Showing papers on "Productivity model published in 2008"
01 Jan 2008
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present the main purpose of the book, which is to study inefficiency in production and its impact on economic and financial performance, and discuss variations in productive efficiency using airlines as an example.
Abstract: This chapter begins with a brief discussion of variations in productive efficiency using airlines as an example. It then presents the main purpose of the book, which is to study inefficiency in production and its impact on economic and financial performance. The chapter then provides background material and focuses on hypotheses that have been proposed in literature that would explain variation in producer performance; lays the theoretical foundation for the measurement of productive efficiency; offers a brief introduction to alternative techniques that have been developed to quantify inefficiency empirically; introduces various econometric approaches to efficiency estimation; introduces variants of the mathematical programming approach to efficiency estimation; introduces the Malmquist productivity index and shows how to decompose it into various sources of productivity change, including variation in productive efficiency; and describes three ways of approximating a Malmquist productivity index: the use of superlative index numbers, the use of econometric techniques, and the use of mathematical programming techniques. An overview of the succeeding chapters is also presented
371 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors compare five widely used techniques, two nonparametric and three parametric: index numbers, data envelopment analysis, instrumental variables estimation, stochastic frontiers, and semiparametric estimation.
Abstract: Researchers interested in estimating productivity can choose from an array of methodologies, each with its strengths and weaknesses. This study compares productivity estimates and evaluates the extent to which the conclusions of three important productivity debates in the economic development literature are sensitive to the choice of estimation method. Five widely used techniques are considered, two nonparametric and three parametric: index numbers, data envelopment analysis, instrumental variables estimation, stochastic frontiers, and semiparametric estimation. Using data on manufacturing firms in two developing countries, Colombia and Zimbabwe, we find that the different methods produce surprisingly similar productivity estimates when the measures are compared directly, even though the estimated input elasticities vary widely. Furthermore, the methods reach the same conclusions on two of the debates, supporting endogenous growth effects and showing that firm-level productivity changes are an important c...
140 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present an approach to measuring productivity, collecting historical data, and developing productivity models using historical data using artificial neural network and discrete-event simulation, which is applied to model steel drafting and fabrication productivities.
Abstract: Labor productivity is a fundamental piece of information for estimating and scheduling a construction project. The current practice of labor productivity estimation relies primarily on either published productivity data or an individual's experience. There is a lack of a systematic approach to measuring and estimating labor productivity. Although historical project data hold important predictive productivity information, the lack of a consistent productivity measurement system and the low quality of historical data may prevent a meaningful analysis of labor productivity. In response to these problems, this paper presents an approach to measuring productivity, collecting historical data, and developing productivity models using historical data. This methodology is applied to model steel drafting and fabrication productivities. First, a consistent labor productivity measurement system was defined for steel drafting and shop fabrication activities. Second, a data acquisition system was developed to collect labor productivity data from past and current projects. Finally, the collected productivity data were used to develop labor productivity models using such techniques as artificial neural network and discrete-event simulation. These productivity models were developed and validated using actual data collected from a steel fabrication company.
124 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors developed a simple estimator for production functions in the presence of endogenous productivity change that allows to retrieve productivity and its relationship with R&D at the firm level.
Abstract: We develop a simple estimator for production functions in the presence of endogenous productivity change that allows us to retrieve productivity and its relationship with R&D at the firm level. By endogenizing the productivity process we build on the recent literature on structural estimation of production functions. Our dynamic investment model can be viewed as a generalization of the knowledge capital model (Griliches 1979) that has remained a cornerstone of the productivity literature for more than 25 years. We relax the assumptions on the R&D process and examine the impact of the investment in knowledge on the productivity of firms. We illustrate our approach on an unbalanced panel of more than 1800 Spanish manufacturing firms in nine industries during the 1990s. Our findings indicate that the link between R&D and productivity is subject to a high degree of uncertainty, nonlineariry, and heterogeneity across firms. By accounting for uncertainty and nonlinearity, we extend the knowledge capital model. Moreover, capturing heterogeneity gives us the ability to assess the role of R&D in determining the differences in productivity across firms and the evolution of firm-level productivity over time.
90 citations
TL;DR: To truly appreciate office productivity there is a need to further understand the way that people work in offices and their specific requirements, as well as to undertake an analysis of office occupiers by work process type.
Abstract: Purpose – This paper aims to establish if office occupiers, who adopt different work patterns, can be segmented based on differences of perceived productivity with regards to the physical environment and the behavioural environment.Design/methodology/approach – Components of office productivity were used in an office productivity model with categorical data enabling a unique opportunity to undertake an analysis of office occupiers by work process type.Findings – The four distinct evaluative components used were comfort, office layout, interaction and distraction. The components were subsequently used for more detailed statistical analysis. This study establishes that statistical differences exist between the work styles under investigation.Research limitations/implications – This research establishes that to truly appreciate office productivity there is a need to further understand the way that people work in offices and their specific requirements. The matching of office occupier need with space provisio...
85 citations
TL;DR: The empirical results based on a sample of Portuguese hospitals from 1997 to 2004 show that those hospitals experienced very weak productivity growth over that period, and the incidence of technological change was remarkably low.
Abstract: We analyze hospital efficiency and productivity growth using an innovative approach which employs the directional distance function and the Luenberger productivity indicator. The primary advantage of our approach is that both input contractions and output expansions are considered. Our model generates a productivity indicator that is decomposed into the usual constituents of productivity growth: technological change and efficiency change. For the sake of comparison, we also use the Malmquist productivity index. The empirical results based on a sample of Portuguese hospitals from 1997 to 2004 show that, on average, those hospitals experienced very weak productivity growth over that period. In addition, the incidence of technological change was remarkably low.
61 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors measured the Malmquist Productivity Index and its different components such as technological change, technical efficiency change and the change in scale efficiency in the Indian food industry during the period spanning 1988•1989 to 2004•2005.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to measure the Malmquist Productivity Index and its different components such as technological change, technical efficiency change and the change in scale efficiency in the Indian food industry during the period spanning 1988‐1989 to 2004‐2005. Further, it examines the variation in productivity and its components with respect to the factors internal to the firms.Design/methodology/approach – The technique of data envelopment analysis has been used to measure productivity index and its different components under the assumption of variable returns to scale. Further, log‐linear regression model has been used to explain the variation in productivity and its components with respect to certain factors internal to the firms.Findings – In spite of a strong agricultural base and being the third largest producer of food products in the world, India's food processing industry is far from tapping its full potential as a result of a low rate of technological progress/regress on t...
55 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a simple, static general equilibrium model suggests that moderate-sized differences in cities' total factor productivity can account for such variation, and that increasing returns to scale may be able to sustain multiple equilibria at below-average population densities.
45 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors take productivity as the left-hand side variable and offer a cross-country analysis of its determinants, including economic factors, institutions, social base, and physical base.
Abstract: Following Solow's (2001) recent advice, this paper takes productivity as the left-hand-side variable and offers a cross-country analysis of its determinants. The analysis follows the two-stage methodology, the first of which is devoted to obtaining productivity estimates, and the second stage is devoted to analyzing these estimates. The paper classifies productivity determinants into four types, namely 'economic factors,' 'institutions,' 'social base,' and 'physical base.' The empirical productivity model developed in this paper allows space for productivity determinants of all these different types and hence may prove more helpful from policy point of view than do mono-causal models of productivity. The empirical relationships explored and established in this paper should also prove helpful in further development of a theory of total factor productivity (TFP).
37 citations
Posted Content•
TL;DR: The first section of the article as mentioned in this paper reviews general measurement problems associated with measuring sectoral total factor productivity and makes some specific suggestions to statistical agencies that would lead to better productivity measurement, in particular, balance sheet information needs to be improved and made available to the public.
Abstract: The first section of the article reviews general measurement problems associated with measuring sectoral total factor productivity. Secondly, the article argues that the production accounts in the present System of National Accounts (SNA) need to be extended somewhat in order to be suitable as a data base for measuring sectoral productivity growth rates. In particular, the treatment of exports, imports and indirect taxes is not completely adequate for productivity measurement purposes in the present SNA. Finally, the article makes some specific suggestions to statistical agencies that would lead to better productivity measurement. In particular, balance sheet information needs to be improved and made available to the public. Moreover, the balance sheet information needs to be integrated with sectoral measures of capital service inputs.
33 citations
Posted Content•
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss the basics of productivity measurement and show that one can dispense with most if not all of the usual, neoclassical assumptions, such as competitive behaviour and constant returns to scale.
Abstract: The measurement of productivity change (or difference) is usually based on models that make use of strong assumptions such as competitive behaviour and constant returns to scale. This survey discusses the basics of productivity measurement and shows that one can dispense with most if not all of the usual, neoclassical assumptions. By virtue of its structural features, the measurement model is applicable to individual establishments and aggregates such as industries, sectors, or economies.
Posted Content•
TL;DR: In this article, the authors assess the evolution of output and productivity in the Greek banking industry for the period 1990-2006 and assess the effect of labor quality on banks' productivity and use a growth accounting framework to examine the contribution of total factor productivity (TFP) to bank output growth.
Abstract: This paper assesses the evolution of output and productivity in the Greek banking industry for the period 1990-2006. Three main categories of bank output were estimated based on modern theoretical approaches, while for the aggregation and estimation of output and inputs and the estimation of productivity (partial and total factor) we relied on the index number method (Tornqvist index). Additionally, we considered the effect of labor quality on banks’ productivity and using a growth accounting framework we examined the contribution of total factor productivity (TFP) to bank output growth. The results show that bank output and labor productivity increased considerably during the period under examination, outpacing the respective GDP growth and labor productivity of the Greek economy. Capital productivity and TFP of the Greek banking industry have also improved remarkably mainly since 1999, as a result of the structural changes that took place within the industry, capital investments (mainly in IT equipment) as well as improvement in the quality of human capital.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The paper concludes that the model should be able to assist in producing efficient construction scheduling and resource planning, thereby reducing production cost and improving on-site productivity.
Abstract: SUMMARY: Despite of the advances in construction planning and scheduling software, construction managers and planners are still facing problems in achieving accurate planning, scheduling and costing due to the one-off nature of the construction projects and the inherently uncertain site conditions and soil characteristics. The aim of the research presented in this paper is to introduce a new methodology for integration of ‘variable productivity’ data with a visualisation model of earthwork operations. To achieve this aim, a number of objectives have been set: identification of current industrial practices and confirming the needs and aspirations of the industry, designing of a methodology and a model to integrated variable productivity with visualisation, and performing a case study to demonstrate and verify the model. The paper presents a prototype of a 4D visualisation model which is designed by integrating the road design data, quantities of cut and fill, productivity model, algorithms for modelling terrain surfaces and a progress profile visualiser. The model generates automatically terrain surfaces of progress profiles for earthwork operations and visualises progress profiles throughout the construction operations under different site and soil conditions. It is demonstrated with a real life case study in a road project. The paper concludes that the model should be able to assist in producing efficient construction scheduling and resource planning, thereby reducing production cost and improving on-site productivity.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors used the local availability of production contracts as an instrument for whether a farm uses a contract in order to estimate the impact of contract use on total factor productivity.
Abstract: Estimating how the use of production contracts affects farm productivity is difficult when unobservable factors are correlated with both the decision to contract and productivity. To account for potential selection bias, this study uses the local availability of production contracts as an instrument for whether a farm uses a contract in order to estimate the impact of contract use on total factor productivity. Results indicate that use of a production contract is associated with a large increase in productivity for feeder-to-finish hog farms in the United States. The instrumental variable method makes it credible to assert that the observed association is a causal relationship rather than simply a correlation.
TL;DR: In this paper, a decomposition of productivity indices incorporating environmental changes is presented, based on bootstrapped envelopment analysis and the best practice frontier corresponds to decision making units showing the best environmental behaviour.
Abstract: The object of the present article is to offer a decomposition of productivity indices incorporating environmental changes. The model followed is an input oriented approach related to undesirable output (environmental performance attribute) in horticultural marketing cooperatives. This study is motivated by both the lack of analysis of environmental performance's effects on agribusiness productivity and the relevance of cooperative firms in the European agricultural model for attaining sustainability. For this purpose, bootstrapped envelopment analysis is applied and the best practice frontier obtained corresponds to decision making units showing the best environmental behaviour. The Malmquist total factor productivity (TFP) is decomposed into technological change, efficiency and environmental change. In the second stage, the correlations of these changes with other management variables of cooperatives are analysed. The indicators obtained, on one hand, advice about the nonseparable distance function estim...
Journal Article•
TL;DR: In this paper, a maritime container terminal productivity perspective is provided - factors affecting elements of productivity, measurement methodology, and how measurement is performed, and some productivity improvement actions under planning service and productivity specialist control which do not require special investments.
Abstract: If system productivity is to be increased and terminal capacity optimized, maritime container terminal optimization possibilities must be explored. In this paper, a maritime container terminal productivity perspective is provided - factors affecting elements of productivity, measurement methodology, and how measurement is performed. There is also description of some productivity improvement actions under planning service and productivity specialist control which do not require special investments. A vast number of economic and operational decisions are involved in the complex process of maritime container terminal management. To increase productivity, management must develop productivity measurement details and strategies and establish an adequate decision support model. New technology and work rule adoption over the long term is facilitated by the proposed model, but at the same time, middle and short-term strategy implementation is enabled so that productivity is increased in a manner consistent with the entire system's fundamental interests. A special working place for the productivity quality manager is proposed in this paper in this context, which should allow different quickly adoptable strategies and solutions to develop. Terminal managers can be supported by the person in this important planning role in evaluating best development and optimization decisions.
Posted Content•
TL;DR: In this article, the aggregate level of total factor productivity, as obtained from aggregate input and output statistics, can be replicated by summing appropriately weighted firm-level measures, which has a number of advantages over existing practices, such as the contribution of different sub-samples to a well-defined aggregate is easily identified.
Abstract: We illustrate how the aggregate level of total factor productivity, as obtained from aggregate input and output statistics, can be replicated by summing appropriately weighted firm-level measures. This exact aggregation has a number of advantages over existing practices. First, the contribution of different sub-samples to a well-defined aggregate is easily identified. Second, the importance of patterns at the micro level, such as larger size or higher capital intensity for more productive firms, for the aggregate can be calculated. Third, it allows the exact decomposition of aggregate output growth into the contribution of several factors, among which firm-level total factor productivity growth, an inherently relative concept. A sample of all Chinese manufacturing firms with annual sales above five million RMB is used to illustrate the usefulness of the different decompositions.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examine the sources of the productivity growth in the U.S. computer industry from 1978 to 1999 and find that product innovation associated with better quality accounts for about 30% of the TFP growth in computer industry.
Abstract: In this paper, we examine the sources of the productivity growth in the U.S. computer industry from 1978 to 1999. We estimate a joint production model of output quantity and quality that distinguishes two types of technological changes: process and product innovations. Based on the estimation results, we decompose total factor productivity (TFP) growth rate into the contributions of process and product innova- tions and scale economies. We find that product innovation associated with better quality accounts for about 30% of the TFP growth in the computer industry. Furthermore, the TFP acceleration in the computer industry in the late 1990s is mainly derived from a rapid increase in product innovation.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the impact of R&D on multifactor productivity in the U.S. agricultural sector over the 1910-1990 period, and found that productivity growth in the agricultural sector responds positively to research expenditure with a lag of between four and ten periods.
Abstract: This paper examines the impact of R&D on multifactor productivity in the U.S. agricultural sector over the 1910–1990 period. We use the Bennet–Bowley indicator to measure agricultural productivity based on a multiple output-multiple input technology. We demonstrate the relationship between the price dependent Bennet–Bowley indicator and the Luenberger productivity indicator which is constructed from directional distance functions without requiring price information. These performance measures are dual to the profit function which arguably makes them especially useful in the agricultural setting. We employ time-series techniques to investigate the effect of R&D on the pattern of productivity growth. We find that we cannot reject the presence of a cointegrating relationship between the two series and that productivity growth in the U.S. agriculture responds positively to R&D expenditure with a lag of between four and ten periods.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors extend previous works on total factor productivity decomposition when firms receive both operating and capital subsidies, and use constrained cost minimization as the framework to show that cost increases are inevitable if the total effects of the subsidies are considered, and that overall factor productivity growth results from increasing amounts of subsidies under economies of scale and in the absence of technical change.
Posted Content•
TL;DR: In this paper, a case study has been carried out in a manufacturing plant and the existing productivity measures are analyzed and observed that the plant does not have proper and systematic p roductivity measures to m onitor t he productivity performance.
Abstract: The main o bjective of t his stud y is to compare the productivity measures typ ically used in manufacturing plants with the currently available theories of productivity measures. The study focuses upon t he short comings of current measures and scope o f improvement. It aims to determine t he significance of in troduction of the m odern techniques. A case study has been carried out in a manufacturing plant. The existing productivity measures are analyzed and observed that the plant does not have proper and systematic pr oductivity measures to m onitor t he productivity performance. Multifactor P roductivity/Performance Measurements Model (MFPMM) i s applied to monitor t he productivity levels. Productivity measurement i n the plant wa s a ssessed using six criteria - validity, completeness, comparability, inclusiveness, timeliness, and cost-effectiveness. As more criteria are met, the results o f the measurement become more meaningful. Analysis on current productivity measures reveals that the present measures are far behind f rom be ing adequate and t he firm f aces a low productivity level. The MFPMM has the scope to portray the firm's performances in a comprehensive manner. T he st udy attempts to provide an insight into productivity measurement and analysis, and improvement activities, including t he p hase of productivity measurement, and evaluation o f the productivity level applicable in a manufacturing plant. The research identifies performance/productivity measure related shortcomings and their causes in a typical manufacturing plant and suggest solutions to overcome that. The ideas p resented may b e a pplied to other m anufacturing settings.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors evaluate the appropriateness for international comparisons of output levels in manufacturing and apply a consistency check based on the insight that relative productivity levels should be invariant to the choice of base year.
Abstract: This paper studies conversion factors based on the expenditure approach and evaluates the appropriateness for international comparisons of output levels in manufacturing. We apply a consistency check based on the insight that relative productivity levels should be invariant to the choice of base year. Consequently, convergence parameters and dispersion of productivity across countries should also be unaffected by this choice. The results are disappointing: relative measures of productivity depend heavily of the choice of base year and change systematically as the base years roll forward. The conclusion is insensitive to the applied method for developing conversion factors. The implication is that we cannot measure relative productivity levels in manufacturing across countries using the expenditure approach.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors estimate the productivity change of Nigerian insurance companies and rank the companies analysed in the sample according to their productivity score, which provides the companies analyzed with a view of how their relative productivity can be upgraded.
Abstract: The aim of this paper is to estimate the productivity change of Nigerian insurance companies and to rank the companies analysed in the sample according to their productivity score. This benchmark exercise provides the companies analysed with a view of how their relative productivity can be upgraded. For this purpose, the non-parametric Luenberger productivity model is used. For comparative purposes, the non-parametric Luenberger–Hicks–Moorsteen productivity indicator is also used. The companies are ranked according to their total productivity for the period 1994–2005, using both models, which produce variations in the respective results. Economic implications arising from the study are derived.
TL;DR: In this article, it is shown that, in the presence of complete markets or a common-expectations equilibrium, differences in the market values of firms are superlative indicators of cross-sectional productivity differences.
Abstract: Stochastic productivity indicators are defined, and superlative measures of these indicators are derived. It is shown that, in the presence of complete markets or a common-expectations equilibrium, differences in the market values of firms are superlative indicators of cross-sectional productivity differences. Exactness results are used to decompose nonstochastic productivity indicators into a measure of true productivity change and a measure of ‘luck’. The decomposition is illustrated empirically.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors exploit a rich new database on Prices and Quantities of Electricity in Manufacturing (PQEM) to study electricity productivity in the U.S. manufacturing sector.
Abstract: We exploit a rich new database on Prices and Quantities of Electricity in Manufacturing (PQEM) to study electricity productivity in the U.S. manufacturing sector. The database contains nearly 2 million customer-level observations (i.e., manufacturing plants) from 1963 to 2000. It allows us to construct plant-level measures of price paid per kWh, output per kWh, output per dollar spent on electric power and labor productivity. Using this database, we first document tremendous dispersion among U.S. manufacturing plants in electricity productivity measures and a strong negative relationship between price per kWh and output per kWh hour within narrowly defined industries. Using an IV strategy to isolate exogenous price variation, we estimate that the average elasticity of output per kWh with respect to the price of electricity is about 0.6 during the period from 1985 to 2000. We also develop evidence that this price-physical efficiency tradeoff is stronger for industries with bigger electricity cost shares. Finally, we develop evidence that stronger competitive pressures in the output market lead to less dispersion among manufacturing plants in price per kWh and in electricity productivity measures. The strength of competition effects on dispersion is similar for electricity productivity and labor productivity.
TL;DR: In this article, the sources of aggregate productivity growth are explored using detailed data for four-digit US manufacturing industries during 1958-96 and a decomposition formula that allows us to quantify the contribution of structural change.
Abstract: The sources of aggregate productivity growth are explored using detailed data for four-digit US manufacturing industries during 1958–96 and a decomposition formula that allows us to quantify the contribution of structural change. Labour productivity as well as total factor productivity are considered with either value-added or employment shares serving as aggregation weights. It is shown that structural change generally works in favour of industries with increasing productivity. This effect is particularly strong in the years since 1990, in high-tech industries and in durable goods producing industries. The impact of the computer revolution can be clearly identified.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the productivity performance of China's industries by means of a provincial panel and decomposed productivity growth into four components: technical progress, scale efficiezncy change, and improvements in technical and allocative efficiency.
Abstract: This article investigates the productivity performance of China's industries 1987–2002, by means of a provincial panel. Productivity growth is decomposed into four components: technical progress, scale efficiezncy change, and improvements in technical and allocative efficiency. Although total factor productivity growth had been the second major contributor to industrial growth (after capital accumulation), it has been driven mainly by technical progress rather than efficiency improvement. The estimated stochastic production frontier function exhibits substantial economies of scale. Regional differences in technical progress are negligible, but differences in technical efficiency are statistically significant across regions. The restructuring of state-owned enterprises from the mid-1990s seems to have improved technical efficiency considerably, while the performance of allocative efficiency does not seem to be converging towards standard conditions for optimizing firms under perfect competition. Factor pri...
Proceedings Article•
22 Jul 2008TL;DR: In this paper, an Arena simulation model was developed to analyse the effects of the processes involved on the productivity of the production line and the optimal conditions of production under which productivity can be improved were arrived at.
Abstract: Process optimization is a major decision problem when drawing a balance between meeting variable demands and maintaining the quality of products in food processing industries. Simulation is a useful technique to study the effects of system changes in production processes. A case study conducted in a Rusk manufacturing company in Saudi Arabia gives the template for the reported work. An Arena simulation model was developed to analyse the effects of the processes involved on the productivity of the production line. Various scenarios representing different production setups were tried for running the model. Optimal conditions of production under which productivity can be improved were arrived at. The changes made in the production line resolved all bottlenecks, improved utilization of all machines, eliminated most of the queues at many production stations. An increase of about 50% in production and a decrease of 11.4% in average total time for a box of Rusk in the system were achieved for an additional capital investment that can be paid back in 35 days from the additional expected profit.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors assess the effects of traditional inputs and firms' R&D capital on labour productivity growth, through four procedures: OLS in first difference, within group, GMM in first differences and GMM system.
Abstract: Purpose – The aim of this paper is to assess the effects of traditional inputs and firms' R&D capital on labour productivity growth.Design/methodology/approach – The study measures the effects of the traditional inputs on firms' productivity growth, through four procedures: OLS in first differences, within group, GMM in first differences and GMM system.Findings – Whatever the specification considered, the more efficient estimates obtained from the GMM system show a similar effect of the firm's R&D stock upon its labour productivity performance.Practical implications – The results suggest that physical capital plays a more prominent role for European firms than for US ones, while employees are more productive in the USA.Originality/value – By presenting some empirical evidence on the effects of R&D on labour productivity, at the firm level, the present study makes two main contributions to the existing literature. First, a unique firm‐level database for European and US firms is used. It is self evident tha...
Journal Article•
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a systematic evaluation of the boreal ecosystem productivity simulator (BEPS) model in mountainous terrain using an established montane forest test site in Kananaskis, Alberta, in the Canadian Rocky Mountains.
Abstract: Net primary productivity (NPP) is a key component of the terrestrial carbon cycle and is important in ecological, watershed, and forest management studies, and more broadly in global climate change research. Determining the relative importance and magnitude of uncertainty of NPP model inputs is important for proper carbon reporting over larger areas and time periods. This paper presents a systematic evaluation of the boreal ecosystem productivity simulator (BEPS) model in mountainous terrain using an established montane forest test site in Kananaskis, Alberta, in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Model runs were based on forest (land cover, leaf area index (LAI), biomass) and climate–water inputs (solar radiation, temperature, precipitation, humidity, soil water holding capacity) derived from digital elevation model (DEM) derivatives, climate data, geographical information system (GIS) functions, and topographically corrected satellite imagery. Four sensitivity analyses were conducted as a controlled series o...