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- Performance evaluation in Portuguese electricity distribution utilitiesPublication . Santos, Sérgio Pereira dos; Amado, Carla; Rosado, Joaquim; Rodrigues, Paulo M. M.; Santos, Sérgio Pereira dos; Ferreira, F. A. F.The Portuguese electricity system has undergone a major transformation in recent years due to its integration in the liberalised Iberian market. The group responsible for the electricity generation and distribution in Portugal (EDP) has been consistently focusing in service quality and efficiency. In the last 3 years, a stringent cost cutting and efficiency improvement program was implemented. This paper conducted a Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) study to measure the relative efficiency of the 14 electricity distribution units belonging to EDP. A dynamic analysis using Malmquist Indices was also conducted in order to evaluate the changes in productivity from 2002 to 2005. Our results show that, on average, we can find evidence of 2% productivity gains in the Portuguese electricity distribution sector. Furthermore, we found evidence of significant discrimination among regional areas, suggesting that a benchmarking exercise based on the DEA results could be valuable for performance improvement in some regions.
- Formative evaluation of electricity distribution utilities using data envelopment analysisPublication . Santos, Sérgio Pereira dos; Amado, Carla; Rosado, JoaquimThe use of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) in the electricity distribution sector has been prolific in the number of papers published in research journals. However, while numerous studies have been documented, they have mostly been summative. Their aim has been predominantly descriptive and classificatory. This paper argues that evaluations of a formative nature are more effective than summative studies in promoting a better understanding of the structures and processes of electricity distribution utilities and, consequently, are more appropriate to contribute to performance improvement. To illustrate the use of DEA for formative evaluation, and highlight some of the difficulties of using DEA in practice, this paper compares the cost-efficiency of the Portuguese electricity distribution companies from 2002 to 2006. A dynamic analysis using Malmquist Indices is also conducted in order to evaluate the changes in productivity over this period. Our analysis shows that the application of DEA for formative purposes meets some difficulties. In particular it shows that while the modelling of productivity/efficiency scores using DEA is relatively straightforward, it is comparatively more difficult to develop models that are economically valid and that produce results with face validity. On the basis of the insights derived from this analysis, the paper provides some recommendations regarding the successful application of DEA for performance improvement.
- Using data envelopment analysis for formative evaluation of radiotherapy services: an exploratory studyPublication . Santos, Sérgio Pereira dos; Amado, Carla; Tànfani, E.; Testi, A.Radiotherapy is an important element in cancer treatment, both for cure and for palliation. Whilst performance measurement and performance improvement are major concerns of most radiotherapy departments, measuring and managing the performance of these departments is particularly challenging. This article critically explores the use of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) for formative evaluation of radiotherapy services. Following a review of the literature, a conceptual framework for performance assessment of radiotherapy departments is developed and its use illustrated. Our empirical analysis uses mostly data from 2007 and compares the fairness of access to services, technical efficiency, and clinical effectiveness across the English strategic health authorities. The analysis shows that whilst the application of DEA in this context meets some difficulties, it also has great potential by providing valuable information to improve services, especially if used in a formative mode.
- Exploring the use of data envelopment analysis for formative evaluation in oncology: an application to radiotherapy servicesPublication . Santos, Sérgio Pereira dos; Amado, CarlaRadiotherapy is an important element in cancer treatment, both for cure and for palliation. Whilst performance measurement and performance improvement are a major concern of most radiotherapy departments, measuring and managing the performance of these departments is particularly challenging. This paper critically evaluates the use of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) for formative evaluation of radiotherapy departments. The paper begins by providing the theoretical background of the research. The applicability of DEA to assess the performance of radiotherapy departments is then analysed. The paper concludes with some closing remarks.
- Adding value to performance measurement by using system dynamics and multicriteria analysisPublication . Santos, Sérgio Pereira dosMeasuring performance either formally or informally is a common practice in most organisations. It is well established that performance measurement plays a critical role in organisations, signalling how well they are succeeding in achieving their objectives and identifying where improvement efforts are required. In an attempt to respond to the assessment needs of organisations, several performance measurement frameworks have been developed over the years. However, in spite of the remarkable progress that has been made in the development of better integrated, balanced and strategically driven performance measurement frameworks, there are issues which deserve further research if these frameworks are to provide a stronger basis from which to manage effectively for improvement. Informed by the literature review and conceptual experimentation, this thesis aims to show that the use of system dynamics (SD) and multiple criteria decision analysis (MCDA), individually and in an integrated manner, can address some of these issues and bring new insights to inform and support the different stages of the performance measurement and management process. To this purpose, a framework incorporating the integrated use of SD and MCDA is suggested and its conceptual coherence and practical relevance is discussed. The conceptual coherence is illustrated by a simple but realistic application in the health care sector. The practical relevance of the framework is assessed in an organisational setting, taking the form of three in-depth case studies. Several conclusions are drawn regarding the potential role of SD and MCDA to add value to the performance measurement and management process, including an assessment of their suitability, limitations, and implementation issues associated with this particular context.
- Developing and implementing a strategy-driven performance management system in a higher education institutionPublication . Santos, Sérgio Pereira dos; Cândido, Carlos; Neely, A.; Kennerley, M.; Walters, A.Performance measurement in higher education has become a challenging issue over the past two decades. Increasingly, institutions of higher education have been required to develop performance measurement systems for both external reporting and internal management purposes. Despite this, little research has been documented regarding the application of the Balanced Scorecard in the education sector, especially at the departmental/faculty level. The objective of this paper is to contribute to filling this void by discussing the development of a performance management system, according to the principles of the Balanced Scorecard, in the Faculty of Economics of one of Portugal’s newer universities.
- Adding value to performance measurement by using system dynamics and multicriteria analysisPublication . Santos, Sérgio Pereira dos; Belton, Valerie; Howick, SusanThe design, implementation and use of adequate performance measurement and management frameworks can play an important role if organisations are to succeed in an increasingly complex, interdependent and changing world. Yet, despite widespread recognition of the importance of performance assessment, there are some issues that require further study if measurement systems are to be effective in the process of management through monitoring and decision making. This article proposes and seeks to illustrate that the use of system dynamics and multicriteria decision analysis, as part of a broader framework for performance measurement, can address some of the issues identified. The use of these approaches, independently and in an integrated manner, provides a means of exploring the dynamic complexity of organisations, making explicit trade-offs between performance measures, and assessing the impacts of initiatives to improve performance, thereby enhancing understanding and ultimately contributing to the improvement of organisational performance.
- Enhanced performance measurement using OR: a case studyPublication . Santos, Sérgio Pereira dos; Belton, Valerie; Howick, SusanThe case study described in this paper aims to illustrate how qualitative and quantitative system dynamics modelling and multicriteria analysis can be used in an integrated way to enhance the process of performance measurement and management in the radiotherapy department of a major UK cancer treatment centre. The complexity of the radiotherapy process and its significance for patients present particular challenges for performance measurement and management. The paper discusses the benefits arising and the practical difficulties faced in the study.
- Performance measurement in portuguese local governmentPublication . Santos, Sérgio Pereira dos; Vieira, Rui; Pina, PauloThe continuing reforms of local government systems worldwide, driven by the "New Public Management" movement, have called for innovative systems of measuring (and reporting) performance and have led to the renewal of interest in performance measurment. Despite this, the extent to which performance measurement has taken hold in a meaningful way and impacted the local government of several countries, including Portugal, is still an open question. The objective of this paper is to contribute to filling this void by setting a research agenda for the study of Performance measurement in Portuguese municipalities.
- Using system dynamics and multicriteria analysis for performance management: a case studyPublication . Santos, Sérgio Pereira dos; Belton, Valerie; Howick, Susan; Neely, A.; Kennerley, M.; Walters, A.The case study described in this paper aims to illustrate how qualitative and quantitative system dynamics modelling and multicriteria analysis can be used in an integrated way to enhance the process of performance measurement and management in the radiotherapy department of a major UK cancer treatment centre. The complexity of the radiotherapy process, which is used for both radical and palliative treatments, and its significance for patients, present particular challenges for performance measurement and management. The paper will discuss the benefits arising and the practical difficulties faced in the study.