Resource Recovery and the Sherwood Plot

Our work analyzes the biophysical and economic foundations of the Sherwood Plot (SP). In general, the SP depicts the theoretical relationship between the cost of recovering a target material or an identified Value Added Compound (VAC) from a waste matrix and its dilution in the waste matrix; specifically suggesting that the recovery cost is reverse proportional to the VAC's dilution in it. We further utilize the SP as a scientifically consistent and economically coherent analytical framework for measuring resource recovery performance. Initially, we analyze the SP's fundamental physical properties, as well as its many potential economic extensions. Specifically, we substantiate the relation between a VAC's Entropy, Dilution and Recovery Cost. On these grounds we present the SP's remarkable and numerous economic properties that make it consistent to its physical foundations; thus integrating concisely its physical and economic aspects and postulate a generalized SP function. We further test econometrically the validity of an SP based on both deterministic and stochastic real data from a small-scale industrial unit of polyphenols' recovery from natural fruit juice production residual wastewater. In turn, based on the fusion of our theoretical argumentation and empirical findings we dive into the epistemological extensions of the SP. Specifically, we study how the recovery cost structure at the single industry level is revealed by the SP and can be useful for postulating cost structure ontologies. Cost ontologies are in turn useful as a diagnostic of the formation process of VAC recovery markets as well as their structure and concentration, defining the industrial shares when many industries operate in the recovery of the same VAC.

Small business survival and COVID-19 - An exploratory analysis of carriers

Small businesses are more susceptible to cash flow problems created by the COVID-19 pandemic putting them in jeopardy of survival. This research utilized a case study methodology that focused on small businesses in the trucking industry to assess the impact of this pandemic on the supply chain. Power imbalances can occur in the supply chain when certain parties act opportunistically. These imbalances are analyzed through theories of Resource Dependence, Resource Orchestration, and Entrepreneurial Orientation and embellished through the business failure and crisis management literature. Using actual data, the study shows the power shifts in the supply chain. Using qualitative data, the responses taken by these small businesses to survive the crisis were reviewed. The sales data of these small businesses were then compared to a national transportation index. The results of the comparison show more volatility among these businesses than the index. Both small businesses utilized their entrepreneurial orientation (EO) by taking forward-looking actions to reduce their risk exposure and avoid failure. They also utilized resource orchestration theory by restructuring their resource portfolio to lower their cost structures via selected layoffs. Finally, they took advantage of market opportunities by obtaining PPP loans and pursuing new customer opportunities.

The cost structure of routine infant immunization services: a systematic analysis of six countries

Little information exists on the cost structure of routine infant immunization services in low- and middle-income settings. Using a unique dataset of routine infant immunization costs from six countries, we estimated how costs were distributed across budget categories and programmatic activities, and investigated how the cost structure of immunization sites varied by country and site characteristics. The EPIC study collected data on routine infant immunization costs from 319 sites in Benin, Ghana, Honduras, Moldova, Uganda, Zambia, using a standardized approach. For each country, we estimated the economic costs of infant immunization by administrative level, budget category, and programmatic activity from a programme perspective. We used regression models to describe how costs within each category were related to site operating characteristics and efficiency level. Site-level costs (incl. vaccines) represented 77-93% of national routine infant immunization costs. Labour and vaccine costs comprised 14-69% and 13-69% of site-level cost, respectively. The majority of site-level resources were devoted to service provision (facility-based or outreach), comprising 48-78% of site-level costs across the six countries. Based on the regression analyses, sites with the highest service volume had a greater proportion of costs devoted to vaccines, with vaccine costs per dose relatively unaffected by service volume but non-vaccine costs substantially lower with higher service volume. Across all countries, more efficient sites (compared with sites with similar characteristics) had a lower cost share devoted to labour. The cost structure of immunization services varied substantially between countries and across sites within each country, and was related to site characteristics. The substantial variation observed in this sample suggests differences in operating model for otherwise similar sites, and further understanding of these differences could reveal approaches to improve efficiency and performance of immunization sites.

The cost of doing business: cost structure of electronic immunization registries

OBJECTIVE

To predict the true cost of developing and maintaining an electronic immunization registry, and to set the framework for developing future cost-effective and cost-benefit analysis.

DATA SOURCES/STUDY SETTING

Primary data collected at three immunization registries located in California, accounting for 90 percent of all immunization records in registries in the state during the study period.

STUDY DESIGN

A parametric cost analysis compared registry development and maintenance expenditures to registry performance requirements.

DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS

Data were collected at each registry through interviews, reviews of expenditure records, technical accomplishments development schedules, and immunization coverage rates.

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

The cost of building immunization registries is predictable and independent of the hardware/software combination employed. The effort requires four man-years of technical effort or approximately $250,000 in 1998 dollars. Costs for maintaining a registry were approximately $5,100 per end user per three-year period.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a predictable cost structure for both developing and maintaining immunization registries. The cost structure can be used as a framework for examining the cost-effectiveness and cost-benefits of registries. The greatest factor effecting improvement in coverage rates was ongoing, user-based administrative investment.