Estimation de frontières déterministes avec facteurs exogénes d'inefficacité

The aim of the paper is to present a statistical methodology for the estimation of a deterministic production function and of the derived technical efficiencies. The originality of the method lies in that it allows the introduction of exogeneous factors explaining a part of the inefficiency. Those factors are introduced through variables describing typically the environmental conditions of each production unit. Least-squares and maximum likelihood estimators are analysed. The feasability of the method is illustrated in its application to the estimation of the technical performances of railway companies.