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Measuring potential gains from specialization under non-convex technologies

Author

Listed:
  • Stéphane Blancard

    (ENESAD, UMR CESAER)

  • Jean-Philippe Boussemart

    (University of Lille 3, LEM-CNRS (UMR 8179), IESEG School of Management)

  • Hervé Leleu

    (LEM-CNRS (UMR 8179), IESEG School of Management)

Abstract

In this paper, the Free Coordination Hull (FCH) approach developed by Green and Cook (2004) is combined with the Free Disposal Hull (FDH) model to detect potential gains from specialization. As a non-convex approach that allows both directly observed and summed decision making units (DMUs) to define the production technology, FCH is the relevant model for analyzing optimal reapportionment of activity among smaller and more specialized units. Indeed the convexity assumption in more traditional Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) models precludes the possibility of detecting potential gains from specialization and can only reveal economies of scope. Therefore non-convex technologies are required to model diseconomies of scope. Based on FDH and FCH technologies, an overall efficiency measure is decomposed into three components, namely technical, size and specialization efficiencies. A database of French farms for the year 2003 is used for illustration. Results indicate that input inefficiency in the agricultural sector is driven mainly by lack of specialization, which represents about 50% of overall inefficiency.

Suggested Citation

  • Stéphane Blancard & Jean-Philippe Boussemart & Hervé Leleu, 2009. "Measuring potential gains from specialization under non-convex technologies," Working Papers 2009-ECO-02, IESEG School of Management.
    • Handle: RePEc:ies:wpaper:e200902
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    2. Chang, Juin-Jen & Lai, Ching-Chong & Liao, Chih-Hsing, 2017. "Welfare Cost of Inflation: The Role of Price Markups and Increasing Returns to Production Specialization," MPRA Paper 77753, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. Ning Zhu & Xiang Dai & Tomas Baležentis & Dalia Streimikiene & Zhiyang Shen, 2022. "Estimating production gains from international cooperation: Evidence from countries along the Belt and Road," Economic Change and Restructuring, Springer, vol. 55(2), pages 715-736, May.
    4. Blancard, Stéphane & Boussemart, Jean-Philippe & Chavas, Jean-Paul & Leleu, Hervé, 2016. "Potential gains from specialization and diversification further to the reorganization of activities," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 60-68.
    5. Kassoum Ayouba & Jean-Philippe Boussemart & Stéphane Vigeant, 2017. "The impact of single farm payments on technicalinefficiency of French crop farms," Review of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Studies, INRA Department of Economics, vol. 98(1-2), pages 1-23.
    6. Mark Müser & Harald Dyckhoff, 2017. "Quality splitting in waste incineration due to non-convex production possibilities," Journal of Business Economics, Springer, vol. 87(1), pages 73-96, January.
    7. Kwansoo Kim & Donghwan An, 2015. "Nonparametric Evaluation of Economies of Scope in the Context of Technical Efficiency: The Case of Rice and Vegetable Farms in Korea," Asian Economic Journal, East Asian Economic Association, vol. 29(3), pages 285-301, September.

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    Keywords

    specialization; free coordination hull; free disposal hull; agriculture;
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