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The efficiency of an intercropping system depends mainly on the cropping system and on the crops, which should complement each other. However, the choice of crops and factors of production are extremely important for maximizing the advantages of intercropping, which, in turn, means maximizing the bio-agro-economic performance of the system. The present study sought to assess, based on appropriate indexes and indicators and using univariate and bivariate analysis, the agronomic/biological and economic returns from a system in which salad rocket was intercropped with carrot at different population densities and one of spontaneous species of the semi-arid region of Brazil, namely hairy woodrose ( Merremia aegyptia L.), was used as green manure. The population densities of both the crops were maintained at 40%, 60%, 80%, or 100% of the recommended population for a sole crop (RPSC). The following values were recorded or calculated: green biomass of rocket, biomass of carrot roots, aggressivity indexes, competitive ratio, land equivalent ratio, productive efficiency index, canonical variable score, and four economic indicators, namely gross and net returns, rate of return, and net profit margin. The most effective combination was carrot at 40% of its RPSC intercropped with rocket at 100% of its RPSC with hairy woodrose as green manure because the combination resulted in the highest values of land equivalent ratio (1.72), productive efficiency index (0.91), canonical variable score (1.68), gross returns (R$ 41,186.91 ha −1 ), net returns (R$ 18,621.64 ha −1 ), rate of return (1.84), and net profit margin (52.77%), making it a highly profitable combination for the north-eastern semi-arid region of Brazil. The most effective indicators of economic value were yield and the rate of return. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we use DEA to measure the Brazilian football teams efficiency in the season 2014. In this context, each team is a DMU, where we select three inputs: the number of home matches, the average attendance and the average points obtained at the last four seasons. The total points obtained at the season 2014 is the output. We evaluate the teams cross-efficiency by DEA game, which is an approach suitable when there is no cooperation among DMUs. This procedure also improves the efficiencies discrimination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The assessment of productive efficiency of a public research institution is of fundamental importance for its administration. A better management of available resources may be accomplished if managers have at their disposal meaningful quantitative measurements of the production process. In this paper we use Multivariate Analysis and Data Envelopment Analysis to define a performance measure for the research centers of the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation. Multiple production indicators are reduced to three output variables by means of maximum likelihood factor analysis. Performance is determined on the basis of this output vector and a three dimensional input vector defined by cost components. We impose restrictions on the optimization algorithm to guarantee usage of all outputs and inputs in the optimal solutions. Types of research centers are compared by using fractional regression models, quasi-maximum likelihood estimation and bootstrap. The analysis also provides a weighting system to compute a goal achievement index and therefore support managerial decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] In this paper, efficiency in Brazilian banking is measured using a two-stage process. [•] Results indicate that Brazilian banks are heterogeneous. [•] Cost efficiency is explained by M&A and size. [•] Productive efficiency is explained M&A and public status. [•] Policy implications for the Brazilian banking sector are also derived. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] The efficiency of the industrial sectors in Brazil from 1996 to 2009 was analyzed. [•] Energy consumption and contributions to the sustainable development was considered. [•] DEA, with the SBM model and the window analysis, was used. [•] Textile sector is the most efficient in contributing to sustainable development. [•] Metallurgical is the least efficient in contributing to sustainable development. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Efficiency in Brazilian airports is measured using a two-stage process. In the first stage, physical infrastructure efficiency, assets, such as terminal area, aircraft parking spaces, and runways are related to the number of landings and take-offs per year. The second focuses on flight consolidation efficiency in terms of the number of passengers carried and cargo handled per year. A network-DEA centralized efficiency model is used to optimize the stages simultaneously. Results indicate that contextual variables or efficiency drivers, such as hub operations and airport location, impact physical infrastructure and flight consolidation efficiency levels differently. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper reports on the use of different approaches for measuring efficiency in 65 major Brazilian airports. Several programming based estimates were generated to allow testing for significant differences in returns-to-scale and input-decreasing/output-increasing potentials. The findings corroborate anecdotal and empirical evidences regarding a capacity shortfall within Brazilian airports, where the short-term potential for passenger/cargo consolidation per landing/takeoff is virtually nonexistent. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper a two-phase data envelopment analysis approach is proposed in order to examine in a separated way the operational and financial performances for airlines. Empirical results are based on panel data from Brazilian and American airlines, using data from 34 observations (within the period from 1997 to 2006), and shows that for the emergent market, operational performance is always much better than the financial one, showing that the resources optimization has been the main concern for these companies. Also, results for this market show that improving the operational efficiency does not necessarily generate an improvement in financial efficiency. Future research should ascertain whether or not these results replicate in companies other than airlines. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The water-energy-food (WEF) nexus has motivated several studies, opening space to provide robust support for the decision-making process. Certain studies seek to understand the interdependence of these three resources in a quantitative and/or qualitative manner, usually using total water, energy, and food indicators. However, in times of social, economic, and environmental crisis, national policies must be optimized, and hence it is necessary to evaluate marginal and critical indicators of each resource, i.e., sensitive indicators. Based on these indicators, we propose a methodology for assessing ecological efficiency (eco-efficiency) in industries using a multiregional input-output table, Data Envelopment Analysis, and the Malmquist index, with the main objective of internalizing normally overlooked impacts in the national policymaking process. For this, we present a quantitative assessment of the WEF nexus in the Brazilian food and beverage industry, since it is one of the pillars of the country's economy and has several positive and negative effects related to the WEF nexus, as well as a growth trend to meet rising food demand. From 2015 to 2019, this industry eco-efficiency was evaluated in terms of water stress, fossil energy consumption, and financial compensation to low-skilled workers. The main findings show that the Fish industry has the highest average eco-efficiency, with sustainable gains over the period, while the Meat cattle industry has the lowest average eco-efficiency. As a result, the Fish industry places less strain on these resources to generate the same socioeconomic benefits as others, resulting in less food and water insecurity, and should be prioritized in Brazil's national policies regarding industry expansion. We conclude that this methodology can help integrate WEF resources into national policy decision-making processes, allowing the identification of negative impacts that should be avoided or mitigated, as well as positive impacts that should be encouraged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The intention to privatize Brazilian public enterprises dates from 1990. As with other enterprises, a board was appointed at the Brazilian Airport Infrastructure Enterprise to prepare it for privatization. Although the enterprise remains public, there are clear signs of substantial changes in the airports it manages. This study uses data envelopment analysis techniques to investigate the impacts of changes in managerial style on airport performance between 1998 and 2001. Despite a decline in operational performance, financial performance improved. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Decision-making for investments in infrastructure has always proved to be a challenge due to the number of variables to be considered when selecting projects. Specifically, in flexible road pavement works, the methods adopted for this purpose traditionally use technical and economic criteria (nature of materials and execution techniques). However, given the need to optimize the use of natural resources, it is understood the importance that other parameters, such as sustainability, are also used in decision-making for investments in infrastructure. Besides, advances in engineering studies have enabled methodologies, such as mechanistic-empirical design, to be developed to more accurately estimate the useful life of paving structures. Because of this scenario, it is understood that a methodology that makes use of the Life Cycle Assessment of the structure, aiming to evaluate the useful life of the pavement, combined with the Data Envelopment Analysis technique for compatibility of the alternatives, shows itself as a viable tool to assist decision-making when choosing flexible road paving projects. Therefore, the present study aims to offer a method for the selection of flexible road pavement structures, composed of four major stages: pavement design, construction costs analysis, life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) and integration of LCIA with construction costs. Finally, for the case study analyzed in Brazil, the pavement composed of a bitumen stabilized base, containing 15% recycled material (waste tire rubber), in the design criterion of 30% of the cracked area, would be the best option within the scenario cost and environmental impact assessment, which included the use of natural, cementitious and bitumen stabilized materials. For other design criteria, the method allows a sensitivity assessment of the efficiency of the analyzed pavement types, showing that a determined pavement structure may lose its presumed primacy of choice due to this design parameter. Image 1 • A method for selecting a pavement structure that considers LCA has been developed. • DEA is a viable tool for integrating LCA with construction costs. • The method can measure the sensitivity of the alternatives to the design criteria. • The bases composed of natural and recycled materials were the best options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most European countries have committed to ambitious emissions reduction goals. Energy generation in particular is responsible for more than 30% of global emissions, where significant focus has been placed on renewable energy generation, including biomass. On the one hand, there are countries, like the UK, where the biomass stock is insufficient to meet the demand; on the other hand, there are countries, like Brazil, where the stock significantly exceeds the demand. To promote a natural symbiosis, it is necessary to take on the challenge of transporting biomass through long distances in an environmentally and economically efficient manner. This paper aims to assess the efficiency of alternative pathways of international biomass supply-chains. The alternatives involve different biomass origin regions, transportation modes, export ports and processing technologies, including torrefaction. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) has been used for the first time to assess the efficiency of the alternative biomass supply chain pathways in a Latin American context, considering multiple-criteria relating to economic and environmental performance simultaneously, such as the biomass delivered cost, the environmental impact and the fossil energy consumption. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis was performed to analyse the robustness of the results under uncertainty in parameter values. The DEA approach presented can assist the process of planning biomass sourcing and improve decision-making under multiple decision criteria. The results can support medium- and long-term strategic decisions for decision- and policy-makers. • Efficiency assessment of biomass supply chain pathways between Brazil and the UK. • 56 alternative pathways considered with different supply chain structure. • Data Envelopment Analysis used for multi-criteria efficiency assessment. • Results can support decision and policy making. • Trade-offs between different criteria identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]