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Cost efficiency and optimal scale of electricity distribution firms in Taiwan: An application of metafrontier analysis

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  • Huang, Yi-Ju
  • Chen, Ku-Hsieh
  • Yang, Chih-Hai

Abstract

This paper analyzes the cost efficiency and optimal scale of Taiwan's electricity distribution industry. Due to the substantial difference in network density, firms may differ widely in production technology. We employ the stochastic metafrontier approach to estimate the cost efficiency of 24 distribution units during the period 1997-2002. Empirical results find that the average cost efficiency is overestimated using the traditional stochastic frontier model, especially for low density regions. The average cost efficiency of the high density group is significantly higher than that of the low density group as it benefits from network economies. This study also calculates both short-term and long-term optimal scales of electricity distribution firms, lending policy implications for the deregulation of the electricity distribution industry.

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  • Huang, Yi-Ju & Chen, Ku-Hsieh & Yang, Chih-Hai, 2010. "Cost efficiency and optimal scale of electricity distribution firms in Taiwan: An application of metafrontier analysis," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 32(1), pages 15-23, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:eneeco:v:32:y:2010:i:1:p:15-23
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    7. Oh, Dong-hyun, 2015. "Productivity growth, technical change and economies of scale of Korean fossil-fuel generation companies, 2001–2012: A dual approach," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 113-121.
    8. Zhang, Ning & Choi, Yongrok, 2013. "Total-factor carbon emission performance of fossil fuel power plants in China: A metafrontier non-radial Malmquist index analysis," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 549-559.
    9. Li, Hong-Zhou & Kopsakangas-Savolainen, Maria & Xiao, Xing-Zhi & Lau, Sim-Yee, 2017. "Have regulatory reforms improved the efficiency levels of the Japanese electricity distribution sector? A cost metafrontier-based analysis," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 606-616.
    10. Chung, Yeimin & Heshmati, Almas, 2013. "Measurement of Environmentally Sensitive Productivity Growth in Korean Industries," IZA Discussion Papers 7235, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    11. Otieno, David Jakinda & Hubbard, Lionel J. & Ruto, Eric, 2011. "Technical efficiency and technology gaps in beef cattle production systems in Kenya: A stochastic metafrontier analysis," 85th Annual Conference, April 18-20, 2011, Warwick University, Coventry, UK 108947, Agricultural Economics Society.
    12. Núñez, F. & Arcos-Vargas, A. & Villa, G., 2020. "Efficiency benchmarking and remuneration of Spanish electricity distribution companies," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    13. Chen, Zhongfei & Barros, Carlos Pestana & Borges, Maria Rosa, 2015. "A Bayesian stochastic frontier analysis of Chinese fossil-fuel electricity generation companies," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 136-144.
    14. Fu, Tsu-Tan & Juo, Jia-Ching & Chiang, Han-Chin & Yu, Ming-Miin & Huang, Mei-ying, 2016. "Risk-based decompositions of the meta profit efficiency of Taiwanese and Chinese banks," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 34-46.
    15. Chi‐Chuan Lee & Tai‐Hsin Huang, 2019. "What Causes The Efficiency And The Technology Gap Under Different Ownership Structures In The Chinese Banking Industry?," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 37(2), pages 332-348, April.
    16. Zarkovic, Maja, 2020. "Cap-and-trade and produce at least cost? Investigating firm behaviour in the EU ETS," Working papers 2020/12, Faculty of Business and Economics - University of Basel.
    17. Sombat Singkharat & Aree Wiboonpongse & Yaovarate Chaovanapoonphol, 2012. "Efficiency of improved peeled longan drying technology in Thailand: A metafrontier approach," The Empirical Econometrics and Quantitative Economics Letters, Faculty of Economics, Chiang Mai University, vol. 1(3), pages 19-32, September.
    18. Luqi Wang & Xiaolong Xue & Yue Shi & Zeyu Wang & Ankang Ji, 2018. "A Dynamic Analysis to Evaluate the Environmental Performance of Cities in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-16, March.
    19. Nwigwe, Cecilia & Okoruwa, Victor & Obi-Egbedi, Oghenerueme, 2015. "Efficiency differentials and technological gaps in beef cattle production systems in Nigeria," 2015 Conference, August 9-14, 2015, Milan, Italy 229377, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    20. Fang, Chuandi & Cheng, Jinhua & Zhu, Yongguang & Chen, Jiahao & Peng, Xinjie, 2021. "Green total factor productivity of extractive industries in China: An explanation from technology heterogeneity," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 70(C).
    21. Yung-Hsiang LU & Shun-Ching WANG & Chih-Hung YUAN, 2017. "Financial crisis and the relative productivity dynamics of the biotechnology industry: Evidence from the Asia-Pacific countries," Agricultural Economics, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 63(2), pages 65-79.
    22. Chiu, Yung-ho & Luo, Zhengying & Chen, Yu-Chuan & Wang, Zebin & Tsai, Min-Pei, 2013. "A comparison of operating performance management between Taiwan banks and foreign banks based on the Meta-Hybrid DEA model," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 33(C), pages 433-439.
    23. Hwang, Won-Sik & Lee, Jeong-Dong, 2013. "Profitability and productivity changes in the Korean electricity industry," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 531-542.

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