Search results for "cost efficiency"
showing 10 items of 25 documents
A Random Dot Stereoacuity Test based on 3D Technology
2014
This paper presents a novel stereo acuity test that is realized by a software program on a PC with 3D capabilities. The 3D technology is used to provide two separate images to the two eyes. The test is a classical random dot test, but differently to other test printed on paper, the images shown to the patient can vary and there is no monocular clue. These features allow to deliver the test also in groups (instead of individuals) like school classes, and to increase the sensitivity. The system can be easily used also by not specialized personnel and this may further increase the cost efficiency of the test. Experiments carried on with a large set of children of age between five and seven yea…
Flood proofing measures cost-efficiency analysis for hydraulic risk mitigation in an urbanized riverine area.
2020
<div> <div> <div> <p><strong>Flood proofing measures cost-efficiency analysis for hydraulic risk mitigation in an urbanized riverine area</strong></p> <p>Ugo Ventimiglia <sup>2</sup>, Angela Candela <sup>1,</sup> Giuseppe Tito Aronica <sup>2</sup></p> <p><sup>1 </sup>Department of Engineering, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy</p> <p><sup>2 </sup>Department of Engineerin…
Cross-country comparisons of competition and pricing power in European banking
2009
Abstract Studies of banking competition and competitive behavior both within and across countries typically utilise only one of the few measures that are available. In trying to assess the relative competitive position of banking markets in 14 European countries, existing indicators of competition are found to give conflicting predictions across countries, within countries, and over time. This is because indicators of competition tend to measure different things and are additionally influenced by cross-country differences in cost efficiency, fee income levels, real economic growth and inflation. We attempt to separate bank pricing power from these embodied influences and derive more consist…
Efficiency, endogenous and exogenous credit risk in the banking systems of the Euro area
2005
The implantation of the Euro in 11 of the EU states has driven the big banks to expand their presence in other European countries, which may have negative consequences on their credit risk in view of the disadvantages involved in entering new markets. The aim of this study is to analyse the efficiency and the credit risk of the banks of the most important countries of the Euro area, using a one-stage parametric stochastic procedure that allows one to identify whether the behaviour towards risk of the banks analysed was more cautious or more reckless during the period analysed. The results indicate that adjustments for risk are important in the case of profit efficiency but not in the case o…
Revisiting the quiet life hypothesis in banking using nonparametric techniques
2014
Early studies testing the quiet life hypothesis in banking found strong evidence that banks in more concentrated markets exhibit lower cost efficiency levels. More recent studies have reexamined the issue in different contexts, with mixed results. These approaches are based on stipulating a linear re- lationship between market power and efficiency in banking, which might be problematic, as suggested by the literature on efficiency analysis. We explore how bank cost efficiency measures are related to market power using flexible techniques, which are more consistent with those employed to measure efficiency in the first stage of the analysis. Our study focuses on the Spanish banking industry,…
Cost and profit efficiency in the Spanish banking sector (1985–1996): a non-parametric approach
2003
The aim of this article is to analyse the efficiency in costs and in profits of the Spanish banking sector (SBS) in the period 1985–1996 using a non-parametric approach. The results obtained show the existence of profit efficiency levels well below those corresponding to cost efficiency, alternative profit efficiency being below standard profit efficiency. These results imply the existence of market power in the setting of prices and/or the existence of differences in the quality of bank output reflected in the differences in prices. With regard to the immediate future, of full economic and monetary integration, the reduction of profit levels associated with higher competitive pressure may …
A Network Tomography Approach for Traffic Monitoring in Smart Cities
2018
Traffic monitoring is a key enabler for several planning and management activities of a Smart City. However, traditional techniques are often not cost efficient, flexible, and scalable. This paper proposes an approach to traffic monitoring that does not rely on probe vehicles, nor requires vehicle localization through GPS. Conversely, it exploits just a limited number of cameras placed at road intersections to measure car end-to-end traveling times. We model the problem within the theoretical framework of network tomography, in order to infer the traveling times of all individual road segments in the road network. We specifically deal with the potential presence of noisy measurements, and t…
Examining Business Models of Software-as-a-Service Firms
2013
The paper focuses the attention to different business models and intended strategic aims of the firms providing Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). SaaS vendors have been said to challenge the business practices of the existing vendors providing proprietary or customer-specific solutions. The current studies on the topic have shown that SaaS is different from preceding software business models, but consider and emphasize SaaS business model as an invariable configuration. This case study compares two SaaS firms with different backgrounds and reveals characteristics of two very different SaaS business models. The findings indicate that along with SaaS vendors providing only standard software appli…
A Comparison of Formulae for Calculating Cost-Efficient Sample Sizes of Case-Control Studies with an Internal Validation Scheme
2000
When a case-control study is planned to include an internal validation study, the sample size of the study and the proportion of validated observations has to be calculated. There are a variety of alternative methods to accomplish this. In this article some possible procedures will be compared in order to clarify whether considerable differences in the suggested optimal designs occur, dependent on the used method.
Participation and compensation claims in voluntary forest conservation: A case of privately owned forests in Finland
2009
Abstract A new market-based voluntary programme aimed at preserving forest habitats on private land has been implemented in Finland. This scheme is based on conservation by fixed-term agreements between forest owners and a governmental authority. In this study we examine the characteristics of forest owners and their properties that indicate the owners' willingness to participate in the programme. In addition, we analyse factors affecting the real compensation claims. The study uses a dual set of data from the pilot project, i.e. one data set supplied by the authority and another collected from the owners involved in the project. The results suggest that to increase the participation rate, …