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Prior research on the structure‐performance relationship has not investigated all of the relevant relationships among market structure, profits, prices, and explicitly calculated measures of firm efficiency. This paper replicates the four approaches in the literature, adds several innovations, and applies the analysis to banking data. We find more support for the structure‐conduct‐performance hypothesis than for the relative‐market‐power and efficient‐structure hypotheses, although the data are not fully consistent with any of these theories. We also find support for Hick's quiet‐life hypothesis, which implies that firms with market power adhere less rigorously to efficiency maximization. J.E.L. Classification Numbers G21, G28, L41, L89 The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the Board of Governors or its staff. The authors thank Dean Amel, Jim Berkovec, Myron Kwast, Nellie Liang, LenNakamura, Steve Rhoades, and participants in the meeting of the Federal Reserve System Committee on Financial Structure and Regulation for helpful comments, and Ken Cavalluzzo, Jalal Akhavein, John Leusner, and Seth Bonime for outstanding research assistance.

Consider the mutual coupling between loads, the purpose of this paper is to study the total transmission efficiency based on different load coil positions relative to the charging platform, to provide the theoretical basis for the design and parameter optimization of one-to-multiple wireless charging platform.

Based on the dual-load series-resonant wireless power transfer system, the expression of system efficiency and its calculation model is achieved using the equivalent circuit theory. Finally, a 96 kHz magnetic resonance wireless power transmission test platform is built up to verify the theoretical analysis given in this paper.

For the completely resonant circuit, the transmission efficiency can be improved by increasing the transmitter-receiver coupling and reducing the coupling between receivers. The total transmission efficiency achieves its lowest value when two loads are with equal competitive capability.

Through the simulation analysis of efficiency formula, the selection principle of impact factors can be applied to the optimization analysis of the transmission efficiency.

Internal capital markets of diversified firms have been associated with inefficient allocation of investment funds across divisions, leading to value losses. Utilizing a sample of diversified firms that adopted or eliminated Residual Income (RI) plans between 1990 and 2009, we show that adoptions of these plans mitigate investment distortions and lead to value gains. Following the adoption of RI plans, diversified firms start allocating investment funds based on growth opportunities of their divisions. RI plan adopters lower their divisional investment levels, especially in segments with below-average growth opportunities. The overall investment allocation efficiency improves, and the diversification discount diminishes after the adoption of RI plans. However, RI plans appear to be used only as temporary tools for assessing corporate performance. The plans are adopted primarily by firms expected to immediately generate plan bonuses for management, and they are frequently eliminated by firms with bad accounting performance and low managerial bonuses. The study contributes to the literature on organizational efficiency, internal capital markets, and on the importance of measures based on economic profits or RI.

The primary goal of this paper was to find out how task effectiveness, completion, efficiency and task time affect the general user satisfaction with a specific software product, and which factors, mentioned above, have the biggest effect on user satisfaction. The secondary goal of this examination was to try out how the metrics of ISO/IEC TR 9126‐4 standard can be applied for measuring quality in use of the software product in a real library environment.

This study introduces the results of research which focused on the measurement of user satisfaction using ISO/IEC TR 9126‐4. Data of the examination was gained from the logfiles of Web OPAC used at the University and National Library of University of Debrecen. Based on this data the study was seeking the relation between quality of task solution with the software product and user satisfaction. To carry out the examinations the University and National Library of University of Debrecen permitted access of its Web OPAC with four unique URL numbers. In this way it was possible to separate the logfiles of participants in the examination from those of other library users and analyse each separately. Measuring users' effectiveness, completion and efficiency was based on the relevant metrics of ISO/IEC TR 9126‐4‐ Quality in use metrics standard. The study measured the satisfaction after using the software with the questionnaire.

The study could not assess every potential user satisfaction influential factor, but focused on gaining data from log‐files, and converted them into metrics according to the ISO/IEC TR 9126‐4 standard. Of the examined factors, the effectiveness of task solution had the greatest influence on user satisfaction: among the four detailed factors effectiveness‐satisfaction variables, it possessed the highest calculated correlation coefficient value. Another important statement of this study was that during the satisfaction examinations it was necessary to be attentive to the satisfaction structure of well definable user groups, who used library information systems, and who showed special features.

Measuring user's effectiveness, completion and efficiency was based on the relevant metrics of ISO/IEC TR 9126‐4‐ Quality in use metrics standard.

Regenerative flow pump (RFP) is a rotodynamic turbomachine capable of developing high pressure rise at low flow rates. This paper aims to numerically investigate the performance of a regenerative pump considering the modification in blade and casing geometry.

The radial blade shape was changed to the bucket form and a core is added to flow path. A parametric study was performed to improve the performance of the pump. Thus, the effect of change in blade angle, chord, height, pitch to chord ratio and also inlet port on the performance of RFP was investigated.

Results showed that the modified blade angle to achieve the maximum efficiency is about 41 degree. Also, the most efficient point occurs close to pitch/chord = 0.4 and by reducing the axial chord, efficiency of the pump increases. It was found that better efficiency will be achieved by increasing the “Arc of admission”, but there are limitations of manufacturing. It was observed that the performance curves shifted towards lower flow coefficients by reducing height of blades.

To improve the characteristics of regenerative pump, the blade shape changed to the bucket form (airfoil blades with identical inlet and outlet angle) and a core is added to flow path. A parametric study has been accomplished to see the influence of some important parameters on the performance of the pump.

The authors investigate the 2008-2009 short-sales ban in Korea, one of the most comprehensive and restrictive short-selling bans worldwide. The purpose of this paper is to examine: whether the ban stopped a destabilizing effect, if there was any, of short-selling activities; whether the ban improved or deteriorated the informational efficiency or the price discovery process of the stock market; and whether the ban had any impact on market liquidity.

Multiple regression; vector autoregression analysis; and generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity analysis.

The authors find no evidence that short-sales have a market-destabilizing effect and thus, restricting short-selling has a market-stabilizing effect. On the contrary, the short-selling ban is associated with an increase in return volatility and a deterioration of the price discovery process, particularly for the stocks without derivatives traded on them. The authors also find evidence of a liquidity decrease for short-sale intensive stocks. However, the evidence is inconclusive as to whether the market efficiency and liquidity changes are solely the result of the short-sales ban or the compound effects of both the ban and the concurrent progress of the financial crisis.

The literature does not provide a conclusive view on the effects of short-sales or restrictions thereof on the stock market. Also, the existing research on recent worldwide shorting bans often lack empirical scope (e.g. 32 stocks for UK; three weeks for USA). In contrast, the short-sales ban in the Korean stock market, one of the most comprehensive and restrictive short-selling bans worldwide, lasted for eight months for all the listed stocks and is still in effect for financial stocks. The authors find no evidence that short-sales have a market-destabilizing effect and thus, restricting short-selling has a market-stabilizing effect.

This paper aims to investigate the pile group efficiency based on the load-settlement response in soft clay conditions, considering several pile configurations using a variable number of piles and pile spacing. The overall objective of the present paper is to provide further insight into the mechanical response of the pile group and aim at helping the engineers in taking a logical path in an iterative design process for pile group efficiency.

To investigate the pile group efficiency, three-dimensional (3D) numerical simulations were performed using the finite-difference code FLAC3D.

The obtained numerical results are validated by comparing them to those of similar subgrade structure and in comparable geological conditions provided within the literature. The results indicated that although the bearing capacity of the pile group increases with increasing number of piles, the efficiency of the pile group is very important for a small number of piles. However, increasing of pile spacing has a positive effect on pile group efficiency depending on piles number and settlement level. The pertinence of the 3D numerical results of efficiency coefficient is judged by comparison with those obtained from the most popular formulas available in the literature.

A predicted model is also proposed which is validated with the obtained numerical results to a better goodness of fit.

Ideal and practical performance of ram‐jet units in steady flight in the stratosphere at Mach numbers from 1·5 to 4 is examined. The effects of combustion, temperature, altitude, intake and exhaust nozzle design are considered.

The purpose of this study is to examine the operational efficiency of restaurants in a dynamic context, over the period 2011-2014. The paper also analyzes efficiency with respect to several frontiers and production technologies dependent on restaurant size. Finally, it provides a new perspective by examining financial and non-financial variables that can directly affect the efficiency of restaurant firms.

The study applies metafrontier data envelopment analysis (DEA) methodology to investigate differences in production technologies, dynamic Tobit regression models and bootstrap procedure.

The results reveal that operational efficiency in the restaurant industry is affected by firm size, showing that large restaurants perform better than medium-sized and small restaurants Moreover, the evidence suggests a link between the efficiency index and financial variables, such as credit ratings, probability of default or bankruptcy, leverage and cash flow, as well as a link with non-financial variables, such as type of auditor.

The strength of restaurant firms has practical implications for managers and entrepreneurs, linked to the investment possibilities and growth potential of companies in that industry.

This study provides exploratory insights into operational efficiency as well as restaurant efficiency determinants. Performance and operational efficiency are key factors to restaurant firms’ survival in the economies that have been most severely affected by the financial crisis. Furthermore, this study confirms the relevance of financial and non-financial variables, which are associated with firm efficiency in this industry.

The author developed a theory of optimal trajectories for air vehicles with variable wing area and conventional wings. He applied a new theory of singular optimal solutions and obtained the optimal flight in many cases. At first glance, the results may seem strange however, this is correct and this paper will show how this new theory may be used. The main idea of the research is in using the vehicle's kinetic energy for increasing the range of missiles and projectiles. The author shows that the range of a ballistic warhead can be increased 3‐4 times if an optimal wing is added to the ballistic warhead, especially a wing with variable area. If increased range is not needed, the warhead mass can be increased. The range of big gun shells can also be increased 3‐9 times. The range of aircraft may be improved 3‐15 percent and more. The results can be used for the design of aircraft, missiles, flying bombs and shells of big guns.