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Technical efficiency and technologically independent sub-markets

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Author Info
Chaaban, J.M.

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Abstract

This paper aims to provide a consistent empirical methodology for investigating the level of Minimum Efficient Scale (MES) in a single product industry, through the assessment of relative productive performance. Two deterministic approaches are used to evaluate firm-level technical efficiency : a parametric method, Corrected Ordinary Least Squares (COLS) ; and a non-parametric one, Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). The methodology is applied to a sample of French soft cheese firms in 1997, containing detailed firm-level cost and production information. Results show a high correlation between the two estimation methods, and the (estimated) scale efficient firms are situated at the minimum of the sample's observed average cost curve, leading to inference about the level of MES. An empirical methodology to identify sub-samples of firms with similar technological characteristics is also proposed, allowing the indentification of various levels of MES. This shows how technologically independent sub-markets can coexist in the same industry. ...French Abstract : Ce papier présente une nouvelle méthodologie empirique qui permet l'identification de sous-groupes technologiques dans une industrie mono produit. En utilisant pour la première fois des données individuelles sur la quantité et les coûts de production dans l'industrie des fromages à pâtes molles, on montre en estimant des frontières de production paramétriques et non paramétriques l'existence de deux frontières technologiques dans une même industrie. Un niveau minimal de production oû les entreprises seraient efficaces (économies d'échelle) existe à la fois pour des petites entreprises avec une technologies intensive en travail et pour des grandes entreprises avec une échelle de production plus importante.

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Publisher Info
Paper provided by French Institute for Agronomy Research (INRA), Economics Laboratory in Toulouse (ESR Toulouse) in its series Economics Working Paper Archive (Toulouse) with number 200404.

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Length: 35 p.
Date of creation: 2004
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Handle: RePEc:rea:inrawp:200404

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Related research
Keywords: TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY; MINIMUM EFFICIENT SCALE; MARKET STRUCTURE; DATA ENVELOPMENT ANALYSIS; CORRECTED ORDINARY LEAST SQUARES ; IAA; FROMAGE A PATE MOLLE; COUT DE PRODUCTION; ECONOMIE D'ECHELLE; EFFICACITE; TECHNOLOGIE;

Find related papers by JEL classification:
C81 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - Microeconomic Data
D24 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Production; Capital and Total Factor Productivity; Capacity
L11 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Production, Pricing, and Market Structure; Size Distribution of Firms
L25 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Performance
L66 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Manufacturing - - - Food; Beverages; Cosmetics; Tobacco

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