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The paper analyzes the relative performance of provincial gas distribution companies with different types of inputs and outputs. A data envelopment analysis (DEA)-based model is developed to construct an equilibrium efficient frontier in the presence of multi-type input/output variables.

A DEA-based model is developed to construct an equilibrium efficient frontier in the presence of multi-type input/output variables.

It has been shown that using this single equilibrium efficient frontier, a trade-off is made between efficient and inefficient companies so as to make all companies as efficient.

The study analyzes the relative performance of provincial gas distribution companies with different types of inputs and outputs. A DEA-based model is developed to construct an equilibrium efficient frontier in the presence of multi-type input/output variables. It has been shown that using this single equilibrium efficient frontier, a trade-off is made between efficient and inefficient companies so as to make all companies as efficient.

The purpose of this paper is to develop data envelopment analysis (DEA) models and algorithms for efficiency improvement when the inputs and output weights are restricted and there is fixed availability of inputs in the system.

Limitation on availability of inputs is represented in the form of constant sum of inputs (CSOI) constraint. The amount of excess input of an inefficient decision-making unit (DMU) is redistributed among other DMUs in such a way so that there is no reduction in their efficiency. DEA models have been developed to design the optimum strategy to reallocate the excess input.

The authors have developed the method for reallocating the excess input among DMUs while under CSOI constraint and parameter weight restrictions. It has been shown that in this work to improve the efficiency of an inefficient DMU one needs the cooperation of selected few DMUs. The working of the models and results have been shown through a case study on carbon dioxide emissions of 32 countries.

The limitation of the study is that only one DMU can expect to benefit from the application of these methods at any given time.

Results of the paper are useful in situations when decision maker is exploring the possibility of transferring the excess resources from underperforming DMUs to the other DMUs to improve the performance.

This strategy of reallocation of excess input will be very useful in situations when decision maker is exploring the possibility of transferring the excess resources from underperforming DMUs to the other DMUs to improve the performance. Unlike the existing works on efficiency improvement under CSOI, this work seeks to address the issue of efficiency improvement when the input/output parameter weights are also restricted.

The power industry is the pillar industry of the Chinese economy, and also a major carbon emitter. The performances of both the production and operation of the power industry are crucial for a harmonious development of society. This study proposes an improved data envelopment analysis (DEA) model to analyze the sustainable performance of China's power supply chain (PSC).

To analyze the sustainable performance of PSC systems in China's provincial regions, this study proposes a two-stage directional distance function (DDF) model. The proposed model not only considers the leader–follower game relationship between the power-generation system and the retail system, but also considers the factors that measure the sustainability level of the PSC.

The proposed model is applied to assess the sustainable performance of the PSCs of China's provincial regions. The findings are valuable and mainly include the following aspects: First, compared with other models, this study regards the intermediate variable of the power system as a freely disposable variable; therefore, the efficiency of the proposed model is more realistic. Second, the average efficiency of China's power retailing system is generally lower than the average efficiency of its power-generation system. Third, significant regional differences affect the power-generation efficiency, while the regional differences in power retail efficiency are not significant. The power-generation performances of PSCs in East China and Northeast China are generally higher than in other regions.

This study introduces the convex technique into a DEA model and thus proposes an improved two-stage DDF DEA model. In response to the game-theoretic inherent in power systems, this study also introduces the leader–follower game into the two-stage model. In addition to the theoretic novelty, all PSCs can be classified with this model. Moreover, specific recommendations for each type of PSCs are proposed based on the efficiency results, thus providing vital guidance for the practice.

To improve the sustainable performance of the power supply chain system (PSCS), the Chinese government proposed a series of relevant policies and promoted the application of various technologies in the power industry. This study analyzes the sustainable performance and technology levels of PSCSs in various regions of China.

To quantify the technological heterogeneity between PSCSs, this study incorporates a meta-frontier into the performance evaluation model. To increase the performance of inefficient PSCSs, this study also proposes a series of performance improvement path indexes.

Empirical analysis of China's provincial PSCSs, using data from 2014 to 2017, has yielded several key findings. First, the average performance of PSCSs of all provinces in China is 0.7192, indicating that PSCSs in China have great potential for improvement. Second, independent of power generation subsystem (PGS) or power retail subsystem (PRS), regional differences affect the technological heterogeneity of PSCSs in China. Third, for PGS, the technological level of PSCSs in the eastern region displays a high level, while the management level can still be greatly improved. Fourth, only the PSCS of Beijing is best in both PGS and PRS. The two subsystems of the PSCSs in the other provinces are either insufficiently managed or technologically inadequate.

Compared with the traditional performance model, the model proposed in this study considers the technological heterogeneity between PSCSs. In addition, the path indexes proposed in this study clearly indicate an improvement direction and the specific improvement level for inefficient PSCSs.

This paper aims to examine the relationship between board structure and risk-taking, exploring how this association is influenced by advanced technologies in the banking sector.

This study uses a panel sample of 22 Pakistani banks from 2011 to 2018. To test the authors’ hypothesis, the authors use regression analysis with two-way cluster robust standard errors. Further, the authors also check the robustness of the authors’ findings using alternate proxies of board structure and bank risk-taking behavior. To address endogeneity concerns, the authors use the two-stage least square technique.

In the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Pakistani banks’ digitalization is modeled by the presence of Temenos-T24/Oracle as their core banking system (software providing end-to-end operational integration). Its interactional effect with corporate governance is evaluated to implicate informed risk-taking by the board as a result of improved information access and analysis. The authors find that board size has a positive association with risk-taking, and the use of modern technology reshapes this association in the banking sector.

The contribution of this paper is twofold. First, the impact of board structure on bank risk-taking has not been extensively researched in Pakistan – a highly volatile and unpredictable economy. Second, the evaluation of the role of technology on bank risk is being researched for the very first time – a uniqueness of this paper.

Knight's Industrial Law Reports goes into a new style and format as Managerial Law This issue of KILR is restyled Managerial Law and it now appears on a continuous updating basis rather than as a monthly routine affair.

The paper suggests a framework for analyzing business relationships using the hierarchy‐markets‐network framework. Instead of treating these three interaction modes as mutually exclusive, an integrated model is suggested offering the opportunity for dyadic and dynamic analyses.

The paper takes the form of a literature study.

Relationships between two organizations can vary significantly within a triangle defined by hierarchy, market and network. Firms need to understand their current position and how that fits the purpose of the relationship. Also, understanding the other side's evaluation and potential development opportunities are important.

The framework offers an analytical tool for firms in order to improve their relationship understanding and relationship management.

The paper offers some clear definitions and thus contributes to overcome some conceptual problems. It also contributes to the discussion on hierarchies, markets and networks as potential interaction modes.

Theories about rational motivation generate financial incentive payment systems; theories about self‐fulfilment motivation generate measured daywork systems. But empirical evidence indicates that the effect of a motivator on an employee is contingent upon the circumstances in which the motivator is applied. It is logical then to design payment systems to fit the circumstances of the particular firm or department. Methods for doing this are described in this paper.

To illustrate problems a developing country faces in generating and managing agricultural R&D funds and to portray some practical solutions to these problems.

A case study of cocoa and coconut R&D in Papua New Guinea is used to illustrate the problems and solutions associated with funding and managing agricultural R&D in a developing country context.

Several problems associated with donor funding, unreliability of funding and corruption are outlined. Solutions to these problems include fund diversification, commercial activity by the R&D provider to generate their own source of R&D funds, changes to national legislation to provide greater security of national funding for agricultural R&D and introduction of some performance‐based incentives for scientists.

Being a case study limits the ease of generalizing its findings.

The issues of generating R&D funds and their governance are widespread problems in developing countries. This study shows some practical solutions to these problems.

This paper offers some practical solutions and insights about improved management of agricultural R&D funds in a developing country. Its findings have possible relevance for many other developing countries.

Surveys, from an American perspective, the existing literature on economic explanations of the behaviour of universities and scholars. The modern literature is put in historical perspective introduced by a brief discussion of the positions of two of the earliest and most distinguished contributors to the literature: Adam Smith and Max Weber. Discusses the human capital and implicit contracts literatures of the behaviour of scholars, the latter elaborated in terms of the issue of tenure. The most common theoretical economic analysis of the university is the view that it is best thought of as a non‐profit organization. Discusses variants of this view, with special attention to the literature on rent‐seeking in academe. Goes on to the empirical literature on the economics of academe in the areas of academic institutions, academic earnings functions, the earnings and status of minority scholars and academic production functions. Briefly considers the relevance of the current literature to the Althoff system, suggesting that Althoff′s able, trusted advisers, and his system of institutes, may have allowed him to avoid several inefficiences that have been identified by economists as present in other academic institutions. Although the centralization of decision making in the hands of one decision maker may be efficient if the decision maker is exceptionally able, more commonly the most efficient system will be a decentralized system that allows for greater diversity and competition. Concludes with a discussion of how hypotheses on the efficiency (and fairness) of various aspects of the Althoff system could, in principle, be tested.