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Economies of Scale and Cost Efficiencies: A Panel-Data Stochastic-Frontier Analysis of Real Estate Investment Trusts

Author

Listed:
  • Stephen M. Miller

    (University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and University of Connecticut)

  • Terrence M. Clauretie

    (University of Nevada, Las Vegas)

  • Thomas M. Springer

    (Clemson University)

Abstract

This paper extends the existing research on real estate investment trust (REIT) operating efficiencies. We estimate a stochastic-frontier panel-data model specifying a translog cost function, covering 1995 to 2003. The results disagree with previous research in that we find little evidence of scale economies and some evidence of scale diseconomies. Moreover, we also generally find smaller inefficiencies than those shown by other REIT studies. Contrary to previous research, the results also show that self-management of a REIT associates with more inefficiency when we measure output with assets. When we use revenue to measure output, selfmanagement associates with less inefficiency. Also contrary with previous research, higher leverage associates with more efficiency. The results further suggest that inefficiency increases over time in three of our four specifications.

Suggested Citation

  • Stephen M. Miller & Terrence M. Clauretie & Thomas M. Springer, 2005. "Economies of Scale and Cost Efficiencies: A Panel-Data Stochastic-Frontier Analysis of Real Estate Investment Trusts," Working papers 2005-21, University of Connecticut, Department of Economics.
  • Handle: RePEc:uct:uconnp:2005-21
    Note: Presented at the Money Macro and Finance Research Group conference "Efficiency Analysis in Macroeconomics and Finance," 3 June 2005 at the University of Essex, United Kingdom.
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lewis, Danielle & Springer, Thomas M & Anderson, Randy I, 2003. "The Cost Efficiency of Real Estate Investment Trusts: An Analysis with a Bayesian Stochastic Frontier Model," The Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics, Springer, vol. 26(1), pages 65-80, January.
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    10. Brent W. Ambrose & Michael J. Highfield & Peter D. Linneman, 2005. "Real Estate and Economies of Scale: The Case of REITs," Real Estate Economics, American Real Estate and Urban Economics Association, vol. 33(2), pages 323-350, June.
    11. Jondrow, James & Knox Lovell, C. A. & Materov, Ivan S. & Schmidt, Peter, 1982. "On the estimation of technical inefficiency in the stochastic frontier production function model," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 19(2-3), pages 233-238, August.
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    14. Greene, William H., 1990. "A Gamma-distributed stochastic frontier model," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 46(1-2), pages 141-163.
    15. Lawrence, Colin, 1989. "Banking Costs, Generalized Functional Forms, and Estimation of Economies of Scale and Scope," Journal of Money, Credit and Banking, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 21(3), pages 368-379, August.
    16. Stigler, George J, 1976. "The Xistence of X-Efficiency," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 66(1), pages 213-216, March.
    17. Cornwell, Christopher & Schmidt, Peter & Sickles, Robin C., 1990. "Production frontiers with cross-sectional and time-series variation in efficiency levels," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 46(1-2), pages 185-200.
    18. Aigner, Dennis & Lovell, C. A. Knox & Schmidt, Peter, 1977. "Formulation and estimation of stochastic frontier production function models," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 6(1), pages 21-37, July.
    19. Richmond, J, 1974. "Estimating the Efficiency of Production," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 15(2), pages 515-521, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Hui Chen Chiang & Yih Ching Tsaih & Wen-Cheng Hsiao, 2016. "The Efficiency Analysis Of Singapore Real Estate Investment Trusts," Eurasian Journal of Business and Management, Eurasian Publications, vol. 4(4), pages 9-20.
    2. Michael J. Highfield & Lily Shen & Thomas M. Springer, 2021. "Economies of Scale and the Operating Efficiency of REITs: A Revisit," The Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics, Springer, vol. 62(1), pages 108-138, January.
    3. Mansley, Nick & Wang, Zilong & Weng, Xiaoyu & Zhang, Wenjing, 2023. "Good growth, bad growth: Market reaction to capital raising for REIT expansion," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 86(C).
    4. Isik, Ihsan & Topuz, John C., 2017. "Meet the “born efficient” financial institutions: Evidence from the boom years of US REITs," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 70-99.
    5. Ambrose, Brent W. & Fuerst, Franz & Mansley, Nick & Wang, Zilong, 2019. "Size effects and economies of scale in European real estate companies," Global Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 42(C).
    6. Ruoran Xu & Joseph T. L. Ooi, 2018. "Good Growth, Bad Growth: How Effective are REITs’ Corporate Watchdogs?," The Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics, Springer, vol. 57(1), pages 64-86, July.
    7. Vincent Charles & Ioannis E. Tsolas & Tatiana Gherman, 2018. "Satisficing data envelopment analysis: a Bayesian approach for peer mining in the banking sector," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 269(1), pages 81-102, October.
    8. Stephen M. Miller & Thomas M. Springer, 2007. "Cost Improvements, Returns to Scale, and Cost Inefficiencies for Real Estate Investment Trusts," Working papers 2007-05, University of Connecticut, Department of Economics.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Real Estate Investment Trusts; X-efficiency; scale economies;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G2 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services
    • L25 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Performance
    • L85 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Real Estate Services

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