To see the other types of publications on this topic, follow the link: Public utilities.
Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Public utilities'
Create a spot-on reference in APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, and other styles
Consult the top 50 dissertations / theses for your research on the topic 'Public utilities.'
Next to every source in the list of references, there is an 'Add to bibliography' button. Press on it, and we will generate automatically the bibliographic reference to the chosen work in the citation style you need: APA, MLA, Harvard, Chicago, Vancouver, etc.
You can also download the full text of the academic publication as pdf and read online its abstract whenever available in the metadata.
Browse dissertations / theses on a wide variety of disciplines and organise your bibliography correctly.
1
Ngai, Chun-hung, and 魏駿雄. "A comparative study of two public utilities." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 1987. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B31263872.
Full text
2
Stead, Alexander David. "Regulation and efficiency in UK public utilities." Thesis, University of Hull, 2017. http://hydra.hull.ac.uk/resources/hull:16418.
Full textAbstract:
[From the Introduction]: The divestiture of formerly nationalised public utilities during the 1980s and 1990s in the UK and elsewhere was accompanied by the vertical unbundling of their natural monopoly elements, i.e. the physical distribution networks, from upstream activities such as electricity generation and gas supply and downstream activities such as retail in order to facilitate competition in the latter. The expectation was that opening up these upstream activities to private firms would foster competition, which would in turn lead to improvements in efficiency, lower prices and increased consumer welfare. There are, on the other hand, possibilities for considerable rents to be made; these could be in the form of profits, but given the regulation that the firms face and the degree of informational asymmetry between utility managers and other stakeholders, such as regulators, shareholders, and customers, they may also take the form of slack within the firm, and the maximisation of managerial utility. We analyse the effect of RPI-X regulation on the efficiency of the UK’s water and sewage and electricity distribution industries using stochastic frontier analysis. We extend the literature in several ways; first, in the case of the water and sewage industry, we look at efficiency not only on the cost side, but also on the revenue side. Second, following the findings of Restrepo-Tobón and Kumbhakar (2014) on the shortcomings of the direct estimation of the alternative profit frontier, we show that the profit maximisation problem of a monopolist with fixed scale characteristics separates into separate cost minimisation and revenue maximisation problems, then derive an alternative specification for the revenue frontier with a firmer basis in theory. Third, we include the publicly-owned Northern Ireland Water and Scottish Water, and the three former Scottish Water Authorities that preceded the latter, in our water cost and revenue analyses, and likewise include Northern Ireland Electricity in one of our cost analyses, providing an original insight into the performance of these utilities relative to their English and Welsh and Great British counterparts, respectively. In addition, we use more recent samples than those found in the literature, providing new evidence relating to the latest price control periods in both industries. We derive two new formulae for calculating the marginal effects of environmental variables on efficiency, and apply these to analyse the impact of annual price caps and time trends on revenue and cost efficiency, giving an insight into the static and dynamic impacts of RPI-X regulation, while also examining the impact of board composition variables and public ownership. This thesis is organised into seven chapters. In the remainder of Chapter 1, we give a short history of the UK water and electricity industries. In Chapter 2, we introduce basic efficiency-related concepts, before moving on to discuss issues of market power and firm performance in utility firms, and the theory relating to utility regulation. In Chapter 3, we review the literature on frontier analysis, introducing some of the main data envelopment analysis (DEA) and stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) methods in particular. The relative advantages and disadvantages of each method are considered, and the features of the method used in the subsequent empirical chapters are discussed. Chapter 4 reviews the empirical literature on the performance of water and electricity utilities in the UK and internationally, along with several papers on the impact of regulation on the performance in other utility industries. Chapter 5 and Chapter 6 apply SFA to analyse the efficiency of UK water and sewage and electricity distribution utilities, respectively. Efficiency predictions are discussed and compared, trends are discussed, and the marginal effects of our environmental variables on the various efficiency measures are derived and discussed at length. Finally, Chapter 7 summarises the conclusions from our analyses and relates them back to the existing literature, and discusses implications for utility performance and policy. The limitations of this thesis, and suggestions for future research, are also discussed.
3
Viney, Howard. "Identifying strategic content among former public utilities." Thesis, Middlesex University, 2001. http://eprints.mdx.ac.uk/13436/.
Full textAbstract:
The importance of privatisation and other forms of market liberalisation as tools of economic and political policy is well documented, and the concepts continue to command prominence in a large number of economies across the globe. Most academic research undertaken to date has focussed upon its macro-economic motivations, the importance of regulation, and increasingly assessments of the economic benefits of instituting privatisation programmes. The literature indicates a dearth of empirical research on the managerial aspects of privatisation: the strategic responses of the companies emerging from such privatisation programmes, and the key influences which have shaped their strategic responses. In general, the industries which have witnessed privatisation have tended to be former state owned enterprises, or industries of strategic importance, where low performance standards and quality failures have been characterised as being endemic. Clearly, there is a real need to learn from existing responses, so that models of best practice can be established to smooth the transition of organisations encountering strategic reorientation, and to prevent the development of new sets of operating difficulties. In addition, the literature suggests that existing managerial models which aim to provide business decision makers with viable strategic responses to changing circumstances have not been adequately tested in non-traditional market conditions such as those experienced by companies following a major privatisation. Accordingly, this study aims to identify the content of corporate and business level strategy among a sample of recently privatised former public utilities: the Regional Electricity Companies of England and Wales, and to understand the nature of the strategi~drivers which have helped to shape these strategic responses. In so doing, the research aims to create an understanding of the suitability of a range of corporate and business strategy combinations for application in a partially regulated environment, in order to enable a company: to identify and pursue the appropriate strategies in pursuit of competitive advantage; manage its relationships with a variety of strategic drivers; to fulfil its public service obligations; and in so doing to navigate a potentially uncertain environment in a time of profound change. In addition, the study aims to review a series of existing managerial models in the light of the experiences of the RECs, and determine the degree of confidence that can be said to exist in their applicability in non-traditional market situations. In particular, the thesis comments upon the applicability of the Miles and Snow typology of organisational strategy, structure and process in a regulated environment, and suggests some tentative amendments. This research is identified as being primarily exploratory, based as it is upon a study of a single industry. While the author has confidence in the validity of the findings, this thesis is intended to be the first stage in an extended research project which would see these findings subjected to rigorous verification in a wider sample of companies of this type. As discussed earlier, the need for research of this nature at this time is identified as being compelling due to the current proliferation of privatisation programmes, the severity of the problems that they are trying to resolve, and the unique position of UK industry to provide recommendations based upon practical experience. The research utilises a broadly phenomenological method. An extensive review of the literature revealed not only limitations in existing knowledge, but the work of various authors in identifying the available corporate and business level strategic options available to organisational decision makers. These lists of options provided a broad framework for the identification and gathering of data, and its inductive interpretation. The process of data collection was undertaken initially using a form of content analysis of published sources, against a framework derived from the literature and a series of exploratory interviews. From this process a series of observations, in the form of tentative propositions, were drawn. These propositions were then tested deductively using multiple in-depth interviews within three case study companies and the degree of confidence in each proposition established. The case study companies were selected on the basis of their ability to represent the industry as a whole, based upon their current approach to growth; the research having earlier identified three distinct sub-groupings of behaviour in respect of strategies for growth. The research resulted in a number of key findings. Firstly, that despite expectations that differing patterns of strategic response would emerge following market liberalisation, the companies remaining within the industry appear to have gravitated towards three basic generic responses; broadly defined as concentrated growth, organic market development, and market development by acquisition. Consequently, there is a large degree of strategic symmetry although tactical differences do remain. Secondly, that the importance of regulation as a driver of strategy can not be underestimated, even in those parts of the industry which are theoretically free from regulatory influence. The findings suggest even allowing for the importance of regulation, other factors such as ownership, leadership, as well as other external and internal factors all need to be accounted for. The general conclusion here was that the impact of strategic drivers was situational. Thirdly, that companies have little or no flexibility in their choice of the business/competitive strategy that they pursue, with a combination of market regulatory and consumer expectancy factors dictating their terms of competition. Finally, the research suggests a need for the amendment of the Miles and Snow typology before it is applied in regulated environments, as well as suggesting that a degree of caution is exercised in the use of some other established and externally verified managerial models. The research produces a wide range of recommendations for further study. These recommendations concern (a) verification of conclusions drawn by the research and (b) exploration of issues which emerged during the research process. The research extends the existing literature's understanding of strategic content decisions among companies adapting to situations of strategic reorientation. It provides numerous examples of the responses organisations followed to a variety of strategic drivers, and identifies options which have been identified as viable in the UK energy industry as it currently stands. The research fills a number of gaps identified within the literature in relation to: the nature of organisational responses to strategic change; the relationship between strategic content and strategic drivers; the ability of long standing managerial models to perfonn in non-traditional market situations; and most importantly the viability of strategic responses in regulated environments. There are a number of limitations which can be identified within the research. The qualitative nature of the research reflects a reliance upon interpretive analysis and opinion, either by the author or the industry managers who provide the majority of the primary data. However, the author has striven at all times for objectivity and has utilised techniques such as triangulation of data sources and collection methods to ensure objectivity. In addition, the focus upon a single industry may be viewed as a limitation upon the applicability of the findings to a wider business audience. However, in both of these cases, the author argues that the exploratory nature of the research and the acknowledgement of the need for, and intention to pursue, external verification overcomes any concerns that may exist in relation to these possible limitations. The thesis comprises thirteen chapters. Chapter One introduces the study by providing a brief critique of the literature and establishes the study's aims and objectives. Chapters Two and Four provide a review of the relevant literature in relation to the general management literature and the literature concerning issues relating to privatisation. The methodology and research design are outlined in Chapter Three. The remaining chapters present the analysis and interpretation of data in two stages: the preliminary stage in Chapters Five to Seven, which is summarised in Chapter Eight; and the primary stage in Chapters Nine to Eleven, summarised in Chapter Twelve. The thesis is concluded in Chapter Thirteen where the major findings and recommendations for future study are annotated.
4
Spence, Cecilia. "The regulation of energy utilities based on depreciated optimised replacement cost (DORC), valuation of assets." Department of Accounting and Finance - Faculty of Commerce, 2004. http://ro.uow.edu.au/theses/216.
Full textAbstract:
This study was prompted by the 1988 introduction by the Commonwealth Government, and later on by both Federal and State regulators, of a philosophy of wanting to achieve a target rate of return within the public sector to emulate private sector efficiency. At the core of the reforms was the adoption of replacement values for assets. This resulted in inflated prices to the users of public services and regulated monopoly assets such as energy utilities, while asset owners enjoyed windfall gains. In developing a form of regulation for natural monopolies the regulators initially looked to Accounting. However Finance Economics provided a structure called the Building Block approach to regulation that had at its center the notion of Depreciated Optimised Replacement Cost (DORC). Capture by Finance Economics, has meant that regulation has developed under the rules of Net Present Value based on the DORC value for assets. Net Present Value calculations are based on the timing and amounts of future cash transactions. This is the meat of regulation. The regulators have addressed the problem of circularity by developing a notion of Optimised Replacement Cost (ORC), and calling on the notion of Tobins Q to transform ORC to ORC used, or DORC. Deprival Value has been endorsed as a valuation principle by the Council Of Australian Governments; however Deprival Value conflicts with DORC in the valuation of sunk assets. This research has critically examined the regulators use of DORC and its inherent circularity and finds that DORC is a flawed concept. It is argued that actual or previously agreed values for assets would produce a better regulatory outcome and fairer prices for consumers. The International Financial Reporting Standards contain in their 2003 Framework notions of Fair Value and Capital Maintenance that address the aims of the regulators and are compatible with Deprival Value. Audited financial reports based on the regulators approved asset valuations and prepared in accordance with International Standards would provide cohesion between regulatory decisions and the financial results of natural monopoly companies.
5
Sun, Chun-lim, and 孫振廉. "Marketing by public utilities companies in Hong Kong." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 1991. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B3126508X.
Full text
6
Sun, Chun-lim. "Marketing by public utilities companies in Hong Kong /." [Hong Kong] : University of Hong Kong, 1991. http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkuto/record.jsp?B13055239.
Full text
7
BARONE, Andrea. "Three essays on the economics of public utilities." Doctoral thesis, European University Institute, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/1814/7011.
Full textAbstract:
Defence date: 22 May 2007Examining Board: Pascal Courty, (European University Institute) ; Natalia Fabra, (Universidad Carlos III, Madrid) ; Massimo Motta, (European University Institute) ; Frode Steen, (Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration)
PDF of thesis uploaded from the Library digital archive of EUI PhD theses
Public utilities provide fundamental services both to households and firms. Continuous, adequate, and reasonably priced supplies of water, electricity and gas are essential for healthy living in every modern society. Moreover, while there is no direct physical need for telecommunication services, in today’s information economy they have clearly become a social need. At the same time infrastructure sectors are key for sustained economic growth and international competitiveness, since they also provide necessary inputs to firms, allowing them to produce and interact with both suppliers and customers. In this dissertation we will analyze some important policy issues that emerge in relation to these sectors.
-- Assessing the affordability consequences of tariff rebalancing : the case of the argentinean electricity sector -- Firminnovation activities in Latin America and the Caribbean : some evidence on the role of infrastructure -- The liberalization of the Italian electricity industry : a critical assessment
8
Leung, Tai-yan Daniel. "Develop a public opinion management plan for the electric utilities in Hong Kong /." [Hong Kong : University of Hong Kong], 1985. http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkuto/record.jsp?B12317196.
Full text
9
Jordan, Myron K. "The kilowatt wars : James D. Ross, public power, and the public relations contest for the hearts and minds of Pacific Northwesterners /." Thesis, Connect to this title online; UW restricted, 1991. http://hdl.handle.net/1773/6160.
Full text
10
Schapiro, Raphael. "Why public ownership? : urban utilities in London, 1870-1914." Thesis, University of Oxford, 2003. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.399458.
Full text
11
McLemore, Dustin Dru. "A model records management system for Texas public utilities : an information science tool for public managers /." View online, 2008. http://ecommons.txstate.edu/arp/275/.
Full text
12
Klassen, June Peterson. "An examination of the benefits and implementation problems of the transportation/utility corridor concept." Thesis, University of British Columbia, 1987. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/26859.
Full textAbstract:
The value and feasibility of implementing the Corridor concept has been debated for over twenty years. A corridor provides land for the coordinated placement of future linear facilities such as highways, railways, pipelines, powerlines and municipal services. Few corridors have been established, although there has been obvious interest in the concept. A number of studies into the feasibility of establishing corridors have been completed in the United States, Alberta and British Columbia.
This thesis examines the benefits, disadvantages and implementation problems associated with the corridor concept. Through a literature review, the factors influencing linear facility right-of-way location and width are examined. Also, from the literature, the benefits and disadvantages associated with corridor implementation and the key factors which have inhibited corridor implementation are identified.
The Alberta corridor program is studied and the corridor origins, design, institutional framework and implementation mechanism identified. The case study indicated that a set of unusual circumstances allowed for the establishment of the Alberta corridors.
This thesis concludes that corridors do provide net benefits for the community in the long term but that they are difficult to implement. The major planning implication of corridors is that they bring right-of-way planning into the sphere of land use planning and reduce the emphasis on
economics and engineering.Applied Science, Faculty of
Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of
Graduate
13
Wong, Joanne (Joanne Sharon). "Driving toward monopoly : regulating autonomous mobility platforms as public utilities." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/118227.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis: M.C.P., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Urban Studies and Planning, 2018.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 95-101).
Autonomous vehicles (AV) have captured the collective imagination of everyone from traditional auto manufacturers to computer software startups, from government administrators to urban planners. This thesis articulates a likely future for the deployment of AVs. Through stakeholder interviews and industry case studies, I show that there is general optimism about the progress of AV technology and its power to positively impact society. Stakeholders across sectors are expecting a future of autonomous electric fleets, but have divergent attitudes toward the regulation needed to facilitate its implementation. I demonstrate that, given the immense upfront capital investments and the nature of network effects intrinsic to data-intensive platforms, the autonomous mobility-as-a-service system is likely to tend toward a natural monopoly. This view is corroborated by key informants as well as recent industry trends. In order to better anticipate the characteristics of this emerging platform, I look back at the developmental trajectories of two classic public utilities - telecommunications and the electricity industry. I argue that the aspiring monopolists in autonomous mobility, like icons in these traditional industries, will succeed in supplanting a legacy technology with a new, transformative one, and use pricing and market consolidation tactics to gain regional dominance. The discussion on monopoly power is then adapted to the new business models of internet-enabled technology giants, and I examine two additional industry case studies in Google and Amazon. I argue that the autonomous mobility platform will first be designed to prioritize scale over everything else, including profits, and that firms are likely to pursue both horizontal and vertical integration strategies to achieve sustained market leadership. I conclude by recommending next steps for reining in platforms that may harm the public interest, and encourage planners to traverse disciplinary boundaries to better facilitate discussions between innovators and regulators.
by Joanne Wong.
M.C.P.
14
Sauter, Paul Kenneth. "A Public Utilities Internship at the Fairfield Water Treatment Plant." Miami University / OhioLINK, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1515672307065945.
Full text
15
Boyd, Keith J. "Regulation and innovation : the case of metering in public utilities." Thesis, University of Edinburgh, 2001. http://hdl.handle.net/1842/22772.
Full textAbstract:
During the past twenty years there have been sharply contrasting policies towards the regulation of public utilities in France and the United Kingdom. In the UK there has been a policy of deregulation where private ownership abounds, encouraging market forces vis-à-vis political forces. In France by contrast a policy of 'public service' is sill paramount with many of the utilities remaining in government hands and enjoying monopoly rights. This research explores a third dynamic in the regulation of utilities, that of technological innovation. In particular this thesis examines the development of metering technology in relation to the regulation of four utility sectors; electricity; gas; water and telecommunications in France and the UK. Using a case study methodology it examines five theoretical approaches that can be used to analyse the role of innovation in regulatory change. These are the Techno-Economic Paradigm; Systems Theory; Sociotechnical Constituencies; Techno-Economic Networks and Evolutionary Theory. The analysis is then used to illuminate and guide future policy making towards public utility regulation and innovation.
16
Moreno, Luis Ferney. "Regulation for the accomplishment of public purposes: the case of public utilities in Colombia." Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, 2016. http://repositorio.pucp.edu.pe/index/handle/123456789/116617.
Full textAbstract:
Since the 1990s, several countries in Latin America liberalized and privatized the public utilities business. As a consequence, there was a transit from the Entrepreneur State to the Regulatory State, the latter being traditionally understood as a model of regulation for competition, with a mayor concern only on economic objectives. Notwithstanding, the socioeconomic reality of Latin American countries, in particular Colombia, presented the fact that competition cannot be the only priority, and that regulation of the public utilities business must also achieve social objectives. Public purposes, understood as economic and social objectives, are the cornerstone of State intervention.Desde los años noventa, ciertos países de América Latina liberalizaron y privatizaron el sector de los servicios públicos. Como consecuencia, se pasó del Estado empresario al Estado regulador, el cual era tradicionalmente entendido como un modelo de regulación para la competencia, centrado principalmente en objetivos económicos. Sin embargo, la realidad socioeconómica de los países de América Latina, en particular Colombia, demuestra que la competencia no es la única prioridad, sino que la regulación en los servicios públicos también debe atender a la consecución de objetivos sociales. Los objetivos públicos son el pilar de la intervención del Estado, entendido esto como objetivos económicos y sociales.
17
Gulias, Manuel Rivas. "Instrumentos de planeamento municipal y su eficacia en la cuenca del rio Miño." Master's thesis, Instituições portuguesas -- UP-Universidade do Porto -- -Faculdade de Arquitectura, 2003. http://dited.bn.pt:80/30133.
Full text
18
Melo, Sandra Maria de Brito Monteiro de. "Uma logística colaborativa para a cidade." Master's thesis, Instituições portuguesas -- UP-Universidade do Porto -- -Faculdade de Arquitectura, 2003. http://dited.bn.pt:80/30451.
Full text
19
Ho, Hung-kwan. "Evaluation of adequacy of public facilities and services in assisting public housing residents to adapt to new living environment : a case study in Tung Chung /." Hong Kong : University of Hong Kong, 2000. http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkuto/record.jsp?B22358456.
Full text
20
Kolf, K. Peter. "Pricing optimality of a multi-product public enterprise /." Title page, contents and abstract only, 1986. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09ECM/09ecmk81.pdf.
Full text
21
Jouda-Mohammed, Abdul-Karim Mustafa. "A regional environmental infrastructure management system for the Gaza Strip." Thesis, University of Salford, 2007. http://usir.salford.ac.uk/26746/.
Full textAbstract:
Environmental Infrastructure in the Gaza Strip (GS) is a multidisciplinary sector related to provision of basic services of water supply, waste water, storm water drainage and solid waste disposal. The emerging institutions of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) are facing problems managing the poor physical facilities of the environmental infrastructure. The thesis assesses the current status of the environmental infrastructure in the GS within the context of designing a conceptual, sustainable and integrated Environmental Infrastructure Management Model (EIMM). This is the core of the research, which aims at making a contribution towards understanding and assessing Environmental Infrastructure Management (EIM) including the links to, and mandates of, the institutions involved in EIM tasks. In this context, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is introduced as a vital integrating element for EIM institutions. The lack of quantitative data on EIM in GS represents a major constraint, and therefore a well structured questionnaire was adopted for data collection. Reviews of the institutional set up of EIM in the UK, Israel, Jordan and GS were undertaken. To facilitate comparison among EIM systems, a Hybrid Comparative Technique (HCT) was developed aiming at highlighting strengths and weaknesses of the existing EIMM in GS, compared with other well established models elsewhere, to streamline institutional setup in GS. The quantitative information from the questionnaire is placed as triangulation alongside the qualitative data from the literature review to give further insight into the issues being studied. A SWOT analysis under different and political scenarios was the outcome of evaluating the performance of the new EIMM. The study showed that the EIM institutions in GS do not have clear mandates where roles and responsibilities overlap. New central Institutions are needed including central water, solid waste and GIS facilities. Privatization, human resource development, and customer satisfaction should all be considered.
22
Singer, Susan Sullivan. "Acid rain provisions of the 1990 clean air amendments : affects on residential electric customers /." Thesis, This resource online, 1991. http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-09192009-040223/.
Full text
23
Leung, Tai-yan Daniel, and 梁大仁. "Develop a public opinion management plan for the electric utilities inHong Kong." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 1985. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B31263288.
Full text
24
Barnes, Everton Dean. "Value-based management : public water utilities, a financial consideration / Everton Dean Barnes." Thesis, North-West University, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10394/4332.
Full text
25
D'ALAURO, GABRIELE. "Le fusioni delle public utilities: profili strategico-gestionali e informativa economico-contabile." Doctoral thesis, Università degli Studi di Roma "Tor Vergata", 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/2108/201760.
Full text
26
Ho, Kwok-wing. "A comparative study of the corporate strategies of the two electricity companies in Hong Kong /." [Hong Kong : University of Hong Kong], 1992. http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkuto/record.jsp?B13302310.
Full text
27
Laberge, Nicole. "Élaboration d'un modèle d'amélioration continue de la qualité du service /." Thèse, Chicoutimi : Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, 1992. http://theses.uqac.ca.
Full text
28
Yang, Yi 1981. "Heuristics for virtual machine level rescheduling for improving QoS in public computing utilities." Thesis, McGill University, 2005. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=82645.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis deals with the issue of augmenting public resources with fixed size dedicated (private) resource pools to increase the probability of meeting the service level agreements (SLAs). Since service hosting systems based on virtual machines (VMs) are becoming increasingly practical, this thesis proposes an VM-based infrastructure for outsourcing computer services in public computing utility. Several service-oriented heuristics are proposed to perform resource management in migrating the VMs in order to obtain higher levels of quality of service. Through extensive simulations, this thesis evaluates the performance of the heuristics under different conditions.
29
Levy, Ferre Alberto. "How many years should I be married : long term power contracts in the electric utility industry in Texas /." Digital version accessible at:, 1998. http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/utexas/main.
Full text
30
Cardow, Andrew Graeme, and n/a. "Construction of entrepreneurship in publicly-owned utilities in New Zealand : local and translocal discourses, 1999-2001." University of Otago. Department of Political Science, 2005. http://adt.otago.ac.nz./public/adt-NZDU20070202.160933.
Full textAbstract:
This research project examines how managers in local-government-owned business organisations justify their adoption of an entrepreneurial orientation and their interpretation of their role in entrepreneurial terms. To explore these justifications, interviews were conducted with the senior management of four local-government- owned business operations and one local council. They were: Metrowater, The Edge, Taieri Gorge Railway, Chatham Islands Council and Chatham Islands Enterprise Trust. These interviews were then analysed, utilising a critical discourse method. In addition, interviews were also conducted with senior managers in the Rotorua District Council and Taupo District Council who provided a sharp contrast to the former organisations and suggested a means by which the neo-liberal approach within the sector might be countered.
Through speaking with the various local govermnent business managers contacted for this project, I concluded that managers of local-government-owned business operations have a strong institutional identification with the private sector. This identity is so strong that many of the managers interviewed have rejected the very notion that they are public employees of any sort. The managers have adopted an entrepreneurial approach because they see this as essential to gain professional legitimacy with their peers in the private sector. This has caused them to place distance between themselves and the owners of the business that they manage (that is, the councils), and the local citizens they ostensibly serve, to the extent that they have described their job as providing goods and services to customers rather than providing services for citizens. I will show that the adoption of such an attitude is inappropriate when placed within the context of local-government-owned and operated business concerns.
From the point of view of European settlement, New Zealand is a very young country, especially in the administrative sector. To provide a background to this project and to suggest the main lines of development of local government in New Zealand, I have included a prologue that outlines the history of local government in New Zealand.
31
Douglas, Scott C. "Success nonetheless : making public utilities work in small-scale democracies despite social capital difficulties." Thesis, University of Oxford, 2011. http://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:2368c85a-32cb-4f64-a9f3-072067605beb.
Full textAbstract:
A large part of the study of politics is dedicated to identifying the circumstances under which democracy will flourish. Putnam made a major contribution to this field through his concept of social capital as developed in Making Democracy Work. Putnam found that communities with a high number of civic associations –i.e. social capital- had a better chance of developing an effective style of democratic government. This definition of social capital sparked much subsequent research and policy activity. It is argued here, however, that this work ignored the immediate needs of societies which do not have the required stock of social capital. There is still little guidance available on how effective government can be achieved even if the right societal circumstances are absent. This thesis hopes to find inspiration from government agencies that were successful despite their challenging social capital conditions. It specifically looks at sixteen public utilities on the Caribbean islands of Aruba, Curacao and St. Kitts between 2005 and 2009. The thesis then systematically investigates the relationship between the performance of the agencies and the behaviour of their senior officials. It emerges that in the absence of social capital, governance is in these cases mainly hampered by a deluge of irrelevant data. Successful utilities overcame this flood by constantly upgrading the quality of information, implementing a strict yet inclusive style of governance, and allowing strong leaders the space to translate words into actions. These outcomes suggest that social capital forms an important tool for ordering information, and that, in its absence, there are still alternative strategies available to secure success nonetheless.
32
Danner, David W. "Utilities cost comparison analysis between a public work center and the non-DoD sector." Thesis, Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School, 1992. http://hdl.handle.net/10945/23809.
Full text
33
Raza, Syed Hassan. "Reform and regulation in public utilities in UK and Pakistan : difference, similarities and learning." Thesis, Birmingham City University, 2004. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.428861.
Full text
34
Vallée, Martin. "Optimisation de la réalisation des objectifs du système d'évaluation du rendement face aux attentes du personnel du ministère du Revenu du Québec autre que le personnel d'encadrement /." Thèse, Chicoutimi : Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, 1995. http://theses.uqac.ca.
Full text
35
Babalola, Rilwan Olanrewaju. "Technical efficiency and impact of ownership on performance : the case of the Nigerian electricity industry." Thesis, University of Surrey, 1999. http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/2814/.
Full textAbstract:
The notion that different ownership types may create a divergence in outcome naturally led to an appraisal of the performance of the Nigerian electricity industry and to the investigation of the influence of ownership structures upon performance as a way of explaining the disappointing state of electricity production in Nigeria. This research is primarily concerned with the factors that influence performance, the estimation of efficiency and productivity of the National Electric Power Authority (NEP A) - the integrated public utility responsible for electricity in Nigeria. The first part of the thesis is concerned with developing a conceptual framework for the performance assessment of the public enterprise focusing on transformation of inputs to outputs. The various principles and methods of measuring efficiency are considered. And consequently, an appropriate methodology for the appraisal of NEP A's performance and an examination of how NEP A's production efficiency can be improved is outlined. This provides the basis for the empirical and data analysis, which forms the second part of the thesis. The empirical analyses use the two popular approaches for measuring efficiency. These are the non-parametric (data envelopment analysis and Malmquist productivity index approach) and parametric (stochastic frontier method) approaches. The third part of the thesis investigates the issues pertaining to the reform of the electricity industry from an ownership perspective. Attention is given to privatisation and regulation. Given the state of the industry in Nigeria, and the fact that reform is imminent, a modelling approach is used to examine the impact on performance of changes in ownership type and the organisational structure of the electricity industry. The thesis concludes with a summary of the research findings and draws policy implications of the study for the reform of the electricity industry in Nigeria.
36
Sabart, Gilles. "Les services publics de réseau (public utilities) : essai de comparaison entre les Etats-Unis, la France et la Grande-Bretagne." Aix-Marseille 3, 2003. http://www.theses.fr/2003AIX32014.
Full textAbstract:
Les services publics de réseau (SPR) ne répondent à aucune définition juridique précise mais ils assurent un besoin fondamental pour la société, c'est-à-dire un besoin que doit fournir l'Etat au citoyen et à l'entreprise. Les SPR tendent ainsi vers le bien-être de tous : ils ont pour devoir d'être efficaces ; c'est pourquoi l'Etat les développe tout en les contrôlant pour l'intérêt général. Deux grands modèles se sont imposés à la suite de la seconde guerre mondiale mais l'introduction de la concurrence a provoqué l'émergence du modèle américain au détriment du modèle européen. C'est pourquoi notre étude s'intéresse aux Etats-Unis en tant que référence et à la Grande-Bretagne en tant que laboratoire pour la France, sans pour autant oublier les contraintes qui résultent du droit communautaire lui-même. Même si l'approche se veut globale, dans le but de comprendre la cohérence de chaque système et de juger de leur efficacité, l'angle d'étude entend mesurer l'incidence de l'introduction de la notion de concurrence dans les SPR. Cette influence est examinée dans l'organisation économique des SPR (I), dans la fourniture des obligations de service public et dans leur financement (II) ainsi que dans la régulation des SPR caractérisée par une nouvelle institution. La confrontation de la concurrence avec l'intérêt général détermine ainsi le statut de l'autorité de régulation indépendante (ARI) au sein de l'organisation de l'Etat (III)Public utilities do not have any precise legal definition but they ensure a fundamental need for the Society, i. E. A need which has to be provided by the State to citizens and to companies. Public utilities tend thus towards general wellbeing : they have like having to be effective ; this is why the State develops them all while controlling them for the public interest. Two models were essential following the second world war but the introduction of competition caused the emergence of the American model to the detriment of the European model. This is why our study is focused on the United States as a reference and on Great Britain as a laboratory for France, without forgetting the constraints which result from the Community legislation itself. Even if the approach is global, with an aim of understanding the coherence of each system and of judging their effectiveness, the angle of study intends to measure the incidence of the introduction of the concept of competition into Public utilities. This influence is examined in the economic organization of Public utilities (I), in the supply of the obligations of public service and their financing (II), and in the regulation characterized by a new institution. The confrontation of competition with the public interest thus fixes the statute of Independant Regulatory Commission (IRC) within the organization of the State (III)
37
Durand, Suzanne. "Les problèmes des petites entreprises en phase de prédémarrage et de démarrage : cas d'entreprises de services du Québec /." Thèse, Chicoutimi : Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, 1996. http://theses.uqac.ca.
Full text
38
Wong, Hok-ming. "Strategic management of China Light & Power Co., Ltd. /." Hong Kong : University of Hong Kong, 1996. http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkuto/record.jsp?B1800359X.
Full text
39
Skoufa, Lucas A. "A strategic management framework for reformed electricity generation firms in eastern Australia /." [St. Lucia, Qld.], 2006. http://adt.library.uq.edu.au/public/adt-QU20060713.152047/index.html.
Full text
40
Wong, Lai-ching Elyssa, and 黃麗菁. "Government re-regulation and de-Regulation of the Hong Kong bus industry." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 1995. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B31954510.
Full text
41
Payne, Christopher Todd. "Energy consumption behavior in the commercial sector an ethnographic analysis of utility bill information and customer comprehension in the workplace /." Access to citation, abstract and download form provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company; downloadable PDF file 0.86 Mb., 171 p, 2006. http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:3220742.
Full text
42
Johnson, Francis Joseph. "Lines of copper, tears of glass the birth, growth and death of the Montana Power Company /." Thesis, Montana State University, 2008. http://etd.lib.montana.edu/etd/2008/johnson/JohnsonF1208.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
Montana Power collapsed amid images of TV reporters for Sixty Minutes chasing flustered Robert Gannon in Butte. The loss of two and a half billion dollars as well as the complete liquidation of thousands of shareholders created this Warhol moment for the firm\'s last president and Montana Power. Other dire consequences followed for the state: loss of Montana\'s only Fortune 500 firm, a doubling of utility bills and the loss of hundreds of jobs for the already depressed Butte area. Montana Power\'s importance transcends this slapstick \"fifteen minutes\" of fame moment at its demise. Montana Power became one of the few utilities to break from state price regulation during the deregulation mania of the 1990\'s. In a jarring development, the firm dissipated all its assets and dissolved shortly thereafter amidst a great deal of controversy. However, besides the failure of the firm after the heated deregulation battle, three other areas of the history of this utility proved pivotal in political, economic and environmental terms for not only the state, but also the rest of the West and the United States, as the events surrounding the Butte firm were often regional or national in scope and importance. First, the creation of the predecessors of the firm occurred at the very dawn of the electrical revolution at the turn of the nineteenth century. Powerful men and institutions from the Eastern United States set up the firm in a colonial-style environment and guided the development of the state. With the electricity revolution, dams, power lines, reservoirs, mills and logging operations appeared throughout the landscape. Second, the Great Depression produced an epic battle between public power advocates and trustbusters versus the Butte firm. The New Deal commenced building the Ft. Peck Dam and power stations, while working diligently to break up the utility trusts that included Montana Power. Third, lengthy car lines at gas pumps in the 1970\'s signaled the onset of the first energy crisis. The power company\'s attempt to generate energy using steam from coal mined in Eastern Montana set off a literal war with newly emergent environmental movement.
43
Puentes, Ana Cristina. "Functional elements and human dimensions of a municipal solid waste management system in the Amazon forest the case of Puerto Bermúdez, Peru /." [Gainesville, Fla.] : University of Florida, 2004. http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/UFE0005120.
Full text
44
BARROS, NICOLE PEÇANHA DO RÊGO. "A METHODOLOGY TO EVALUATE THE OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE OF PUBLIC UTILITIES ENTERPRISES: APPLICATION TO THE SANITATION SECTOR." PONTIFÍCIA UNIVERSIDADE CATÓLICA DO RIO DE JANEIRO, 2015. http://www.maxwell.vrac.puc-rio.br/Busca_etds.php?strSecao=resultado&nrSeq=26434@1.
Full textAbstract:
PONTIFÍCIA UNIVERSIDADE CATÓLICA DO RIO DE JANEIROCOORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DO PESSOAL DE ENSINO SUPERIOR
PROGRAMA DE SUPORTE À PÓS-GRADUAÇÃO DE INSTS. DE ENSINO
O setor de saneamento desempenha um papel fundamental à vida humana. A gestão eficiente dos recursos hídricos é de grande relevância à sociedade devido à sua importância econômica e produtiva para o desenvolvimento de outros bens e serviços. O presente estudo apresenta uma análise de benchmarking com o objetivo de avaliar a eficiência dos custos operacionais das empresas de saneamento do Brasil. Este abordou 3 metodologias de benchmarking, sendo elas a Análise Envoltória de Dados (DEA), Mínimos Quadrados Ordinários Corrigidos (MQOC) e Análise de Indicadores de Desempenho. Inicialmente foi estimada uma eficiência média a partir do DEA e MQOC, em seguida foi realizado o ajuste desta eficiência através de variáveis não gerenciáveis pelas empresas, por meio da regressão TOBIT. Por fim, foi feita uma análise complementar através de 15 indicadores de desempenho que abarcavam características de custos médios, produtividade e perdas de água no setor de saneamento. Os dados utilizados para este estudo foram disponibilizados pelo Sistema Nacional de Informações sobre Saneamento (SNIS). Para a estimação da eficiência foi considerado como variável de insumo o custo operacional das empresas (OPEX) Para produto, as variáveis de quantidade de ligações ativas e volume faturado de água e esgoto. Observou-se que o impacto das variáveis não gerenciáveis beneficiou o desempenho das empresas, mas não gerou mudanças significativas quanto à posição no ranking de eficiência. O resultado da eficiência média estimada pelas metodologias DEA e MQOC indicou a SANEPAR como benchmark relativamente aos seus custos operacionais, bem como a análise de indicadores de desempenho, para o ano de 2012.
The sanitation sector plays a key role in human life. Efficient management of water resources is completely revelant to society because of their economic and productive importance for the development of other goods and services. This study presents a benchmarking analysis in order to evaluate the efficiency of the operating costs of sanitation companies in Brazil. Three benchmarking methodologies were used, Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), Corrected Ordinary Least Square (COLS) and Performance Indicators Analysis. Initially an average efficiency was estimated from the DEA and COLS. Later, through TOBIT regression, an adjustment of this efficiency was made through this uncontrollable variables by companies. Finally, an additional analysis was performed using 15 performance indicators that spanned average cost characteristics, productivity and water losses in the sanitation sector. The data used for this study were provided by the Brazilian Sanitation Information System (SNIS). To estimate the efficiency was considered as an input variable operating costs of companies (OPEX).Regards to product, the amount of variable active links and volume of billed water and sewage were considered. It was observed the impact of uncontrollable variables benefited performance of the companies, but did not cause significant changes on the position in the ranking of efficiency. The result of the average efficiency estimated by the DEA and COLS methodologies indicated SANEPAR as a benchmark due to its operating costs, as well as the performance indicator analysis for the year 2012.
45
Böhl, Carla Gonçalves Pinheiro. "Development of a knowledge based decision support system for private sector participation in water and sanitation utilities." [S.l. : s.n.], 2007. http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bsz:93-opus-33917.
Full text
46
Bahari, Azimuddin Bin. "Investigations into the quality of public services in Malaysia." Thesis, University of Stirling, 1999. http://hdl.handle.net/1893/2269.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis emerged as a result from the desire to know how the Public Service of Malaysia is coping up with the demands of quality services from the public. The Public Service, in meeting the aspirations of the Government, on providing quality services to the public, has introduced a number of quality programmes. In spite of this positive move to inculcate a quality work culture among the Public Service employees, the public is said to be still complaining about public services. In this situation, investigations are required to determine the true status of the level of quality of services delivered by the Public Service. These investigations involved measuring service quality and the SERVQUAL instrument of measuring service quality, which has been tested for its reliability, has been introduced. After obtaining the measurements, shown in the form of service quality gaps, further investigations was carried out to identify the cause of the service quality gaps. It was discovered that service quality can be affected by the internal service gaps and in this case, the service performance gap is the main cause of the service quality gap. Further investigations narrowed down the cause of the service quality gap to performance appraisal. Therefore insight was gained about the improper implementation of performance appraisal which can affect quality. The invaluable findings obtained from the thesis about the Public Service prompted suggestions to be made about ways of improving quality services delivered by the Public Service.
47
Dufour, Hélène. "La gestion de la qualité dans les entreprises de services au Saguenay Lac-St-Jean /." Thèse, Chicoutimi : Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, 1994. http://theses.uqac.ca.
Full text
48
Pelkey, Ryan Lawrence. "Coordinating Job Release Dates with Workdays: a Job Shop Application to Utilities Field Service Scheduling." PDXScholar, 2013. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/1510.
Full textAbstract:
A local utility company processes a variety of jobs each day including meter reading, service shut-offs, emergency response, and customer service work. For the Company, a specific workflow begins with automated meter-reading (AMR) and ends with collections/service shut-offs (CSOs) for accounts with excessively late payments (AMR-CSO workflow). There are considerable and systemic sources of variability in both the workload and resource demands of the AMR-CSO workflow including order arrival, order release schedules, order batch-sizing and maintenance scheduling.
This project draws on theory from the job-shop problem to explore possible means to mitigate this variability. We hypothesized that controlling various forms of input variability would lead to reduced downstream workload variability. Using discrete event simulation we tested a variety of measures to reduce input variability in the workflow. Consistent with other literature we find that various workload control tactics have limited impact on output measures and system performance.
However, we found that system is much more sensitive to resource capacity variability. One input control tactic we call Targeted Release allowed us to reduce Company capacity variability which suggested significantly improved outcomes. These initial results are promising for both the Company and for future investigation of tactics to mitigate resource capacity variability.
49
Stiel, Caroline [Verfasser], Tomaso [Akademischer Betreuer] Duso, Astrid [Akademischer Betreuer] Cullmann, Tomaso [Gutachter] Duso, and Astrid [Gutachter] Cullmann. "German public utilities : organisation and productivity / Caroline Stiel ; Gutachter: Tomaso Duso, Astrid Cullmann ; Tomaso Duso, Astrid Cullmann." Berlin : Technische Universität Berlin, 2019. http://d-nb.info/1178524825/34.
Full text
50
De, Masi Sara. "CEO compensation and characteristics of the boards of directors in European public utilities of the energy sector." Thesis, IMT Alti Studi Lucca, 2011. http://e-theses.imtlucca.it/53/1/De%20Masi_phdthesis.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
The recent corporate scandals and the rise of financial crisis have led up to the light the issue of corporate governance and CEO compensation. Researchers, business people and politicians have focused on this topic analyzing the elements that can increase firm and social wealth, give incentives and reduce agency costs between managers and shareholders. Although most of the studies focus on unregulated firms, this topic is more controversial and interesting in public utility case. After the privatization, most of public utilities listed, opening their capital to private investors that want that firm maximizes shareholder wealth. Nevertheless, these companies still work in a regulated environment which creates constraints on their behaviours and their governance. Moreover, directors have relationships with governments and politicians that can distort their decisions. Using a unique dataset that includes governance, financial and market regulation variables I study corporate governance and CEO incentives in the energy sector. The first chapter analyses the determinants of CEO compensation. In theory,
the variable part of CEO compensation is an instrument that better aligns CEO interests with those of the shareholders. Contrary to the previous studies in unregulated case, I find a negative relation between the number of independent
directors and the variable part of CEO compensation. This conclusion leads to deepen the role of independent directors. Since independent directors do not have connections with the company, they should be particularly effective in controlling CEOs’ actions, avoiding rent expropriation. The second chapter analyses the effects of board composition on firm performance, growth and dividend policy. I find that greater board independence reduces future firm performance and does not affect firm growth
and dividends policy. The third chapter examines CEO pay for performance sensitivity across regulated and unregulated firms within the energy sector. The study analyzes also the effect of different regulatory frameworks, in order to understand if external (regulation) and internal (compensation) incentives are powerful
mechanisms that motivate CEOs.