Showing papers by "William W. Cooper published in 2008"

Are state-owned banks less efficient? A long- vs. short-run Data Envelopment Analysis of Chinese banks

Abstract: This paper applies Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to determine relative efficiencies of state-owned and joint stock banks in Chongqing, China, during the period 1996?2000. A distinction is made between long- and short-run efficiencies and inefficiencies to allow for the fact that joint stock banks are relatively new to China have more modern management and access to international finance markets while state-owned banks generally use government funding. Using Mann?Whitney rank order statistics produces results in favour of joint stock banks in the short-run but not in the long-run. A relatively new way of distinguishing between long- and short-run performances is utilised that avoids the need for identifying lengthy time periods and data associated with long-run performances.

The Sarbanes-Oxley act and the production efficiency of public accounting firms in supplying accounting auditing and consulting services: an application of data envelopment analysis

Abstract: In this paper, we employ alternate techniques to examine whether passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Act has had positive effects on the efficiency of public accounting firms. These alternate techniques extend from use of the non-parametric, 'frontier'-oriented method of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), and include more traditional regression-based approaches using central tendency estimates. Using data from 58 of the 100 largest accounting firms in the USA, we find that efficiency increased at high levels of statistical significance and discover that this result is consistent for all of the different methods - frontier and central tendencies used in this paper. We also find that this result is not affected by inclusion or exclusion of the Big 4 firms. All results are found to be robust as well as consistent.

A response to the critiques of DEA by Dmitruk and Koshevoy, and Bol

Abstract: We here critique the articles by Dmitruk & Koshevoy (1991, J Econ Theory 55:121–144) and by Bol (1986, J Econ Theory 38:380–385) by showing how to solve the examples they erected to show the non-existence of functions for evaluating performance efficiencies in DEA. We also show that functions satisfying these criteria—and other important criteria as well—were already available prior to the publications of D&K and by Bol and have since been greatly extended to increase the power and scope of DEA.

Estimating elasticities with frontier and other regressions in evaluating two advertising strategies for US Army recruiting

Abstract: To help resolve a long-standing debate in the US Government on advertising strategies for military recruitment, this study applies ordinary least squares (OLS), which here includes (1) stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) and (2) frontierized least squares (FLS), to evaluate two distinct advertising strategies: Service Specific vs. Joint. Thus, in contrast to the customary use of a single central tendency method, such as OLS, on different models, we here use multiple methods on a single model to cross check and validate results. In addition to serving as cross checks, the methods can be used to identify classic problems, including biases in the data and shortcomings in one or more of the methodologies employed. To avoid dealing with problems on identifying motives underlying various patterns in advertising expenditure, data are drawn from a statistically designed experiment where the expenditures were controlled as part of the experiment to resolve the issue of a choice between the two advertising strategies of interest. In contrast to earlier studies, the current paper finds that all methods used lead to the same conclusion: Service Specific is more efficient than Joint, at least for the US Army—which is, by far, the largest military advertiser. Finally, the paper introduces a new method for reallocating advertising budgets between the Uniformed Services which (a) is simpler than the customary use of cross partial derivatives, (b) avoids the need for the ceteris paribus assumptions for each such allocation, as in customary reallocation methods and (c) simplifies matters so that, for instance, it is not necessary to introduce an entirely new organization to administer the desired coordinating activities.

Challenges of the Muslim World: Present, Future and Past

Abstract: This book provides a data-based approach to present and future developments in the Muslim world. This is an unusual approach to this topic that highlights important underlying forces in current and projected future economic and social behaviour that range from prices of gasoline to terrorism and related activities. In the context of the rich histories of Muslim cultures, the effects of rapid changes in economic and social trends are examined, as well as the effect of Western policies which have often exacerbated underlying tensions in these fast-growing populations, extending to the trouble and hostilities that are currently being manifested in proposed interpretations by al-Qaeda and similar organizations. This volume also suggests an approach that deals with the high illiteracy rates and inadequate education facilities in many Muslim countries.It is a new volume in the established "ISETE" series. It focuses on the economics of the Muslim world, including hot topics such as terrorism and oil-prices.

How Has the Sarbanes-Oxley Act Affected CPA Firm Fee Productivity?

Abstract: In this paper, we estimate a production function for CPA firms to examine the effect of the Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Act on CPA firm fee productivity. Using annual survey data for 57 large CPA firms in the U.S. for the period from 2000 to 2005, we find that the fee productivity of CPA firms in transforming human resources into service revenues increases in the post-Act period. Consistent with our expectations and with the first year deadline for compliance of Section 404 of SOX, this increase in the fee productivity of CPA firms was particularly strong in 2004. The current evidence seems to suggest that SOX is value-enhancing for CPA firms.

Challenges of the Muslim World

Abstract: This book provides a data-based approach to present and future developments in the Muslim world. It focuses on the economics of the Muslim world, including hot topics such as terrorism and oil-prices and also suggests an approach that deals with the high illiteracy rates and inadequate education facilities in many Muslim countries.