IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i21p9367-d1776714.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Efficiency Assessments and Regional Disparities of Green Cold Chain Logistics for Agricultural Products: Evidence from the Three Northeastern Provinces of China

Author

Listed:
  • Chao Chen

    (School of Economics and Management, Liaoning University of Technology, Jinzhou 121001, China)

  • Sixue Liu

    (School of Economics and Management, Liaoning University of Technology, Jinzhou 121001, China)

  • Xiaojia Zhang

    (School of Economics and Management, Liaoning University of Technology, Jinzhou 121001, China)

Abstract

Balancing the development of agricultural cold chain logistics with ecological conservation remains a critical challenge for green cold chain logistics in China’s three northeastern provinces. This study evaluates the efficiency of green cold chain logistics to promote synergy between logistics development and ecological sustainability. Using CiteSpace for keyword co-occurrence analysis and literature extraction, an evaluation index system comprising eight input and output indicators was constructed. The super-efficiency Slacks-Based Measure (SBM) model and the Malmquist–Luenberger (ML) productivity index were employed to assess efficiency from static and dynamic perspectives, respectively. Kernel density estimation was used to examine spatial distribution patterns, and the Dagum Gini coefficient was applied to decompose regional disparities. The results indicate that (1) overall efficiency remains relatively low, with ML index changes primarily driven by technological progress; (2) substantial regional differences exist among the three provinces in terms of distribution location, shape, and degree of polarization; and (3) inter-regional disparities are the main source of variation. A Tobit model further identified the key influencing factors, indicating that the level of economic development, growth of the tertiary industry, and informatization are the main drivers. These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing regional green cold chain logistics and promoting sustainable agricultural development.

Suggested Citation

  • Chao Chen & Sixue Liu & Xiaojia Zhang, 2025. "Efficiency Assessments and Regional Disparities of Green Cold Chain Logistics for Agricultural Products: Evidence from the Three Northeastern Provinces of China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-27, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:21:p:9367-:d:1776714
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/21/9367/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/21/9367/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Bonasia, Mariangela & Kounetas, Konstantinos & Oreste, Napolitano, 2020. "Assessment of regional productive performance of European health systems under a metatechnology framework," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 234-248.
    2. Jerry Hausman, 2015. "Specification tests in econometrics," Applied Econometrics, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA), vol. 38(2), pages 112-134.
    3. N. Gregory Mankiw & David Romer & David N. Weil, 1992. "A Contribution to the Empirics of Economic Growth," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 107(2), pages 407-437.
    4. Rashidi, Kamran & Cullinane, Kevin, 2019. "Evaluating the sustainability of national logistics performance using Data Envelopment Analysis," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 35-46.
    5. Jeffrey M Wooldridge, 2010. "Econometric Analysis of Cross Section and Panel Data," MIT Press Books, The MIT Press, edition 2, volume 1, number 0262232588, December.
    6. Wooldridge, Jeffrey M., 2019. "Correlated random effects models with unbalanced panels," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 211(1), pages 137-150.
    7. Du, Gang & Li, Wendi, 2022. "Does innovative city building promote green logistics efficiency? Evidence from a quasi-natural experiment with 285 cities," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 114(C).
    8. Chong Ye & Nuo Chen & Shuangyu Weng & Zeyu Xu, 2022. "Regional Sustainability of Logistics Efficiency in China along the Belt and Road Initiative Considering Carbon Emissions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-31, August.
    9. H. Fried & C. Lovell & S. Schmidt & S. Yaisawarng, 2002. "Accounting for Environmental Effects and Statistical Noise in Data Envelopment Analysis," Journal of Productivity Analysis, Springer, vol. 17(1), pages 157-174, January.
    10. Tone, Kaoru, 2002. "A slacks-based measure of super-efficiency in data envelopment analysis," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 143(1), pages 32-41, November.
    11. Xiaohong Jiang & Jianxiao Ma & Huizhe Zhu & Xiucheng Guo & Zhaoguo Huang, 2020. "Evaluating the Carbon Emissions Efficiency of the Logistics Industry Based on a Super-SBM Model and the Malmquist Index from a Strong Transportation Strategy Perspective in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-19, November.
    12. Riju Joshi & Jeffrey M. Wooldridge, 2019. "Correlated Random Effects Models with Endogenous Explanatory Variables and Unbalanced Panels," Annals of Economics and Statistics, GENES, issue 134, pages 243-268.
    13. Tone, Kaoru, 2001. "A slacks-based measure of efficiency in data envelopment analysis," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 130(3), pages 498-509, May.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Arnd Kölling & Claus Schnabel, 2022. "Owners, external managers and industrial relations in German establishments," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 60(2), pages 424-443, June.
    2. Georges Bresson & Guy Lacroix & Mohammad Arshad Rahman, 2021. "Bayesian panel quantile regression for binary outcomes with correlated random effects: an application on crime recidivism in Canada," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 60(1), pages 227-259, January.
    3. Valizadeh, Pourya & Ng, Shu Wen, 2020. "The New school food standards and nutrition of school children: Direct and Indirect Effect Analysis," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 39(C).
    4. Leslie E. Papke & Jeffrey M. Wooldridge, 2024. "A simple, robust test for choosing the level of fixed effects in linear panel data models," Advanced Studies in Theoretical and Applied Econometrics, in: Subal C. Kumbhakar & Robin C. Sickles & Hung-Jen Wang (ed.), Advances in Applied Econometrics, pages 219-237, Springer.
    5. Jackie M. L. Chan & Huanhuan Zheng, 2022. "FDI on the move: cross-border M&A and migrant networks," Review of World Economics (Weltwirtschaftliches Archiv), Springer;Institut für Weltwirtschaft (Kiel Institute for the World Economy), vol. 158(3), pages 947-985, August.
    6. Laura Spierdijk, 2023. "Assessing the consistency of the fixed-effects estimator: a regression-based Wald test," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 64(4), pages 1599-1630, April.
    7. Ruijing Zheng & Yu Cheng & Haimeng Liu & Wei Chen & Xiaodong Chen & Yaping Wang, 2022. "The Spatiotemporal Distribution and Drivers of Urban Carbon Emission Efficiency: The Role of Technological Innovation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-22, July.
    8. Maria C. Lo Bue, 2024. "Drivers of changes in child nutritional conditions: A panel data‐based study on Indonesian households, 1997–2014," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(2), pages 741-776, May.
    9. Fattouh, Bassam & Pisicoli, Beniamino & Scaramozzino, Pasquale, 2024. "Debt and financial fragility: Italian non-financial companies after the pandemic," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    10. Ron Berman & Ayelet Israeli, 2022. "The Value of Descriptive Analytics: Evidence from Online Retailers," Marketing Science, INFORMS, vol. 41(6), pages 1074-1096, November.
    11. Sodjahin, Ibirénoyé Honoré Romaric & Féménia, Fabienne & Koutchade, Obafémi Philippe & Carpentier, Alain, "undated". "On the economic value of the agronomic effects of crop diversification for farmers: estimation based on farm cost accounting data," Working Papers 320398, Institut National de la recherche Agronomique (INRA), Departement Sciences Sociales, Agriculture et Alimentation, Espace et Environnement (SAE2).
    12. Becker, Annette & Hottenrott, Hanna & Mukherjee, Anwesha, 2022. "Division of labor in R&D? Firm size and specialization in corporate research," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 194(C), pages 1-23.
    13. Thomas Slijper & Yann de Mey & P Marijn Poortvliet & Miranda P M Meuwissen, 2022. "Quantifying the resilience of European farms using FADN," European Review of Agricultural Economics, Oxford University Press and the European Agricultural and Applied Economics Publications Foundation, vol. 49(1), pages 121-150.
    14. Mehdi Guelmamen, 2025. "Does Intermunicipal Cooperation Affect Prices? An Economic Analysis of the French Drinking Water Sector," Review of Industrial Organization, Springer;The Industrial Organization Society, vol. 67(2), pages 209-226, August.
    15. Avkiran, Necmi K., 2007. "Stability and integrity tests in data envelopment analysis," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 41(3), pages 224-234, September.
    16. KOUAKOU, Dorgyles C.M. & SZEGO, Eva, 2024. "Evaluating the integration of artificial intelligence technologies in defense activities and the effect of national innovation system performance on its enhancement," MPRA Paper 120617, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    17. Carla Henriques & Clara Viseu, 2022. "Are ERDFs Devoted to Boosting ICTs in SMEs Inefficient? A Three-Stage SBM Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-20, August.
    18. Arnd Kölling, 2022. "Monopsony power and the demand for low-skilled workers," The Economic and Labour Relations Review, , vol. 33(2), pages 377-395, June.
    19. Mary A. Burke & Ali Ozdagli, 2023. "Household Inflation Expectations and Consumer Spending: Evidence from Panel Data," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 105(4), pages 948-961, July.
    20. Gaétan De Rassenfosse & Paul H. Jensen & T'Mir Julius & Alfons Palangkaraya & Elizabeth Webster, 2023. "Is the Patent System an Even Playing Field? The Effect of Patent Attorney Firms," Journal of Industrial Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 71(1), pages 124-142, March.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:21:p:9367-:d:1776714. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.