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The purpose of this paper is to introduce a novel method for measuring the utilization of information resources (IRs) in order to provide a complementary index for existing information development indices and to reveal the links between the use of IRs and the readiness of ICT.

This research mainly employs three types of research methodologies: literature study was conducted for defining the term of IRs and for finding the common features of the relevant indices; methods to construct composite indicators are used for developing a theoretical framework, selecting variables, imputation of missing data, normalization of data, weighting and aggregation of the novel index; a case study is carried out to provide a typical application for the index and to reveal the underlying links between the use of IRs and the readiness of ICT.

This paper for the first time proposes a method to measure the utilization of IRs from a Chinese perspective and provides its theoretical foundations, conceptual frameworks, main steps and curial techniques. Further, correlations between the use of IRs and the readiness of ICT in China between 2009 and 2011 are also descried.

Measuring the utilization of IRs provides the authorities with an alternative tool to monitor the evolutions a country toward information society. In addition, the novel index presented in this paper can also serve as a method to indentify the gaps among regions in deploying their IRs.

This is the first paper to introduce a new measure for utilization of IRs and is also the first paper to reveal links between the use of IRs and the readiness of ICT as well as Gross Domestic Product in China.

This study quantifies academy productivity within English football clubs that have competed in the second tier (Championship) between 2017 and 2020. Previous research has outlined that clubs situated underneath the top leagues have an important role in the development of elite professional players. This study aims to examine that level of the pathway further in England.

The utilisation of academy players was conducted with data from 33 eligible clubs, from 2017/2018 to 2019/2020. Two measures of productivity are defined for comparison: “Utilisation” (the total minutes played by academy graduates) and “Starts” (the number of times an academy player started for the first team). To quantify these measures, players and clubs’ indices were also defined through two perspectives: “global” (proportion of all games played from 2017/2018 to 2019/2020) and “local” (proportion of games the player featured only). Nationality and position were also included.

Headline findings demonstrate large differences between clubs for the type and proportion of playing opportunities created. The data outlines that academy graduates have greater utilisation and starts in cup competitions, particularly the English Football League cup. Clubs in the sample being relegated from the Premier League into the Championship recorded weaker “utilisation” and “starts” compared to those that competed in the lower divisions. Academies are producing and using a greater proportion of defensive players (goalkeepers, defenders, defensive midfielders) compared to more attacking sectors of the pitch.

This offers useful insight for academy managers, allowing comparisons between clubs. It has implications for future strategies around the role of the academy and approaches to generating player opportunity.

The purpose of this paper is to assess the land utilization in the erosion and landslide vulnerable mountainous region using the Rapid Appraisal for Agricultural Land Utilization (RApALU) model.

A multidimensional RApALU model is used for sustainable agriculture land utilization.

Ecological dimension was less sustainable, whereas socio-economic, socio-cultural, and eco-technological dimensions were comparatively more sustainable. It was found from the analysis that 9 out of 21 attributes have sensitive effect on the sustainability index and status.

One of the implications of this research is that this model could be used to quickly measure the arrangement of an area that is experiencing environmental problems so that the land use planning process could be done more effectively and efficiently. The parameters used in each variable could be chosen by the researchers themselves according to location. As far as known by the researcher, the methods used have not been well integrated, they are still separated, for example, only physical problems, and social problems have not been measured properly. This model is not perfect yet, and it could be developed further because environmental problems are very complex and could be different from one location to another.

RApALU analysis can be used as preliminary analysis to comprehend general and overall description on the status of the sustainability index of land utilization for agriculture in hilly mountainous regions. The study confirmed that RApALU analysis can help determine the status of the sustainability of land utilization in intricate areas. This technique was able to comprehensively identify important factors affecting sustainability status of various dimensions.

Proposes an approach to improving production management (PM) of a firm through examining its resource utilization and product competence. To understand the status of PM in Taiwan, evaluates the achievement levels of 14 production management subjects from 50 large‐scale manufacturing firms. The subjects are further classified into four planning ranges of PM. Then productivity measures of these firms for resource utilization and product competence are determined. Two groups of patterns with distinct PM characteristics are found through a fuzzy clustering analysis based on resource utilization and product competence. Significant correlation has been found between resource utilization and product competence and PM. The PM patterns with good performance in terms of resource utilization and product competence are considered targets for firms of other patterns. The ways of adjusting PM for these firms of other patterns are then described in terms of the characteristics of the target patterns.

Modular product development is a turning table concept in terms of benefits and impact in manufacturing companies. It offers added benefits to the companies with respect to reduce lead-time, improve assemble ability and agility in supply chain management, promote product family and enhance customer satisfaction. This paper aims to identify the patterns of modular product development strategy by using measurement techniques.

Both quantitative and qualitative approaches are considered. In the qualitative section, relevant data on product design are collected from six case companies. On the other hand, in the quantitative section, collected data are analyzed to measure the product modularity level with the case companies.

This research identifies potential metrics which can be used successfully to measure product modularity level or index in manufacturing industries. Selection of such metrics also depends on individual company’s objectives to measure modularity index.

This research contributes to the development of modular product design that supports product family design with lean and agile (leagile) supply chain process. It also provided a parsimonious framework to mapping modules within a product, which is ultimately used to measure modularity index.

The objective of the paper is to get a better understanding of capacity utilisation (CU) in Indian public bus companies. More specifically, this paper would be measuring CU and identifying the drivers of the same. Finally, the influence of CU on the financial performance of Indian bus companies is examined.

The study adopted data envelopment analysis (DEA) to measure the CU in Indian public bus companies. Truncated regression was used to identify the drivers of CU. Subsequently, the ordinary least squares (OLS) regression was used to analyse the influence of CU on Indian bus companies' financial performance. The period of study was from 2013 to 17.

The significant drivers of CU were fleet age, passenger lead and fleet utilisation. Additionally, it was found that CU had a significant positive influence on the financial performance of Indian public bus companies and a unit increase in unused capacity has led to an increase of 7% in the operating ratio of the bus companies.

Getting insights into CU, apart from technical efficiency, is of immense use to both public transport researchers and practitioners. Managers of public bus companies should be mindful of CU as it has a significant bearing on their financial performance.

This is the first study in public transport, which establishes the linkage between CU and financial performance. Besides, a modified measure of cost-efficiency has also been conceptualised in this study.

Critical analysis of previously developed white‐collar productivity management techniques focuses on the existing shortcomings of several measurement and evaluation methodologies of white‐collar personnel and functions. An analytical method of defining and measuring various pertinent characteristics of both routine and non‐routine white‐collar jobs helps in the development of a more suitable productivity management methodology. A systematic procedure is described for the measurement and evaluation of white‐collar productivity for an individual, a group of individuals or a department. The recommended measures, viz, operations‐based productivity measures for routine and non‐routine jobs, explain in detail the relationship of different white‐collar job characteristics and individual and group productivity at the middle management level. A case example is cited which illustrates the proposed approach. The advantages, along with some limitations, of the methodology are also highlighted.

This study examines the effect of inflation on stock returns in the context of the policy reaction function theory. This theory contends that the nature and extent of the government’s policy reaction to inflation will depend upon the current level of economic activity. A contractionary policy, which will depress stock returns, is more likely when the economy is a ta business cycle peak than at a trough. Therefore, the effect of inflation on stock returns varies with the stage of the business cycle. In order to test this theory, monthly consumer price indices, capacity utilization indices, and stock returns were examined. The results of using the returns of both a market index and a sample of individual companies between 1962 and 1988 support the theory.

Performance assessment of layouts requires a systematic approach because of its multi-objective nature. The purpose of this paper is to propose a framework to the performance assessment of layout designs.

A layout performance assessment framework is proposed, grounded on a literature review. Then, the causal relationships and prioritization of the sub-criteria are analyzed by fuzzy Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory technique in an elevator and escalator-manufacturing firm.

An integrated holistic performance assessment framework, specifically, the 7 criteria, 19 sub-criteria and 112 measures, are studied in this model which represents causal relationships and prioritization of sub-criteria.

The proposed framework can be generalized, because an integrative framework can be used in future empirical studies to analyze performance of layout design. However, the causal relationships and prioritization among sub-criteria are analyzed based on the needs and capabilities of the individual company; therefore, the results of the causal relationships are company specific.

With this framework, the companies may assess their current layout’s performance, may analyze causal relationships and prioritization of sub-criteria.

There are very few models or frameworks regarding the performance assessment of layout designs. In this paper, a new conceptual holistic framework was proposed as three-dimensional hierarchy, which includes the main criteria, sub-criteria and the measures, respectively. Cost, flow, flexibility, surrounding environment, environment quality, time and characteristics are identified as the main criteria for the layout design performance assessment. In addition, cause-effect relationships, which will be the base for improvement of the performance, are found.

The effects of reductions in Canadian tariffs on imports from thirty non‐OPEC Third World countries are estimated using quarterly data for the period 1972–79. Estimates of total trade expansion, trade diversion and trade creation are obtained using linear and a log‐linear specification. The results imply that the trade diversion effect is in general and for most commodity groups larger than the trade creation effect.