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This paper addresses resource redeployment in ecosystems. Prior research examines the value of resource redeployment across product markets in multi-business firms. In contrast, resource redeployment across ecosystems is an important corporate strategy employed by both single- and multi-business ecosystem firms that has received little attention. To address this gap, we present a case study of resource redeployment by an entrepreneurial firm in the US residential solar industry. We propose that the value creation mechanisms (i.e., improving capabilities, bottleneck relief) are fundamentally different when resources are redeployed in ecosystems. We identify “consumption-side” interdependence of components and “production-side” resource relatedness as playing critical roles in both types of value creation and propose conditions under which resource redeployment is most valuable. Overall, we contribute insights into the literatures on resource redeployment and strategy in business ecosystems.

The aim of this paper is to compare the performance of static VAR compensator (SVC) and unified power flow controller (UPFC) in dynamic economic dispatch (DED) problem. DED schedules the online generator outputs with the predicted load demands over a certain period so that the electric power system is operated most economically. During last decade, flexible alternating current transmission systems (FACTS) devices are broadly used for maximizing the loadability of existing power system transmission networks. However, based on the literature survey, the performance of SVC and UPFC incorporated in the DED problem and its cost–benefit analysis are not discussed earlier in any of the literature.

Here, the DED problem is solved applying ABC algorithm incorporating SVC and UPFC. The following conditions are investigated with the incorporation of SVC and UPFC into DED problem: the role of SVC and UPFC for improving the power flow and voltage profile and the approximate analysis on cost recovery and payback period with SVC and UPFC in DED problem.

The incorporation of FACTS devices reduces the generation cost and improves the stability of the system. The percentage cost recovered with FACTS devices is estimated approximately using equated monthly installment (EMI) and non-EMI scheme. It is clear from the illustrations that the installation of FACTS devices is profitable after a certain period.

In this research work, the generation cost with FACTS devices is only taken into account while calculating the profit. The other benefits like congestion management, cost gained due to land and cost due to stability issues are not considered. For future work, these things can be considered while calculating the benefit.

The originality of the work is incorporation of FACTS devices in DED problem and approximate estimation of recovery cost with FACTS devices in DED problem.

This paper seeks to redress the omission in recent literature on the influence of project strategic, site related and design related variables on the cost of construction. It presents, in part, the results of an investigation into the influence of 41 independent variables on both construction cost and client cost, concentrating on design related variables. Data were collected from 286 construction projects in the United Kingdom and correlation and test for differences were used to determine the relationships that exist between the dependent and independent variables. The analysis ascertains the cost ranking of many design related variables and establishes other relationships which exist within the data, confirming many of the relationships that had been anticipated from the literature. It also established the ordinal sequence of several nominal variables. These data, therefore, can be confidently used to develop models of the total cost of construction as verified by the development of both regression analysis and neural network cost models

Dexion Ltd are the UK‐based subsidiary of an American corporation, concerned with the manufacture and supply of storage and materials handling equipment. The study discussed here originates from a project carried out as part of an in‐company MBA programme. It aims to improve the overall profitability of UK storage installation sales and the quality of service offered to the client. The approach adopted concentrated primarily on information from in‐house sources due to the unwillingness of comparative companies to co‐operate. Much of the information came from in‐depth analysis of performance/trends of the three major UK sales regions, a series of interviews with key personnel involved in the installation process, and previously published in‐house reports. The recommendations will impact on people, the work and structure of the organisation, and its systems, all of which interact with one another. Therefore while many of the proposals will stand alone the full benefit will only accrue with the introduction of the total package and broad acceptance of those most affected.

This paper aims to propose an operation policy of multi-capacity room service robots traveling within a hotel. As multi-capacity robots can serve many requests in a single trip, improved operation policy can reduce the investment cost of robots.

Using a mathematical model-based optimization technique, an optimal set of robots with minimum installation cost is derived while serving the entire room service demands. Through testing a variety of scenarios by changing the price and function of robots to be installed, insights that consider the various situations are offered.

Though the increase in capacity saves much time for room service at a lower capacity level, the amount of time saved gradually decreases as the capacity increases. Besides, the installation strategy is divided into two cases depending on the purchase cost of robots.

Currently, the studies focusing on the adoption of service robots from an operations view are rarely be found. To reduce the burden of investment cost, this study takes the unique approach to improve the operation policy of service robots by using the multi-capacity robots.

This study guides the hotel to install an adequate set of robots. The result confirms that the optimal installation set of robots is affected by various factors, such as the room service information, the hotel structure and the unit execution cycle.

After the outbreak of COVID-19, people avoid face-to-face contact and interest in non-contact service is growing. This paper deals with the efficient way to implement non-contact delivery through logistic robots, a timely and important topic.

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the efficacy of decision analysis in determining the most efficient strategy for installing cable television in the residence halls of Bucknell University.

The decision analysis model compared five distinct approaches for achieving and maintaining a successful delivery of cable television service to students enrolled in this private, residential institution. For each alternative, the model incorporated installation costs, likelihood of installation failure, installation failure costs, likelihood of obsolescence and obsolescence-related costs. In addition to considering the trade-offs between cost, timing and riskiness of the various alternatives, a thorough set of sensitivity analyses was performed to gain insight into the parameters that most strongly influence this decision-making process.

The quantitative model advocated the adoption of the university’s data network as the mode for cable delivery. Sensitivity analysis further supported this notion.

The analysis of this problem incorporated the knowledge and judgments of senior administrators and staff members, thus demonstrating the critical contributions offered by subject-matter experts in advising, informing and launching successful decision analysis projects. Incorporating stakeholder viewpoints enhances model understanding and, eventually, model implementation. Decision analysis represents a powerful approach in communicating uncertainties and advising on the benefits of particular alternatives.

To the best of the researchers’ knowledge, this paper represents an initial attempt to investigate cable delivery options within a decision analysis framework.

A substantial number of production assets in the offshore oil and gas industry are facing operation beyond their anticipated design life, thus necessitating a service life extension program in the future. Selection of the most suitable strategy among a wide range of potential options to extend the lifetime of equipment (e.g. re-using, reconditioning, remanufacturing, refurbishing and adding on safety/process control measures) remains a challenging task that involves several technical, economic and organizational complexities. In order to tackle this challenge, it is crucial to develop analytical tools and methods capable of evaluating and prioritizing end-of-life strategies with respect to their associated costs and quantifiable benefits. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

This paper presents a life-cycle cost-benefit analysis approach to identify the most suitable life extension strategy for ageing offshore assets by taking into account all the capital, installation, operational, maintenance and risk expenditures during the extended phase of operation. The potential of the proposed methodology is demonstrated through a case study involving a three-phase separator vessel which was constructed in the mid-1970s.

The results from the application case indicate that the capital expenditure (CapEx) accounts for the largest portion of life cycle cost for the replacement strategy, while risk expenditure (RiskEx) is the major contributor to costs associated with life extension. A sensitivity analysis is also conducted to identify factors having the greatest impact on the optimum life extension solution, including oil price, production rate and money interest rate.

In the past, the decisions about life extension or replacement of in-service equipment were often made in a qualitative way based on experience and judgment of engineers and inspectors. This study presents a “quantitative” framework to evaluate and compare the costs, benefits and risks associated with life extension strategies and subsequently to select the best strategy based on benefit/cost ratios.

To the best of authors’ knowledge, no studies before have applied life cycle assessment and cost-benefit analysis methods to prioritize the potential life extension strategies in the oil and gas industry sector. The proposed approach not only assists decision makers in selecting the most suitable life extension strategy but also helps duty holders reduce the costs corresponding to life extension execution.

This study aims to examine the effects of policy incentives and cost on the choice and use of renewable energy in North-Central Nigeria.

The data for this study are collected from a sample of 290 respondents drawn from across 6 states in North-Central Nigeria, including the Federal Capital Territory. This study uses descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regression to analyze the data.

The findings reveal that there is a huge potential demand for renewable energy sources (particularly solar photovoltaic) in the rural communities in Nigeria. It also indicates a positive and highly significant relationship between the level of awareness, availability and income and the use (consumption) of renewable energy sources among the rural communities. Furthermore, the cost of installation and maintenance of renewable energy, its reliability and availability are significant determinants of renewable energy choices among rural inhabitants in Nigeria.

The authors submit that inefficient policy strategies, high cost of installation and lack of awareness remain the major hindrances to the use of more efficient renewable energy sources. From a policy point of view, a viable strategy for effective use of renewable energy sources is the involvement of government, development partners and agencies for the funding of renewable energy technology in the rural sector of the country. The usage of modern renewable energy would increase if policy incentives are aimed at covering parts of the maintenance and installation cost of renewable energy users. The authors recommend that apart from creating awareness on the benefits of renewable energy, policymakers should provide a desirable policy environment for private energy firms to supply renewable energy at an affordable cost to the rural communities in Nigeria.

A majority of the rural households in Nigeria, as shown in this article, are poor and therefore use firewood as their main source of cooking energy because of the cost of renewable energy.

Despite the abundance of renewable energy sources and government effort at improving renewable energy use, more than 15 million people live without access to electricity and 54 million are without modern energy services for cooking and lightening in Nigeria. A total of 61% of these people live in rural areas. Therefore, this study is novel in providing energy policy insights for rural communities in North-Central Nigeria.

The functions of lighting Lighting is provided in a building to fulfil three basic functions: