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Quality splitting in waste incineration due to non-convex production possibilities

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  • Mark Müser

    (RWTH Aachen University)

  • Harald Dyckhoff

    (RWTH Aachen University)

Abstract

Using a real case study of waste incineration, we show a new form of non-convexity in the transformation process of the inputs into the outputs. Its consequence is quality splitting, i.e. the separate use of different input qualities, yielding a better result than a homogeneous mix. For waste incineration plants (WIP), this leads to surprising practical implications for strategies of waste collection and supply, as well as for the control of a WIP. The insights are based on the evaluation of a basic model of waste incineration developed for the case study. Thus, the paper also contributes to production research by modelling waste incineration as a central process for the “reduction” of waste from manufacturing and consumption.

Suggested Citation

  • Mark Müser & Harald Dyckhoff, 2017. "Quality splitting in waste incineration due to non-convex production possibilities," Journal of Business Economics, Springer, vol. 87(1), pages 73-96, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jbecon:v:87:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1007_s11573-015-0774-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s11573-015-0774-4
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    Cited by:

    1. Harald Dyckhoff, 2018. "Multi-criteria production theory: foundation of non-financial and sustainability performance evaluation," Journal of Business Economics, Springer, vol. 88(7), pages 851-882, September.
    2. Victoria Wojcik & Harald Dyckhoff & Sebastian Gutgesell, 2017. "The desirable input of undesirable factors in data envelopment analysis," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 259(1), pages 461-484, December.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Non-convex production possibilities; Quality splitting; Bad input; Waste incineration; Flue gas denitrification;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling
    • M20 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Economics - - - General
    • D2 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations

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