This paper presents a review of the extensive literature concerned with estimating production and cost inefficiencies in banks. The meaning of inefficiency in this context is outlined, alternative estimation techniques are summarised and the problems of modelling the activities of banks and...

The concept of asset specificity is an important feature of the transaction-cost economics literature. This literature predicts that asset specificity – which embraces physical assets, specialist human capital and intangibles such as brands – fosters greater certainty in...