http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/8587 Part of College of Business, Arts and Social Sciences until 2024/25 Fri, 17 Apr 2026 10:05:35 GMT 2026-04-17T10:05:35Z http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33155 Title: Stochastic dual dynamic programming approach for cash-flow inventory problems with overdraft Authors: Chen, Z; Archibald, TW Abstract: We examine a multi-product cash-flow inventory problem that accounts for lead times and uncertain demand. Our analysis includes a specific type of financing — overdrafts — where retailers facing cash constraints can leverage overdrafts to manage unexpected cash shortfalls. To address this issue, we propose a stochastic programming model and solve it using stochastic dual dynamic programming (SDDP). Additional auxiliary variables are introduced in the sub-problems to facilitate the construction of cuts in the presence of lead times. To enhance computational efficiency, we provide two techniques: removing the duplicate added constraints in the model and exploiting dual value similarities of the constraints across sub-problems. Numerical experiments demonstrate that SDDP can solve the problem with small optimality gaps compared to the values obtained from stochastic dynamic programming, and the proposed acceleration strategies significantly reduce computation time with minor impact on solution quality. Sun, 12 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33155 2026-04-12T00:00:00Z http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33154 Title: Improving Employees' Perceived Quality of Service Delivery in Public Healthcare Sector: The Role of Leadership Commitment and Employee Involvement Authors: Fowowe, MA; Arogundade, KK; Achi, A Abstract: Our study investigates the indirect effect of employee involvement in the relationship between healthcare professionals’ perception of leadership commitment and perceived quality of service delivery (PQSD) in the context of Nigerian public healthcare sector. Our study employs a quantitative methodology and uses survey data from 328 healthcare professionals (employees) working in 12 public sector healthcare organizations in Nigeria, a Sub-Saharan African context. Our finding reveals that healthcare professionals’ perception of leadership commitment positively associates (B = 0.26; p = 0.000) with PQSD. Further, we find that employee involvement serves as a positive intermediary (B = 0.24; 95% CI = [0.14, 0.34]) in the relationship between leadership commitment and PQSD. Our findings advance current understanding on how to enhance healthcare professionals’ PQSD in public healthcare sector. Mon, 09 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33154 2026-02-09T00:00:00Z http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33150 Title: Chasing opportunity: spillovers and drivers of US state population growth Authors: Kripfganz, S; Sarafidis, V Abstract: We examine the drivers and spatial diffusion of US state population growth using a dynamic spatial panel model over the period 1965–2017. Methodologically, the spatial network is recovered from the data rather than imposed a priori, and estimation framework permits heterogeneous slopes and interactive fixed effects. Population growth displays heterogeneous conditional convergence: around three-quarters of states converge, while a small high-growth group diverges mildly. Core drivers such as amenities, labour income and migration frictions are robust across network specifications, whereas productivity effects arise only under data-inferred networks. Spatial spillovers are economically meaningful, accounting for roughly one-third of total effects and extending beyond contiguous neighbours. Description: JEL: C31; C33[ J11; R23.; Supplemental Material is available online at: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17421772.2026.2624406# . Mon, 02 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33150 2026-03-02T00:00:00Z http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33149 Title: Lucas Islands game in intermediate macroeconomics Authors: Hashimzade, N; Kirsanov, O; Kirsanova, T Abstract: The authors of this article demonstrate how Hazlett’s (1996) adaptation of the Lucas Islands model can be integrated into an intermediate macroeconomics course to strengthen student learning. In the classroom game, students act as workers making labor supply decisions under imperfect information about the aggregate price level, thus generating real-time data on forecasts and labor choices. A structured post-game lecture then uses these data to show how individual price-expectation errors produce a short-run supply relationship consistent with the Lucas supply curve. The instructor can use these results to connect theoretical predictions with empirical testing. The authors argue that this interactive approach is associated with greater confidence in macroeconomic modeling and self-reported understanding of theory while enhancing engagement with both theoretical and empirical aspects of macroeconomics. Description: JEL CODES: A22; E31; E32. Wed, 11 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33149 2026-03-11T00:00:00Z