Ann Veiderpass

Productivity in Swedish Electricity Retail Distribution

This paper examines productivity growth in electricity retail distribution in Sweden in a multiple output-multiple input framework. The approach used is nonparametric data envelopment analysis. Productivity is measured by means of the Malmquist index. Productivity comparisons are made between different types of ownership and between different service areas. The study indicates a high rate of productivity growth, due to economies of density, when measured over a period of seventeen years. The results show no significant differences in productivity growth between different types of ownership or economic organization. Copyright 1992 by The editors of the Scandinavian Journal of Economics.

Efficiency and Ownership in Swedish Electricity Retail Distribution

This article examines the efficiency of electricity retail distributors in Sweden in a multiple output multiple input framework. Productive efficiency measures are calculated by use of different versions of the non-parametric Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) method. Comparisons are made between different types of ownership and between different types of service areas.

Evaluating the performance of higher education institutions in Europe: a nonparametric efficiency analysis of 944 institutions

ABSTRACT Although a long tradition exists of studying the economics of education, performance comparisons of different kinds have traditionally been difficult to undertake. An important impediment has been the lack of comparable data. To a large extent, this study remedies the shortcomings of earlier studies. Our contribution is twofold. First, the current higher education policy of contraction and economizing, common to most European countries, make knowledge of potential efficiency gains crucial. Second, a unique database allows us to study a broad diversity of organizations as well as organizations located in a number of different European countries. The study suggests evaluating higher education institution (HEI) performance in a production theory context, applying the well-known data envelopment analysis (DEA) method to a cross section of 944 HEIs in 17 European countries. The DEA approach is particularly suitable in this context where little is known about production technologies and economic behaviour of the HEIs. On average, provision of education is found to be most efficient in the Slovak Republic followed by Belgium and Latvia, while Denmark and Norway display the lowest efficiency. The study also indicates a positive relation between efficiency and HEI size and efficiency and research intensity. Furthermore, the study points to the importance of continued data collection.

Microeconomic Adjustment During Structural Reforms: The Nicaraguan Manufacturing Sector, 1991-1995

The main rationale for the implementation of structural reforms favoring free markets is that they, through increased competition, are likely to create incentives to improve the way firms operate i.e. firm efficiency. In this study we measure and analyze total factor productivity and technical efficiency in a large sample of Nicaraguan manufacturing firms. Our analysis indicates that whereas structural reforms may be necessary conditions for the development of developing economies, their expected positive effects on sources of growth such as total factor productivity and technical efficiency could be so slow that it may be necessary to develop sufficient conditions or policy instruments for spurring economic growth in the short run.

Electricity tariffs in Sweden - a comment

Abstract In a recent article in this journal, Anderson [1] critically examines the electricity tariffs in Sweden. The purpose of this comment is partly to clarify some issues treated by Andersson, with which we disagree, and partly to add some points neglected by Andersson.