Structure and performance of the SME sector in The Netherlands

Author(s):  
Srinivas Vanapalli ◽  
M. E. H. Tijani ◽  
Simon Spoelstra

Domestic heating contributes to a significant amount of energy usage in the Netherlands. Due to scare energy resources, attention to develop new and efficient technologies is increasing. At ECN, a burner driven heat pump employing thermoacoustic technology is being developed for possible applications in households and offices. The desired temperature lift is from 10 °C to 80 °C. As a first step the heat pump is driven by a linear motor. Measurements and performance analysis of the heat pump are presented in this paper. The heat pump has a coefficient of performance which is the ratio of heat produced to the work input of 1.38 when operating between 10 °C to 80 °C. The performance relative to maximum possible Carnot value is 26.5%.


Author(s):  
Bas Plehn

Best value PIPS has been introduced in the Netherlands in the procurement of construction systems. The Water Board De Dommel utilized best value PIPS to select engineering consultant services. The test differed from other Dutch tests in that the PIPS process used the pre-award phase before the award phase. The best value selection of engineers also proposes that design firms can compete on value (price and performance). The engineering selection process was much closer to the original BVP/PIPS than the construction phases. The major lesson learned is the BVP/PIPS is a paradigm shift. The success of the test led to the recommendation of more professional services using BVP/PIPS.


Author(s):  
Susanne Durst ◽  
Simon Katzenschlager

While reviewing SME succession literature, an empirical dearth in internal non-family SMEs succession research was detected. This situation is somewhat surprising considering the demographic developments and the fact that in many countries (e.g. Belgium and the Netherlands) the majority of business transfers are actually non-family. In this chapter, internal non-family succession is explored in a smaller Austrian company to shed light on how the firm is preparing for this type of succession. With regard to succession preparation, insights into the aspects of successor selection, successor training, employee involvement in the succession process, and performance measurement systems are provided. The findings this chapter reports may be useful for both academics and practitioners.


2002 ◽  
Vol 1807 (1) ◽  
pp. 145-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aloys Borgers ◽  
Harry Timmermans ◽  
Peter van der Waerden

The development and performance of Patricia, a suite of (choice) models that can be used to analyze and predict activity-travel patterns, is reported. This suite of models, which differs from similar sequential utility-maximizing models of activity-travel patterns in that it incorporates a larger number of choice facets and choice options, was sequentially estimated with activity-travel data collected in the region of South Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The results of the estimation are satisfactory at the level of aggregated origin-destination matrices and individual activity patterns.


Water Policy ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 248-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Schouten ◽  
Meine Pieter van Dijk

Any water company is subject to regulation, either through bylaws, national or supra-national regulations. In this contribution we assess how these regulatory regimes affect the discretion of privately owned companies in England and Wales and publicly owned water companies in the Netherlands. The issue is studied by comparing the discretion of such companies to pursue strategies of their choice. We look in particular at the constraints and the opportunities posed by the regulatory regime on the provider's discretion in dealing with clients, offering products/services, setting tariffs, organizing themselves and establishing relationships with external actors. Our research shows that the regulatory context invites water providers to differ in their strategies for markets, products and tariff setting. The regulatory context seems not to be a determinant for their strategies with respect to their internal and external organization. The findings of our research are particularly relevant for future research in comparing publicly and privately owned producers. Hence, in future comparative research between companies from different regulatory regimes, it is important to acknowledge the influence regulation may have on the actions and performance of companies, next to demographical and hydrological features.


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