Regulatory impact of environmental standards on the eco-efficiency of firms

In this paper, we propose an approach to implement environmental standards into Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and in this way to measure their regulatory impact on eco-efficiency of firms. One standard feature of basic DEA models lies in the exogeneity of inputs, desirable and undesirable outputs. Taking into account the environmental constraints, we therefore apply the bounded variable DEA model. The regulatory impact is assessed as difference in eco-efficiency scores before and after fictive introduction of an environmental standard. Furthermore, we distinguish between weak and strong disposability of undesirable outputs and develop corresponding models. Assessing the regulatory impact of environmental standards in advance provides support for environmental policymakers in choosing appropriate instruments and in adjusting the intensity of regulation.     

Eco-efficiency and eco-productivity change over time in a multisectoral economic system

We measure eco-efficiency of an economy by means of an augmented Leontief input–output model extended by constraints for primary inputs. Using a multi-objective optimisation model the eco-efficiency frontier of the economy is generated. The results of these multi-objective optimisation problems define eco-efficient virtual decision making units (DMUs). The eco-efficiency is obtained as a solution of a data envelopment analysis (DEA) model with virtual DMUs defining the potential and a DMU describing the actual performance of the economy. This procedure is then extended to an intertemporal approach in the spirit of the Luenberger productivity indicator. This indicator permits decomposing eco-productivity change into eco-efficiency change and eco-technical change. The indicator is then further decompounded in a way that enables us to examine the contributions of individual production factors, undesirable as well as desirable outputs to eco-productivity change over time. For illustration purposes the proposed model is applied to investigate eco-productivity growth of the Austrian economy.     

Alternative measures of environmental technology structure in DEA: An application

The nonparametric data envelopment analysis (DEA) literature on environmental efficiency (EE) considers handling undesirable outputs in two alternative ways: either in their original forms with the assumption that these are weakly disposable or in various translated forms with the assumption that these are strongly disposable. Choosing a particular approach implies adoption of a particular, distinct treatment of undesirable outputs, and hence yields a distinct set of EE estimates. To explore the effects of the interplay between choice of EE measure and specific treatment of undesirable outputs, this paper attempts to generate all possible output-oriented EE measures based on these two alternative approaches. Furthermore, guided by the argument that slacks are important in identifying properly the efficiency behavior of firms, it proposes two new alternative, slacks-based formulations of EE: one based on the range directional model, and the other on the generalized proportional distance function model. Using a confected data set of ten firms and a real-life data set of 22 OECD countries, our empirical analysis reveals that: first, EE scores are influenced not only by the choice of disposability assumption for undesirable outputs but also by the way these are treated in various translated forms; second, the choice of any particular treatment of undesirable outputs plays no role in influencing the rankings of firms; and third, our two new alternative EE formulations are, at the least, viable alternatives to existing EE measures in ranking firms according to their eco-efficiency behavior.     

Optimal employment and wage policies of a monopolistic firm

This paper deals with the problem of finding optimal hiring/firing and wage policies for a profit-maximizing monopolistic firm. The crucial assumptions of the model are convex shortage costs permitting shortages in output capacity, nonlinear hiring and firing costs, and the wage rate as control variable being restricted by a minimal level. Due to the nonsmoothness of the revenue function occurring in the objective functional, a generalized maximum principle is required to analyze the optimal control problem. The resulting phase-diagram analysis provides an insight into the optimal recruitment, wage, and pricing policies.The authors would like to thank R. Hartl, E. Fehr, F. Hof, S. Jørgensen, R. Leban, N. Van Long, and R. Neck for helpful suggestions and comments to this and earlier versions of the paper.     

The Synthesis,Characterization and Dehydrogenation of Sigma‐Complexes of BN‐Cyclohexanes

The coordination chemistry of the 1,2‐BN‐cyclohexanes 2,2‐R₂‐1,2‐B,N‐C₄H₁₀ (R₂=HH, MeH, Me₂) with Ir and Rh metal fragments has been studied. This led to the solution (NMR spectroscopy) and solid‐state (X‐ray diffraction) characterization of [Ir(PCy₃)₂(H)₂(η²η²‐H₂BNR₂C₄H₈)][BAr^F₄] (NR₂=NH₂, NMeH) and [Rh(iPr₂PCH₂CH₂CH₂PiPr₂)(η²η²‐H₂BNR₂C₄H₈)][BAr^F₄] (NR₂=NH₂, NMeH, NMe₂). For NR₂=NH₂ subsequent metal‐promoted, dehydrocoupling shows the eventual formation of the cyclic tricyclic borazine [BNC₄H₈]₃, via amino‐borane and, tentatively characterized using DFT/GIAO chemical shift calculations, cycloborazane intermediates. For NR₂=NMeH the final product is the cyclic amino‐borane HBNMeC₄H₈. The mechanism of dehydrogenation of 2,2‐H,Me‐1,2‐B,N‐C₄H₁₀ using the {Rh(iPr₂PCH₂CH₂CH₂PiPr₂)}⁺ catalyst has been probed. Catalytic experiments indicate the rapid formation of a dimeric species, [Rh₂(iPr₂PCH₂CH₂CH₂PiPr₂)₂H₅][BAr^F₄]. Using the initial rate method starting from this dimer, a first‐order relationship to [amine‐borane], but half‐order to [Rh] is established, which is suggested to be due to a rapid dimer–monomer equilibrium operating.     

ChemInform Abstract: Reactions of Lanthanide Atoms with Oxygen Difluoride and the Role of the Ln Oxidation State.

Oxidative addition products OLnF₂ (Ln: lanthanide) and OLnF are obtained by condensation of laser-ablated Ln atoms with OF₂ in excess argon or neon at 4 K.