Title: Estimating efficiency and productivity change in European retail sector (1998–2006)

Authors: Justo de Jorge Moreno

Addresses: Departamento de Ciencias Empresariales, Universidad de Alcalá, Plaza de la Victoria s/n, Alcalá de Henares 28804, Madrid, Spain

Abstract: In this paper, we use recent robust non-parametric techniques in the European retail sector. By means of a database of firms in the European retail sector (four-digit NACE 5211) in five European countries over the period 1998–2006, we apply data envelopment analysis and compare the analysis with robust measures of efficiency (order-m estimation). Our findings reveal important differences in the results achieved by both methodologies for average mean efficiency. In addition, we analyse productivity growth using bootstrapping Malmquist indices. This methodology allows for a more careful analysis of what happens at firm level. Differences in conclusions between the original estimates and the bootstrap results are more evident when we scrutinise the sample firms and individual levels.

Keywords: efficiency measures; Malmquist DEA; data envelopment analysis; Europe; retail sector; retailing; retailers; non-parametric techniques; NACE; statistical classification; economic activities; European Community; order-m estimation; average mean efficiency; productivity growth; bootstrapping indices; Sten Malmquist; productivity index; original estimates; bootstrap results; Belgium; Spain; France; Italy; Sweden; economics; business research.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEBR.2012.047420

International Journal of Economics and Business Research, 2012 Vol.4 No.4, pp.412 - 436

Published online: 25 Nov 2014 *

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