Non-parametric production analysis in non-competitive environments

We extend the non-parametric methodology for empirical production analysis to deal with endogenous prices. As price endogeneity is often complemented by price uncertainty, we consider both the case of certain prices and the case of uncertain prices. The extensions are fully compatible with existing tools for eliciting and representing technology and price information, and preserves the tractable mathematical programming structure of the original methodology. An empirical application to the Dutch electricity distribution sector illustrates our extension.     

Productivity analysis of the telecommunications sector in China

This paper applies the data envelopment analysis (DEA) approach to measure the productivity performance of China's telecommunications sector at the provincial level. The results indicate that the efficiency scores for different provinces and regions are diverse: the efficiency scores of the provinces in the eastern region are significantly higher than those in the central and western regions. The differences in efficiency scores are mainly due to the differences in the operating environments of different provinces, rather than the efficiency performance of telecommunications enterprises. The results also suggest that labour redundancy and excess capacity of long-distance optical cable lines are major problems in China's telecommunications sector. After a period of rapid growth in investment and number of subscribers, it is time for the telecommunications sector to consolidate and to put more emphasis on productivity growth in order to meet the challenges posed by the World Trade Organization (WTO) commitments.     

Do mergers improve efficiency? Evidence from restructuring the US electric power sector

This paper analyses the performance impact of the merger wave which took place in the US electricity industry during the period 1994–2003. It does so by analyzing the impact on operating and total cost in electricity distribution. While there are past studies of efficiency and productivity effects, as well as of prices, profits, and other outcomes, this study differs in several ways. First, the database consists of many merging and non-merging firms, rather than only a few on which to base inferences. Second, all of these mergers arise in a single industry, greatly facilitating controlled comparison. Third, we have data on the several years of pre-merger and post-merger efficiency of the specific merging units, unlike virtually all past studies. Finally, we employ a powerful nonparametric technique—data envelopment analysis—to measure the efficiency of each operating unit. The results indicate that electricity mergers are not consistent with improved cost performance.     

Total factor productivity growth in Uganda’s telecommunications industry

The telecommunication sector is usually thought to be characterized by high productivity growth rates arising from increasing returns to scale. The actual productivity patterns in the sector, however, need to be empirically determined. A panel data set was assembled and a common set of input and output indicators was constructed to support the estimation of the Malmquist Total Factor Productivity index via input-oriented Data Envelopment Analysis. A general specification encompassing all available input and output data was employed to obtain the average total factor productivity changes for the sector. Over the study period, there was total factor productivity growth in Uganda’s telecommunications industry, which was mainly due to technical or technological progress as opposed to technical efficiency. These results indicate the existence of a potential for tariff reduction via the X-factor in the price cap formula.     

An integrated marketing capability benchmarking approach to dealer performance through parametric and nonparametric analyses

The role of marketing capabilities as a source of sustainable competitive advantage has been discussed previously in the marketing strategy field. Benchmarking, a well-known learning mechanism, is suggested as a tool to identify and improve the marketing capabilities of a firm. Despite its popularity as a theoretical concept, there is not much empirical evidence to support the view of benchmarking marketing capabilities as a route to guide managers' efforts in this direction. This paper contributes to the three perspectives in the literature that support the view that benchmarking marketing capabilities can offer a basis for sustainable competitive advantage of the firm through both a conceptual and integrated benchmarking model. They are empirically analyzed using stochastic frontier and data envelopment analysis methods based on four-year data set of forty-five dealers of a leading business-to-business supplier. The results indicate the importance of competent salespeople and building a long-term relationship in enhancing dealer performance. In addition, they reinforce a recipe of how marketing capabilities can be benchmarked to achieve sustainable competitive advantage. Discussions and implications for managers are also presented.     

Efficiency in broadband service provision: A spatial analysis

With the 2008 Federal Communications Commission (FCC) order amending both the definition of broadband and its data collection practices, the problems associated with data integrity and ZIP code aggregations in the United States will soon be forgotten. However, between 1999 and 2007, FCC Form 477 data remain the only viable, nationwide database of broadband provision in the United States. While broadband data from 1999–2004 and 2005–2007 are not directly comparable due to a modification in collection procedure, there is an absence of objective empirical analysis for the latter time period. Interestingly, although the FCC made the 2005–2007 data publically available on the Internet, password protected files largely prevented analysts from accessing, manipulating and analyzing these data. The purpose of this paper is three-fold. First, the process utilized for liberating these data from their protected format and integrating them into a geographic information system (GIS) is outlined. Second, the spatial distribution of broadband provision in the United States for 2005–2007 is explored. A mathematical programming approach is also utilized for comparing the relative efficiencies of ZIP code areas in acquiring broadband service given their demand-side socio-economic and demographic determinants. Finally, implications for public policy, particularly those associated with developing local and regional benchmarks for broadband provision, competition and access, are addressed.     

基于SBM的我国省级环境—经济效率研究

运用改进的SBM模型对我国各省市区环境经济效率及其环境规制带来的经济影响测算的结果表明,各省市区环境与经济效率整体较低且趋于下降,环境规制带来的经济损失则在上升,说明我国工业和经济发展方式仍然粗放。应切实转变经济发展方式,发展循环经济,实行有区别的环境规制政策和减排目标,适当提高能源使用的成本。     

Radial and non-radial decompositions of Luenberger productivity indicator with an illustrative application

Viewing slacks as one possible source of inefficiency, and that inputs have differential importance in the production process, this paper develops, based on the directional Russell measure of inefficiency, the non-radial Luenberger indicator. This indicator is then shown as the sum of the individual input-specific Luenberger indicators. The Luenberger indicator and its various input-specific indicators are also then shown as the composite measure of efficiency change and technical change. This decomposition enables the researcher to empirically examine the contributions of each factor input towards the productivity change and its components—efficiency change and technical change. Our proposed decomposition scheme is then empirically illustrated to analyze the eco-productivity performance behavior of the 22 OECD countries during the period 1995-2004. Our results indicate that first, the productivity change estimates yielded from the non-radial Luenberger indicator are different from those yielded from its radial counterpart, when slacks are present; second, most of these countries are found experiencing productivity growth due to technical progress alone; and finally, as regards the order of input-specific contributions towards productivity growth, capital contributes the most, followed by savings in emissions and labor, respectively.     

标杆管理应用于集团公司绩效管理的探讨

介绍了标杆管理原理及与绩效管理的关系,指出标杆管理能为绩效考评管理提供绩效考评评价指标,且这个评价指标随着标杆企业的发展而不断变化。基于标杆管理和绩效管理两种管理方法的共同点,探讨了建立以标杆管理为主线的企业绩效管理流程。     

Environmental dynamism,capital structure and performance: a theoretical integration and an empirical test

An ongoing argument in financial management has been how to craft a capital structure which maximizes shareholder wealth. This question has gained prominence within the strategic management field because of the apparent link between capital structure and the ability of firms to compete. By integrating models from organizational economics with the strategic management literature, we are able to theorize that a firm’s capital structure is influenced by environmental dynamism, and that the match between environmental dynamism and capital structure is associated with superior economic performance. Our large‐scale empirical analyses provide supportive evidence for the proposition that competitive environments moderate the relationship between capital structure and economic performance. From a theoretical standpoint, these findings provide another link between capital structure and corporate strategy. More importantly, we are able to move the discussion beyond the limitations of financial risk and incorporate the strategy concept of decision making under uncertainty. For practical application, these findings offer informed advice for managers on how to craft a capital structure. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Incorporating Service Quality into Yardstick Regulation: An Application to the Peru Water Sector

Yardstick regulation requires the utilization of benchmarking, a valuable tool for improving public service delivery, especially in developing countries where inefficiencies translate into negative health impacts and social unrest. However, benchmarking must account for both the cost and the quality of service. Using data from 38 Peruvian water utilities (1996–2001), the paper evaluates quality-incorporated firm performance and identifies changes in efficiency, technology (frontier), and service quality. The study utilizes the nonparametric data envelopment analysis (DEA) model, a preference structure model, and the quality-incorporated Malmquist productivity index in evaluating firm performance; the study discusses their implications for regulating state-owned enterprises.      

基于数据包络分析的炼油企业绩效评价

炼油企业绩效评价对炼油企业的发展具有重要的意义,以炼油企业绩效评价指标体系为基础,建立了炼油企业绩效评价的数据包络分析模型,并进行了实例分析。评价结果表明,方法科学有效、实际可行,为炼油企业绩效评价提供了新的途径。