Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/10553/36065
Title: Specialisation, diversification, size and technical efficiency in ports: an empirical analysis using frontier techniques
Authors: Tovar, Beatriz 
Wall, Alan
UNESCO Clasification: 53 Ciencias económicas
531212 Transportes y comunicaciones
Keywords: Data envelopment analysis
Economies of scale and scope
Output distance frontier
Output specialisation
Ports, et al
Issue Date: 2017
Journal: European Journal Of Transport And Infrastructure Research 
Abstract: This paper explores the relationship between output specialisation, diversification, size and technical efficiency in ports. Using a sample of Spanish port authorities observed over the period 1993-2012, we calculate a normalised Herfindahl-Hirschman index of overall specialisation and indices of relative specialisation in the individual cargoes. An output distance frontier is estimated using non-parametric Data Envelopment Analysis techniques to calculate technical efficiency. These efficiency scores are then used to test that relationship with a bootstrapped truncated regression. We find that both overall and relative output specialisation have a positive influence on technical efficiency. Moreover, the positive effects of specialisation on technical efficiency is reinforced for larger ports, which are in a better position to take advantage of economies of scale and which can also attract different types of cargo (enjoying also economies of scope) and therefore protect themselves from adverse demand conditions. Our results underline the trade-off for smaller port authorities between efficiency gains from specialisation and their vulnerability to market conditions for their main output.
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10553/36065
ISSN: 1567-7133
DOI: 10.18757/ejtir.2017.17.2.3195
Source: European Journal Of Transport And Infrastructure Research[ISSN 1567-7133],v. 17 (2), p. 279-303
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