This thesis compares different approaches to estimating budgets for Kuhn-Tucker (KT) demand systems, more specifically for the multiple discrete-continuous extreme value (MDCEV) model. The approaches tested include: (1) The log-linear regression approach (2) The stochastic frontier regression approach, and (3) arbitrarily assumed budgets that are not necessarily modeled as a function of decision maker characteristics and choice-environment characteristics. The log-linear regression approach has been used in the literature to model the observed total expenditure as way of estimating budgets for the MDCEV models. This approach allows the total expenditure to depend on the characteristics of the choice-maker and the choice environment. However, this approach does not offer an easy way to allow the total expenditure to change due to changes in choice alternative-specific attributes, but only allows a reallocation of the observed total expenditure among the different choice alternatives. To address this issue, we propose the stochastic frontier regression approach. The approach is useful when the underlying budgets driving a choice situation are unobserved, but only the expenditures on the choice alternatives of interest are observed. The approach is based on the notion that consumers operate under latent budgets that can be conceived (and modeled using stochastic frontier regression) as the maximum possible expenditure they are willing to incur. To compare the efficacy of the above-mentioned approaches, we performed two empirical assessments: (1) The analysis of out-of-home activity participation and time-use (with a budget on the total time available for out-of-home activities) for a sample of non-working adults in Florida, and (2) The analysis of household vehicle type/vintage holdings and usage (with a budget on the total annual mileage) for a sample of households in Florida. A comparison of the MDCEV model predictions (based on budgets from the above mentioned approaches) demonstrates that the log-linear regression approach and the stochastic frontier approach performed better than arbitrarily assumed budgets approaches. This is because both approaches consider heterogeneity in budgets due to socio-demographics and other explanatory factors rather than arbitrarily imposing uniform budgets on all consumers. Between the log-linear regression and the stochastic frontier regression approaches, the log-linear regression approach resulted in better predictions (vis-à-vis the observed distributions of the discrete-continuous choices) from the MDCEV model. However, policy simulations suggest that the stochastic frontier approach allows the total expenditures to either increase or decrease as a result of changes in alternative-specific attributes. While the log-linear regression approach allows the total expenditures to change as a result of changes in relevant socio-demographic and choice-environment characteristics, it does not allow the total expenditures to change as a result of changes in alternative-specific attributes.

This study analyzes the technical efficiencies of Turkish electricity distribution companies (21 in total) throughout 2002 and 2009. For this aim, we used six different model specifications, all of which are generated from two different Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) models (Battese ve Coelli (1992&amp / 1995)). At the end of the estimations of the models, it has been seen that the signs and significance levels of the coefficient estimations are very consistent and satisfactory in all models. We also observed consistency between the coefficient estimations of the different models despite the differences in the magnitudes of the coefficient estimations. For example, all model specifications confirm the presence of increasing returns to scale and of a mild technological progress over time in the market. In addition, among the inputs, all inputs except the quality of the electricity delivered are important in enhancing technical efficiency of the electricity distribution companies, according to the all alternative specifications. Again, all models showed that inefficiency effects rather than random error effects are of crucial importance in Turkish electricity distribution market. As for the efficiency estimations of the alternative models, the main conclusion revealed by our study is that efficiency estimations of the Battese ve Coelli (1995) models are remarkably higher than those of the Battese ve Coelli (1992) models. The efficiency estimation differences between Battese and Coelli (1992&amp / 1995) models can be attributed to the environmental variables included into the Battese ve Coelli (1995) models, which are not generally controlled by electricity distribution companies.

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<p>This paper offers to measure efficiency of banks in Sub Saharan Africa and its determining input andout put factors on two fonts. At this purpose, we applied the first font; Data Envelopment Analysis(DEA) for assessing efficiency level. The actual and target level of inputs/outputs to foster efficiencyare shown in the results. Secondly, the banks ratio analysis measuring banks performance throughreturns volatility for each bank, asset utilization and provision for bad and doubtful debts over thestudy period are all used as tools for this analysis. Our results suggest that Sub Saharan AfricanBanks are about 98.35% efficient. We are aware that the level of efficiency could be subject to up anddown swing if environmental factors influencing banks efficiency where taken into consideration.Finally, our result (DEA) is more sensitive to loans, other liabilities, other non interest expense,securities and deposit.</p>

No description available.

From the idea of efficiency raised by Koopmans in 1951, and the panel data first introduced into the efficiency analysis by Pitt and Lee (1981) and Schmidt and Sickles (1984), the techniques of stochastic frontier analysis are fast developed and the applications of stochastic frontier are widely used in different areas, such as education, industry and hospital. But most researchers focus on only one aspect, either the development of new models or empirical applications. This thesis attempts to fill the gap to get a general idea of the properties of different panel data stochastic frontier models, on both statistical aspects and economic aspects, by the comparison of different models applied to different production applications. The thesis is also attempt to shed light on whether particular panel data stochastic frontier models are better suited to different data sets. The models selected capture the simplest situation, with no heterogeneity or heteroscedasticity, and complicated ones, with exogenous variables included in the models. Not only the classical models, such as the Pitt and Lee (1981) and Battese and Coelli (1992.1995), but also the new developed models, such as the latent class model and fixed management model are detected in the thesis. On the economic aspect, the data selected captures both microeconomic and macroeconomic, with the application to the World GDP and the Italian manufacturing industry. The results show that: the panel data stochastic frontier models perform better on the microeconomic level than on the macroeconomic level; the classical models perform better than the new developed ones; some panel data stochastic frontier models make ideal assumptions but the requirements to the dataset are hard to achieve; that the influence from the exogenous variables is quite strong.

This paper offers to measure efficiency of banks in Sub Saharan Africa and its determining input andout put factors on two fonts. At this purpose, we applied the first font; Data Envelopment Analysis(DEA) for assessing efficiency level. The actual and target level of inputs/outputs to foster efficiencyare shown in the results. Secondly, the banks ratio analysis measuring banks performance throughreturns volatility for each bank, asset utilization and provision for bad and doubtful debts over thestudy period are all used as tools for this analysis. Our results suggest that Sub Saharan AfricanBanks are about 98.35% efficient. We are aware that the level of efficiency could be subject to up anddown swing if environmental factors influencing banks efficiency where taken into consideration.Finally, our result (DEA) is more sensitive to loans, other liabilities, other non interest expense,securities and deposit.

This thesis analyzes the efficiency structure of Turkish agriculture in farm household level by using various models of stochastic frontier analysis. A household level survey conducted in 2002 and 2004 is used in the analysis. Firstly, an efficient production frontier is estimated by a panel data models. By using these estimates, relative importance of production factors and their interaction with various farm specific factors are inspected. The parameters of production frontier show that agricultural production is crucially dependant on land and there is an excessive employment of labor in Turkish agriculture. Secondly, the efficiency scores are estimated at farm household level. The results are reported according to NUTS-II regional classification and many other farm specific characteristics. The western parts of the country are found to be relatively more efficient and there is a high deviation in mean efficiencies of different regions. There is an increase in mean efficiencies of all regions from 2002 to 2004. Besides, crop patterns, farm size, education level of household chief and irrigation are found to be effective on efficiency.

Orientador: Maristela Simões do Carmo / Banca: Elias José Simon / Banca: José Maria Ferreira J.da Silveira / Banca: Liciana Vaz de Arruda Silveira / Banca: Paulo André de Oliveira / Resumo: A reforma agrária permanece um tema atual em função das tensões provocadas pela concentração de terras e pela falta de alternativas de ocupação para parte da população que ainda vive no meio rural. Ao transferir terras improdutivas para famílias com potencial produtivo, a reforma agrária pode aumentar a eficiência econômica. O modelo de reforma agrária brasileiro, baseia-se no assentamento de famílias sem terra, em terras devolutas ou desapropriadas de imóveis improdutivos. Os programas de acesso à terra via mercado são instrumentos complementares, disponibilizam crédito para grupos de produtores comprarem a propriedade no mercado fundiário. Portanto, espera-se que estes mecanismos produzam resultados distintos sobre a alocação de recursos e eficiência produtiva. O objetivo deste trabalho foi medir a eficiência de produção relativa entre os assentados segundo o mecanismo de acesso à terra. A análise de eficiência produtiva foi realizada utilizando-se um modelo de fronteira estocástica de produção sob a forma funcional Cobb-Douglas. Os dados são representativos para o conjunto dos estados: Bahia, Ceará, Maranhão, Pernambuco e Norte de Minas Gerais. A eficiência média estimada foi de 0,3163, sendo 0,3678 para os assentados por desapropriação e 0,3537 para os beneficiários com acesso à terra via mercado. A produção apresentou rendimentos decrescentes em função dos fatores de produção, com maior elasticidade parcial para terra. Os resultados não indicaram evidências de que o acesso à terra via mercado contribuísse para a eficiência dos assentados. Contribuíram positivamente para eficiência, as fontes: trabalho externo, trabalho coletivo, localização em municípios com solos de qualidade superior, localização nos estados do Maranhão e Ceará, idade do chefe da família, o cultivo irrigado e emprego de tração mecânica nas atividades produtivas / Abstract: Land reform remains a current theme considering the tensions provoked by the concentration of lands and the lack of alternatives of employment for the population who live in rural areas. Land reform can improve the economic efficiency level when the unproductive lands are transferred to families with productive potential. The model of Brazilian land reform is based on settlements of families without land, in unoccupied public lands, or expropriation of unproductive estates. The market assisted land reform programs are considered complementary instruments of land reform. They are used to provide credit for land purchase by groups of landless farmers directly from the land market. The aim of this research was to measure the profit efficiency, considering two different mechanisms of land access. The analysis of profit efficiency was performed using the Stochastic Frontier Analysis. The frontier of production was estimated based on Cobb-Douglas production function. The data set represents the states: Bahia, Ceará, Maranhão, Pernambuco and the north region of Minas Gerais. The overall efficiency estimates were 0.3163. The efficiency estimates were 0.3678 for the farmers assigned by expropriation, and 0.3678 for the farmers with market land access. The production showed decreasing gains with the major partial elasticity for land. The positive efficiency effect sources are: farm labor, collective labor, location in superior soil class county areas, location in Maranhão and Ceará states, age of head of household, crops with irrigation or flood, and use of machinery. The negative efficiency effect sources are: outer-incomes and family consumption of its own production. There was no evidence that the farmers assigned by market assisted land reform developed more efficiency. On the other hand, it is not correct to conclude that farmers assigned by land expropriation developed better profit efficiency level / Doutor

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:31:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-05-20Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:22:33Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 magalhaes_mm_dr_botfca.pdf: 1978084 bytes, checksum: a0a61735ae0e07c85cc492d025d2c1f4 (MD5) / A reforma agrária permanece um tema atual em função das tensões provocadas pela concentração de terras e pela falta de alternativas de ocupação para parte da população que ainda vive no meio rural. Ao transferir terras improdutivas para famílias com potencial produtivo, a reforma agrária pode aumentar a eficiência econômica. O modelo de reforma agrária brasileiro, baseia-se no assentamento de famílias sem terra, em terras devolutas ou desapropriadas de imóveis improdutivos. Os programas de acesso à terra via mercado são instrumentos complementares, disponibilizam crédito para grupos de produtores comprarem a propriedade no mercado fundiário. Portanto, espera-se que estes mecanismos produzam resultados distintos sobre a alocação de recursos e eficiência produtiva. O objetivo deste trabalho foi medir a eficiência de produção relativa entre os assentados segundo o mecanismo de acesso à terra. A análise de eficiência produtiva foi realizada utilizando-se um modelo de fronteira estocástica de produção sob a forma funcional Cobb-Douglas. Os dados são representativos para o conjunto dos estados: Bahia, Ceará, Maranhão, Pernambuco e Norte de Minas Gerais. A eficiência média estimada foi de 0,3163, sendo 0,3678 para os assentados por desapropriação e 0,3537 para os beneficiários com acesso à terra via mercado. A produção apresentou rendimentos decrescentes em função dos fatores de produção, com maior elasticidade parcial para terra. Os resultados não indicaram evidências de que o acesso à terra via mercado contribuísse para a eficiência dos assentados. Contribuíram positivamente para eficiência, as fontes: trabalho externo, trabalho coletivo, localização em municípios com solos de qualidade superior, localização nos estados do Maranhão e Ceará, idade do chefe da família, o cultivo irrigado e emprego de tração mecânica nas atividades produtivas / Land reform remains a current theme considering the tensions provoked by the concentration of lands and the lack of alternatives of employment for the population who live in rural areas. Land reform can improve the economic efficiency level when the unproductive lands are transferred to families with productive potential. The model of Brazilian land reform is based on settlements of families without land, in unoccupied public lands, or expropriation of unproductive estates. The market assisted land reform programs are considered complementary instruments of land reform. They are used to provide credit for land purchase by groups of landless farmers directly from the land market. The aim of this research was to measure the profit efficiency, considering two different mechanisms of land access. The analysis of profit efficiency was performed using the Stochastic Frontier Analysis. The frontier of production was estimated based on Cobb-Douglas production function. The data set represents the states: Bahia, Ceará, Maranhão, Pernambuco and the north region of Minas Gerais. The overall efficiency estimates were 0.3163. The efficiency estimates were 0.3678 for the farmers assigned by expropriation, and 0.3678 for the farmers with market land access. The production showed decreasing gains with the major partial elasticity for land. The positive efficiency effect sources are: farm labor, collective labor, location in superior soil class county areas, location in Maranhão and Ceará states, age of head of household, crops with irrigation or flood, and use of machinery. The negative efficiency effect sources are: outer-incomes and family consumption of its own production. There was no evidence that the farmers assigned by market assisted land reform developed more efficiency. On the other hand, it is not correct to conclude that farmers assigned by land expropriation developed better profit efficiency level