Estimation of technical efficiency from parametric and non-parametric production frontiers

Abstract

The dissertation consists of three essays that are developed independently. They all contribute to estimation of statistical production frontiers and technical efficiency using alternative techniques. The first essay relates to econometric estimation of production frontiers from panel data and modeling of technical efficiency and technical change. The second essay develops a methodology for estimation of a statistical production frontier using mathematical programming and bootstrapping techniques. Finally, the third essay estimates a non-parametric frontier using Data Envelopment Analysis and bootstrapping. Each essay includes a methodological extension with an empirical application.