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Measuring the Efficiency of Public and Private Delivery Forms: An Application to the Waste Collection Service Using Order-M Data Panel Frontier Analysis

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  • Cristina M. Campos-Alba

    (Accounting and Finance Department, Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales, Campus de Cartuja s/n, University of Granada, BOX 18071 Granada, Spain)

  • Emilio J. De la Higuera-Molina

    (Accounting and Finance Department, Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales, Campus de Cartuja s/n, University of Granada, BOX 18071 Granada, Spain)

  • Gemma Pérez-López

    (Accounting and Finance Department, Facultad de Ciencias Sociales y Jurídicas, University of Granada, C/Santander, 1 BOX 52005 Melilla, Spain)

  • José L. Zafra-Gómez

    (Accounting and Finance Department, Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales, Campus de Cartuja s/n, University of Granada, BOX 18071 Granada, Spain)

Abstract

Many studies have been undertaken to determine whether waste collection services are provided more efficiently by private or by public management. To date, however, the findings reported are inconclusive, partly due to the need to evaluate this question over a broad time horizon. In this paper, the question is examined taking into account an extended study period (2002–2014) and applying an order-m data panel method that provides more robust findings than those reported in previous research. The results show that, in general, public-sector provision of the waste collection service is more efficient than private alternatives.

Suggested Citation

  • Cristina M. Campos-Alba & Emilio J. De la Higuera-Molina & Gemma Pérez-López & José L. Zafra-Gómez, 2019. "Measuring the Efficiency of Public and Private Delivery Forms: An Application to the Waste Collection Service Using Order-M Data Panel Frontier Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-15, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:7:p:2056-:d:220599
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    2. An Zhou & Shenhan Wu & Zhujie Chu & Wei-Chiao Huang, 2019. "Regional Differences in Municipal Solid Waste Collection Quantities in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(15), pages 1-12, July.
    3. Salazar-Adams, Alejandro & Ramirez-Figueroa, Cecilia, 2024. "Organization, capital, and human resource factors influencing waste collection efficiency in Mexico," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    4. Romano, Giulia & Molinos-Senante, María & Carosi, Laura & Llanquileo-Melgarejo, Paula & Sala-Garrido, Ramón & Mocholi-Arce, Manuel, 2021. "Assessing the dynamic eco-efficiency of Italian municipalities by accounting for the ownership of the entrusted waste utilities," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 73(C).
    5. Tafuro, Alessandra & Dammacco, Giuseppe & Esposito, Paolo & Mastroleo, Giovanni, 2022. "Rethinking performance measurement models using a fuzzy logic system approach: a performative exploration on ownership in waste management," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    6. Martina Novotná & Ivana Faltová Leitmanová & Jiří Alina & Tomáš Volek, 2020. "Capital Intensity and Labour Productivity in Waste Companies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-15, December.

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