Regulation through comparative performance evaluation

Ofwat used comparative performance regulation in the 1994 periodic review of prices. We consider such a regulatory mechanism when there are technological spillovers. The regulator cannot observe firms effort and must design a regulatory contract which induces the socially optimal level of cost reduction. The extent to which cost reducing activities are non-appropriable is shown to affect the optimal choice of regulation. In general, comparative performance regulation is optimal and yardstick competition emerges only as a special case. However, when spillovers are spread evenly across an industry, an optimal comparative regime does not exist.     

An Independent Perception of Regulation in Practice

The paper reviews the regulation of water companies in England and Wales since 1989 by reference to the historical regulation of utilities in these countries. It considers how comparative competition, service standards and charging arrangements are developing. Particular mention is made of the debates over rates of return and household metering. The conclusion is that regulation, to be effective and appropriate, must be capable of evolution.     

How does increased competition on the housing market affect rents? an empirical study concerning sweden

The aim of the study is to investigate if more competition leads to lower rents on the housing market. Data about the rent level for similar apartments in 30 cities in Sweden were available. Three hypotheses were formulated: (H1) Increased ‘internal’ competition, measured by the market share of the municipal housing company (that dominates the market and is price-leader according to the Swedish system of rent regulation), leads to lower rents. (H2) Increased ‘external’ competition measured by the price level on the market for single-family owner occupied housing, leads to lower rents. (H3) Lower capital expenditure in the municipal housing company leads to lower rents. The statistical analysis showed a strong correlation between the rent level and the level of external competition, but no relation was found for the level of internal competition and the level of capital expenditure. A possible conclusion is that policies that make it easier for households to leave the rental market are important for increasing the pressure on the firms in the rental sector and reducing rents.     

论城市竞争的空间效应

全球化和地方化作为城市竞争力的外部环境因素,是城市竞争优势的重要源泉。同时城市通过竞争影响着全球化和地方化的过程,并在不同层面空间上投下其竞争效应的投影。在全球层面,城市竞争效应主要表现在全球城市体系的形成、首位城市主宰世界经济趋势明显、多极多层次世界城市网络体系的形成。在区域层面,城市竞争效应主要表现在区域产业集聚、城市集聚;在城市层面城市竞争效应主要表现在新产业空间与城市竞争。     

浅议塑造建筑企业文化的途径

从国企企业文化建设中存在的问题入手 ,讨论了建筑企业塑造企业文化的重要性和有效途径 ,提出通过营造企业人气 ,建造一体化工作格局和重视创新观念等方式塑造企业文化的观点     

施工项目公开招标中资格预审对市场竞争的影响分析

资格预审是工程招标中的一个重要程序,它对市场的影响很少有研究文献涉及。通过对预审标准设置的分析,调查收集重庆某区一定时期内所有公开招标项目预审前后的有关数据,对资格预审对市场竞争的影响进行了分析。发现在招标过程中的资格预审环节对不同资质企业进入市场有不同的影响,它限制了资质较低承包商参与竞争的程度,加剧了挂靠等违法的市场行为,削弱了竞争强度。正确认识资格预审程序在市场中的作用,有助于改善施工招标市场的竞争和规范市场竞争行为。     

构建实践性设计竞赛平台,培养创新型人才

为培养适应社会发展的创新型高素质人才,各高校和地区开展了大学生结构设计竞赛活动.文章介绍了结构设计竞赛的目的、内容和意义,分析了竞赛在高等教育教与学活动中的阵地作用,指出当前竞赛所面临的问题和解决的对策,并提出深化教学改革,着力培养大学生的创新设计能力、综合科技能力和工程实践能力.     

建设武汉重塑江城——对武汉城市特色建设的思考

城市特色是城市的核心竞争力之一，也是城市的魅力之源。随着社会的进步，人们愈发意识到树立健康和谐的城市特色对一个城市的发展进步所起到的重要作用。如何抓住中部崛起赋予的历史机遇，在城市建设中引入城市特色战略，实现错位竞争，使武汉发展更加健康高效是引起广泛关注的话题。本文就此展开探讨，同时也希望能抛砖引玉，对建设中的其它城市有所启发。     

地域性“零能耗住宅”设计实践

近年来,"零能耗"建筑因其对再生能源的高效利用和优异的绿色生态性表现已逐步成为国内外节能建筑的发展方向。但我国对"零能耗"的基础研究才刚起步,而真正建立起来的"零能耗"建筑更是较少;通过对比国内外多个"零能耗"住宅的实际案例,论述了在相同设计条件下,各国对达到"零能耗"标准的设计策略的差异性;同时,探讨了其从设计前期决策,设计阶段到项目实施的整个过程中对能耗控制和设计策略的思考,为我国在"零能耗"住宅建筑的设计和建造提供经验参考。     

论新形势下建筑施工企业的核心竞争力

本文依据我国建筑施工企业现状,提出了采用"树立先进的管理理念、提高技术开发和创新能力、发展人力资源、发挥信息网络技术的优势、增强融资能力"作为提升企业核心竞争力的措施,指出了我国建筑施工企业利润较低是其核心竞争力不强的根本原因,并在此基础上,提出采用"纵向一体化兼并战略"和"战略联盟"实现企业核心竞争力的可持续发展.