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Determinants of Efficiency in Least Developed Countries: Further Evidence from Nepalese Manufacturing Firms

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  • Edward Oczkowski
  • Kishor Sharma

Abstract

Using a translog stochastic production frontier and maximum likelihood econometric methods, we estimate and model the determinants of firm level efficiency in the Nepalese context. Our results are broadly in line with theoretical expectations. We find that large firms are more efficient and that a higher capital intensity leads to inefficiency. There is no statistical evidence to suggest that foreign participation leads to efficiency improvements. Also, we do not observe any link between export intensity and efficiency improvement. We find that higher protection leads to inefficiency. Overall, our results suggest that an outward looking industrial strategy, which relies on less intervention and permits the development of large-scale industries, is conducive to efficiency improvement in least developed countries (LDCs) like Nepal.

Suggested Citation

  • Edward Oczkowski & Kishor Sharma, 2005. "Determinants of Efficiency in Least Developed Countries: Further Evidence from Nepalese Manufacturing Firms," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 41(4), pages 617-630.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jdevst:v:41:y:2005:i:4:p:617-630
    DOI: 10.1080/00220380500092721
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Chia-Lin Chang & Stéphane Robin, 2012. "Knowledge sourcing and firm performance in an industrializing economy: the case of Taiwan (1992–2003)," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 42(3), pages 947-986, June.
    2. Mari Maté-Sánchez-Val & Antonia Madrid-Guijarro, 2011. "A spatial efficiency index proposal: an empirical application to SMEs productivity," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 47(2), pages 353-371, October.
    3. Santosh Kumar Sahu, 2014. "Energy Use Patterns and Firm Performance: Evidence from Indian Industries," Working Papers 2014-092, Madras School of Economics,Chennai,India.
    4. Kishor Sharma & Pemasiri J. Gunawardana, 2012. "The role of price and nonprice factors in predicting Australia's trade performance," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 44(21), pages 2679-2686, July.
    5. Miao Wang & M. C. Sunny Wong, 2016. "Effects of Foreign Direct Investment on Firm-level Technical Efficiency: Stochastic Frontier Model Evidence from Chinese Manufacturing Firms," Atlantic Economic Journal, Springer;International Atlantic Economic Society, vol. 44(3), pages 335-361, September.
    6. Santosh Kumar, Sahu & K., Narayanan, 2011. "Energy Intensity and Firm Performance: Do Energy Clusters Matter?," MPRA Paper 43457, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    7. Sharma, Kishor, 2006. "The political economy of civil war in Nepal," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 34(7), pages 1237-1253, July.
    8. Varun Mahajan & D. K. Nauriyal & S. P. Singh, 2018. "Efficiency and Its Determinants: Panel Data Evidence from the Indian Pharmaceutical Industry," Margin: The Journal of Applied Economic Research, National Council of Applied Economic Research, vol. 12(1), pages 19-40, February.
    9. Ernest Ngeh Tingum & Moses A. Ofeh, 2017. "Technical Efficiency of Manufacturing Firms in Cameroon: Sources and Determinants," International Journal of Financial Research, International Journal of Financial Research, Sciedu Press, vol. 8(3), pages 172-186, July.
    10. David T. Yi, 2010. "Determinants of fundraising efficiency of nonprofit organizations: evidence from US public charitable organizations," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 31(7), pages 465-475.
    11. Hasan A. Faruq & Margaret L. Weidner, 2018. "Culture, Institutions, and Firm Performance," Eastern Economic Journal, Palgrave Macmillan;Eastern Economic Association, vol. 44(4), pages 519-534, September.

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