In this paper we introduce a piecewise parametric production model that may be used as a reference technology for efficiency gauging. We show that other piecewise reference technologies used in efficiency measuring are obtained as special cases of our model.

The purpose of this paper is to apply a generalized version of the Farrell measure of technical efficiency to a sample of Illinois strip mines. We disaggregate the original Farrell measure (which was designed to measure lost output or wasted inputs due to underutilization of inputs) into three...

The purpose of this paper is to compare the abilities of two competing analytical techniques---mathematical programming and statistical regression---to shed light on the union/nonunion productivity differential in U.S. surface coal mining. The programming approach has the virtues of being...

No abstract available.

We use DEA-type linear programming techniques to simulate a basic component of educational reform-eliminating restrictions on the allocation of school personnel. Our technique allows us to identify potential output gains (or equivalently potential cost savings) from reform. We can also identify...

In this paper we compare various efficiency measures by investigating the sets that are termed efficient.