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World Bank and Embry-Riddle Sponsor Symposium: 'Social Efficiency in Transport and Utilities Sectors'

Daytona Beach, Fla., Feb. 10, 2010 -- The World Bank and the College of Business at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University are cosponsors of a Symposium on Performance Measurement titled “Social Efficiency in the Transport and Utilities Sectors” at the university’s Daytona Beach, Fla., campus Feb. 18 and 19.

Embry-Riddle’s College of Business is home to the largest, most influential group of scholars focused on the business issues of aviation, aerospace, and transportation. One of the crucial challenges they are addressing is how to improve efficiency without sacrificing safety or sustainability.

“Given the vital role that transportation will play in leading global economic recovery and development, we are proud to partner with the World Bank in bringing together the world’s foremost thought leaders to help shape the way forward for public policy makers and industry leaders,” said Dan Petree, dean of the College of Business.

“We are grateful to Andreas Kopp, lead economist at the World Bank, and Tae Oum, our own Distinguished Professor of Transportation Management, for recognizing that the time is right for this important work,” Petree said.

Following opening remarks by Kopp and Petree, 12 renowned experts will give presentations on issues in transportation infrastructure, rail and air transport, and public transport.

Presentations:

“Efficiency Measurement Including Negative Externalities”
by Jeffrey H. Dorfman, Professor of Agricultural and Applied Economics, University of Georgia

“Assessment and Ranking of Technical and Social Efficiency of Japan’s Airlines and Railway Companies”
by Tae H. Oum, UPS Foundation Chair and Professor, Sauder School of Business, University of British Columbia (Canada) and Distinguished Professor of Air Transportation Management, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; and Somchai Pathomsiri, Transportation, Logistics and Traffic Expert, Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University (Thailand)

“Port Efficiency: Benchmarking and Implications”
by Bruce Blonigen, Knight Professor of Social Science, University of Oregon, and Research Associate, National Bureau of Economic Research; and Wesley W. Wilson, Professor of Economics, University of Oregon

“Measuring the Efficiency Effects of Ownership Forms and Commercialization of Airports”
by Jia Yan, Assistant Professor of Economics, Washington State University; Tae H. Oum; and Chunyan Yu, Associate Professor, College of Business, Embry-Riddle

“Efficiency Measurement in the Railway Sector”
by Marc Ivaldi, Researcher, Institut d’Economie Industrielle, University of Toulouse, and Research Director, École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociale (France)

“Efficiency Measurement in Air Transportation”
by Nicole Adler, Senior Lecturer, School of Business Administration, Hebrew University of Jerusalem (Israel), and Visiting Professor, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University

“Efficiency Measure in Public Transport Systems”
by Clifford Winston, Senior Fellow, Economic Studies, Brookings Institution

"Effects of Mass Transit Reform”
by Matthew Karlaftis, Professor of Civil Engineering, National Technical University of Athens (Greece)

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the world’s largest, fully accredited university specializing in aviation and aerospace, offers more than 30 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in its colleges of Arts and Sciences, Aviation, Business, and Engineering. Embry-Riddle educates students at residential campuses in Prescott, Ariz., and Daytona Beach, Fla., through the Worldwide Campus at more than 150 campus centers in the United States, Europe, Canada, and the Middle East, and through online learning. For more information, visit www.embryriddle.edu.