Effects of competitive pressure and habitat heterogeneity on niche partitioning between Arctic and boreal congeners

The rapidly changing climate in the Arctic is expected to have a major impact on the foraging ecology of seabirds, owing to changes in the distribution and abundance of their prey but also that of competitors (e.g. southerly species expanding their range into the Arctic). Species can respond to interspecific competition by segregating along different niche axes. Here, we studied spatial, temporal and habitat segregation between two closely related seabird species: common guillemot Uria aalge (a temperate species) and Brünnich’s guillemot Uria lomvia (a true Arctic species), at two sympatric sites in Iceland that differ in their total population sizes and the availability of marine habitats. We deployed GPS and temperature-depth recorders to describe foraging locations and behaviour of incubating and chick-rearing adults. We found similar evidence of spatial segregation at the two sites (i.e. independent of population sizes), although segregation in environmental space was only evident at the site with a strong habitat gradient. Unexpectedly, temporal (and, to a limited extent, vertical) segregation appeared only at the least populated site. Overall, our results show complex relationships between the levels of inferred competition and that of segregation

Cold comfort: Arctic seabirds find refugia from climate change and potential competition in marginal ice zones and fjords

Climate change alters species distributions by shifting their fundamental niche in space through time. Such effects may be exacerbated by increased inter-specific competition if climate alters species dominance where competitor ranges overlap. This study used census data, telemetry and stable isotopes to examine the population and foraging ecology of a pair of Arctic and temperate congeners across an extensive zone of sympatry in Iceland, where sea temperatures varied substantially. The abundance of Arctic Brünnich’s guillemot Uria lomvia declined with sea temperature. Accessibility of refugia in cold water currents or fjords helped support higher numbers and reduce rates of population decline. Competition with temperate Common guillemots Uria aalge did not affect abundance, but similarities in foraging ecology were sufficient to cause competition when resources are limiting. Continued warming is likely to lead to further declines of Brünnich’s guillemot, with implications for conservation status and ecosystem services

The influence of organizational design and non-financial performance measurement on global performance

International audienc

Mesure de la productivité et pratique de benchmarking:le cas d’un groupe bancaire français

(VF)Cet article analyse la productivité d’un réseau de distribution bancaire. Au quotidien, la productivité d’une agence bancaire est évaluée par une multitude de ratios, ce qui ne facilite pas la prise de décision des managers. En particulier, il peut-être délicat de se faire une opinion sur la performance d’une agence lorsque de multiple ratios conduisent à des conclusions différentes sur sa productivité. Nous proposons ici une mesure globale de la productivité dont l’objet est de faciliter la prise de décision des managers. Nous mesurons la productivité de 1611 agences réparties au sein de 16 groupes bancaires. Nous montrons qu’il existe des variations de productivité à l’intérieur de chaque groupe bancaire et également entre chaque groupe bancaire à partir d’une approche DEA (« Data Envelopment Analysis »). Cette approche s’appuie sur le principe de comparaison pour calculer un indicateur de la productivité globale, elle favorise ainsi la pratique du benchmarking. C’est par comparaison aux meilleures pratiques que l’indicateur de performance est calculé. A better understanding of the productivity of a bank branch makes it easier to resolve strategic questions at the banking group level. Conventionally, numerous ratios with output factors such as interest-bearing deposits, personal loans or financial savings, and input factors such as capital funds, labour or the number of accounts are used to measure the various facets of productivity. We measure the productivity of 1611 branches divided into 16 banking groups. From the individual branches diagnostic we propose a “network” diagnostic at the banking group level. We discuss the variations of productivity within each banking group and from one banking group to another by using a DEA (“Data Envelopment Analysis”) approach. This approach makes it possible to develop a synthetic productivity index and to practice benchmarking.productivité;benchmarking;réseaux d’agences bancaires;productivity;bank branches network.

Branch banking networks assessment using DEA:A benchmarking analysis

This paper presents a benchmarking analysis of the branches and regional banks of a large French banking group. The analysis focuses on the operational performance. Starting from an “individual” diagnostic at the branch level, a “network” diagnostic is developed at the regional banks level. The variations of performance are discussed within each regional bank and from one regional bank to another by using a DEA (“Data Envelopment Analysis”) approach. This approach allows to develop a synthetic index called the technical inefficiency score. Results reveal that 30% of these branches are efficient. Special emphasis is placed on quantifying the productive gains at the regional banks level and on practicing intra- and inter regional banks benchmarking.productivity;benchmarking;aggregate measure;branches;banking network.

Identification et évaluation des modèles de gouvernance des banques coopératives

Working Paper Chaire MGC

Diversity of cooperative bank governance models questioning by regulation: An international qualitative research

International audienc

The influence of organizational design and non-financial performance measurement on global performance

International audienc

The influence of organizational design and non-financial performance measurement on global performance

International audienc