Handbook On Efficiency And Productivity Analysis: Extending The Frontiers

This handbook presents key advancements in the methodologies, practices, and applications of efficiency and productivity analysis. Through a combination of in-depth case studies and industry examples, readers will gain a deep understanding of how these advancements can be effectively implemented in various organisational settings. Frontier analysis (FA) is a quantitative approach to evaluating the relative efficiency and productivity of decision-making units (DMUs) within a specific industry or sector. By identifying the “best-practice frontier” — the best achievable performance level given the available resources and technology of those DMUs — FA examines the deviations between observed performance and the frontier, thereby providing valuable insights into areas of inefficiency and opportunities for improvement. Recent advancements in both parametric (e.g., stochastic frontier analysis) and non-parametric (e.g., data envelopment analysis) approaches, in combination with techniques such as artificial intelligence, big data, and machine learning, are extending the frontiers of FA and pushing the boundaries of efficiency and productivity analysis. Whether it involves analysing supply chain operations, evaluating service delivery, or optimising manufacturing processes, the Handbook on Efficiency and Productivity Analysis: Extending the Frontiers will provide you with actionable guidance for driving tangible improvements in efficiency and productivity. Researchers, lecturers, and students of general production economics — particularly in the fields of management and operations research — are the primary targets of this title, but all stakeholders in relevant industries such as business management and policymaking will find this an indispensable resource.