An Introduction to Efficiency and Productivity Analysis - Hardcover

Coelli, Timothy J.; Rao, Dodla Sai Prasada; O'Donnell, Christopher J.; Battese, George Edward

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0387242651 ISBN 13: 9780387242651

Publisher: Springer, 2005

Synopsis

The second edition of this book has been written for the same audience as the first edition. It is designed to be a "first port of call" for people wishing to study efficiency and productivity analysis. The book provides an accessible introduction to the four principal methods involved: econometric estimation of average response models; index numbers; data envelopment analysis (DEA); and stochastic firontier analysis (SFA). For each method, we provide a detailed introduction to the basic concepts, give some simple numerical examples, discuss some of the more important extensions to the basic methods, and provide references for further reading. In addition, we provide a number of detailed empirical applications using real-world data. The book can be used as a textbook or as a reference text. As a textbook, it probably contains too much material to cover in a single semester, so most instructors will want to design a course around a subset of chapters. For example, Chapter 2 is devoted to a review of production economics and could probably be skipped in a course for graduate economics majors. However, it should prove useful to undergraduate students and those doing a major in another field, such as business management or health studies.

About this title

Review

From the reviews of the second edition:

"The authors introduce the four major methods economists use to analyze efficiency and productivity: econometric estimation of average response, index numbers, data envelopment analysis (DEA), and stochastic frontier analysis. They intend the book primarily as a text for students in economics and also for students in other disciplines, such as business administration. ... On the whole, I rate the book as excellent ... ." (Jamshed A. Modi, Interfaces, Vol. 37 (2), 2007)

Synopsis

The second edition of "An Introduction to Efficiency and Productivity Analysis" is designed to be a general introduction for those who wish to study efficiency and productivity analysis. The book provides an accessible, well-written introduction to the four principal methods involved: econometric estimation of average response models; index numbers, data envelopment analysis (DEA); and stochastic frontier analysis (SFA). For each method, a detailed introduction to the basic concepts is presented, numerical examples are provided, and some of the more important extensions to the basic methods are discussed. Of special interest is the systematic use of detailed empirical applications using real-world data throughout the book. In recent years, there have been a number of excellent advance-level books published on performance measurement. This book, however, is the first systematic survey of performance measurement with the express purpose of introducing the field to a wide audience of students, researchers, and practitioners.

Indeed, the 2nd edition maintains its uniqueness: it is a well-written introduction to the field; it outlines, discusses and compares the four principal methods for efficiency and productivity analysis in a well-motivated presentation; and it provides detailed advice on computer programs that can be used to implement these performance measurement methods. The book contains computer instructions and output listings for the SHAZAM, LIMDEP, TFPIP, DEAP and FRONTIER computer programs. More extensive listings of data and computer instruction files are available on the book's website.

Edition details

• Publisher: Springer
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0387242651
• ISBN 13: 9780387242651
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 366