This paper proposes and estimates a globally flexible functional form for the cost function, which we call Neural Cost Function (NCF). The proposed specification imposes a priori and satisfies globally all the properties that economic theory dictates. The functional form can be estimated easily...

This paper specifies an empirical framework for estimating both technical and allocative efficiency using the translog cost-share system, thus providing a solution to the issue known in the literature as the Greene problem. The model is applied to a large panel of European banks and the results...

The output distance function is a key concept in economics. However, its empirical estimation often violates properties dictated by neoclassical production theory. In this paper, we introduce the neural distance function (NDF) which constitutes a global approximation to any arbitrary production...

This paper proposes a flexible stochastic cost frontier panel data model where the technology parameters are unknown smooth functions of firm- and time-effects, which non-neutrally shift the cost frontier. The model decomposes inefficiency into firm and time-specific components and productivity...

While estimating production technology in a primal framework production function, input and output distance functions and input requirement functions are widely used in the empirical literature. This paper shows that these popular primal based models are algebraically equivalent in the sense...

This paper deals with estimation of production technology where endogeneous choice of input and output variables is explicitly recognized. To address this endogeneity issue, we assume that producers maximize return to the outlay. We start from a flexible (translog) transformation function with a...

This paper addresses specification and estimation of multiple-outputs and multiple-inputs production technology in the presence of technical inefficiency. The primary focus is on the primal formulations. Several competing specifications such as production function, input (output) distance...