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on Efficiency and Productivity |
| By: | Berg, Nikolas L.; Thayer, Anastasia W.; De Figueiredo Silva, Felipe; Vassalos, Michael; Smith, Nathaniel B. |
| Keywords: | Productivity Analysis, Production Economics, Farm Management |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaea24:343922 |
| By: | Amankwah, Akuffo |
| Abstract: | This paper uses two waves of nationally representative household-level panel data to examine the welfare effects of agricultural productivity in rural Tanzania. Four measures of productivity and ten indicators of welfare, including multidimensional welfare, are considered. Econometric procedures that take into account potential endogeneity resulting from omitted variables bias are employed. The results show welfare-enhancing effects of agricultural productivity, though the elasticities are marginal, requiring potentially large productivity growth for substantial welfare impact. The analysis of the linkage between productivity growth and welfare transition shows that households that experience growth in productivity are more likely to make welfare-enhancing transitions. Policies that allow for expanding households access to durable goods and agricultural capital, investment in irrigation and erosion control facilities, improving households access to agricultural extension services with the needed know-how, as well as ensuring favorable biophysical environment, are vital for sustained productivity growth. |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy, Food Security and Poverty, International Development |
| Date: | 2024–08–07 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae24:344252 |
| By: | Claeys, Peter; Gómez-Bengoechea, Gonzalo; Jung, Juan; Van Der Wielen, Wouter; Weiss, Christoph |
| Abstract: | This article analyzes if the Internet of Things (IoT) can contribute to increasing energy productivity across firms that adopt this technology. The empirical analysis is based on a sample of more than 8, 000 firms from various sectors across 26 European countries, surveyed by the European Investment Bank across the years 2022 and 2023. Methodologically, we combine two-way fixed-effects models (TWFE), differences-in-differences and matching methods. Our results indicate significant effects of IoT on energy productivity, although these effects seem to be concentrated among manufacturing/construction sectors and medium/big firms only. Our findings suggest that digital technologies such as IoT can potentially play a key role in energy transitions toward more sustainable economies. |
| Keywords: | Internet of Things, Digitization, Energy productivity, Energy efficiency |
| Date: | 2025 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:itse25:331263 |
| By: | Kristiaan Kerstens (LEM - Lille économie management - UMR 9221 - UA - Université d'Artois - UCL - Université catholique de Lille - Université de Lille - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique); Christopher O’donnell (UQ [All campuses : Brisbane, Dutton Park Gatton, Herston, St Lucia and other locations] - The University of Queensland); Ignace van de Woestyne (ORSTAT - Operations Research and Business Statistics - KU Leuven - Catholic University of Leuven = Katholieke Universiteit Leuven); Shirong Zhao (DUFES - Dongbei University of Finance and Economics, Dalian) |
| Abstract: | Metafrontier analysis is widely used to account for technological heterogeneity among producers. The approach involves combining a number of group-specific production possibilities sets to form a production possibilities metaset. Even though the union of the group sets normally results in a nonconvex metaset, most authors proceed as if this metaset is convex. Kerstens, O'Donnell and Van de Woestyne (2019) obtain new results on the union operator on sets under various assumptions and empirically illustrate that the popular convexification strategy is highly questionable. In this paper we transpose their results on the union operator from a production to a cost context: this is new. We then explore the extent to which convexity of the cost function is corroborated using a newly developed test. Furthermore, we check to which extent a convexification strategy is tenable when estimating a cost metafrontier. We use an original banking data set from China and the USA to illustrate the main issues. We establish that the cost function is not convex in the outputs for China and that the convexification strategy leads to potentially-biased estimates of the cost metafrontier and associated measures of efficiency. |
| Keywords: | Data envelopment analysis, Free disposal hull, Metafrontier, Cost function |
| Date: | 2026 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05369048 |
| By: | Giovanni Cesaroni (Universitas Mercatorum); Kristiaan Kerstens (LEM - Lille économie management - UMR 9221 - UA - Université d'Artois - UCL - Université catholique de Lille - Université de Lille - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique); Jafar Sadeghi (RMCC - Royal Military College of Canada - Royal Military College of Canada); Ignace van de Woestyne (ORSTAT - Operations Research and Business Statistics - KU Leuven - Catholic University of Leuven = Katholieke Universiteit Leuven) |
| Abstract: | Establishing a link between the so-called ‘neoclassical' and ‘axiomatic' approaches to production theory, we deal with some central and unresolved issues concerning scale economies in multi-output technologies. First, we extend Panzar and Willig's (1977) results on the duality between primal and dual scale elasticity measures, which helps pointing out the unknown role played in this regard by the monotonicity of the local degree of homogeneity of the technology. Second, under a general representation of a convex technology – allowing for non-differentiability of the cost function and multiple optima – we determine the shape of the ray average cost function. Third, in the same setting, we determine an unambiguous relationship between cost scale elasticity and cost scale efficiency, and therefore between local and global scale economies. Fourth, we develop a complete map of values taken by primal and dual scale elasticities and point out that the equality between returns to scale and scale economies local measures breaks down in a convex technology at points where the cost function is not differentiable. This highlights the importance of considering non-differentiability when analysing scale economies in production technologies. |
| Keywords: | ray average cost, scale economies, returns to scale, Data envelopment analysis |
| Date: | 2025 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05369076 |
| By: | Masahiko Shibamoto (Research Institute for Economics and Business Administration and Center for Computational Social Science, Kobe University, JAPAN) |
| Abstract: | This study provides an empirical assessment of business cycle dynamics using a structuralvector autoregressive (VAR) model that measures cyclical output and identifies business cycle shocks as the main drivers. Using the same data and reduced-form VAR setup as Angeletos et al. (2020, American Economic Review), we estimate the dynamic effects of this shock on the U.S. economy. The cyclical output indicated by the model closely tracked the standard measure of the output gap. The identified business cycle shock has long-lasting effects on both demand- and supply-side factors, permanently influencing output and affecting labor productivity and total factor productivity. These findings contradict the prevailing notion that business cycles are short-term phenomena and suggest that the forces driving them contribute to medium-term dynamics. This implies a pivotal connection between short-term stabilization and long-term growth. |
| Keywords: | Business-cycle shocks; Structural vector autoregressive model; Finite-horizon identification; Cyclical output; Medium-term dynamics |
| JEL: | C32 E32 |
| Date: | 2025–11 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:kob:dpaper:dp2025-30 |
| By: | Alvertos, Konstantinos; Ioannou, Nikos; Kokkinis, Dimitris; Katsianis, Dimitris; Varoutas, Dimitris |
| Abstract: | The use of Generative AI (GenAI) in recent years has significantly reshaped workflows across multiple industries, enhancing productivity and competitiveness. Enterprises commonly face the strategic decision to either build proprietary GenAI solutions or buy these services from established vendors. This paper proposes a techno-economic quantitative decision-making framework designed to clarify the "build vs buy" dilemma by quantifying the value derived from GenAI implementations, based on the employee productivity increase. We introduce a model that evaluates the break-even point, the specific number of employees whose cumulative productivity gains justify transitioning from purchasing external GenAI services to building in-house solutions. Our analysis indicates that this threshold varies distinctly by departmental functions and organizational size. Ultimately, this research aims to equip enterprises with actionable insights to inform strategic decisions about GenAI investments. |
| Keywords: | Artificial Intelligence, automation, productivity, technology adoption, investment, strategy |
| Date: | 2025 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:itse25:331248 |
| By: | Huy Le Vu (Development and Policies Research Center (DEPOCEN)); Tuong-Vy Phan (Development and Policies Research Center (DEPOCEN)) |
| Abstract: | Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria have become increasingly important to the strategic development of enterprises, yet evidence on their tangible impacts—particularly in emerging economies—remains limited. This study examines the causal effects of ESG implementation among Vietnam’s top 20 ESG-leading firms between 2016 and 2022 and investigates whether these ``superstar†firms generate spillover effects on nearby businesses. Using firm-level data from the Vietnam Enterprise Survey and applying propensity score matching (PSM), we find that ESG adoption significantly improves productivity, technical efficiency, and revenue among leading firms. Moreover, positive spillovers extend to geographically proximate firms across sectors, contributing to higher household incomes at the district level. However, these socioeconomic gains come with an unintended consequence: districts benefiting from ESG spillovers also experience a substantial rise in CO2 emissions. This highlights a central trade-off—ESG-driven growth may stimulate economic improvements while simultaneously intensifying environmental pressures. Our findings suggest that ESG adoption matters, but its broader impacts depend critically on whether complementary environmental policies are in place to prevent economic benefits from being offset by increased ecological costs. |
| Keywords: | ESG, PSM, firm performance, growth-environment trade-off Braam Geert J.M. , Uit de Weerd Lisanne , Hauck Mara , Huijbregts Mark A.J. . 2016 . Determinants of corporate environmental reporting: the importance of environmental performance and assurance . Journal of Cleaner Production 129 : 724 - 734 . Camilleri Mark Anthony . 2015 . Environmental, social and governance disclosures in Europe . Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal 6 : 224 - 242 . Fontana Stefano , D'Amico Eugenio , Coluccia Daniela , Solimene Silvia . 2015 . Does environmental performance affect companies' environmental disclosure? . Measuring Business Excellence 19 : 42 - 57 . Giannarakis Grigoris , Konteos George , Sariannidis Nikolaos . 2014 . Financial, governance and environmental determinants of corporate social responsible disclosure . Management Decision 52 : 1928 - 1951 . Wirth Herbert , Kulczycka Joanna , Hausner Jerzy , KoÅ„ski Maciej . 2016 . Corporate Social Responsibility: Communication about social and environmental disclosure by large and small copper mining companies . Resources Policy 49 : 53 - 60 . Hoang Trang Cam , Abeysekera Indra , Ma Shiguang . 2016 . Board Diversity and Corporate Social Disclosure: Evidence from Vietnam . Journal of Business Ethics 151 : 833 - 852 . Cho Charles H , Michelon Giovanna , Patten Dennis M , Roberts Robin W . 2015 . CSR disclosure: the more things change…? . Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal 28 : 14 - 35 . Achim Monica-Violeta , Borlea Sorin Nicolae . 2015 . Developing of ESG Score to Assess the Non-financial Performances in Romanian Companies . Procedia Economics and Finance 32 : 1209 - 1224 . Auer Benjamin R. , Schuhmacher Frank . 2016 . Do socially (ir)responsible investments pay? New evidence from international ESG data . The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance 59 : 51 - 62 . Sassen Remmer , Hinze Anne-Kathrin , Hardeck Inga . 2016 . Impact of ESG factors on firm risk in Europe . Journal of Business Economics 86 : 867 - 904 . Rose Caspar . 2016 . Firm performance and comply or explain disclosure in corporate governance . European Management Journal 34 : 202 - 222 . Garcia Alexandre Sanches , Mendes-Da-Silva Wesley , Orsato Renato J. . 2017 . Sensitive industries produce better ESG performance: Evidence from emerging markets . Journal of Cleaner Production 150 : 135 - 147 . Chelawat Hemlata , Trivedi Indra Vardhan . 2016 . The business value of ESG performance: the Indian context . Asian Journal of Business Ethics 5 : 195 - 210 . van Duuren Emiel , Plantinga Auke , Scholtens Bert . 2015 . ESG Integration and the Investment Management Process: Fundamental Investing Reinvented . Journal of Business Ethics 138 : 525 - 533 . Al-Tuwaijri Sulaiman A , Christensen Theodore E , Hughes Ii KE . 2004 . The relations among environmental disclosure, environmental performance, and economic performance: a simultaneous equations approach . Accounting, organizations and society 29 : 447 - 471 . Bouslah Kais , Kryzanowski Lawrence , M'Zali Bouchra . 2016 . Social Performance and Firm Risk: Impact of the Financial Crisis . Journal of Business Ethics 149 : 643 - 669 . Fatemi Ali , Glaum Martin , Kaiser Stefanie . 2018 . ESG performance and firm value: The moderating role of disclosure . Global Finance Journal 38 : 45 - 64 . Capelle-Blancard Gunther , Petit Aurélien . 2019 . Every Little Helps? ESG News and Stock Market Reaction . Journal of Business Ethics 157 : 543 - 565 . Crifo Patricia , Diaye Marc-Arthur , Oueghlissi Rim . 2017 . The effect of countries' ESG ratings on their sovereign borrowing costs . The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance 66 : 13 - 20 . Lee Dongyoung . 2015 . Corporate Social Responsibility and Management Forecast Accuracy . Journal of Business Ethics 140 : 353 - 367 . Azmi Wajahat , Hassan M. Kabir , Houston Reza , Karim Mohammad Sydul . 2021 . ESG activities and banking performance: International evidence from emerging economies . Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money 70 : 101277 . Bui Hang Thi Thu . 2021 . The relationship between corporate social responsibility and corporate financial performance: an empirical study of commercial banks in Vietnam . The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business 8 : 373 - 383 . Tran Quoc Thinh , Vo Thi Diu , Le Xuan Thuy . 2021 . Relationship between profitability and corporate social responsibility disclosure: Evidence from Vietnamese listed banks . The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business 8 : 875 - 883 . Nguyen Thu , Phi Tuong , Dong Chung , Hoang Hong Minh , Nguyen Hien , Nguyen Minh Tri . 2023 . Assessing Vietnam's Progress towards Sustainable Development Goals: A Comprehensive Review . KIEP Research Paper : 23 - 02 . PWC . 2025 . Beyond compliance: The ESG Reinvention for Business in Vietnam . PWC . Friedlingstein Pierre , O'sullivan Michael , Jones Matthew W , Andrew Robbie M , Hauck Judith , Landschützer Peter , Le Quéré Corinne , Li Hongmei , Luijkx Ingrid T , Olsen Are , others . 2024 . Global carbon budget 2024 . Earth System Science Data Discussions 2024 : 1 - 133 . |
| JEL: | Q56 L25 |
| Date: | 2025 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:dpc:wpaper:wp194 |
| By: | Kristiaan Kerstens (LEM - Lille économie management - UMR 9221 - UA - Université d'Artois - UCL - Université catholique de Lille - Université de Lille - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique); Bart Roets; Ignace van de Woestyne (ORSTAT - Operations Research and Business Statistics - KU Leuven - Catholic University of Leuven = Katholieke Universiteit Leuven); Shirong Zhao (DUFES - Dongbei University of Finance and Economics, Dalian) |
| Abstract: | This work investigates to which extent the known substantial differences between technical efficiencies on convex and nonconvex technologies translate into different learning possibilities. We also study whether radial and nonradial efficiency measures lead to a different learning experience. To our knowledge, these questions have never been investigated. Our empirical research is guided by three working hypotheses regarding how the analysis of peers facilitates learning by comparing on the one hand convex versus nonconvex technologies, and on the other hand radial versus nonradial efficiency measures. These working hypotheses are investigated using three distinct metrics: peer count, peer similarity, and peer dominance. We employ five existing secondary data sets and one large sample of more than 10, 000 observations on Belgian traffic control centres in an effort to refute our three working hypotheses using these three metrics. Anticipating our conclusion, the combination of the logical, the statistical, and the managerial arguments against convexity is rather overwhelming in our data and we think that convexity is an axiom that should be scrutinized in all these three respects in all future methodological innovations as well as in empirical applications. |
| Keywords: | Data Envelopment Analysis, Free Disposal Hull, Peer analysis, Technology, Learning |
| Date: | 2025 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05369224 |
| By: | Meneses, Michael A.; Casteel, Clare; Gomez, Miguel I.; Just, David R.; Kanbur, Ravi; Lee, David R.; Lin Lawell, C. Y. Cynthia |
| Keywords: | Productivity Analysis, Resource/Energy Economics and Policy, Farm Management |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaea24:343606 |
| By: | Bhandari, Thaneshwar; Gauchan, Devendra; Gurung, Tek Bahadur; Thapa, Yam Bahadur; Panta, Hari Krishna; Pathak, Santosh |
| Keywords: | Agribusiness, International Relations/Trade, Marketing |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaea24:343826 |
| By: | Manuel Menkhoff |
| Abstract: | Using a large German firm survey, I randomize information on documented AI productivity gains and industry adoption rates and track firms over time. Beliefs about AI’s productivity potential rise significantly after the treatments across the prior distribution without reducing uncertainty. These treatment-induced belief shifts map into behavior: in firms where the respondent has high decision authority, AI adoption is more likely one year later. Information about competitor adoption has direct effects on actions: incumbent adopters cut prices, while not-yet adopters revise business expectations upward. Together, the results highlight the role of expectations, strategic considerations, and informational frictions in shaping technology diffusion and its macroeconomic impact. |
| Keywords: | artificial intelligence, technological change, technology adoption, firm expectations, RCT, belief updating, price-setting |
| JEL: | D22 D84 E22 E31 O33 |
| Date: | 2025 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ces:ceswps:_12291 |
| By: | James Bono |
| Abstract: | Security operations centers (SOCs) face a persistent challenge: efficiently triaging a high volume of user-reported phishing emails while maintaining robust protection against threats. This paper presents the first randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluating the impact of a domain-specific AI agent - the Microsoft Security Copilot Phishing Triage Agent - on analyst productivity and accuracy. Our results demonstrate that agent-augmented analysts achieved up to 6.5 times as many true positives per analyst minute and a 77% improvement in verdict accuracy compared to a control group. The agent's queue prioritization and verdict explanations were both significant drivers of efficiency. Behavioral analysis revealed that agent-augmented analysts reallocated their attention, spending 53% more time on malicious emails, and were not prone to rubber-stamping the agent's malicious verdicts. These findings offer actionable insights for SOC leaders considering AI adoption, including the potential for agents to fundamentally change the optimal allocation of SOC resources. |
| Date: | 2025–11 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2511.13860 |
| By: | Babo Amadou Ba (UAM - Université Amadou Mahtar Mbow) |
| Abstract: | Cet article analyse les déterminants de la profitabilité des banques dans la zone UEMOA, en comparant l'impact du Produit Net Bancaire (PNB) et du Résultat Net (RN). Utilisant un modèle dynamique en données de panel (méthode GMM système) sur 133 banques observées entre 2010 et 2020, l'étude révèle que le PNB (coefficient 0, 357) influence davantage la rentabilité que le RN (0, 279). Les variables micro-bancaires (crédits, dépôts) et macroéconomiques (croissance du PIB) ont un effet positif significatif, tandis que l'inflation et les charges d'exploitation affectent négativement la performance. Les résultats valident des théories comme la structure du marché et la théorie de l'agence, soulignant l'importance d'un équilibre entre concurrence et efficacité opérationnelle. Les implications managériales incluent l'optimisation des coûts, la gestion proactive des risques de crédit et le renforcement des produits générateurs de commissions. L'étude offre des pistes pour améliorer la stabilité financière et la résilience du secteur bancaire ouest-africain face aux chocs économiques. |
| Keywords: | Résultat net, Rentabilité Produit net bancaire Résultat net GMM profitabilité Profitability Net banking income Net result GMM profitability, Rentabilité, profitability, Net result, Net banking income, profitabilité Profitability, GMM, Produit net bancaire, profitabilité. |
| Date: | 2025 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05314750 |
| By: | Diego R. Känzig; Charles T. Williamson |
| Abstract: | We explore the increasing divergence between economic growth and energy consumption through energy-saving technical progress. Proposing a new measure of energy-saving technology, we study the underlying drivers in a semi-structural model of the U.S. economy. Our analysis shows that energy price shocks reduce consumption and stimulate energy-saving innovation, but also cause economic downturns and crowd out other innovations. Only energy-saving technology shocks can explain the negative co-movement between output and energy use. These sudden efficiency gains emerge as the primary driver of energy-saving technical change. Our findings highlight the importance of fostering energy-saving innovations in transitioning to a low-carbon economy. |
| JEL: | E0 O30 Q32 Q43 Q55 |
| Date: | 2025–11 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:34511 |
| By: | Nalley, Lawton Lanier; Tack, Jesse; Durand-Morat, Alvaro; Pede, Valerien O.; Dikitanan, Rowell C. |
| Keywords: | Food Security and Poverty, International Development, Productivity Analysis |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaea24:343588 |