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About

About

Associate Professor of the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP). Degree in Industrial Engineering and Management from FEUP (1995). PhD in Industrial and Business Studies from Warwick Business School, UK (1999). The main research area is Operational Research, with emphasis on the development of efficiency and productivity change models using the Data Envelopment Analysis Technique. Director of the Integrated Master in Industrial Engineering and Management of FEUP and Member of the Pedagogical Council of FEUP. She is the author of more than 50 articles in international journals (ISI) with revision, in the area of management science. She has been involved in research projects in the following areas: banking, fisheries, education, health, transport, retail, construction industry, mining industry, Corporate Social Responsibility, quality of life and sustainability of countries and cities.

Interest
Topics
Details

Details

  • Name

    Ana Camanho
  • Role

    Research Coordinator
  • Since

    01st July 2013
002
Publications

2024

A literature review of economic efficiency assessments using Data Envelopment Analysis

Authors
Camanho, AS; Silva, MC; Piran, FS; Lacerda, DP;

Publication
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF OPERATIONAL RESEARCH

Abstract
This paper presents a literature review on Data Envelopment Analysis assessments of economic efficiency, covering methodological developments and empirical applications. We review the seminal models for economic efficiency measurement, involving the optimization of cost, revenue, and profit. The applications of the different modelling approaches are also discussed. Based on a content analysis of papers published between 1978 and 2020 in various sectors, the main areas of study are identified, and the pathways of research developments are discussed. Most studies are based on disaggregated quantity and price data. In addition, the use of panel data is prevalent compared to cross-sectional studies. There is a preponderance of input -oriented studies focused on cost efficiency rather than revenue or profit efficiency. Informed by the historical evolution of economic efficiency assessments portrayed in this review, we suggest directions for future developments. (c) 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ )

2024

Optimisation models for project selection in asset management: an application to the water sector

Authors
Vilarinho, H; Barbosa, F; Nóvoa, H; Silva, JG; Yamada, L; Camanho, AS;

Publication
INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS IN OPERATIONAL RESEARCH

Abstract
A significant challenge in asset management is the selection of investment projects for infrastructures, which often relies on subjective judgement and lacks structured decision support methods. This challenge is particularly complex in water systems due to the diverse and heterogeneous nature of the components requiring investment. While the infrastructure value index (IVI) is widely used to characterise assets and support investment decisions in the water sector, its application in optimisation models for generating efficient project portfolios remains unexplored. To address this research gap, this study introduces optimisation models for generating investment portfolio plans in water systems' asset management. The proposed approach includes two mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) models that determine optimal solutions and an evolutionary algorithm that offers sub-optimal alternative investment selection plans to provide decision-makers with additional choices for balancing optimal outcomes. The primary contribution of this research is the combined utilisation of MILP and evolutionary algorithms, integrating the IVI into the decision-making process. These tools provide decision-makers with structured methods for defining investment plans and minimising the subjective elements typically associated with such processes. To illustrate the effectiveness of the models, a case study is presented involving a pumping station of a Portuguese water company. The results demonstrate the practical application and benefits of the proposed approach in optimising investment decisions. This research contributes to advancing asset management practices by integrating quantitative optimisation techniques and leveraging the IVI, thereby enhancing the objectivity and efficiency of investment planning in water systems' asset management.

2024

Water Utility Service Quality Index: A customer-centred approach for assessing the quality of service in the water sector

Authors
Vilarinho, H; Pereira, MA; D'Inverno, G; Nóvoa, H; Camanho, AS;

Publication
SOCIO-ECONOMIC PLANNING SCIENCES

Abstract
This work delves into the crucial role of service quality in the water supply and sanitation sectur. Despite extensive research and implementation of quality management practices in this sector, a universally accepted definition of quality is still lacking, resulting in varikoza service quality assesunent procedures that are difficult to compam. To address this issue, the World Bank launched the Thility of the Future' (UoF) programme, aiming guide water service providers in their efforts to become future-focused utilities that offer reliable, safe, Inclusive, transparent, and resposesive services through best-fit practices. Building upon the Damework provided by the lof programme, this study proposes the Water Utility Service Quallity Index (WUSOI) composite Indicator that reflects the quality of service provided by water supply and sanitation utilities from a customer perspective. Based on Data Envelopment Analysis, the Benelli-of-the-Douht appenach is employed to assign weights for aggregating the indicators representing the diverse performance dimensions. The study operationalines the WUSOI to assess the quality of Purtuguese wholesale water and wastewater companies using data enflected by the national regulator of water and waste services. A Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis technique, the Deck of Cands method, is used to specify an indicator of transparency from the information made available by the regulated utilities. The results show the effectiveness of this tool for evaluating and measuring service quality at the company level. Additionally, the findings highlight areas for Improvement in the utilities' performance. By enabling companies and regulators to identify areas for improvement, the WUSOI can support the delivery of high-quality services to customers.

2024

The 'Healthcare Access and Quality Index' revisited: A fuzzy data envelopment analysis approach

Authors
Pereira, MA; Camanho, AS;

Publication
EXPERT SYSTEMS WITH APPLICATIONS

Abstract
Nowadays, health systems comprise a series of resources structured to provide healthcare services to meet our health needs. However, premature deaths still occur. To quantify and understand personal healthcare conditions affecting such amenable mortality, the Healthcare Access and Quality Index (HAQI) was put forward, evaluating 195 countries and territories since 1990. Nevertheless, the literature acknowledges a series of limitations of this framework, such as the drawbacks of using principal component analysis to aggregate individual indicators, the absence of control for financing and environmental conditions, and the presence of a substantial degree of data uncertainty. Accordingly, we propose a methodological alternative to the computation of the HAQI using a novel fuzzy Data Envelopment Analysis model to handle the aforementioned shortcomings. We also propose its extension towards the quantification of efficiency (E-HAQI) - in the sense of value for money - by incorporating financial aspects as modelling inputs. This way, we contribute with innovative modelling approaches that can also deal with the high degree of data uncertainty. Furthermore, in a second -stage analysis, the impact of key exogenous factors on healthcare access and quality is assessed via non -parametric hypothesis testing. Our results show positive and significant correlations of both the revisited HAQI and E-HAQI with the original HAQI 2016 dataset. They also reveal a better use of resources by European and Oceanian countries and territories than by Sub-Saharan African ones. Concerning contextual determinants, socio-demographic development, human development, and the type of health system were found to be statistically significant drivers of healthcare access and quality efficiency.

2024

Estimating Alighting Stops and Transfers from AFC Data: The Case Study of Porto

Authors
Hora, J; Marta, CFB; Camanho, A; Galvao, T;

Publication
INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGIES, VOL 4, WORLDCIST 2023

Abstract
This study estimates alighting stops and transfers from entry-only Automatic Fare Collection (AFC) data. The methodology adopted includes two main steps: an implementation of the Trip Chaining Method (TCM) to estimate the alighting stops from AFC records and the subsequent application of criteria for the identification of transfers. For each pair of consecutive AFC records on the same smart card, a transfer is identified considering a threshold for the walking distance, a threshold for the time required to perform an activity, and the validation of different boarding routes. This methodology was applied to the case study of Porto, Portugal, considering all trips performed by a set of 19999 smart cards over one year. The results of this methodology allied with visualization techniques allowed to study Origin-Destination (OD) patterns by type of day, seasonally, and by user frequency, each analyzed at the stop level and at the geographic area level.

Supervised
thesis

2023

Decision Support Tools for Water Utility Management: Using Optimisation and Frontier Methods for Continuous Improvement

Author
Hermilio Carneiro Vilarinho Fernandes

Institution
UP-FEUP

2023

a definir

Author
Mariana Ramos Silvério Casalta

Institution
UP-FEUP

2023

Efficiency measurement of European education systems to evaluate equity and inclusion: A Stochastic Frontier Analysis approach

Author
Inês Beatriz Pimenta Sousa

Institution
UP-FEUP

2023

A robust conditional assessment of European regions' performance in light of the 2030 Strategic Framework for Education and Training

Author
Maria João Araújo Durães

Institution
UP-FEUP

2023

Productivity Measurement and Improvement in the Welding Unit of a Metalworking Company

Author
Matilde Pinto de Carvalho Lagoá

Institution
UP-FEUP