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Estimation of staff use efficiency: Evidence from the hospitality industry

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  • Alemayehu, Fikru K.
  • Kumbhakar, Subal C.
  • Landazuri Tveteraas, Sigbjørn

Abstract

We analyze the extent to which hospitality firms overuse staff using a production function model which considers firm heterogeneity and accounts for environmental variables in staff use. We decompose overall staff use inefficiency into transient and persistent inefficiency. To do this, we employ a state-of-the-art stochastic frontier model, which is estimated using daily data on 94 Norwegian hospitality firms from 2010 to 2014. The environmental variables, especially the annual time trend, seasonality, and days of the week are found to exert heterogeneous effects on staffing. The mean transient, persistent, and overall efficiencies of the hospitality firms are 69%, 67%, and 46%, respectively. We find that seasonality (days of the week) decreases (increases) transient inefficiency by about 4%, suggesting significant room for improvement in hospitality staff use.

Suggested Citation

  • Alemayehu, Fikru K. & Kumbhakar, Subal C. & Landazuri Tveteraas, Sigbjørn, 2022. "Estimation of staff use efficiency: Evidence from the hospitality industry," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 178(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:tefoso:v:178:y:2022:i:c:s0040162522001172
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2022.121585
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Hospitality staffing; Transient and persistent inefficiency; Semiparametric approach; Stochastic frontier;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C14 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Semiparametric and Nonparametric Methods: General
    • C21 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models
    • C23 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • D24 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Production; Cost; Capital; Capital, Total Factor, and Multifactor Productivity; Capacity

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