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on Project, Program and Portfolio Management |
| By: | Kellenbrink, Carolin; Helber, Stefan |
| Abstract: | In projects with a flexible project structure, the activities that have to be scheduled are not completely known beforehand. Instead, scheduling such a project includes the decision whether to carry out particular activities at all. This also effects precedence constraints between the finally implemented activities. However, established model formulations and solution approaches for the resource-constrained project scheduling problem (RCPSP) assume that the project structure is given in advance. In this paper, the traditional RCPSP is hence extended by a highly general model-endogenous decision on this flexible project structure. This is illustrated by the example of the aircraft turnaround process at airports. We present a genetic algorithm to solve this type of scheduling problem and evaluate it in an extensive numerical study. |
| Keywords: | Project scheduling, Genetic algorithms, RCPSP, Flexible projects |
| JEL: | C61 C44 M11 |
| Date: | 2013–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:han:dpaper:dp-511&r=ppm |
| By: | Agustí Segarra (Research Group of Industry and Territory, Department of Economics and CREIP, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Av. Universitat, 1; 43204 – Reus (Spain)); José García-Quevedo (Department of Public Economics and Barcelona Institute of Economics (IEB), University of Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 690; 08034 – Barcelona (Spain)); Mercedes Teruel (Research Group of Industry and Territory, Department of Economics and CREIP, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Av. Universitat, 1; 43204 – Reus (Spain)) |
| Abstract: | Theoretical and empirical approaches have stressed the existence of financial constraints in innovative activities of firms. This paper analyses the role of financial obstacles on the likelihood of abandoning an innovation project. Although a large number of innovation projects are abandoned before their completion, the empirical evidence has focused on the determinants of innovation while failed projects have received little attention. Our analysis differentiates between internal and external barriers on the probability of abandoning a project and we examine whether the effects are different depending on the stage of the innovation process. In the empirical analysis carried out for a panel data of potential innovative Spanish firms for the period 2004-2010, we use a bivariate probit model to take into account the simultaneity of financial constraints and the decision to abandon an innovation project. Our results show that financial constraints most affect the probability of abandoning an innovation project during the concept stage and that low-technological manufacturing and non-KIS service sectors are more sensitive to financial constraints. |
| Keywords: | barriers to innovation, failure of innovation projects, financial constraints |
| JEL: | O31 D21 |
| Date: | 2013–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:xrp:wpaper:xreap2013-01&r=ppm |
| By: | Leufkens, A.S. (Tilburg University) |
| Abstract: | Industries are working more and more in project-based settings. In addition, these projects increasingly involve several organizations. Essential in these multi-organizational projects is collaboration. The temporality and changing composition of representatives from companies complicates collaboration between these individuals and their companies in multi-organizational projects. Due to the multiple companies and individual representatives involved in a project it is difficult to keep goals and interests aligned. Important in collaboration is how these representatives perceive their interests. Rational choice theories assume that these interest motivations are given and neglect the social nature of interest conceptions. Therefore, this dissertation explores the social construction process of interests in relation to collaboration. This dissertation is interested in how collaboration is shaped by the social construction processes of interests of individuals and strategies of companies working in a multi-organizational setting. Building on qualitative data obtained in the shipbuilding industry, this dissertation presents five essays that aim to advance our understanding of social construction processes of interests. Additionally, this dissertation provides insights into the relationship between strategies of companies and collaboration in a project. An important contribution of this dissertation is that some mechanisms of social construction of interests are identified. |
| Date: | 2013 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ner:tilbur:urn:nbn:nl:ui:12-5663717&r=ppm |
| By: | Angel de la Fuente; José Emilio Boscà |
| Abstract: | In this paper we construct a data set on EU cohesion aid to Spain during the planning period 1994-99. The data are disaggregated by region, year and function and attempt to approximate the timing of actual executed expenditure on assisted projects. |
| Keywords: | Structural Funds, EU Cohesion policy |
| JEL: | R58 |
| Date: | 2013–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bge:wpaper:678&r=ppm |
| By: | Masahiro Kawai (Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI)) |
| Abstract: | This paper examines financing mechanisms to support infrastructure development and connectivity in Northeast Asia—comprising the Northeastern People’s Republic of China, Japan, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), the Republic of Korea, Mongolia, and the Russian Far East. Although this subregion has developed the Greater Tumen Initiative, the extent of intergovernmental cooperation for cross-border infrastructure investment is not as strong as in other subregional cooperation programs in Asia, such as the Greater Mekong Subregion Program and the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Program. Using various previously published estimates, this paper finds that the total infrastructure investment needs for the subregion excluding Japan and the Republic of Korea (in transport, energy, information and communication technology, and the environment) could be in the order of $63 billion per year over the next 10 years, and of this total governments in the subregion will have to mobilize external funding of $13 billion a year, focusing on national infrastructure projects in the DPRK and Mongolia and high-priority cross-border projects in Northeast Asia. The paper considers three options as a cooperative financing mechanism for the subregion : special and/or trust funds set up in the existing multilateral development banks (MDBs), a structured infrastructure investment fund supported by MDB(s), and a new subregional multilateral development bank. Then it suggests that the Northeast Asian governments may begin with setting up special and/or trust funds at the existing MDBs and move to creating an infrastructure investment fund, following the good example of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Infrastructure Fund, once sufficient confidence and trust is built and the DPRK returns to the international community. The paper recommends against the establishment of a new development bank in the subregion. |
| Keywords: | Infrastructure Development, regional cooperation, Northeast Asia, infrastructure connectivity, infrastructure investment, infrastructure fund |
| JEL: | F15 F36 F55 O19 Q01 |
| Date: | 2013–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:eab:financ:23392&r=ppm |
| By: | Duarte, Duarte (University of Algarve); V. Martins, Paula (University of Algarve) |
| Abstract: | The adoption of business process improvement strategies is currently a concern of most organizations. The quest for the benefits of this improvement on resource optimization and the responsiveness of the organizations has raised several proposals for process improvement methodologies. These approaches differ both in the principles that support them, and in the specific area to which they are intended. However, proposals and results of scientific research on process improvement in higher education institutions, extremely complex and unique organizations, are still scarce. This research project intends to propose the extension of a process improvement model for this particular type of organization. We propose to undertake a review of process areas, goals and practices used in reference maturity models, such as Capability Maturity Model Integration or Business Process Maturity Model, to determine which ones apply to academic organizations and which should be included, adapted or deleted. The resulting maturity model will be further validated in a Portuguese higher education institution. This study is being developed under the University of Algarve Informatics Engineering Doctorate program. |
| Keywords: | Maturity; Education; Process; Improvement |
| JEL: | I23 |
| Date: | 2013–03–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ris:cieodp:2013_005&r=ppm |
| By: | Ahlheim, Michael; Schneider, Friedrich |
| Abstract: | In many empirical Contingent Valuation studies one finds that household size, i. e. the number auf household members, is negatively correlated with stated household willingness to pay for the realization of environmental projects. This observation is rather puzzling because in larger households more people can benefit from an environmental improvement than in small households. Therefore, the overall benefit should be greater for larger households. A plausible explanation could be that household budgets are tighter for large families than for smaller families with the same overall family income. The fact that larger families can afford only smaller willingness to pay statements in Contingent Valuation surveys than smaller families with the same income and the same preferences might have consequences for the allocation of public funds whenever the realization of an environmental project is made dependent on the outcome of a Contingent Valuation study. In this paper we show how the use of household equivalence scales for the assessment of environmental projects with the Contingent Valuation Method can serve to reduce the discrimination of members of large families. -- |
| JEL: | D61 H43 Q51 |
| Date: | 2013 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:fziddp:682013&r=ppm |
| By: | Anna Golejewska (Faculty of Economics, University of Gdansk); Damian Gajda (Faculty of Management, University of Gdansk) |
| Abstract: | The aim of the article is to analyse use of the EU Structural Funds for innovative projects in SMEs from Regional Operational Programme of Pomorskie Voivodeship for 2007-2013. In the analysis we use the data from the Pomerania Development Agency Inc. In the first section we described conditions and rules of grants awarding. The next section contains short description of firms in Pomeranian region and the analysis of granted projects. The results confirmed significant diversity of total values of projects, awarded grants and branches. So far, only small part of them has been implemented in high-technology sectors. With regard to the number of projects, the majority has been implemented using own funds. The results show high concentration of projects in Tri-City Agglomeration. According to our findings, firms rather carefully cooperate with external partners in implementing projects. |
| Keywords: | entrepreneurship, regional analysis, innovativeness, EU Structural Funds |
| JEL: | D22 R11 O3 |
| Date: | 2013–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:gda:wpaper:1301&r=ppm |