE OF SUNK COSTS IN THE DECISION TO INVEST IN R&D

2009

We present a dynamic empirical model of a firm's R&D decisions that is consistent with the existence of sunk R&D costs, taking into account that these costs may differ between small and large firms, and among different technological regimes. We estimate a multivariate dynamic discrete choice model using firm-level data of Spanish manufacturing for 1990–2000. Conditional on firm heterogeneity and serially correlated unobservable factors, we find that R&D history matters. This true state dependence allows inferring the existence of sunk R&D costs associated with performing R&D. Sunk R&D costs are found to be higher for large, high-tech firms.

Participation Costs for Responders Can Reduce Rejection Rates in Ultimatum Bargaining

2008

This paper reports data from an ultimatum mini-game in which responders first had to choose whether or not to participate. Participation was costly, but the participation cost was smaller than the minimum payoff that a responder could guarantee himself in the ultimatum game. Compared to a standard treatment, we find that the rejection rate of unfavorable offers is significantly reduced when participation is costly. A possible explanation based on cognitive dissonance is offered.

Severe third molar complications including death-lessons from 100 cases requiring hospitalization.

2006

Purpose In this study we investigated patients that were hospitalized due to third molar (M3) complications. Specifically we analyzed frequency, age distribution, and outcome with respect to the M3 clinical status. Patients and Methods We set up a prospective cohort study and included 100 subjects admitted for management of acute M3-associated complications. The clinical status of the M3 was defined as 1 ) prophylactic M3 removal, 2 ) therapeutic (nonelective) M3 removal, or 3 ) M3 present at the time of admission. Outcome variables were clinical infection markers (C-reactive protein, leukocyte counts) and economic parameters (treatment costs, length of hospital stay, and days of disability…

Effects of Recombinant Human Erythropoietin (rHuEPO) on Tumor Control in Patients with Cancer-Induced Anemia

2005

It is well recognized that anemia-induced tumor hypoxia is associated with a reduced sensitivity of tumors to radiation and some forms of chemotherapy. Thus, the correction of lower hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations with recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) can play an essential role by improving tumor oxygenation. Based on evidence from a number of trials, treatment with rHuEPO will effectively ameliorate anemia and improve quality of life. However, one of the most essential prerequisites for achieving this benefit is the use of rHuEPO in agreement with the evidence-based ASCO/ASH-guidelines recommending a target Hb concentration of 12 g/dl (7.44 mmol/l).

Intermediate and Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Management in four Italian Centers: Patterns of Treatment and Costs.

2015

Utility-based criteria for selecting patients with hepatocellular carcinoma for liver transplantation: A multicenter cohort study using the alpha-fet…

2015

The lifetime utility of liver transplantation (LT) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still controversial. The aim of this study was to ascertain when LT is cost-effective for HCC patients, with a view to proposing new transplant selection criteria. The study involved a real cohort of potentially transplantable Italian HCC patients (n = 2419 selected from the Italian Liver Cancer group database) who received nontransplant therapies. A non-LT survival analysis was conducted, the direct costs of therapies were calculated, and a Markov model was used to compute the cost utility of LT over non-LT therapies in Italian and US cost scenarios. Post-LT survival was calculated using t…