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Frontier estimation in nonparametric location-scale models

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  • Florens, Jean-Pierre
  • Simar, Léopold
  • Van Keilegom, Ingrid

Abstract

Conditional efficiency captures efficiency of firms facing heterogeneous environmental conditions. Traditional approaches estimate nonparametrically conditional distribution requiring smoothing techniques. We rather use a flexible nonparametric location-scale model to eliminate the dependence of inputs/outputs on these factors. These “pre-whitened” inputs/outputs define the optimal frontier function and a “pure” measure of efficiency more reliable to produce rankings, since the influence of external factors has been eliminated. Both full and order-m frontiers are used. The asymptotic properties are established. We can also derive the frontiers in the original units with their asymptotic properties. The approach is illustrated with some simulated and real data.

Suggested Citation

  • Florens, Jean-Pierre & Simar, Léopold & Van Keilegom, Ingrid, 2014. "Frontier estimation in nonparametric location-scale models," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 178(P3), pages 456-470.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:econom:v:178:y:2014:i:p3:p:456-470
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jeconom.2013.06.005
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    24. Daouia, Abdelaati & Simar, Leopold, 2007. "Nonparametric efficiency analysis: A multivariate conditional quantile approach," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 140(2), pages 375-400, October.
    25. Robert Serfling, 2002. "Quantile functions for multivariate analysis: approaches and applications," Statistica Neerlandica, Netherlands Society for Statistics and Operations Research, vol. 56(2), pages 214-232, May.
    26. Cazals, Catherine & Florens, Jean-Pierre & Simar, Leopold, 2002. "Nonparametric frontier estimation: a robust approach," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 106(1), pages 1-25, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Frédérique Fève & Jean-Pierre Florens & Léopold Simar, 2023. "Proportional incremental cost probability functions and their frontiers," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 64(6), pages 2721-2756, June.
    2. Daraio, Cinzia & Simar, Leopold & Wilson, Paul, 2016. "Nonparametric Estimation of Efficiency in the Presence of Environmental Variables," LIDAM Discussion Papers ISBA 2016027, Université catholique de Louvain, Institute of Statistics, Biostatistics and Actuarial Sciences (ISBA).
    3. Jose M. Cordero & Cristina Polo & Daniel Santín, 2020. "Assessment of new methods for incorporating contextual variables into efficiency measures: a Monte Carlo simulation," Operational Research, Springer, vol. 20(4), pages 2245-2265, December.
    4. Camilla Mastromarco & Léopold Simar, 2021. "Latent heterogeneity to evaluate the effect of human capital on world technology frontier," Journal of Productivity Analysis, Springer, vol. 55(2), pages 71-89, April.
    5. Cinzia Daraio & Leopold Simar & Paul W. Wilson, 2015. "Testing the "Separability" Condition in Two-Stage Nonparametric Models of Production," DIAG Technical Reports 2015-08, Department of Computer, Control and Management Engineering, Universita' degli Studi di Roma "La Sapienza".
    6. Daraio, Cinzia & Simar, Léopold & Wilson, Paul W., 2021. "Quality as a latent heterogeneity factor in the efficiency of universities," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    7. Camilla Mastromarco & Léopold Simar & Valentin Zelenyuk, 2021. "Predicting recessions with a frontier measure of output gap: an application to Italian economy," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 60(6), pages 2701-2740, June.
    8. Cinzia Daraio & Leopold Simar & Paul W. Wilson, 2019. "Quality and its Impact on Efficiency," LEM Papers Series 2019/06, Laboratory of Economics and Management (LEM), Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa, Italy.
    9. Mastromarco, Camilla & Simar, Léopold & Van Keilegom, Ingrid, 2022. "Estimating Nonparametric Conditional Frontiers and Efficiencies: A New Approach," LIDAM Discussion Papers ISBA 2022035, Université catholique de Louvain, Institute of Statistics, Biostatistics and Actuarial Sciences (ISBA).
    10. Mastromarco, Camilla & Simar, Leopold & Wilson, Paul, 2019. "Predicting Recessions: A New Measure of Output Gap as Predictor," LIDAM Discussion Papers ISBA 2019023, Université catholique de Louvain, Institute of Statistics, Biostatistics and Actuarial Sciences (ISBA).
    11. Simar, Léopold & Vanhems, Anne & Van Keilegom, Ingrid, 2016. "Unobserved heterogeneity and endogeneity in nonparametric frontier estimation," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 190(2), pages 360-373.
    12. José Solana‐Ibáñez & Manuel Caravaca‐Garratón, 2021. "Stakeholder engagement and corporate social reputation: The influence of exogenous factors on efficiency performance (stakeholder engagement and exogenous factors): Stakeholder engagement and exogenou," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(6), pages 1891-1905, November.
    13. Mastromarco, Camilla & Simar, Léopold, 2018. "Globalization and productivity: A robust nonparametric world frontier analysis," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 134-149.
    14. Cordero, Jose Manuel & Polo, Cristina & Simancas, Rosa, 2022. "Assessing the efficiency of secondary schools: Evidence from OECD countries participating in PISA 2015," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    15. Cinzia Daraio & Léopold Simar & Paul W. Wilson, 2020. "Fast and efficient computation of directional distance estimators," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 288(2), pages 805-835, May.
    16. Vidoli, Francesco & Canello, Jacopo, 2016. "Controlling for spatial heterogeneity in nonparametric efficiency models: An empirical proposal," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 249(2), pages 771-783.
    17. Mastromarco, Camilla & Simar, Leopold, 2014. "Global Dependence and Productivity: A Robust Nonparametric World Frontier Analysis," LIDAM Discussion Papers ISBA 2014049, Université catholique de Louvain, Institute of Statistics, Biostatistics and Actuarial Sciences (ISBA).
    18. Mastromarco, Camilla & Simar, Leopold, 2017. "Cross-Section Dependence and Latent Heterogeneity to Evaluate the Impact of Human Capital on Country Performance," LIDAM Discussion Papers ISBA 2017030, Université catholique de Louvain, Institute of Statistics, Biostatistics and Actuarial Sciences (ISBA).
    19. Zheng Li & Roderick M. Rejesus & Xiaoyong Zheng, 2021. "Nonparametric Estimation and Inference of Production Risk," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 103(5), pages 1857-1877, October.
    20. Léopold Simar & Paul W. Wilson, 2015. "Statistical Approaches for Non-parametric Frontier Models: A Guided Tour," International Statistical Review, International Statistical Institute, vol. 83(1), pages 77-110, April.
    21. Wilson, Paul W., 2018. "Dimension reduction in nonparametric models of production," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 267(1), pages 349-367.
    22. Fusco, Elisa & Vidoli, Francesco & Sahoo, Biresh K., 2018. "Spatial heterogeneity in composite indicator: A methodological proposal," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 1-14.
    23. Ferrara, Giancarlo & Vidoli, Francesco, 2017. "Semiparametric stochastic frontier models: A generalized additive model approach," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 258(2), pages 761-777.
    24. Leonardo Andrade Rocha & Ahmad Saeed Khan & Patrícia Verônica Pinheiro Sales Lima & Maria Ester Dal Poz & Fernando Porfirio Soares De Oliveira, 2016. "Corrupção, Burocracia E Outras Falhas Institucionais: O “Câncer” Da Inovação E Do Desenvolvimento," Anais do XLIII Encontro Nacional de Economia [Proceedings of the 43rd Brazilian Economics Meeting] 090, ANPEC - Associação Nacional dos Centros de Pós-Graduação em Economia [Brazilian Association of Graduate Programs in Economics].
    25. Leonardo Rocha Andrade & Leonardo Q. Cardenas & Fernando Dias Lopes & Fernando P. S. Oliveira & Kaio Cesar Fernandes, 2018. "The Impact of R&D Investments on Performance of Firms in Different Degrees of Proximity to the Technological Frontier," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 38(2), pages 1156-1170.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Nonparametric frontiers; Efficiency analysis; Robust estimation of frontiers; Conditional efficiency;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C13 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Estimation: General
    • C14 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Semiparametric and Nonparametric Methods: General
    • C49 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods: Special Topics - - - Other

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