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The rapid urbanization in China has led to a substantial expansion of construction activities, causing notable energy consumption and a consequent rise in CO₂ emissions. This study proposes an approach to assess CO₂ emission efficiency in China’s construction industry by integrating data envelopment analysis cross-efficiency and the Nash bargaining game, considering CO₂ as a fixed-sum undesirable output. The study identifies Jiangsu and Beijing as top performers, establishing benchmarks for other provinces. In contrast, Inner Mongolia displays the lowest efficiency. Generally, most provinces exhibit room to improve environmental efficiency in the construction sector. The study provides policy implications and tailored suggestions for specific provinces.

Enhancing ecological efficiency stands out as a crucial avenue to realize carbon emission reduction without compromising economic and social development. This study introduces a fairness-concern ecological efficiency evaluation model to address the overestimation of efficiency values in traditional models with maintaining the balance between production activities and environmental conservation during the process of ecological efficiency measurement. The theoretical model is applied to 28 OECD countries, and reveals a general ecological efficiency for them during 2013 to 2017. The efficiency value assessments presented herein offer policymakers valuable insights for enhancing efficiency based on diverse preferences.

Researchers worldwide have examined the intricate aspects of land use efficiency. Despite their efforts, a clear consensus remains elusive, especially in comparing the efficiency of construction and agricultural land in the context of Chinese rapid urbanization. This study uses the Malmquist index to conduct a detailed analysis of Total Factor Productivity (TFP), technological progress, technological efficiency, pure technical efficiency and scale efficiency for agricultural and construction land across 31 provinces in China from 2006 to 2022. The findings reveal fluctuating but generally stable TFP in China’s agricultural sector during this period. A closer examination of TFP shows that technological progress has a more significant impact than technical efficiency. The technical efficiency of agricultural land, driven mainly by pure technical efficiency and scale efficiency, highlights a crucial aspect of the Chinese agricultural sector. In contrast, construction land in China experienced steady TFP growth throughout the same period. The analysis indicates that the technical efficiency of construction land relies heavily on pure technical efficiency. A province-specific analysis from 2006 to 2022 shows that Shanghai experienced a unique decline in agricultural land TFP compared to the previous year, while all other provinces showed an upward trend. Similarly, Heilongjiang and Jiangxi recorded decreases in construction land TFP compared to the previous years, whereas other provinces showed overall improvements.

The study examines whether the board of directors with financial experience can effectively constrain earnings management pre- and post-International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). For a large balanced panel dataset of Taiwanese electronics companies over 2007–2017, we replace returns on assets in an augmented modified Jones model with efficiency scores derived using data envelopment analysis (DEA). Using DEA as an innovative adaptation in the accrual-based earnings management model, we aim to provide an accurate measure of earnings management. The results of our panel-estimated generalized least square (EGLS) regression models, which account for heteroskedasticity and auto-correlation problems, indicate that the proportion of board of directors with financial and/or accounting experiences reduces earnings management pre-IFRS. However, their ability turns weaker post-IFRS. Overall, this study thus not only has important theoretical significance in that a board of directors with financial experience might and might not curb earnings management but also has an important practical contribution to decision-makers in companies regarding the effectiveness of board financial experiences in the IFRS era.

We use an enhanced Russell model data envelopment analysis (DEA) to estimate the efficiency scores of 75 global life and non-life insurance companies as a measure of business performance (BP) from 2018 to 2022. On top of cluster analysis and multidimensional scaling, we conduct ordinary least squares regression to examine the relationship between environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors and BP, while assessing the moderating role of human capital (HC) in this relationship. Our findings show that low social activity levels would lead to better BP, and the moderating effect of HC on ESG-BP relationships is mixed.

This paper aims to show how to calculate different efficiency measures using a technology estimator defined through the adaptation of the Gradient Tree Boosting algorithm. This adaptation shares some features with the standard nonparametric Free Disposal Hull (FDH) approach, but it overcomes data overfitting problems. Nevertheless, from a computational point of view, the new approach presents thousands of decision variables, making it difficult to solve. To tackle this problem, we also propose and check a heuristic approximation to the exact measures. To demonstrate the applicability of the proposed method, the exact and the heuristic approaches are compared through two empirical applications. The main contributions of this paper are as follows: we build a new bridge between machine learning techniques and technical efficiency measurement. In this framework, we show how to determine the output-oriented and input-oriented radial models, the Russell measure of output efficiency and the Russell measure of input efficiency, as well as the directional distance function and the Enhanced Russell Graph measure. We also prove that the new technique is better, in terms of bias and squared mean error, than the standard FDH technique. Furthermore, we show that the new approach may be seen as a possible remedy for solving the curse of dimensionality problem.

This study employs the “Benefit of the Doubt” method rooted in non-parametric techniques to evaluate the digital ecosystem of 116 countries for the year 2019. By scrutinizing the relative efficiency of countries’ digital ecosystem based on the Digital Platform Economy index (DPE index), the proposed analysis of composite indicators allows the computation of endogenous (country-specific) weights that can be used for developing a more informed policy. The results show that countries prioritize different aspects of their digital ecosystem. Additionally, the findings reveal significant differences in the configuration of the digital ecosystem around the world. These results confirm that, contrary to homogeneous prescription, tailor-made policy is necessary if the objective is to optimize the resources deployed to enhance the digital ecosystem.

Based on the 2016–2017 farm survey data, this study examines technical efficiency in the production of wheat, rice, and maize in Punjab province in Pakistan. Technical efficiency, under varying returns to scale, in wheat farming averaged 0.65; in rice, it averaged 0.74, and in the case of maize, it was 0.92. A great majority of the sample farmers were estimated to be operating under increasing returns to scale. Estimations of scale inefficiency in wheat cultivation hovered around 18%; in rice, it ranged from 16% to 21%, and in maize, it varied from 7% to 17%. These estimates are indicative of the scope and the potential for increasing technical and scale efficiencies in the production of all food grains, albeit to varying degrees for different crops.

While a voluminous literature exists on the measurement of financial institution efficiency, little work has been directed at investigating the properties of data envelopment analysis (DEA) scores by examining the relationships between these scores and traditional measures of bank performance. Following the seminal work of Barr, Killgo, Siems and Zimmel (1999), this paper employs data on Singapore financial institutions for the period 1993 to 1999 to develop efficiency scores for Singapore banks. It then examines the manner in which derived DEA efficiency scores interact with traditional measures of profitability, size, risk and soundness.

It has been stated that the meaning of higher efficiency is equivalent to being more competitive and profitable for enterprise operations. Using insights from fundamental analysis, the purpose of this study is to investigate the relative operational performance and market efficiency of liner shipping firms. The paper applies Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to calculate an efficient frontier that corresponds to the optimal relationship between financial data and market value. Stocks at the frontier are optimally priced in the market. Stocks falling behind the frontier are valued less favorably. The models developed incorporate inputs and outputs related to operating performance and market efficiency consistent with the prior financial accounting literature. Our sample consists of 18 major (leading) international liner shipping firms that have been found to exhibit average market efficiency and a high degree of operational performance.

This paper seeks to explain the lagging productivity in Singapore's manufacturing noted in the statements of the Economic Strategies Committee (ESC) Report 2010. Two methods are employed: the Malmquist productivity to measure total factor productivity (TFP) change and Simar and Wilson's (2007) bootstrapped truncated regression approach which first derives bias-corrected efficiency estimates before being regressed against explanatory variables to help quantify sources of inefficiencies. The findings reveal that growth in TFP was attributed to efficiency change with no technical progress. Sources of efficiency were attributed to quality of worker and flexible work arrangements while the use of foreign workers lowered efficiency.

In today’s dynamic economy, banks should focus on improving their dynamic performance to stay competitive. Using a dataset for the period 2007–2013, this paper evaluates the dynamic performance of ASEAN-5 banks through a data envelopment analysis (DEA) model, called the dynamic slacks-based measure (DSBM) model. The DEA results indicate that banks in Malaysia perform better than those in Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines. Frontier projections through DEA indicate that banks in the ASEAN-5 countries underutilize their long-term assets, resulting in inefficiencies. Furthermore, this study finds that capital structure as a whole is positively related to bank performance.

The overall performance of an organization depends on the operational efficiency of different divisions in a network structure. The organization is really efficient only if each division is operating efficiently. The linkage between divisions is inherently complex and needs to be perused to provide more appropriate solutions for further improvement. Using the advanced dynamic network data envelopment analysis method, this paper investigates divisional efficiency in relation to the overall performance of tertiary education institutions in a network structure. As an illustrative case, the performance of 82 Vietnamese public universities was analyzed for the period 2011–2013. The results indicate that the financial efficiency is 0.826, while the academic efficiency is 0.782. The overall dynamic network efficiency of public universities is 0.804 which strongly correlated with academic efficiency rather than financial efficiency. The second-stage fractional regression analysis is proposed to investigate the effects of contextual factors on the efficiency of the financial division. The findings reveal that enrolment growth, central management and location influence financial efficiency. These findings suggest that more consideration has to be given to government policies by removing enrolment quotas and complicated line management in the context of Vietnamese higher education.

Many developing countries are receiving official development assistance (ODA). Whether ODA is beneficial or harmful to the receiving country is controversial in the literature. This paper analyzes this issue from a new angle by adopting the framework of competitiveness which allows us to link resource allocation with economic growth. Under this framework, we point out that the mechanism of resource allocation influences the effectiveness of ODA on economic growth. By applying data envelopment analysis (DEA) to competitiveness, we capture the effects of inefficient and biased allocation of resources on ODA. The data confirm the co-existence of positive and negative impacts of ODA. Finally, we conclude that current ODA is not efficient in helping most of the receiving countries.

Considering the reverberations of financial crisis of 2007–09 that the banking industry terribly witnessed, this paper aims to estimate both the non-bias-corrected and bias-corrected efficiency by employing the data envelopment analysis and Simar–Wilson double bootstrapping regression techniques over the period of 2011–2017 and see how the financial inclusion impacts on Islamic banks. This study finds that most of the countries, except some Asian and Middle-Eastern countries, have inconsistent efficiency trends in Islamic banking sector. It also shows that financial inclusion is significantly allied with Islamic banking efficiency. Eventually, the results propose that Islamic banks are still bearing the consequence of that economic recession and, therefore, bank should focus more on financial inclusion since those banks having sound and inclusive financial environment are seen enjoying higher level of financial efficiency.

While China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is widely considered as an attempt to reshape the global geo-political landscape through its massive investment/engagement in capital-intensive infrastructure, an often-neglected topic is the performance of Chinese-funded firms in manufacturing sector. Therefore, this paper sought to examine the efficiency levels of Chinese manufacturing firms in Malaysia. By using firm-level data supplied by Malaysia’s Department of Statistics, this study employs Data Envelopment Analysis to examine the efficiency levels of Chinese manufacturing firms in comparison with local and other foreign firms in 2010 and 2015. The results show that Chinese manufacturing firms show higher efficiency levels than local and foreign firms in 2010 and 2015, implying that these firms have the potential to transfer technology and share managerial skills to local firms. However, the efficiency levels of Chinese firms deteriorated from 2010 to 2015, suggesting that firms’ relocations decision may have been driven by distortions created by incentives and other supports provided by the Chinese government rather than by firms’ efforts to sustain or raise efficiency levels. The findings suggest that Chinese firms have to be careful in making strategic decision to relocate operations abroad to ensure that government initiatives are in sync with firm-level performance.

Insurance penetration rate in Malaysia is low at only between 40% and 50%. Following the government’s policy goal of increasing the rate, this study examined metafrontier Malmquist productivity index (MMPI) and drivers of the MMPI among Malaysian insurers. Over the 2009–2017 period, general insurers and life insurers were technology leaders. General insurers had progressive productivity (MMPI) on average, whereas the MMPI values of the life and general insurers and life insurers were in deterioration. Overall, long-term strategic planning and capital investment alongside government’s liberalization to increase competition in the industry are thus necessary.

This study estimates the profitability and marketability efficiencies’ scores and determinants of 114 Singapore listed manufacturing firms from 2007 to 2018 by adopting bootstrapped two-stage data envelopment analysis (DEA) as well as one- and two-part fractional regression models. The study reveals that the average marketability efficiency of Singapore listed manufacturing firms (0.881) is lower than the average profitability efficiency (0.970) during the study period. Further, the results show that the length of listing, headcount, institutional ownership, leverage ratio and high-technology production statistically affect the profitability and marketability efficiencies of Singapore listed manufacturing firms.

This paper aims to re-estimate green total factor productivity (GTFP) with the consideration of intangible capital in Chinese provinces between 2003 and 2017. Intangible capital is broadly defined and categorized into computerized information, innovative property and economic competency property. The finding suggests that the conventional GTFP is underestimated especially during the post-financial crisis period in China. It is also found that technical efficiency, which shows the trend of deterioration without capitalizing intangibles, improves steadily and jointly with technological progress contributing to the improvement of productivity. The mismeasurement of GTFP is more severe in developed regions in China where intangible investment is more emphasized. Furthermore, regional GTFP shows the trend of convergence after intangible capital is incorporated and the rate of convergence turns to be faster in coastal regions than that in the interior.

The purpose of this paper is threefold: to assess the performance of 55 international tourist hotels in Taiwan in 2001 in terms of managerial, occupancy, and catering efficiencies; to analyze hotel operating characteristics, which might explain the variation in managerial efficiencies across these hotels; and to measure productivity growth in the 34 international tourist hotels over the years 1990–2001. Empirical results indicate that (1) the marketing for lodging services was not operated efficiently in 2001; (2) the hotels operated poorly both at the levels of occupancy and catering efficiencies in 2001; (3) there is a weak tendency for a hotel with relative high catering efficiency to go with good occupancy efficiency; (4) differences in operating variables, such as the floor space of catering department, the number of guest rooms, the closeness of a hotel to CKS international airport, and the number of employees do have a significant influence upon hotel performance; and finally, (5) about 61.76% of hotels had annual productivity changes over time.