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Mean and bold? On separating merger economies from structural efficiency gains in the drinking water sector

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  • K De Witte

    (University of Leuven (KU Leuven))

  • E Dijkgraaf

    (SEOR-ECRi, Erasmus School of Economics, Erasmus University Rotterdam)

Abstract

The Dutch drinking water sector experienced two drastic changes over the last 10 years. Firstly, the sector association started a voluntary benchmarking aimed to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the sector. Secondly, merger activity arose. This paper develops a nonparametric model to dissect and distinguish the effects on efficiency of these evolutions. Parametric corrected ordinarily least squares (Fourier) tests show the robustness of the model with respect to the specification and its variables. Although detecting an efficiency enhancing effect of benchmarking, we find insignificant merger economies due to the absence of scale economies and the absence of increased incentives to fight inefficiencies.

Suggested Citation

  • K De Witte & E Dijkgraaf, 2010. "Mean and bold? On separating merger economies from structural efficiency gains in the drinking water sector," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 61(2), pages 222-234, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:jorsoc:v:61:y:2010:i:2:d:10.1057_jors.2008.129
    DOI: 10.1057/jors.2008.129
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    3. Michael Zschille, 2015. "Consolidating the water industry: an analysis of the potential gains from horizontal integration in a conditional efficiency framework," Journal of Productivity Analysis, Springer, vol. 44(1), pages 97-114, August.
    4. Saastamoinen, Antti & Bjørndal, Endre & Bjørndal, Mette, 2017. "Specification of merger gains in the Norwegian electricity distribution industry," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 96-107.
    5. Clementina Bruno & Fabrizio Erbetta & Giovanni Fraquelli & Anna Giolitti, 2014. "The efficiency effects of merging Italian water companies," ECONOMIA E DIRITTO DEL TERZIARIO, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2014(3), pages 425-442.
    6. Michael Zschille, 2016. "Cost Structure and Economies of Scale in German Water Supply," Discussion Papers of DIW Berlin 1576, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research.
    7. Arocena, Pablo & Saal, David S. & Urakami, Takuya & Zschille, Michael, 2020. "Measuring and decomposing productivity change in the presence of mergers," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 282(1), pages 319-333.
    8. Ferro, Gustavo & Lentini, Emilio J. & Mercadier, Augusto C. & Romero, Carlos A., 2013. "Eficiencia en la prestación de agua y saneamiento y su vinculación con regiones, propiedad e independencia de los prestadores en Brasil [Efficiency in water and sanitation providers and its links w," MPRA Paper 48247, University Library of Munich, Germany.
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    12. Saastamoinen, Antti & Bjørndal, Endre & Bjørndal, Mette, 2016. "Specification of merger gains in the Norwegian electricity distribution industry," Discussion Papers 2016/7, Norwegian School of Economics, Department of Business and Management Science.
    13. Michael Zschille, 2012. "Consolidating the Water Industry: An Analysis of the Potential Gains from Horizontal Integration in a Conditional Efficiency Framework," Discussion Papers of DIW Berlin 1187, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research.
    14. Barbosa, Alexandro & Lima, Severino Cesário de & Brusca, Isabel, 2016. "Governance and efficiency in the Brazilian water utilities: A dynamic analysis in the process of universal access," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 43(PA), pages 82-96.
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