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Explaining differences in productive efficiency: An application to Belgian municipalities

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Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to measure and explain variations in productive efficiency of municipal governments in Belgium. Technical efficiency is evaluated using a non-parametric method based on the Free Disposal Hull (FDH) reference technology. We first calculate input, output, and graph Farrell efficiency measures for a cross-section of all 589 Belgian municipalities. In a second stage of the analysis we explain the calculated differences in efficiency in terms of variables related to the structural characteristics of municipalities and to the institutional environment.

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de Borger, B., Kerstens, K., Moesen, W. et al. Explaining differences in productive efficiency: An application to Belgian municipalities. Public Choice 80, 339–358 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01053225

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