This book covers recent advances in efficiency evaluations, most notably DataEnvelopment Analysis (DEA) and Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) methods. á It introduces the underlying theories, shows how to make the relevant calculations and discusses applications. The aim is to make the reader aware of the pros and cons of the different methods and to show how to use these methods in both standard and non-standard cases. Several software packages have been developed to solve some of the most common DEA and SFA models. This book relies on R, a free, open source software environment for statistical computing and graphics. This enables the reader to solve not only standard problems, but also many other problem variants. Using R, one can focus on understanding the contextand developing a good model. One is not restricted to predefined model variants and to a one-size-fits-all approach. To facilitate the use of R, the authors have developed an R package called Benchmarking, which implements the main methods within both DEA and SFA. The book uses mathematical formulations of models and assumptions, but it de-emphasizes the formal proofs - in part by placing them in appendices -- or by referring to the original sources. Moreover, the book emphasizes the usage of the theories and the interpretations of the mathematical formulations.á It includes a series of small examples, graphical illustrations, simple extensions and questions to think about. Also, it combines the formal models with less formal economic and organizational thinking. Last but not least it discusses some larger applications with significant practicalimpacts, including the design of benchmarking-based regulations of energy companies in different European countries, and the development of merger control programs for competition authorities. ·áááááááá Editors are the three of most prominent researchers in the fieldá ·áááááááá Prestigious group of contributorsá ·áááááááá Brings entire field up to date with new chapters on DEA models for supply chain, DMU’s with internal structures, and network DEA. INDICE: 1. Introduction to Benchmarking. 2. Efficiency Measures. 3. Production Models and Technology. 4. Data Envelopment Analysis DEA. 5. Additional Topics in DEA. 6. Statistical Analysis in DEA. 7. Stochastic Frontier Analysis SFA. 8. Additional Topics in SFA. 9. Merger Analysis. 10. Regulation and Contracting. Appendix. Getting Started with R: A Quick Introduction.
- ISBN: 978-1-4419-7960-5
- Editorial: Springer New York
- Encuadernacion: Cartoné
- Páginas: 351
- Fecha Publicación: 29/12/2010
- Nº Volúmenes: 1
- Idioma: Inglés