nep-ppm New Economics Papers
on Project, Program and Portfolio Management
Issue of 2013‒02‒16
seven papers chosen by
Arvi Kuura
Parnu College - Tartu University

  1. Nuclear Energy policy in the United States 1990-2010: A Federal or State Responsibility? By Heffron, R.J.
  2. Multicriteria decision making for sustainability evaluation of urban mobility projects By AWASTHI Anjali; OMRANI Hichem; GERBER Philippe
  3. Impact of low-interest credits on business R&D expenditures: Spanish firms and CDTI loans for R&D projects By Huergo, E.; Trenado, Mayte / M.; Ubierna, Andrés / A.
  4. Knowledge Systematisation and the Development of a By Beatrice D'Ippoloto; Marcela Miozzo; Davide Consoli
  5. Modest, Secure and Informed: Successful Development in Conflict Zones By Eli Berman; Joseph Felter; Jacob N. Shapiro; Erin Troland
  6. America’s Wetland? A National Survey of Willingness to Pay for Restoration of Louisiana’s Coastal Wetlands By Petrolia, Daniel R.; Interis, Matthew G.; Hwang, Joonghyun
  7. Does PLS financing solve asymmetric information problems? By Ouidad Yousfi

  1. By: Heffron, R.J.
    Abstract: This paper examines from a policy perspective nuclear energy policy in the United States (US) from 1990 to 2010 and questions whether it is or has become a Federal or State responsibility. The present study, as befits policy research, engages with many disciplines (for example, in particular, law and politics) and hence the contributions move beyond that of nuclear energy policy literature and in particular to that on nuclear new build and other assessments of large infrastructure projects. Several examples at the Federal level are identified that demonstrate that the nuclear industry has evolved to a stage where it requires a focus on the power of actions at a more localised (state) level in order to re-ignite the industry. The research concludes that there remains a misunderstanding of the issue of project management for complex construction projects, and it is highly arguable whether many of its issues have been resolved. Further, the research asserts that the economics of nuclear energy are not the most nfluential reason for no nuclear new build in the US.
    Keywords: Nuclear energy, policy inaction, project management, public administration.
    JEL: K32 L94 Q48
    Date: 2013–02–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cam:camdae:1303&r=ppm
  2. By: AWASTHI Anjali; OMRANI Hichem; GERBER Philippe
    Abstract: Confronted with negative environmental impacts, rising fuel costs and increas-ing congestion, many cities are implementing sustainable mobility measures to improve the flow of passenger and goods. Examples of these measures are use of public transport, cycling, walking, energy efficient vehicles, biofuels. The challenge before transport decision makers is which one(s) to choose for im-plementation as often there is no or limited quantitative data available on the subject. Moreover, the context of each city, its geographic and transport condi-tions restrict the generalization of results obtained in experienced cities. In this paper, we investigate four multicriteria decision making (MCDM) techniques namely TOPSIS, VIKOR, SAW and GRA for sustainability evaluation of urban mobility projects under qualitative data and demonstrate their application through a numerical example.
    Keywords: Multicriteria decision making; GRA; Urban Mobility; SAW; Sustainability Evaluation; Fuzzy Numbers; TOPSIS; VIKOR
    JEL: C60 D80 R40
    Date: 2013–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:irs:cepswp:2013-01&r=ppm
  3. By: Huergo, E.; Trenado, Mayte / M.; Ubierna, Andrés / A.
    Abstract: Our objective is to estimate the effect of low-interest loans for R&D projects on business R&D. We take into account that the participation of firms in this kind of public programme probably depends on the same characteristics that determine their investment decisions. We also consider the possibility of persistence in R&D expenditures over time. The estimations provide evidence of the effectiveness of low-interest loans, being the stimulus effect larger for SMEs than for large firms and also higher for manufacturing than for services. Participants are approximately 25 percentage points more likely to self-finance their R&D investments than non-supported firms. The effect is quite relevant if we consider that the probability of self-financing R&D activities is 53.2 percentage points higher when the firm has invested in R&D activities in the previous year. This result suggests that firms can be induced persistently to perform R&D activities by means of loans.
    Keywords: Low-interest credits; R&D projects; impact analysis
    JEL: O38 H81 L24
    Date: 2013
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:44221&r=ppm
  4. By: Beatrice D'Ippoloto; Marcela Miozzo; Davide Consoli
    Abstract: Drawing on evidence on the home furnishing sectors in Italy during the XX century, the aim is to understand the instituted processes that facilitated the translation of design know-how from being project-specific to becoming relevant to broader remits. The paper contributes to the debate on industry evolution by incorporating the institutional dimension to the organisational and technological changes taking place at both firm and industry level.
    Keywords: Design; Knowledge Systematisation; Industry Evolution; Routines; Capabilities; Home Furnishing
    Date: 2013
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:aal:abbswp:13-06&r=ppm
  5. By: Eli Berman; Joseph Felter; Jacob N. Shapiro; Erin Troland
    Abstract: Most interpretations of prevalent counterinsurgency theory imply that increasing government services will reduce rebel violence. Empirically, however, development programs and economic activity sometimes yield increased violence. Using new panel data on development spending in Iraq, we show that violence reducing effects of aid are greater when (a) projects are small, (b) troop strength is high, and (c) professional development expertise is available. These findings are consistent with a "hearts and minds" model, which predicts that violence reduction will result when projects are secure, valued by community members, and implementation is conditional on the behavior of non-combatants.
    JEL: F52 H41 H56 K42 N45 O1 O17 Z1 Z12
    Date: 2013–02
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:18674&r=ppm
  6. By: Petrolia, Daniel R.; Interis, Matthew G.; Hwang, Joonghyun
    Abstract: A nationwide survey was conducted to estimate welfare associated with a proposed large-scale wetland restoration project in coastal Louisiana. Both binary- and multinomial-choice survey instruments were administered via Knowledge Networks, with the latter used to estimate willingness to pay for increments in three ecosystem services: wildlife habitat provision, storm surge protection, and fisheries productivity. Results indicate that confidence in government agencies, political leanings, and “green” lifestyle choices were significant explanatory factors. All three ecosystem services significantly affected project support, with increased fisheries productivity having the largest marginal effect, followed by improved storm surge protection, and increased wildlife habitat. Willingness to pay (WTP), in the form of a one-time tax, is estimated to be in the neighborhood of $1,000 per household, with resource users being willing to pay substantially more. A conservative lower-bound estimate of aggregate WTP is $86 trillion, well above a recent $100 billion estimate of restoration cost.
    Keywords: choice experiment, consequentiality, contingent valuation, Knowledge Networks, Louisiana, non-market valuation, non-use value, use value, wetlands, Environmental Economics and Policy, Q51, Q57,
    Date: 2013–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea13:142305&r=ppm
  7. By: Ouidad Yousfi (MRM - Montpellier Recherche en Management - Université Montpellier II : EA4557 - Université Montpellier I - Université Paul Valéry - Montpellier III - Groupe sup de Co Montpellier)
    Abstract: Discussion of Islamic private equity (PE) financing modes rarely provides detailed analytical insights into their properties: there is no rigorous analysis of their features. The current paper analyzes how and when Profit Loss Sharing (PLS) financing methods can solve asymmetric information problems. I focus on Mudarabah and Musharakah financing schemes and consider agency models under moral hazard. The model shows some interesting results. First, I show that Mudarabah financing provide powerful incentive schemes to the entrepreneur. As the Islamic PE fund is not actively involved in the project and the project success depends on the entrepreneur's effort, it leads to the first best solution. Second, my results provide evidence that Musharakah financing cannot solve moral hazard problem. One explanation could be the fact that the project is jointly funded by the two parties and that both of them provide non-contractible efforts which diminish their incentives.
    Keywords: Islamic private equity; PLS principle; Moral hazard; Shari'ah; incentives.
    Date: 2103
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-00785325&r=ppm

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