The purpose of this paper is two-fold. First, it compares the performance of various panel data models in estimating technical efficiency in production. Second, it applies various stochastic frontier panel data models to estimate the technical efficiency of Iran's cotton production and to...

The purpose of this paper is two-fold. First, it compares the performance of various panel data models in estimating technical efficiency in production. Second, it applies various stochastic frontier panel data models to estimate the technical efficiency of Iran's cotton production and to...

Panel data can be arranged into a matrix in two ways, called 'long' and 'wide' formats (LF and WF). The two formats suggest two alternative model approaches for analyzing panel data: (i) univariate regression with varying intercept; and (ii) multivariate regression with latent variables (a...

Since the early 1980s, electricity industry reforms have been initiated in more than half of the countries in the world. Among the primary targets of these reform schemes, there has been an increase in efficiency of the sector; and it is implicitly assumed that government support to energy...

Regional disparities are important concerns for the researchers as well as the policy makers in both developed and developing countries. The government, as a leading actor in regional policies, can create externalities through investments not only in the real sectors, but also in infrastructure...