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Parametric Decomposition of a Generalized Malmquist Productivity Index

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Abstract

This paper provides a parametric decomposition of a generalized Malmquist productivity index which takes into account scale economies. Unlike Balk (2001), the contribution of scale economies to productivity change is evaluated without recourse to scale efficiency measures, which are neither bounded for globally increasing, decreasing, or constant returns to scale technologies nor for ray-homogeneous technologies. An empirical application using panel data from Spanish savings banks is included. This application shows the advantages of the suggested method compared to Balk's approach. The results show an increase of total factor productivity which can be mainly attributed to technical progress and the positive effect of returns to scale.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Economics, University of Oviedo, Avenida del Cristo, s/n, 33071, Oviedo, Spain

    Luis Orea

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  1. Luis Orea
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Orea, L. Parametric Decomposition of a Generalized Malmquist Productivity Index. Journal of Productivity Analysis 18, 5–22 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1015793325292

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