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The efficiency of refuse collection services in Spanish municipalities: do non-controllable variables matter?

Author

Listed:
  • Núria Bosch

    (Institut d'Economia de Barcelona (IEB); Universitat de Barcelona (UB))

  • Francisco Pedraja

    (Universidad de Extremadura)

  • Javier Suárez-Pandiello

    (Universidad de Oviedo)

Abstract

The aim of this article is to analyse the technical efficiency and cost-efficiency of the refuse collection services in 73 municipalities located in Catalonia, Spain. The analysis has been carried out using a modification of the DEA model in three stages developed by Fried and Lovell (1996), that allows to take into account the influence of those factors that the producer cannot control (non-controllable variables). The results seem to back the hypothesis that non-controllable variables do not affect very much the ease of provision of the service, with the exception of few municipalities.

Suggested Citation

  • Núria Bosch & Francisco Pedraja & Javier Suárez-Pandiello, 2001. "The efficiency of refuse collection services in Spanish municipalities: do non-controllable variables matter?," Working Papers 2001/4, Institut d'Economia de Barcelona (IEB).
    • Handle: RePEc:ieb:wpaper:doc2001-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Citations

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    Cited by:

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    3. Inder Ruprah & Luis Marcano, 2009. "Does technical assistance matter? An impact evaluation approach to estimate its value added," Journal of Development Effectiveness, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 1(4), pages 507-528.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Fiscal Efficiency; Local public services; Management;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D24 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Production; Cost; Capital; Capital, Total Factor, and Multifactor Productivity; Capacity
    • H49 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods - - - Other
    • H72 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Budget and Expenditures

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