Abstract

Abstract

Abstract

Abstract
Technological developments related to renewable energy led to a decrease on the prices of generation and allowed the penetration of distributed energy resources in power systems. This context, combined with other factors, such as the development of electric vehicles, enabled the rapid evolution of Smart Grids. As a consequence, Distribution System Operators (DSOs) have been investing in this field to keep up with its deployment. This work presents a case study that compares a set of European DSOs regarding their investment in Smart Grid projects. The methodology underlying this study is based on the construction of composite indicators using the Data Envelopment Analysis technique. Furthermore, we evaluate the evolution in the DSOs performance between 2013 and 2017 using a Malmquist index. The results are discussed in the light of their contribution to the definition of public policies in the energy field. © 2021, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

Abstract

Abstract
There are still important theoretical and empirical gaps in understanding the role of best practices (BPs), such as quality management, lean and new product development, in generating firm's performance advantage and overcoming trade-offs across distinct performance dimensions. We examine these issues through the perspective of performance frontiers, integrating in novel ways the resource-based theory with the emergent practice-based view. Hypotheses on relationships between BPs, performance advantage, and trade-offs are developed and tested with stationary and longitudinal (recall) data from a global survey of manufacturing firms. We use data envelopment analysis, which overcomes limitations of mainstream methods based on central tendency. Our findings support the view that BPs may serve as a source of enduring competitive advantage, based on their ability to lead to a heterogeneous range of dominant and difficult-to-imitate competitive positions. The study provides new insights on contemporary debates about the role of BPs in generating performance advantage and how practitioners can sustain internal support and extract benefits from them.