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Public sector efficiency: leveling the playing field between OECD countries

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  • Antonis Adam
  • Manthos Delis
  • Pantelis Kammas

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Abstract

In this paper we seek a robust methodology to measure the relative public spending efficiency of 19 OECD countries over the period 1980-2000. Based on the functional classification of government expenditure, we decompose total public spending into its separate accounts and we employ a semi-parametric method to obtain relative efficiency scores (for the separate accounts as well as for aggregate public spending). The econometric method isolates the impact of government inefficiency from the inefficiency arising from the socioeconomic environment or luck, thus leveling the playing field between the examined countries. The results suggest that the quality of governance is more important than the socioeconomic environment or luck. Finally, we propose a technique to measure the allocative efficiency of public spending, in an effort to proxy the optimal allocation of public funds when the governments set specific targets.
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Suggested Citation

  • Antonis Adam & Manthos Delis & Pantelis Kammas, 2011. "Public sector efficiency: leveling the playing field between OECD countries," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 146(1), pages 163-183, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:pubcho:v:146:y:2011:i:1:p:163-183
    DOI: 10.1007/s11127-009-9588-7
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    2. António Afonso & Ludger Schuknecht, 2019. "How “big” should government be?," EconPol Working Paper 23, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich.
    3. James Alm & Denvil Duncan, 2014. "Estimating Tax Agency Efficiency," Public Budgeting & Finance, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 34(3), pages 92-110, September.
    4. Stephanie Meinhard & Niklas Potrafke, 2012. "The Globalization–Welfare State Nexus Reconsidered," Review of International Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 20(2), pages 271-287, May.
    5. Aristovnik, Aleksander & Obadić, Alka, 2014. "Measuring relative efficiency of secondary education in selected EU and OECD countries: the case of Slovenia and Croatia," MPRA Paper 63936, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    6. repec:bla:pacecr:v:22:y:2017:i:4:p:620-648 is not listed on IDEAS
    7. Maria Alessandra Antonelli & Valeria De Bonis, 2018. "Efficient social policies with higher expenditure: an analysis for European countries," Public Finance Research Papers 35, Istituto di Economia e Finanza, DIGEF, Sapienza University of Rome.
    8. Antonis Adam & Manthos Delis & Pantelis Kammas, 2014. "Fiscal decentralization and public sector efficiency: evidence from OECD countries," Economics of Governance, Springer, vol. 15(1), pages 17-49, February.
    9. Dobdinga C. Fonchamnyo & Molem C. Sama, 2016. "Determinants of public spending efficiency in education and health: evidence from selected CEMAC countries," Journal of Economics and Finance, Springer;Academy of Economics and Finance, vol. 40(1), pages 199-210, January.
    10. repec:lrk:eeaart:35_3_11 is not listed on IDEAS
    11. Dobdinga Fonchamnyo & Molem Sama, 2016. "Determinants of public spending efficiency in education and health: evidence from selected CEMAC countries," Journal of Economics and Finance, Springer;Academy of Economics and Finance, vol. 40(1), pages 199-210, January.
    12. Sok-Gee Chan Mohd & Zaini Abd Karim, 2012. "Public Spending Efficiency And Political And Economic Factors: Evidence From Selected East Asian Countries," Economic Annals, Faculty of Economics, University of Belgrade, vol. 57(193), pages 7-24, April- Ju.
    13. Ahec Šonje, Amina & Deskar-Škrbić, Milan & Šonje, Velimir, 2018. "Efficiency of public expenditure on education: comparing Croatia with other NMS," MPRA Paper 85152, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 10 Feb 2018.
    14. Gijs Roelofs & Daniel Vuuren, 2017. "The Decentralization of Social Assistance and the Rise of Disability Insurance Enrolment," De Economist, Springer, vol. 165(1), pages 1-21, March.
    15. repec:bla:ijhplm:v:31:y:2016:i:4:p:537-553 is not listed on IDEAS
    16. António Afonso & João Tovar Jalles & Ana Venâncio, 2019. "Taxation and Public Spending Efficiency: An International Comparison," EconPol Working Paper 25, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich.
    17. repec:zbw:ifweej:201735 is not listed on IDEAS
    18. Silvia Giacomelli & Marco Tonello, 2015. "Measuring the performance of local governments: evidence from mystery calls," Questioni di Economia e Finanza (Occasional Papers) 292, Bank of Italy, Economic Research and International Relations Area.
    19. Onrubia-Fernández, Jorge & Fuentes, Antonio Jesús, 2017. "How costly are public sector inefficiencies? A theoretical framework for rationalising fiscal consolidations," Economics - The Open-Access, Open-Assessment E-Journal, Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW), vol. 11, pages 1-19.
    20. Polcyn, Jan, 2017. "Edukacja jako dobro publiczne - próba kwantyfikacji
      [Education as a public good – an attempt at quantification]      ," MPRA Paper 76606, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 2017.
    21. repec:rnp:ecopol:ep1757 is not listed on IDEAS
    22. repec:rse:wpaper:v:16:y:2018:i:2:p:5-12 is not listed on IDEAS
    23. Hans Pitlik, 2017. "Österreich 2025 – Verwaltungsreform zwischen Effizienzstreben und Reformwiderständen. Ein Überblick," WIFO Monatsberichte (monthly reports), WIFO, vol. 90(3), pages 205-217, March.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Public sector efficiency; Stochastic DEA; Political determinants of efficiency; C14; H11; H50;

    JEL classification:

    • H50 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - General
    • H11 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - Structure and Scope of Government
    • C14 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Semiparametric and Nonparametric Methods: General

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