12,216 research outputs found
Statistical Self-Similar Properties of Complex Networks
It has been shown that many complex networks shared distinctive features,
which differ in many ways from the random and the regular networks. Although
these features capture important characteristics of complex networks, their
applicability depends on the type of networks. To unravel ubiquitous
characteristics that complex networks may have in common, we adopt the
clustering coefficient as the probability measure, and present a systematic
analysis of various types of complex networks from the perspective of
statistical self-similarity. We find that the probability distribution of the
clustering coefficient is best characterized by the multifractal; moreover, the
support of the measure had a fractal dimension. These two features enable us to
describe complex networks in a unified way; at the same time, offer unforeseen
possibilities to comprehend complex networks.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figure
Technical Efficiency in the Iron and Steel Industry: A Stochastic Frontier Approach
In this paper we examine the technical efficiency of firms in the iron and steel industry and try to identify the factors contributing to the industry's efficiency growth, using a time-varying stochastic frontier model. Based on our findings, which pertain to 52 iron and steel firms over the period of 1978-1997, POSCO and Nippon Steel were the most efficient firms, with their production, on average, exceeding 95 percent of their potential output. Our findings also shed light on possible sources of efficiency growth in the industry. If a firm is government-owned, its privatization is likely to improve its technical efficiency to a great extent. A firm's technical efficiency also tends to be positively related to its production level as measured by a share of the total world production of crude steel. Another important source of efficiency growth identified by our empirical findings is adoption of new technologies and equipment. Our findings clearly indicate that continued efforts to update technologies and equipment are critical in pursuit of efficiency in the iron and steel industry.
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