We empirically analyze the relationship between globalisation and poverty. Deviating from the mainstream literature, we use ‘synthetic’ globalisation and poverty indicators, which combine multiple single indicators into single-valued statistics. Further, we study a sample that includes OECD...

We present a nonparametric approach for the equity and efficiency evaluation of (private and public) primary schools in Flanders. First, we use a nonparametric (Data Envelopment Analysis) model that is specially tailored to assess educational efficiency at the pupil level. The model accounts for...

We consider the lack of consensus about an appropriate theoretical framework linking sub-indicators as a defining characteristic of composite indicators. This intrinsic feature implies uncertainties about the appropriate normalisation and aggregation of the raw data. The two are related: index...

We consider the issues of noise-to-signal estimation, finite sample performance andhypothesis testing for the nonparametric efficiency estimation technique proposed inCherchye, L., T. Kuosmanen and G. T. Post (2001) 'Nonparametric efficiencyestimation in stochastic environments', forthcoming in...

We discuss the nonparametric approach to profit efficiency analysis at the firm and industry levels in the absence of complete price information, and propose two new insights. First, choosing one commodity (whose price is known) as a numeraire good enables us to measure profit inefficiency in...

We introduce a novel and simple diagnostic tool to improve the performance of public services (e.g. in health, education, utilities and transportation). We propose a method to compute performance/productivity ratios, which can be applied as soon as data on production units' outcomes and...

We survey the methodological advances in DEA over the last 25 years and discuss the necessary conditions for a sound empirical application. We hope this survey will contribute to the further dissemination of DEA, the knowledge of its relative strengths and weaknesses, and the tools currently...