This paper presents a meta-analysis of variations in seaports’ Mean Technical Efficiency (MTE) scores based on 40 studies published in refereed academic journals. We link the variation in estimated MTE scores to differences in the following factors: the frontier methodology used, which essentially are the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and the Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA); regions where seaports are situated; type of data used; number of observations; and the total number of variables used. Furthermore, we compare fixed-effects against a random-effects regression model where the latter assumes that the individual study specific characteristics matter while the former assumes that there is one general tendency across all studies. We present several findings based on the data: (1) the random-effects model outperforms the fixed effects model in explaining the variations in MTEs, (2) recently published studies have lower MTE scores as compared with earlier published studies, (3) studies that used nonparametric DEA models depict higher MTE scores as compared with those that used SFA models, (4) panel data studies have lower TE scores as compared with cross-sectional data, and (5) studies using European seaport data produce lower MTE scores when compared with the rest of the world. Finally, our results contradict some previous meta-analysis studies of TE scores. We encourage the use of random-effects models in meta-analysis studies because they account for individual study specific effects.

A meta-analysis of DEA and SFA studies of the technical efficiency of seaports: A comparison of fixed and random-effects regression models

Over the last two decades, application of Data envelopment analysis (DEA) in transportation problems have gained considerable research attention. This paper presents a literature review and classification of the applications of DEA in transportation systems (TSs). First by classifying 40 papers from 2007 to 2018, the origins of DEA in transportation problems have been reviewed. Then the development and an overall view of DEA applications in TSs have been presented. We have classified the applications of DEA into six different contexts. In each context, published papers have deeply been analyzed. Content of analysis includes “Number of published papers during the time”, “target journals”, “countries”, “keyword frequency”, “most cited papers”, “map of most co-cited publications”. More important, we reported the “inputs and outputs variables” used in each paper. Further “a review of the selected papers” and “gaps/future research directions” have been given within each cluster. The results show that DEA is one of the most useful approach in evaluating TSs for policy makers. On the other hand, DEA can help the decision makers in transportation especially regarding environmental factors, sustainable development and eco-design. Finally, we proposed subjects for future researches including guidance for new studies in the field of DEA applications in TSs.

/pdf/the-origins-development-and-future-directions-of-data-47yahk0lwq.pdf

The origins, development and future directions of data envelopment analysis approach in transportation systems

Physical infrastructure and flight consolidation efficiency drivers in Brazilian airports: A two-stage network-DEA approach

In this article we evaluate the technical efficiency of Norwegian container ports relative to a frontier composed of the best performing among themselves and other comparable Nordic and UK ports. The rationale is that a technical efficiency assessment of Norwegian container ports has not been found in the literature; therefore, it is unknown what their potential for improvement relative to other comparable international ports is. A Data Envelopment Analysis is used to derive the technical and scale efficiencies. The data set comprises 24 container ports, which include ports from Norway, all the Nordic countries and the United Kingdom. The primary data were derived from various issues of Containerisation International Yearbook (CIY) and cover the period of 2002–2008. Besides the efficiency analysis, an effort was made to counter-check the CIYs data with the administrations of the respective container ports. This study concludes: (1) the average potentials for technical and scale efficiency improvement across ports and improvement during the period studied are 18 per cent and 13 per cent, respectively; (2) Norwegian ports are over-performers and under-performers with regard to technical and scale efficiency, respectively; (3) for Norwegian ports to improve their overall efficiency, they need to increase their size because they are too small relative to the tasks they perform; and (4) the data from the CIYs were found to be imprecise and unreliable in some cases.

https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1057%2Fmel.2013.3.pdf

The Technical Efficiency of Norwegian Container Ports: A Comparison to Some Nordic and UK Container Ports using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA)

In this paper we carry out a container port performance analysis of the developing world between 2000 and 2010, using both parametric and nonparametric approaches. From a unique dataset – our sample covers 70 developing countries, 203 ports, and 1750 data points–, we examine the evolution and drivers of productivity and efficiency changes across developing regions. We show that productivity growth rates between 2000 and 2010 vary significantly and that this heterogeneity is explained by pure efficiency changes rather than scale efficiency of technological changes. Therefore, we carry out a detailed efficiency analysis to determine the drivers of port efficiency. Time series results show an upward trend for port efficiency in developing regions, as it increased from 51 percent in 2000 to 61 percent in 2010. Our analysis indicates that private sector participation, the reduction of corruption in the public sector, improvements in liner connectivity and the existence of multimodal links increase the level of port efficiency in developing regions.

/pdf/when-it-comes-to-container-port-efficiency-are-all-3vhw4jp0d6.pdf

Tung Pao Wang

Papers

Benchmarking the operating efficiency of Asia container ports