This paper examined the technical efficiency of livestock in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, to improve the understanding of the performance of livestock production of rural households in the communal rangelands. Surveys from 120 households were used to estimate a stochastic frontier model to assess livestock production's technical efficiency (TE) amongst households in a communal production environment where rangelands are the primary source of fodder. The estimated coefficients of the stochastic frontier model indicated that livestock units (LSU) and costs of additional feed supplements positively influenced livestock output per household. Management practices such as livestock kraaling and livestock herding influenced TE positively. An average technical efficiency score of 0.79 was estimated among households, suggesting that an improvement in efficiency could be achieved if proper interventions were employed. These interventions may include programmes such as the Extended Public Work Programmes to provide livestock herding support, gender-sensitive strategies that support the inclusion of women in livestock production, and other labour inputs related to animal husbandry. Lastly, this study provided essential information in understanding livestock production and informed policy about possible interventions that could potentially improve livestock production in rangelands.

Abstract Corn is a crop that is widely distributed in the different regions of Brazil and plays an important role in human and animal nutrition. Although there have been productive advances in recent years, it is essential to maintain this trend to guarantee food security, especially in the face of population growth, income, and the use of biofuels, which demand raw materials from food crops. In this context, this paper analyzes the evolution of Total Factor Productivity (TFP) in Brazilian corn farming from 1995 to 2017, decomposing TFP growth to identify its determinants using a stochastic frontier model with microdata from the last three Agricultural Censuses. The results indicate that average TFP growth was 0.76% per annum in the period analyzed, driven mainly by technical progress, which grew at an average rate of 0.826% per annum. The determinants that explain changes in productivity due to observed and unobserved factors related to the production environment and changes in technical efficiency also positively affected productivity but to a lesser extent. On the other hand, scale effects and changes in climatic conditions had a negative impact on crop productivity. nutrition years security income biofuels crops context (TFP 199 2017 Censuses 076 0 76 0.76 analyzed progress 0826 826 0.826 extent hand 19 201 07 7 0.7 082 82 0.82 1 20 0. 08 8 0.8 2

Resumo O milho é uma cultura amplamente distribuída em diferentes regiões brasileiras, e desempenha um papel relevante na alimentação humana e animal. Embora, nos últimos anos, tenham sido observados avanços produtivos, é essencial manter essa tendência para garantir a segurança alimentar, especialmente diante do crescimento populacional, da renda e do uso de biocombustíveis, que demandam matérias-primas provenientes de culturas alimentares. Nesse contexto, esse trabalho analisa a evolução da Produtividade Total dos Fatores (PTF) da lavoura de milho do Brasil no período de 1995 a 2017, decompondo o crescimento da PTF para identificar seus determinantes, a partir de um modelo de fronteira estocástica com os microdados dos três últimos censos agropecuários. Os resultados indicam que o crescimento médio da PTF foi de 0,76% a. a. no período analisado, sendo impulsionado principalmente pelo progresso técnico, que cresceu a uma taxa média de 0,826% a.a. Os determinantes que explicam as mudanças na produtividade devido a fatores observados e não observados relacionados ao ambiente de produção e à eficiência técnica também afetaram positivamente a produtividade, porém em menor magnitude. Por outro lado, os efeitos de escala e as mudanças nas condições climáticas tiveram impacto negativo sobre a produtividade da lavoura. brasileiras animal Embora anos produtivos alimentar populacional biocombustíveis matériasprimas matérias primas alimentares contexto (PTF 199 2017 agropecuários 076 0 76 0,76 analisado técnico 0826 826 0,826 aa a.a magnitude lado 19 201 07 7 0,7 082 82 0,82 1 20 0, 08 8 0,8 2

This study mainly focused on measuring maize farmers' technical efficiency and impact on maize production in Eastern Cape province. This research has employed a formal survey conducted on a sample size of 164 farmers. Data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Mean, standard deviation, frequencies and percentages were used for descriptive statistics to examine the socioeconomic characteristics of family-owned maize farms. The stochastic frontier model was also used to estimate the technical efficiency of family-owned maize farms under present conditions. The results have shown that the socioeconomic characteristics of farmers largely influence accessibility and awareness to these kinds of technologies. The adoption is delayed due to limited farmer support, lack of awareness, scepticism about these technologies within rural households, and poor perceptions and attitudes. Furthermore, the results have revealed that socio-demographic characteristics influence farmers' decisions on whether or not to adopt the technology. Most farmers are old and still believe in what works for them, which limits and elongates the adoption process. The empirical analysis shows that adopting genetically modified seeds enhances the productivity of family-owned farms. Furthermore, this study finds that the technical efficiency of adopters is higher compared to non-adopters. Therefore, this study recommends that strategic alliance is an important and necessary condition for farmers to adopt genetically modified technologies.

The South African population is predicted to increase to almost 66 million by 2030. This necessitates paradigm shifts to improve agricultural efficiency. However, South African wool production has continuously declined over the past three decades. The study analysed the efficiency of smallholder wool farmers and identified the determinants of technical inefficiency in wool production in Thaba 'Nchu and Botshabelo in the Mangaung Metro (Free State province, South Africa). A multistage sampling technique was used to select 351 participants. A stochastic frontier model was employed to analyse the efficiency of wool farmers. The results indicate that increases in feed and veterinary costs negatively affect the efficiency of smallholder wool production. Wool quality and use of social media were found to have a negative and statistically significant influence on the variation in the inefficiency of wool production (i.e., as these variables increase, inefficiency decreases). Poor extension services and poorly managed farmers' associations increase the inefficiency of smallholder wool producers. Furthermore, only 7% of smallholder farmers were efficient, and most smallholder wool farmers were not producing at full capacity; there is thus much room to improve production. To increase the efficiency of smallholder wool production in Mangaung, it is recommended that farmers are trained to improve the quality of their wool and, consequently, increase the wool price. Further recommendations include improvement of extension services, better management of farmers' associations, production of feed by farmers, and utilisation of free, government-supplied veterinary services.

Resumen El crecimiento de los pequeños agricultores depende en gran medida de la productividad del cacao. Los programas de extensión agrícola pueden ayudar a mejorar dicha productividad utilizando los recursos disponibles. Por tanto, el objetivo de este estudio es estimar la productividad del cacao peruano e identificar si la frecuencia de asistencia técnica afecta la eficiencia técnica de los agricultores. Los datos provienen de una encuesta a 379 productores de cacao en Tocache, San Martín, realizada entre enero y junio de 2015. Este artículo se sustenta en la interacción de dos técnicas: la función de producción y la eficiencia técnica basada en el análisis de frontera estocástica. Los hallazgos clave fueron que los coeficientes estimados de trabajo, capital, tierras y fertilizantes fueron positivos para la producción. Asimismo, se muestra la existencia de una relación entre la frecuencia de asistencia técnica y la eficiencia técnica (p-valor<10%). También existe una relación positiva entre la eficiencia y otras características socioeconómicas al ser hombre, tener experiencia en el cacao y no practicar la diversificación en otros cultivos. Los formuladores de políticas públicas podrían considerar estos resultados para mejorar los sistemas de manejo agrarios y, por tanto, la competitividad de los cacaoteros en la Amazonía peruana.

Abstract The growth of small-scale Peruvian farmers is highly dependent on cocoa factor productivity. Agricultural extension programs can help to improve farm productivity using available resources. Thus, the objective of this study is to estimate the productivity of Peruvian cocoa farming and identify if frequent technical assistance impacts on farmers’ technical efficiency. The data came from a survey of 379 cocoa farmers in Tocache, San Martin (177 producers who sell through intermediaries and 202 who are cooperative members), conducted between January and June 2015. This article is supported by the interaction of two associated techniques: the production function and the technical efficiency technique based on stochastic frontier analysis (SFA). The key findings were that the estimated coefficients for labor, capital, land and fertilizer were positive to cocoa production. Our outcomes also show there is a (marginally) significant relationship between technical assistance and technical efficiency (p-value<10%). There is also a positive relationship between efficiency and other socioeconomic characteristics of being a male, having experience in cocoa cultivation and practicing non-diversification in other crops. Policymakers could consider these results to improve farm management systems and, therefore, the competitiveness of the cocoa plantations in the Peruvian Amazonia.

Abstract The objective of this paper is to evaluate the technical efficiency of microfinance institutions in Latin America, using parametric and non-parametric methods, and show which institutions are the most efficient. The stochastic frontier model (SFA) and the deterministic method of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) were used. Likewise, a Tobit linear regression analysis was carried out to identify the determinants of inefficiencies in the institutions. Data provided by the World Bank, from 2019, which is the most recent data, is analyzed. The results show that it is possible to find out the average technical efficiency of institutions, as well as determine that variables, which are the number of people hired, operating expenses, salary expenses, as well as inputs and the number of outstanding credits, affect efficiency determination.

Resumen El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo EVALUAR la eficiencia técnica de las instituciones de micro finanzas en América Latina, utilizando métodos paramétricos y no paramétricos y mostrar cuáles son las instituciones más eficientes. Se utilizó el modelo paramétrico de la frontera estocástica (SFA, por sus siglas en inglés) y el método determinístico del Análisis de la Envolvente de Datos (DEA, por sus siglas en inglés). Así mismo, se realizó un análisis de regresión lineal Tobit para conocer los determinantes de las ineficiencias en estas instituciones. Se analizan datos proporcionados por el Banco Mundial, 2019, los cuales son los datos más recientes. Los resultados muestran que es posible conocer la eficiencia técnica promedio de las instituciones, así como también determinar que las variables, que son el número de personas contratadas, gastos de operación, gastos en sueldos, como inputs, y el número de créditos pendientes de cobro, inciden en la determinación de la eficiencia.

Resumen La papa es un cultivo de tradición y relevancia económica para los agricultores de montaña en Nariño (Colombia). Sin embargo, el crecimiento de su producción reporta un aparente estancamiento, lo cual podría poner en riesgo a los productores paperos. Un estudio a profundidad de las tipologías de producción y su conexión con la eficiencia productiva pueden ser clave para brindar recomendaciones con base en la evidencia. Partiendo de una muestra representativa de 1018 paperos, esta investigación usa métodos de clúster para identificar tipologías de hogares productores, para luego ajustar una frontera estocástica que permite crear una medida de eficiencia técnica. Por últimos, se analizó la forma en que la eficiencia técnica varía a través de las tipologías identificadas. Los resultados mostraron que cuatro tipos de producción describen a los paperos de Nariño: micro, pequeños, medianos y grandes productores. La mayoría de estos son de escala micro (71,8%) y pequeña (23,8%), y sus condiciones son desfavorables en lo que respecta a acceso a asistencia técnica, crédito y adopción de prácticas agronómicas mejoradas. Aunque estos productores presentan niveles medios de eficiencia de 79% y 85%, respectivamente, aún hay posibilidades de mejora. El documento cierra con una breve discusión que se enfoca en sugerir futuros trabajos de investigación o política alrededor de estos productores.

Abstract Potato is a traditional and economically important crop for farmers in the high mountains of Nariño (Colombia). However, its productivity growth is weakening, injuring farmers’ livelihoods. We hypothesize that an in-depth study of farm typologies and their relationship with productive efficiency could prove helpful in delivering recommendations for sector improvement. With a representative sample of 1,018 farmers, this research used cluster methods to identify representative types of farming and then a stochastic frontier model to build a measure of potato production efficiency. Finally, it analyzed how technical efficiency behaves across the calculated types of farming. Results suggested that four kinds of farming describe potato production in Nariño: micro, small, medium, and large-scale. Most farmers are of the micro (71.8%) and small scale (23.8%), and their conditions are unfavorable in terms of access to technical assistance, credit, and improved production practices. Although these farmers report an average efficiency of 79% and 85%, respectively, there is still an opportunity for improvement. We close with a brief discussion that focuses on suggestions for future policy or research advances around these farmers.

Abstract: This paper examines the knowledge-technical efficiency (TE) association in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) of manufacturing, trade, and service sectors. We use data from 2014 and 2017 reported by 28,034 SMEs in the National Survey on Productivity and Competitiveness of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (Encuesta Nacional sobre Productividad y Competitividad de las Micro, Pequeñas y Medianas Empresas, ENAPROCE) and the Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA). The main findings suggest that the Average Technical Efficiency (ATE) of SMEs is 54.6%, SMEs show decreasing returns to scale, and SMEs with highly skilled workers -that transfer their technology less frequently and that use the Internet in their production processes- tend to have higher levels of TE. On the other hand, those firms that spend a higher proportion of their revenues on the process of paying taxes tend to be less efficient than others.

Resumen: Este artículo examina la asociación entre conocimiento y eficiencia técnica en pequeñas y medianas empresas de las industrias manufacturera, comercio y servicios. Se utiliza información de 2014 y 2017 reportada por 28,034 SMEs en la Encuesta Nacional sobre Productividad y Competitividad de las Micro, Pequeñas y Medianas Empresas (ENAPROCE) y el método de frontera estocástica. Los resultados indican que el promedio de eficiencia técnica de las SMEs es de 54.6%, las SMEs muestran rendimientos decrecientes a escala y las SMEs con una mayor proporción de trabajadores altamente calificados, que transfieren su tecnología con menor frecuencia y que utilizan Internet en sus procesos productivos, suelen presentar niveles superiores de TE. Por otro lado, aquellas empresas que gastan una proporción mayor de sus ingresos en el proceso de pago de impuestos suelen ser menos eficientes que otras.

Abstract Classifying small agricultural producers based on their technical efficiency and economic performance allows us to gauge the potential to improve yield in the quinoa crop, promote local food security, and improve rural incomes. Consequently, the objective of this study was to characterize and classify quinoa producers at the Peruvian Altiplano based on their productive, economic, and social attributes, so the technical efficiency and economic performance of the identified groups can be analyzed. Hence, 409 surveys conducted among quinoa producers in the Puno region were used to run the statistical analysis using two-stage cluster techniques, stochastic frontier, linear regression, and ANOVA tests. The results revealed that three groups of producers exhibited discriminating variables in the use of fertilizers, organic fertilizers, weed control, application of fungicides, production of quinoa, the total area of all crops, and achievement of economic benefits. It was evidenced that the use of seeds and fertilizers, in optimal quantities, increased yield, and in combination with quinoa sales, were the significant variables to differentiate technical efficiency. The high Andes are characterized by smallholdings, subsistence agriculture and, agrobiodiversity conservation and, although cultivation practices are predominantly low technical efficient, it would be possible to rapidly increase agricultural performance with a better allocation of external inputs. However, this could be done to regional limits, for this reason, the role of public policy is very important so that producers can get broader access to production inputs and technical services.

Resumo Fundamento Atualmente o sistema de saúde público brasileiro (SUS) não contempla a angiotomografia de coronárias. Objetivos Ranquear sob a perspectiva do SUS, a custo-efetividade de estratégias diagnósticas combinando teste ergométrico, cintilografia miocárdica, ecocardiograma por estresse e angiotomografia de coronárias para o diagnóstico de doença arterial coronariana em uma coorte hipotética de pacientes com probabilidade pré-teste intermediária. Métodos Análise de custo-efetividade por meio de árvore de decisão. Foram analisados a relação de custo-efetividade incremental e o benefício líquido em saúde das estratégias diagnósticas, com a adoção de múltiplos limiares de disposição a pagar entre 0,05 e 1 PIB per capita por diagnóstico correto. Nos casos de testes sequenciais, um segundo teste confirmatório era realizado quando o primeiro fosse positivo. Resultados Após exclusão das estratégias diagnósticas dominadas ou com dominância estendida, a fronteira de eficiência foi composta por três estratégias: teste ergométrico, teste ergométrico seguido de ecocardiograma de estresse, e ecocardiograma de estresse seguido de angiotomografia de coronárias, sendo esta última a estratégia mais custo-efetiva. Pelo critério do benefício líquido, o ranqueamento das estratégias mais custo-efetivas variou conforme a disposição a pagar. Conclusão Utilizando conceitos atuais de avaliação de tecnologias em saúde, este estudo fornece um ranqueamento para a tomada de decisão sobre qual estratégia diagnóstica utilizar, em uma população com risco pré-teste intermediário para DAC. Com estimativa factível de custos para a ATC, o impacto da inclusão desta ao rol do arsenal diagnóstico representaria uma estratégia custo-efetiva na maioria dos cenários avaliados nas variações de disposição a pagar.

Abstract Background The Brazilian public health system does not include computed tomography angiography (CTA). Objective Rank, according to the Brazilian public health system, the cost-effectiveness of different strategies for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD), combining exercise tests (ET), myocardial scintigraphy (MS), stress echocardiography (SE), and CTA in a hypothetical intermediate pre-test probability cohort of patients. Methods This study implemented a cost-effectiveness analysis through a decision tree. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) and net benefit were analyzed by adopting multiple thresholds of willingness to pay, from 0.05 to 1 GDP per capita per correct diagnosis. In sequential tests, a second confirmatory test was performed only when the first was positive. Results After excluding dominated or extended dominance diagnostic strategies, the efficiency frontier consisted of three strategies: ET, ET followed by SE, and SE followed by CTA, the last being the most cost-effective strategy. Through the net benefit, the ranking of the most cost-effective strategies varied according to willingness to pay. Conclusions Using current concepts of health technology assessment, this study provides a ranking for decision-making concerning which diagnostic strategy to use in a population with an intermediate pre-test risk for CAD. With a feasible cost estimate adopted for CTA, the impact of including this to the list of the diagnostic arsenal would represent a cost-effective strategy in most of the evaluated scenarios with broad variations in the willingness to pay.

Abstract In Mexico, the sugarcane agroindustry is important in the economy of 25 states and 267 municipalities. In the 1995-1996 harvest, 61 sugar mills operated and in the 2017-2018 harvest only 51 mills. In a 19-year period, 16.4% of the milling infrastructure of the Mexican sugarcane agroindustry closed. Technically, there are inefficiencies in their parameters that influenced their closure. The present research aims to analyze the efficiency and nature of the returns to scale with which sugar mills operated in Mexico in the 2010-2011 harvest. The methodology used was data envelopment analysis (DEA). The results indicate that 23 mills operated at their optimal scale, nine mills with total efficiency, but with pure inefficiency and scale inefficiency, and a third group operated with total inefficiency, pure inefficiency and scale inefficiency. As for the nature of the returns to scale, the DEA identified that 23 mills operated with constant returns to scale, 29 with increasing returns to scale and only two mills with diminishing returns to scale. The main conclusion indicates that the 29 mills with increasing returns to scale can improve their performance if they expand their size, production and factor productivity would increase more than proportionally. The mill Panuco is the only one that was identified with both scale inefficiency and diminishing returns to scale, so such performance could lead it to stop operating and close as a plant.

Resumen En México la agroindustria de la caña de azúcar es importante en la economía de 25 entidades federativas y 267 municipios. En la zafra 1995-1996 operaron 61 ingenios azucareros y en la zafra 2017-2018 solo 51 ingenios. En un periodo de 19 años cerró 16.4% de la infraestructura de molienda de la agroindustria cañera mexicana. Técnicamente existen ineficiencias en sus parámetros que influyeron en su cierre. La presente investigación tiene el objetivo de analizar la eficiencia y naturaleza de los rendimientos a escala con que operaron los ingenios azucareros en México en la zafra 2010-2011. La metodología utilizada fue análisis de datos envolventes (DEA). Los resultados indican que 23 ingenios operaron en su escala óptima, nueve ingenios con eficiencia total, pero con ineficiencia pura e ineficiencia de escala y un tercer grupo que operó con ineficiencia total, ineficiencia pura e ineficiencia de escala. En cuanto a la naturaleza de los rendimientos a escala la DEA permitió identificar que 23 ingenios operaron con rendimientos constantes a escala, 29 con rendimientos crecientes a escala y solo dos ingenios con rendimientos decrecientes a escala. La principal conclusión indica que los 29 ingenios con rendimientos crecientes a escala pueden mejorar su desempeño si ampliaran su tamaño, la producción y la productividad de los factores se incrementaría más que proporcionalmente. El ingenio Pánuco es el único que se identificó tanto con ineficiencia de escala como con rendimientos decrecientes a escala por lo que tal desempeño podría llevarlo a dejar de operar y cerrar como planta.

RESUMO Objetivo: objetiva-se comparar a eficiência relativa das ferrovias especializadas em transporte de minério de ferro (MFe) e pelota (PLMFe), que fazem parte do patrimônio das empresas de mineração e usinas de pelotização considerando o cenário de 2016. Métodos: foi utilizada a técnica análise envoltória de dados (DEA), com aplicação do modelo de retornos constantes de escala (CCR) e orientação à saída (output); o método multicritério combinatório inicial para escolha das variáveis de entrada e a regressão Tobit como estratégia de validação do modelo DEA. Resultados: das doze ferrovias avaliadas, três ferrovias foram identificadas como eficientes: Estrada de Ferro Carajás, Fortescue e Mount Newman. Conclusões: o modelo aplicado foi considerado como um bom método para avaliar a eficiência das ferrovias especializadas em transporte de MFe e PLMFe, pois determinou a eficiência de cada ferrovia, sugerindo o aumento necessário na variável de saída ou ajustes nas variáveis de entrada para que as ferrovias atinjam a fronteira de eficiência. Com isso, as empresas podem utilizar os resultados deste estudo para guiar melhorias futuras para tornar suas ferrovias mais eficientes ou se manter na fronteira de eficiência.

ABSTRACT Objective: the objective is to compare the relative efficiency of the railways specialized in transporting iron ore (MFe) and pellets (PLMFe), which are part of the assets of mining companies and pellet plants considering the 2016 scenario. Methods: the methods used were the data envelopment analysis (DEA) technique, with the application of the output-oriented constant returns scale (CRS) model; the initial combinatorial multicriteria method for choosing the input variables; and Tobit regression as a validation strategy for the DEA model. Results: of the twelve railways evaluated, three railways were identified as efficient: Estrada de Ferro Carajás, Fortescue, and Mount Newman. Conclusions: the applied model was considered a good method to evaluate the efficiency of railways specialized in transporting MFe and PLMFe, as it determined the efficiency of each railway, suggesting the necessary increase in the output variable or adjustments in the input variables so that the railways reach the efficiency frontier. With that, companies can use the results of this study to guide future improvements to make their railways more efficient or maintain them on the frontier of efficiency.

Resumo: Este trabalho teve por objetivo analisar a eficiência técnica das unidades locais da Emater no estado de Goiás. A abordagem metodológica consiste em um procedimento de dois estágios. O primeiro estágio foi realizado pela Análise Envoltória de Dados (DEA). No segundo estágio, foram utilizadas a regressão Tobit e a Análise de Fronteira Estocástica (SFA) para avaliar as fontes de eficiência. Os resultados do primeiro estágio mostraram que o nível médio da eficiência técnica das unidades locais da Emater em Goiás foi de 0,4013, o que significa que o uso dos insumos poderia ser reduzido em 59,87%, mantendo-se constante a produção. Foi identificado também que a eficiência de escala média foi de 81,67%, o que significa dizer que questões relacionadas à escala reduziram a eficiência VRS em 18,33%, indicando que havia unidades locais atuando com retornos crescentes de escala e com retornos decrescentes de escala. Apenas 15 unidades locais foram eficientes para o modelo com retornos variáveis de escala. No segundo estágio, variáveis como distância da unidade municipal até Goiânia, dependência municipal, rebanho bovino, proporção de funcionários com nível superior e técnico, entre outras, apresentaram significância estatística para explicar a eficiência das unidades locais da Emater em Goiás.

Abstract: This study aimed to analyze the technical efficiency of Emater's local units in the State of Goiás. The methodological approach consists of a two-stage procedure. The first stage was carried out by Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). In the second stage, Tobit regression and Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) were used to assess the sources of efficiency. The results of the first stage showed that the average level of technical efficiency at Emater's local units in Goiás was 0.4013, which means that the use of inputs could be reduced by 59.87% keeping production constant. It was also identified that the average scale efficiency was 81.67%, which means that issues related to scaling reduces the VRS efficiency by 18.33%, which indicates that local units are operating with increasing returns to scale and with diminishing returns to scale. Only 15 local units are efficient for the model with variable returns to scale. In the second stage, variables such as the distance from the municipal unit State capital, municipal dependency, cattle herd, proportion of employees with higher education and technical level, among others, were statistically significant to explain the efficiency of the local units of Emater in Goiás.

ABSTRACT We propose two-dimensional representations for the efficient frontier for two different Network DEA (NDEA) models. Both representations follow a previous study that developed a generalization of the two-dimensional representation method for the classic DEA using a new form of linearization. The graphical representation of the efficient frontier allows managers and decision-makers unfamiliar with linear programming and DEA to understand the results obtained simply and clearly. In this study, we can obtain graphs that provide information about the efficiencies of each DMU. Furthermore, for the NDEA with an efficiency decomposition approach, it is possible to obtain a graph to evaluate the technical efficiency for each stage, as well as for the overall efficiency. The NDEA model based on efficiency composition only produces one graph. However, this unique representation shows the stage-level and the overall process level information within the same graph.

Abstract The Pacific Basin is a region characterized by its economic dynamism. In it, some of the most important economies in the world that integrate relevant trade associations and agreements are located, including the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum. One element that distinguishes it is that many of the economies that comprise it have strong port infrastructures and a significant movement of goods through containers, which can affect its efficiency. This gives them an advantage in maritime trade. Therefore, the objective of this work is to analyze if the movement of containers contributes to improving the technical efficiency of APEC. Stochastic Frontier Analysis methodology is used for the analysis. The results include that the main container cargo operating economies, in general, improve their efficiency, even though it is also detected that there is a marginal process of divergence in this.

Resumen La Cuenca del Pacífico es una región que se caracteriza por su dinamismo económico. En ella se localizan algunas de las economías más importantes del mundo que integran asociaciones y acuerdos comerciales relevantes, entre ellos el Foro de Cooperación Económica de Asia-Pacífico (APEC, por sus siglas en inglés). Un elemento que distingue al APEC, es que muchas de las economías que lo integran cuentan con fuertes infraestructuras portuarias y un movimiento importante de mercancías mediante contenedores, lo que puede incidir en su eficiencia. Esto les aporta una ventaja en el comercio marítimo. Por ello, el objetivo de este artículo es analizar si el movimiento de contenedores contribuye a mejorar la eficiencia técnica del APEC. Para el análisis se emplea la metodología de Stochastic Frontier Analysis. Entre los resultados destacan que las principales economías operadoras de carga de contenedores, en general, mejoran su eficiencia, aun cuando también se detecta que existe un marginal proceso de divergencia en ésta.