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1 – 10 of over 3000
Article
Publication date: 14 March 2016

Michael Devaney, Thibaut Morillon and William Weber

The purpose of this paper is to estimate the performance of 188 mutual funds relative to the risk/return frontier accounting for the transaction costs of producing a portfolio of…

1593

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to estimate the performance of 188 mutual funds relative to the risk/return frontier accounting for the transaction costs of producing a portfolio of investments.

Design/methodology/approach

The directional output distance function is used to estimate mutual fund performance. The method allows the data to define a frontier of return and risk accounting for the transaction costs associated with securities management and production of risky returns. Proxies for the transaction costs of producing a portfolio of securities include the turnover ratio, load, expense ratio, and net asset value. The estimates of mutual fund performance are bootstrapped to account for the unknown data generating process. By comparing each mutual fund’s performance relative to the capital market line the authors determine how the fund should adjust their portfolio in regard to risk and return in order to maximize the inefficiency adjusted Sharpe ratio.

Findings

The bootstrapped estimates indicate that the average mutual fund could simultaneously expand return and contract risk by 3.2 percent if it were to operate on the efficient frontier. After projecting each mutual fund’s return and risk to the efficient frontier the authors find that a majority of the mutual funds should reduce risk to be consistent with the capital market line.

Originality/value

Many researchers have used data envelopment analysis to estimate a piecewise linear frontier of risk and return to measure mutual fund performance. To the authors’ knowledge the research is the first to use a twice-differentiable quadratic directional distance function to measure the managerial performance and risk/return tradeoff of mutual funds.

Details

Managerial Finance, vol. 42 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0307-4358

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 February 2009

Anastasia Koutsomanoli‐Filippaki, Dimitris Margaritis and Christos Staikouras

The aim of this study is to investigate profit efficiency in the banking industries of 11 Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries for the period 1998‐2005.

1075

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study is to investigate profit efficiency in the banking industries of 11 Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries for the period 1998‐2005.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors employ a directional technology distance function approach to measure profit efficiency and decompose it into its technical and allocative components. They use these efficiency measures to investigate potential differences in banking performance across countries and across banks of different size and with different ownership status.

Findings

The results indicate that the highest proportion of profit inefficiency in the CEE region is attributed to allocative inefficiency, recognizing that considerable variation and different patterns in inefficiency levels across banking systems can be observed. Small and domestic private banks appear to be the most efficient. A negative relationship between efficiency and bank size, the capitalization ratio and market concentration, and a positive relationship with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development index of banking reform are also found.

Research limitations/implications

Bank performance relative to best practice is measured across the CEE region. While it is found that on average technical inefficiency is relatively small and about one quarter of the banks lie on the technological frontier, the size of technical inefficiencies is likely to be exacerbated if the sample were to include Western European banks.

Practical implications

The effects of banking reforms are evident by recent positive trends in profit and allocative efficiencies estimated for CEE banking sectors. These trends suggest that policy makers should intensify efforts to further improve the financial services regulatory and supervisory framework while freeing any remaining explicit or implicit barriers to bank competition.

Originality/value

The study departs from the traditional literature of efficiency. It uses a directional distance function approach to model multi input – multi output banking technology and to investigate profit efficiency in CEE countries.

Details

Managerial Finance, vol. 35 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0307-4358

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 September 2023

Javad Gerami, Mohammad Reza Mozaffari, Peter Wanke and Yong Tan

This study aims to present the cost and revenue efficiency evaluation models in data envelopment analysis in the presence of fuzzy inputs, outputs and their prices that the prices…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to present the cost and revenue efficiency evaluation models in data envelopment analysis in the presence of fuzzy inputs, outputs and their prices that the prices are also fuzzy. This study applies the proposed approach in the energy sector of the oil industry.

Design/methodology/approach

This study proposes a value-based technology according to fuzzy input-cost and revenue-output data, and based on this technology, the authors propose an approach to calculate fuzzy cost and revenue efficiency based on a directional distance function approach. These papers incorporated a decision-maker’s (DM) a priori knowledge into the fuzzy cost (revenue) efficiency analysis.

Findings

This study shows that the proposed approach obtains the components of fuzzy numbers corresponding to fuzzy cost efficiency scores in the interval [0, 1] corresponding to each of the decision-making units (DMUs). The models presented in this paper satisfies the most important properties: translation invariance, translation invariance, handle with negative data. The proposed approach obtains the fuzzy efficient targets corresponding to each DMU.

Originality/value

In the proposed approach, by selecting the appropriate direction vector in the model, we can incorporate preference information of the DM in the process of evaluating fuzzy cost or revenue efficiency and this shows the efficiency of the method and the advantages of the proposed model in a fully fuzzy environment.

Details

Journal of Modelling in Management, vol. 19 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-5664

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 September 2011

Mary Margaret Rogers and William L. Weber

The purpose of this paper is to model the tradeoffs among fatalities, CO2 emissions and value generated by the truck transportation portion of supply chains with the goal of…

2059

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to model the tradeoffs among fatalities, CO2 emissions and value generated by the truck transportation portion of supply chains with the goal of determining if efforts to reduce CO2 emissions increase transportation‐related fatalities.

Design/methodology/approach

The joint production of CO2, fatalities, and truck transport value in the 50 US states during 2002‐2007 is modeled using data envelopment analysis. The directional output distance function is estimated under two assumptions: strong and weak disposability of CO2 emissions. This provides the means of calculating shadow prices that estimate the cost of reducing CO2 emissions.

Findings

The authors' findings indicate that the transfer of resources to the reduction of CO2 emissions will result in a statistically significant increase in fatalities and a statistically significant decrease in value of transport from truck transport.

Research limitations/implications

The model presented is based on secondary data from the Federal Highway Statistics Series, the Fatality Analysis Reporting System, and the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Social implications

The model developed demonstrates tradeoffs among sustainability‐related variables.

Originality/value

The model presented in the paper uses shadow prices to assess sustainability‐related tradeoffs in supply chains. While this method has been used in other fields, this is its first use in supply chain studies.

Details

International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, vol. 41 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0960-0035

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 2004

Mary Margaret Weber and William L. Weber

Develops and estimates efficiency and productivity measures in the US trucking and warehousing industry in the 48 contiguous states during the years 1994‐2000. The model…

2481

Abstract

Develops and estimates efficiency and productivity measures in the US trucking and warehousing industry in the 48 contiguous states during the years 1994‐2000. The model, estimated via data envelopment analysis, accounts for both desirable outputs and undesirable outputs produced by a given vector of inputs. The model establishes an efficient frontier of operation for each year studied and can be used to determine, on an annual basis, which of the 48 states operate on the frontier. The findings indicate that the trucking and warehousing industry does not operate efficiently in all 48 states during the period studied. If the industry were to operate on the frontier of the feasible output set by using inputs to produce outputs efficiently, it could eliminate three to four fatal traffic accidents per state per year, while simultaneously increasing industry income by between $38 to $47 million per state per year. In addition, finds that traditional techniques of estimating efficiency that ignore traffic fatalities bias estimates of efficiency and total factor productivity growth.

Details

International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, vol. 34 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0960-0035

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 October 2020

Yongseung Han, Thomas Littlefield and Myeong Hwan Kim

This paper proposes the use of a gauge function as a measure of technical efficiency. The measure of technical inefficiency from a gauge function is desirable as the estimation of…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper proposes the use of a gauge function as a measure of technical efficiency. The measure of technical inefficiency from a gauge function is desirable as the estimation of a gauge function is not subject to the endogeneity problem under the behavioral assumption of profit maximization in the competitive market.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors address three important properties of a gauge function, i.e. linear homogeneity, monotonicity and convexity in inputs and outputs, and show how such properties are utilized in its estimation. Then, the authors apply the estimation of a gauge function to US Blacksmiths in 1850 and 1880 to show that a failure to satisfy such properties may lead to an incorrect inference on the technical efficiency.

Findings

The authors find that the Blacksmiths in the 1850s were technically more efficient than the ones in the 1880s, indicating technical regress in Blacksmithing when the properties are satisfied.

Originality/value

This paper introduces a measure of technical inefficiency from a gauge function and shows how to estimate the gauge function parametrically for the measure. The authors show McFadden's gauge function and its properties, which differ from the properties of other distance functions. The authors emphasize linear homogeneity as well as monotonicity and convexity in inputs and outputs, which must be satisfied in the estimation of a gauge function.

Details

Journal of Economic Studies, vol. 48 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-3585

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 20 October 2022

Manh-Hung Nguyen, Chon Van Le and Scott E. Atkinson

The paper investigates the production inefficiency of the US electricity industry in the wake of restructuring and emission reduction regulations.

Abstract

Purpose

The paper investigates the production inefficiency of the US electricity industry in the wake of restructuring and emission reduction regulations.

Design/methodology/approach

The study estimates a multiple-input, multiple-output directional distance function, using six inputs: fuel, labor, capital and annualized capital costs of sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOX) and particulate removal devices, two good outputs – residential and industrial-commercial electricity and three bad outputs – SO2, carbon dioxide (CO2) and NOX emissions.

Findings

The authors find that restructuring in electricity markets improves deregulated utilities' technical efficiency (TE). Deregulated utilities with below-average NOX control equipment tend to invest less in these devices, but above-average utilities do the opposite. The reverse applies to particulate removal devices. The whole sample spends more on NOX, particulate and SO2 control systems and reduces its electricity sales slightly. Increased investments in SO2 and NOX control equipment do not reduce SO2 and NOX emissions, but expansions of particulate control systems cut down SO2 emissions greatly. Stricter environmental regulations have probably shifted the production frontier inwards and the utilities farther from the frontier over time.

Practical implications

Restructuring and environmental regulations do not make all utilities invest more in emission control systems. The US government should devise other schemes to achieve this goal.

Originality/value

The paper unveils heterogeneous reactions of US electric utilities in the wake of restructuring and emission regulations.

Details

Journal of Economics and Development, vol. 24 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1859-0020

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 2 December 2016

Juan Aparicio

The purpose of this paper is to provide an outline of the major contributions in the literature on the determination of the least distance in data envelopment analysis (DEA). The…

2141

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an outline of the major contributions in the literature on the determination of the least distance in data envelopment analysis (DEA). The focus herein is primarily on methodological developments. Specifically, attention is mainly paid to modeling aspects, computational features, the satisfaction of properties and duality. Finally, some promising avenues of future research on this topic are stated.

Design/methodology/approach

DEA is a methodology based on mathematical programming for the assessment of relative efficiency of a set of decision-making units (DMUs) that use several inputs to produce several outputs. DEA is classified in the literature as a non-parametric method because it does not assume a particular functional form for the underlying production function and presents, in this sense, some outstanding properties: the efficiency of firms may be evaluated independently on the market prices of the inputs used and outputs produced; it may be easily used with multiple inputs and outputs; a single score of efficiency for each assessed organization is obtained; this technique ranks organizations based on relative efficiency; and finally, it yields benchmarking information. DEA models provide both benchmarking information and efficiency scores for each of the evaluated units when it is applied to a dataset of observations and variables (inputs and outputs). Without a doubt, this benchmarking information gives DEA a distinct advantage over other efficiency methodologies, such as stochastic frontier analysis (SFA). Technical inefficiency is typically measured in DEA as the distance between the observed unit and a “benchmarking” target on the estimated piece-wise linear efficient frontier. The choice of this target is critical for assessing the potential performance of each DMU in the sample, as well as for providing information on how to increase its performance. However, traditional DEA models yield targets that are determined by the “furthest” efficient projection to the evaluated DMU. The projected point on the efficient frontier obtained as such may not be a representative projection for the judged unit, and consequently, some authors in the literature have suggested determining closest targets instead. The general argument behind this idea is that closer targets suggest directions of enhancement for the inputs and outputs of the inefficient units that may lead them to the efficiency with less effort. Indeed, authors like Aparicio et al. (2007) have shown, in an application on airlines, that it is possible to find substantial differences between the targets provided by applying the criterion used by the traditional DEA models, and those obtained when the criterion of closeness is utilized for determining projection points on the efficient frontier. The determination of closest targets is connected to the calculation of the least distance from the evaluated unit to the efficient frontier of the reference technology. In fact, the former is usually computed through solving mathematical programming models associated with minimizing some type of distance (e.g. Euclidean). In this particular respect, the main contribution in the literature is the paper by Briec (1998) on Hölder distance functions, where formally technical inefficiency to the “weakly” efficient frontier is defined through mathematical distances.

Findings

All the interesting features of the determination of closest targets from a benchmarking point of view have generated, in recent times, the increasing interest of researchers in the calculation of the least distance to evaluate technical inefficiency (Aparicio et al., 2014a). So, in this paper, we present a general classification of published contributions, mainly from a methodological perspective, and additionally, we indicate avenues for further research on this topic. The approaches that we cite in this paper differ in the way that the idea of similarity is made operative. Similarity is, in this sense, implemented as the closeness between the values of the inputs and/or outputs of the assessed units and those of the obtained projections on the frontier of the reference production possibility set. Similarity may be measured through multiple distances and efficiency measures. In turn, the aim is to globally minimize DEA model slacks to determine the closest efficient targets. However, as we will show later in the text, minimizing a mathematical distance in DEA is not an easy task, as it is equivalent to minimizing the distance to the complement of a polyhedral set, which is not a convex set. This complexity will justify the existence of different alternatives for solving these types of models.

Originality/value

As we are aware, this is the first survey in this topic.

Details

Journal of Centrum Cathedra, vol. 9 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1851-6599

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 July 2017

Xiancun Hu and Chunlu Liu

The purpose of this paper is to present an approach for productivity measurement that considers both construction growth and carbon reduction.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an approach for productivity measurement that considers both construction growth and carbon reduction.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach applied is a sequential Malmquist-Luenberger productivity analysis based on a directional distance function and sequential benchmark technology using the data envelopment analysis (DEA) technique. The sequential Malmquist-Luenberger productivity change index is decomposed into pure technical efficiency, scale efficiency, and technological change indices, in order to investigate the driving forces for productivity change.

Findings

The construction industries of the Australian states and territories were selected implement the new approach. The results indicate that construction growth and carbon reduction can be achieved simultaneously through the learning of techniques from benchmarks.

Practical implications

Current research on total factor productivity (TFP) in construction generally neglects carbon emissions. This does not accurately depict the nature of construction and therefore yields biased estimation results. TFP measurement should consider carbon reduction, which is beneficial for policymakers to promote sustainable productivity development in the construction industry.

Originality/value

The approach developed here is generic and enhances productivity and DEA research levels in construction. This research can be used to formulate policies for evaluating performance in worldwide construction projects, organizations and industries by considering undesirable outputs and desirable outputs simultaneously, and for promoting sustainable development in construction by identifying competitiveness factors.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 24 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 30 April 2015

Zhen Gong and Tae Seung Kim

This paper uses various Data Envelopment Analysis (SBM-DEA) approaches to study the efficiency of major airlines in Asia-Pacific region. To evaluate the operation efficiency of…

Abstract

This paper uses various Data Envelopment Analysis (SBM-DEA) approaches to study the efficiency of major airlines in Asia-Pacific region. To evaluate the operation efficiency of fourteen major airlines in Asia-Pacific region from 2003-2011, Available Seat Kilometers(ASK), Available Ton Kilometers(ATK), the number of employees are used as input factors, Revenue Passenger Kilometers(RPK), Revenue Ton Kilometers(RTK), the amount of Sales are used as output factors.

The non-radial SBM-DEA (Slacks-based Measure of Efficiency) model was able to provide a more comprehensive efficiency of combining economic performance and regional difference. And it was also able to capture slack values in input excess and output shortage.

The results demonstrate that Korea and Japan airlines are operated efficiently and could be regarded as the benchmarking airlines. On the other hand, most of the China and ASEAN airlines are deemed to be inefficient. Also analyzing slacks may be more suitable way for the evaluation or suggestion of an improvement scheme for the inefficient airlines. The excess of labor is the major cause of the airlines’ inefficiency.

Details

Journal of International Logistics and Trade, vol. 13 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1738-2122

Keywords

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