Title: Total factor productivity efficiency changes in a Malaysian hotel chain

Authors: Mohhidin Othman, Lee Yen Foo, Muhammad Shahrim Abdul Karim, Yuhanis Abdul Aziz

Addresses: Department of Food Service and Management, Faculty of Food Science and Technology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia. ' Department of Food Service and Management, Faculty of Food Science and Technology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia. ' Department of Food Service and Management, Faculty of Food Science and Technology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia. ' Department of Hospitality and Recreation, Faculty of Economics and Management, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

Abstract: This paper investigates the changes in total factor productivity (TFP) of a Malaysian hotel chain during the period of 2002–2008. TFP change is measured by Malmquist index, using data envelopment analysis (DEA) approach. The data were collected from eight hotels under the chain. Overall, the results revealed that the TFP of the hotel chain has slightly increased by 0.8% over the time period. Within the chain, four of the hotels experienced positive TFP change while the others experienced TFP decline. The hotels were segregated into quadrant of efficiency which give a two dimensional view of the hotel efficiency. Technological change is found to be more important factor of TFP growth as compared to technical efficiency change. As such, it is recommended that hotels which experienced negative growths of technological change improve their efficiency through investment in new technology or upgrading the necessary skills.

Keywords: Malmquist DEA; data envelopment analysis; TFP; total factor productivity; Malmquist productivity index; Malaysia; hotel chains; technological change; technical efficiency change; negative growth; new technology; investment; skills; revenue management; hospitality management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJRM.2010.035960

International Journal of Revenue Management, 2010 Vol.4 No.3/4, pp.327 - 343

Published online: 11 Oct 2010 *

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