This book provides a detailed introduction to the theoretical and methodological foundations of production efficiency analysis using benchmarking. Two of the more popular methods of efficiency evaluation are Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), both of which are based on the concept of a production possibility set and its frontier. Depending on the assumed objectives of the decision-making unit, a Production, Cost, or Profit Frontier is constructed from observed data on input and output quantities and prices. While SFA uses different maximum likelihood estimation techniques to estimate a parametric frontier, DEA relies on mathematical programming to create a nonparametric frontier. Yet another alternative is the Convex Nonparametric Frontier, which is based on the assumed convexity of the production possibility set and creates a piecewise linear frontier consisting of a number of tangent hyper planes. Three of the papers in this volume provide a detailed and relatively easy to follow exposition of the underlying theory from neoclassical production economics and offer step-by-step instructions on the appropriate model to apply in different contexts and how to implement them. Of particular appeal are the instructions on (i) how to write the codes for different SFA models on STATA, (ii) how to write a VBA Macro for repetitive solution of the DEA problem for each production unit on Excel Solver, and (iii) how to write the codes for the Nonparametric Convex Frontier estimation. The three other papers in the volume are primarily theoretical and will be of interest to PhD students and researchers hoping to make methodological and conceptual contributions to the field of nonparametric efficiency analysis.

Using the neo-classical theory of production economics as the analytical framework, this book, first published in 2004, provides a unified and easily comprehensible, yet fairly rigorous, exposition of the core literature on data envelopment analysis (DEA) for readers based in different disciplines. The various DEA models are developed as nonparametric alternatives to the econometric models. Apart from the standard fare consisting of the basic input- and output-oriented DEA models formulated by Charnes, Cooper, and Rhodes, and Banker, Charnes, and Cooper, the book covers developments such as the directional distance function, free disposal hull (FDH) analysis, non-radial measures of efficiency, multiplier bounds, mergers and break-up of firms, and measurement of productivity change through the Malmquist total factor productivity index. The chapter on efficiency measurement using market prices provides the critical link between DEA and the neo-classical theory of a competitive firm. The book also covers several forms of stochastic DEA in detail.

This book provides a detailed introduction to the theoretical and methodological foundations of production efficiency analysis using benchmarking. Two of the more popular methods of efficiency evaluation are Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), both of which are based on the concept of a production possibility set and its frontier. Depending on the assumed objectives of the decision-making unit, a Production, Cost, or Profit Frontier is constructed from observed data on input and output quantities and prices. While SFA uses different maximum likelihood estimation techniques to estimate a parametric frontier, DEA relies on mathematical programming to create a nonparametric frontier. Yet another alternative is the Convex Nonparametric Frontier, which is based on the assumed convexity of the production possibility set and creates a piecewise linear frontier consisting of a number of tangent hyper planes. Three of the papers in this volume provide a detailed and relatively easy to follow exposition of the underlying theory from neoclassical production economics and offer step-by-step instructions on the appropriate model to apply in different contexts and how to implement them. Of particular appeal are the instructions on (i) how to write the codes for different SFA models on STATA, (ii) how to write a VBA Macro for repetitive solution of the DEA problem for each production unit on Excel Solver, and (iii) how to write the codes for the Nonparametric Convex Frontier estimation. The three other papers in the volume are primarily theoretical and will be of interest to PhD students and researchers hoping to make methodological and conceptual contributions to the field of nonparametric efficiency analysis.

Using the neo-classical theory of production economics as the analytical framework, this book, first published in 2004, provides a unified and easily comprehensible, yet fairly rigorous, exposition of the core literature on data envelopment analysis (DEA) for readers based in different disciplines. The various DEA models are developed as nonparametric alternatives to the econometric models. Apart from the standard fare consisting of the basic input- and output-oriented DEA models formulated by Charnes, Cooper, and Rhodes, and Banker, Charnes, and Cooper, the book covers developments such as the directional distance function, free disposal hull (FDH) analysis, non-radial measures of efficiency, multiplier bounds, mergers and break-up of firms, and measurement of productivity change through the Malmquist total factor productivity index. The chapter on efficiency measurement using market prices provides the critical link between DEA and the neo-classical theory of a competitive firm. The book also covers several forms of stochastic DEA in detail.