Title: Estimating productivity growth of Spanish ports using a non-radial, non-oriented Malmquist index

Authors: Sebastian Lozano

Addresses: Escuela Superior de Ingenieros, Dept. of Industrial Management, University of Seville, Camino de los Descubrimientos, s/n, 41092 Seville, Spain

Abstract: Total factor productivity is commonly measured through the Malmquist productivity index (MPI). The original MPI is computed either with input or output orientation and using a radial efficiency measure. Several non-radial MPI and non-oriented variants have also been proposed. In this paper we use a non-radial, non-oriented MPI to estimate productivity growth of Spanish Ports. This has the advantage of taking into account efficiency improvements in all input and output dimensions. Technical efficiency change, technological change and scale efficiency changes are also derived following Ray and Desli (1997) decomposition. Computed productivity growth estimations are compared with the conventional radial, output oriented MPI as with the proportional distance-based Malmquist Luenberger productivity indicator.

Keywords: ports; productivity change; Malmquist productivity index; MPI; non-radial MPI; non-oriented MPI; data envelopment analysis; DEA; Spanish seaports; Spain; total factor productivity; technical efficiency; technological change; scale efficiency; Luenberger productivity indicator.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSTL.2009.027532

International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics, 2009 Vol.1 No.3, pp.227 - 248

Published online: 31 Jul 2009 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article