Search results for " system dynamics."

Smart grid integrated green data centres as ancillary service providers

2015

In this paper a review of Green Data Centres facilities to support smart grids operation is proposed. The paper describes the ancillary services a Green Data Centre can provide both in terms of spinning reserve provision and different regulation services. In the application section, a real electrical grid hosting a data centre is considered. The infrastructure is owned by Engineering S.p.A. and is installed in northern Italy. The system has been considered as connected to the MV distribution grid in presence of other renewable energy sources. The impact of possible power management operations over the considered data centre has been studied by means of a simulation software and the spinning…

Using Group Model Building and System Dynamics Modeling in Health Care Quality Assessment

Introduction & Research Aim Drawing from previous research on performance management, arguing that measurement systems in the public sector sometimes lead to harmful outcomes (Bianchi, 2010, 2015; Bivona & Montemaggiore, 2010), the purpose of this study is to assess the long-term dynamic impact of “ESY-net” (i.e. the Greek public hospitals' national performance measurement system) on the quality of healthcare services. Methods As hospital quality is a quite broad and abstract concept, perceived differently by different stakeholders, we will take a systemic view (Meadows, 2008; Sterman, 1994) and use Group Model Building (GMB) (De Gooyert, 2016, 2018; De Gooyert, Honingh, & Van G…

Exploring the relationships between tangible and intangible resources in a learning alliance dynamics: comment on the paper by Kapmeier

2008

Kapmeier (2008) focuses his research on common learning and firms’ opportunistic behaviour in learning alliances. A strategic alliance, as clearly stated by Gulati (1998, p. 293) is a voluntary arrangement between firms to exchange and share knowledge as well as resources with the intent of developing processes, products or services. This is a relevant topic not only for those firms that operate in industries characterized typically by high RD Larsson et al., 1998). Furthermore, this literature essentially takes a static view and it often neglects the postformation dynamics of alliances (Koza and Lewin, 2000; Das and Teng, 2001). Some key questions not yet profoundly investigated are: how c…

Dealing with Multi-Level Governance and Wicked Problems in Urban Transportation Systems: The Case of Palermo Municipality

2015

Italian New Public Management (NPM) has been mainly characterized by a political orientation toward power decentralization to local governments and privatization of public companies. Nowadays, local utilities in Italy are often run by joint stock companies controlled by public agencies such as Regional and Municipal Administrations. Due to this transformation, these companies must comply with a set of diverse expectations coming from a wide range of stakeholders, related to their financial, competitive and social performance. Such fragmented governance increases the presence of “wicked” problems in the decision-making sphere of these entities. Given this multi-level governance structure, ho…

Improving performance and fostering accountability in the public sector through system dynamics modelling: From an ‘external’ to an ‘internal’ perspe…

2010

This paper aims to outline the benefits justifying a tailored approach to System Dynamics (SD) modelling in the public sector, to improve performance and foster decision makers' accountability. The need of combining an ‘internal’ with an ‘external’ perspective (in respect to decision makers) in developing SD models is claimed. Different levels of intervention (i.e. macro, micro and meso) are discussed. Two case studies are analysed. The first one demonstrates how a dynamic resource-based view (DRBV) can support an analysis of the impact of back and front office units on a public sector organization's performance drivers. The second case shows how SD modelling based on a DRBV can also be app…

The effect of inventory record inaccuracy in information exchange supply chains

2015

Abstract The goal of this paper is to quantify the impact of Inventory Record Inaccuracy on the dynamics of collaborative supply chains, both in terms of operational performance (i.e. order and inventory stability), and customer service level. To do so, we model an Information Exchange Supply Chain under shrinkage errors in the inventory item recording activity of their nodes, present the mathematical formulation of such supply chain model, and conduct a numerical simulation assuming different levels of errors. Results clearly show that Inventory Record Inaccuracy strongly compromises supply chain stability, particularly when moving upwards in the supply chain. Important managerial insights…

HOME COUNTRY INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTS ON INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIVENESS

2023

La qualità delle istituzioni di un Paese ha un effetto significativo sulla sua performance economica. Istituzioni forti possono garantire un'allocazione efficiente delle risorse, ridurre l'incertezza e gli attriti e favorire il coordinamento tra gli agenti economici. Al contrario, istituzioni deboli determinano una riduzione degli investimenti, un rallentamento della crescita della produttività e una minore crescita del PIL. Buone istituzioni favoriscono le sinergie tra gli investimenti diretti esteri e le imprese locali, nonché le ricadute di produttività. Al contrario, istituzioni poco sviluppate possono interferire con le attività produttive e impedire lo sfruttamento delle ricadute di c…

Framing the Sources of Image of a Local Area through Outcome-Based Dynamic Performance Management

2018

This article investigates the place image concept. It aims to frame major factors impacting on the image of a local area and to suggest associated measures. The adoption of a dynamic approach enables the exploration of four major factors: the level of tourism development, the fit of contextual attributes, the strength of identity, and the level of synergy between public and private sectors. The emerging conceptual model identifies twelve performance indicators driving interdependencies between outputs and outcomes. Such a model eventually is applied to the “Taormina-Etna district” – located in Sicily (Italy) – with the intent to discussing its effectiveness.

Fostering entrepreneurial learning processes through Dynamic Start-up business model simulators

2018

Abstract Entrepreneurial learning is a critical process in realizing the success or failure of a new business venture, as it implies that would-be entrepreneurs acquire those strategic management competencies required to start and manage a new business. Actually, statistics on start-up survival/failure rate reveal that the main reasons for failure are related to a lack of entrepreneurial competencies of start-uppers. This paper argues that combining Business Model representation schemas with System Dynamics modelling may support potential start-up entrepreneurs in learning and experimenting how to turn a business idea into a real firm. System Dynamics modelling is a methodology that allows …

Systems-dynamic analysis of employment and inequality impacts of low-carbon investments

2016

Abstract This paper provides a macroeconomic framework to evaluate the social and economic consequences generated by a shift of investment to low-carbon options. We introduce into a standard growth framework a modified Lotka–Volterra model for wage and employment determination to address both the long-run dynamics of the economic system in terms of carbon emission and GDP growth and the short-term macroeconomic fluctuations in terms of unemployment and inequality. We use this framework to compare the results of different combinations of three strategies for carbon emissions reductions: improvement in energy efficiency, expansion of the renewable energy sector, and the direct reduction in ca…