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Long Run Properties of Technical Efficiency in the U.S. Airline Industry

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  • Ila M. Semenick Alam
  • Robin C. Sickles

Abstract

This paper takes an innovative approach to test the relationship between technical efficiency and the market structure hypothesis which states that competitive pressure enhances relative efficiency. DEA and FDH time series of technical efficiency scores, for a panel of 11 US airlines observed quarterly during 1970-1990, are examined for cointegration and convergence. For almost all firm pairs (>90% for both efficiency measures), the null hypothesis of cointegration cannot be rejected; meanwhile, the null of no cointegration is rejected for approximately one-third of the firm pairs. Furthermore, convergence tests document less dispersion in firm performance over time. These results indicate that the scores move together and, in fact, the firms are becoming more alike one another in terms of efficiency. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG - (Langfristige Eigenschaften der technischen Effizienz in der US-Luftfahrtindustrie) In diesem Beitrag wird ein innovativer Ansatz entwickelt, um die Beziehung zwischen technischer Effizienz und der Marktstrukturhypothese zu überprüfen, die besagt, daß Wettbewerbsdruck die relative Effizienz erhöht. Die DEA- und FDH-Zeitreihen der technischen Effizienz für ein Panel-Datensatz von 11 US-Fluggesellschaften, die während der Periode 1970 bis 1990 beobachtet wurden, werden im Hinblick auf Kointegration und Konvergenz analysiert. Für nahezu alle Unternehmenspaare (mehr als 90% bei beiden Effizienzmaßen) kann die Nullhypothese der Kointegration nicht zurückgewiesen werden, wo hingegen die Nullhypothese, daß keine Kointegration vorliegt, für etwa ein Drittel der Unternehmenspaare zurückgewiesen wird. Außerdem zeigt der Konvergenztest, daß die Streuung des Unternehmenserfolgs im Zeitablauf abnimmt. Die Ergebnisse deuten darauf hin, daß die Effizienzwerte sich auf einander zu bewegen und daß in der Tat, die Unternehmen im Hinblick auf Effizienz sich immer ähnlicher werden.

Suggested Citation

  • Ila M. Semenick Alam & Robin C. Sickles, 1997. "Long Run Properties of Technical Efficiency in the U.S. Airline Industry," CIG Working Papers FS IV 97-25, Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin (WZB), Research Unit: Competition and Innovation (CIG).
    • Handle: RePEc:wzb:wzebiv:fsiv97-25
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    References listed on IDEAS

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