An Introduction to Efficiency and Productivity Analysis

This Second Edition of AN INTRODUCTION TO EFFICIENCY AND PRODUCTIVITY ANALYSIS provides a significant revision of the popular First Edition that was published in 1998. The principle elements of the First Edition have been retained. It remains the only book that provides a comprehensive and unified introduction to the main techniques used in this field. Namely, index number methods, data envelopment analysis (DEA) and econometric techniques, including stochastic frontier analysis (SFA). For each technique the basic methods are carefully described with the aid of numerous diagrams, simple empirical examples and computer output listings. Following this the more advanced aspects of each technique are then discussed.

This is the only book that provides a comprehensive and unified introduction to the main techniques used in this field: index number methods, data envelopment analysis (DEA) and econometric techniques, including stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) For each technique the basic methods are carefully described with the aid of numerous diagrams, simple empirical examples and computer output listings. The more advanced aspects of each technique are then discussed after the basic ideas are covered The DEA section has been updated to cover weights restrictions; super efficiency; bootstrapping; short run cost minimization; and profit maximization The productivity growth section has been updated to cover the issues of shadow prices and scale effects In addition, the parametric methods section has been updated to cover scope economies; confidence intervals; testing and imposing regularity conditions; and Bayesian methods

Contenu
Review of Production Economics.- Productivity and Efficiency Measurement Concepts.- Index Numbers and Productivity Measurement.- Data and Measurement Issues.- Data Envelopment Analysis.- Additional Topics on Data Envelopment Analysis.- Econometric Estimation of Production Technologies.- Stochastic Frontier Analysis.- Additional Topics on Stochastic Frontier Analysis.- The Calculation and Decomposition of Productivity Change Using Frontier Methods.- Conclusions.