Horizontal Cooperation in Transport and Logistics.

This thesis deals with horizontal cooperation in transport and logistics. It contains a comprehensive discussion of the available academic literature on this topic, many practical examples, and an empirical investigation of opportunities and impediments. Furthermore, three enabling concepts for horizontal cooperation in transport and logistics are developed. The analysis is practice oriented in the sense that most of the results are based on real-life datasets. In case studies conducted, the most important goal is to learn lessons that are also applicable to other cases or industries. By contrast, in chapters that have a more theoretical point of departure, efforts are made to draw conclusions that are directly applicable in practice. Many different research techniques are used in this thesis. They include case study analysis, surveys, exploratory factor analysis, regression, game theory, vehicle routing heuristics, and facility location heuristics.

A comprehensive review of hybrid game theory techniques and multi-criteria decision-making methods

More studies trend to hybrid the game theory technique with the multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method to aid real-life problems. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the hybrid game theory technique and MCDM method. The fundamentals of game theory concepts and models are explained to make game theory principles clear to the readers. Moreover, the definitions and models are elaborated and classified to the static game, dynamic game, cooperative game and evolutionary game. Therefore, the hybrid game theory technique and MCDM method are reviewed and numerous applications studied from the past works of literature are highlighted. The result of the previous studies shows that the fundamental elements for both frameworks were studied in various ways with most of the past studies tend to integrate the static game with AHP and TOPSIS methods. Also, the integration of game theory techniques and MCDM methods was studied in various applications such as politics, economy, supply chain, engineering, water management problem, allocation problem and telecommunication network selection. The main contribution of the recent studies of employment between game theory technique and MCDM method are analyzed and discussed in detail which includes static and dynamic games in the non-cooperative game, cooperative game, both non-cooperative and cooperative games and evolutionary gam

Stakeholder Collaboration Modeling for Efficient Supply Chain Management.

In response to current economic downturn coupled with intense global competition, concept of supply chain collaboration has emerged as a possible solution for firms aiming to gain competitive advantage through cost reduction, increased asset utilization and improving service levels. In this research, we have analytically examined and identified the stages involved in facilitating supply chain collaboration between multiple retailers and/or suppliers in a supply chain network. The study considers three types of collaboration strategies and incorporates a combination of different techniques such as cluster analysis, analytical network process (ANP) and game theory that can help potential partners to plan and implement collaboration initiatives in the supply chains. The solution approach along with illustrative example involving a retailer and a supplier is presented which can serve as a guideline for potential firms contemplating about entering into collaboration. In order to help prospective partners make the decision regarding which type of collaboration will be beneficial for them, a collaboration decision making model is built using C++ language. The collaboration decision making model incorporates concept of Nash equilibrium to ensure each partner is making the best decision while taking into consideration the decisions of others. Pre-qualification screening of potential suppliers and/or retailers for possible collaboration is carried out by utilizing methods such as cluster analysis and analytical network process (ANP) while final partner selection is made through application of game theory. Finally, profit allocation mechanism based on Shapley method is presented which ensures profit is distributed according to the “adding value” each partner brings for the alliance

Planning as 'market maker': how planning is used to stimulate development in Germany, France and the Netherlands

No abstract available

Comparative analysis of corporate strategies in agriculture : the internationalisation of agribusinesses in Sub-Saharan Africa

Between 75% and 90% of the world market for agricultural commodities is controlled by four major agribusiness multinationals (MNCs), namely Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Bunge, Cargill and Louis Dreyfus Company (the ‘ABCD’ firms). The activities of the ABCD firms typically involve extensive cross-border trade and investment, which define internationalisation at a grand scale. The similarities in strategy and approaches of ABCD firms from an internationalisation perspective can be interpreted as a “convergence in practice” in the global agro-food system. However, the virtual absence of the ABCD firms in sub-Saharan Africa means that the continent remains the last frontier of global agro-food system convergence. In this sense, emerging agribusiness MNCs in sub-Saharan Africa represent a harbinger of global convergence in the continent’s agro-food sector. Yet there is limited understanding of the activities, strategies and approaches of these agribusiness MNCs. The objective of the study is to unpack agro-food system convergence within the context of agribusiness internationalization in sub-Saharan Africa. This task is achieved in four ways. First, the study shows evidence of convergence in sub-Saharan Africa through a trend analysis of four agribusiness MNCs within the continent. The analysis identifies similarities in strategy and approach between agribusiness MNCs in sub-Saharan Africa and ABCD firms. Second, the study assesses the cross-border market entry behavior of 67 agribusiness firms in the continent, including the four aforementioned firms that were used to illustrate evidence of convergence. Third, the study assesses the transboundary alliance behavior of 10 firms drawn from the same sample to show evidence of “corporate clustering” or cluster convergence. Fourth, the study takes a closer look into firm-level behavior through a specific case study of an internationalising agribusiness MNC in Zambia to show evidence of supplier convergence. Several research methods were used to analyse the various dimensions of convergence, all of which were examined within the framework agribusiness internationalisation. These methods include trend analyses to identify strategies and approaches, a multinomial logit model to assess cross-border entry strategies, game theory to assess the likelihood of transboundary strategic alliances and cluster convergence, and system dynamics modelling to analyse value chain integration and supplier convergence. The respective research methods were applied to a variable number of agribusiness firms which were drawn from the same sample. The study found evidence of convergence – defined by a gravitation of the agro-food system towards fewer large-sized agribusiness MNCs – which is being driven by two growth phenomena, namely, growth through value chain integration and growth through strategic alliances. The study identified these two types of convergence as follows: a) Supplier (?) convergence, which occurs when firms seek to gain competitive advantage in new markets by internalising critical but non-core value chain functions; and b) Cluster (?) convergence, which occurs when agribusiness MNCs leverage complementary assets of other competing firms and use collaborative advantage as a means to gain competitive advantage in new markets. The analysis predicts that there will be “a collapse of the middle”, which is defined by a gradual disappearance of agribusiness firms with an annual turnover ranging between US$160 million and US$996 million per annum, most of whom will enter into strategic alliances. Such strategic alliances are leading to a formation of large clusters that will likely morph into multi-billion-dollar agribusiness firms. It is entirely possible that these mega-agribusiness MNCs can ultimately be acquired by the powerful quartet of ABCD firms once the sub-Saharan African market matures, a phenomenon that will complete the final phase of global agro-food convergence.Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2018.Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural DevelopmentPhDUnrestricte

Theory and applications in game theory

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Horizontal collaboration between logistics service providers (LSP) in Australia: examining the structure opportunities and impediments

This research investigated horizontal collaboration among logistics service providers (LSPs) in Australia. The study examined the extent to which this exists and is being adopted, and the forms of any horizontal collaboration among LSPs in Australia. Using a qualitative methodology from an interpretivist-constructivist perspective, the research process used semi-structured interviews to collect responses from a broad range of individuals from Australian logistics providers, logistics authorities and associations. The study found that horizontal collaboration is not being adopted by LSPs as the primary type of relationship to interact with each other in Australia. Their focus is the use of both vertical and lateral collaboration models, with vertical collaboration as the dominant type. The data also show that the extent of direct involvement in developing horizontal collaboration activities in the Australian logistics context seems to be to remain largely at arm's length and enter operational relationships. The participants, however, anticipated that the level of horizontal collaboration would grow in the future. The data revealed that LSPs consider horizontal collaboration to be a promising concept. There is clear enthusiasm and interest in the thinking of the logistics industry about horizontal collaboration, its possibilities, potential structures and the areas where this type of collaboration could be implemented and employed. Potential opportunities and drivers of horizontal collaboration among LSPs were identified in the research. These were for LSPs seeking to reduce costs; improve productivity and market positioning; provide better customer service; and create better capability and capacity. The research found that the adoption of horizontal collaboration is impeded in the Australian logistics industry by difficulties with partner selection; problems with the partnership process and how economic benefits are determined and divided; and uncertainty about how to overcome difficulties with both business coordination and with information and communication technology. The research also identified that collaboration adoption is significantly negatively affected by the nature and structure of the Australian logistics industry, the attitude of large LSPs, fear of mergers and acquisitions in the industry and the role of government authorities and regulations in the Australian commercial context. The most significant effect of impediments to collaboration is that LSPs are reluctant or unable to build long-term successful horizontal collaborations with others in the Australian logistics industry. This thesis uses the results of the data analysis and the existing research frameworks on collaboration in logistics to develop a theoretical model for understanding the development and effective application of horizontal collaboration. It proposes a comprehensive horizontal logistics collaboration model and evaluates its applicability in the Australian logistics context

Internet Copyright Infringement and Service Providers: The Case for a Negotiated Rulemaking Alternative

The Internet has dramatically increased the ease of copyright infringement. A popular proposal recommends that Internet service providers (ISP) be held liable for the harms, including copyright infringements, of their users. ISPs reject this approach, warning that it will hamper the expansion of the Internet. This article recommends a regulatory approach to ISP liability for copyright infringement. A technical introduction to the Internet is given, pointing to difficulties that courts have had navigating this conceptually new and complex subject. Arguments in favor or strict liability of ISPs are presented, with an analysis of their likely economic and social consequences. The author concludes with a regulatory solution designed to minimize losses both to service providers and content providers

Essays on Public Economics and Public Policy Evaluation – Methods and Applications

[eng] Economic policies and institutional design and decision-making vary greatly accross countries. Germany, the US and Canada, are federal states, where decision-making and economic policies are highly decentralized, while France and Greece are highly unitary countries. Belgium has had the two largest government formation deadlocks in Europe in the last 20 years, while other countries such as Portugal or Ireland have experienced none. During the COVID-19 crisis, some countries, like New Zealand, applied lockdowns with an incidence rate of 20 cases per milion inhabitants, while others like Spain, delayer their response until the incidence rate was higher than 130 cases per million Do differences in institutional design lead to differences in economic policies? Can these differences be explained? Is the agility of government decision-making influenced by common patterns across countries? The aim of my thesis is to contribute to the existing literature on public policy evaluation, with a particular focus on the role of institutions, providing new methodological, theoretical, and empirical results, to provide answers to questions such as the ones stated before. Five studies are presented in the thesis. In the first study, I analyze one of the most seminals questions that could be asked about governments and economic outcomes: Do government formation deadlocks affect the economy in the short term? From the methodological point of view, I develop a proposal to improve current methodologies to evaluate causal effects on quasi-experimental designs; concretely, the Synthetic Control Method. I illustrate the main advantages of the proposal evaluating the causal economic effects of the ten-month-long government formation impasse in Spain, after the December 2015 elections, as well as reproducing two previous studies: the impact of German reunification (analyzed in Abadie et al. 2015) and the effect of tobacco control programs in California (Abadie et al. 2010). In line with the results obtained by Albalate and Bel (2020) for the 18-month government formation deadlock in Belgium, my estimates indicate that the growth rate in Spain was not affected by the government deadlock, ruling out any damage to the economy attributable to the institutional impasse. The second and third studies focus on how governments decide in a context of high uncertainty and different degrees of information. Concretely, I build a theoretical model to assess the agility of government response to the COVID pandemic and evaluate the model empirically using data from OCDE and European countries. I find solid evidence that during the first outbreak, in a context of incomplete information, the agility of policy response was highly conditioned by a cost-benefit analysis where the perceived healthcare capacity to deal with the outbreak, and the associated economic costs of lockdown measures, significantly delayed the response. Institution design also played a role: federal states reacted faster than unitary ones. Higher competition in multilevel systems with collaborative governance between different levels of government and non-state institutions - (Scavo, Kearne, and Kilroy, 2008; Schwartz and Yen, 2017; Downey and Myers, 2020; Huang, 2020) provided incentives for more agile and effective responses. However, federal states could be dysfunctional in terms of internal coordination and suffer from high inequality in terms of agility within themselves. For the concrete case of the US, I find that Republican-controlled states reacted later and implemented softer contingency measures, which were associated with higher growth in the number of COVID-19 cases (Hallas et al., 2020; Shvetsova et al., 2022). The highly polarized context of the US provided incentives for Republican governors to align with President Trump’s preferred policy, which was to avoid lockdowns. These incentives vanished during the vaccination process, when information about the severity of COVID-19 was complete, and governors, no matter whether Republicans or Democrats, implemented the roll-out of the vaccination program with a similar level of agility. In the fourth paper, I suggest a new approach to assess the effect of institutional and policy developments (i.e. capital city) on economic growth that distort the natural equilibrium of the geographical distribution of the labor market. I propose a theoretical model of the way in which features of geography and nature can account for population density and distribution within a country. The model is empirically examined using data from comparable European regions. This allows us to detect deviations produced by the forces of human action, led mainly by institutions, and to evaluate the consequences in terms of relative economic performance. The results suggest that deviating from nature’s outcomes has a significant negative effect on economic growth and regional convergence. Hence, societies that choose to exploit the opportunities of the best locations, according to the natural endowment, rather than promoting a different distribution of the population across regions by means of institutional intervention, achieve better economic performance. In the last study, we focus on the most relevant government expenditure until the twentieth century: military expenditure. We examine the effects of military and trade alliances in military expenditure. We develop a theoretical model to understand why these alliances could influence military expenditure. In short, when countries build military and trade alliances with military leaders such as the US, they make themselves more valuable to the leader, and hence increase the likelihood of the leader providing military aid in case of an agression. This increases the military costs of a potential agresor, reduces the probability of war and let the non-leader country reduce its military expenditure. To empirically test the hypothesis derived from the model we employ data of 138 countries for the period 1996-2020. Our results show that trade relation with a military leader is a highly significant driver of military expenditure. For each percentage point in US GDP in trade between a certain country and the US, the military expenditure of the country reduces 0.5 percentage points. Moreover, when the trade balance is particularly beneficial for the US, the effect is even larger