Suchergebnisse

As the economic and technological problems become more complex and require effective multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) tools for analysis thereof, there is a need for comprehensive MCDM techniques that would be capable to ensure robust optimization with minimum arbitrary assumptions. This paper proposes a new method for MCDM – the Kernel-based Comprehensive Aggregation PROMETHEE (PROMETHEE-KerCA). The proposed approach relies on the kernel density estimation which provides the bandwidths for scaling the differences in the performance of the alternatives. The kernel-based distances are aggregated to establish the performance measures thus following the principle of the outranking. Then, the measures of performance are aggregated in four different manners (additive, multiplicative, minimum and maximum values) to construct the comprehensive overall utility score. The proposed method does not require choosing the preference functions or parameters thereof. The empirical illustration is provided to show the feasibility of the proposed approach. The European Union Member States are ranked by the means of the KerCA method with regards to the objectives of the strategy Europe 2020. The isolated and pooled ranking allows comparing the progress of the countries compared with their initial situation and compared to the other countries in the sample.

The research follows neo-classical methodology to analyse the trends of the agricultural efficiency. The paper fits the stochastic production frontier to the micro data describing the performance of the Lithuanian family farms during 2004–2009 in order to define the current trends of efficiency and productivity in the sector. Indeed, this is the first application of stochastic frontiers to gauge the performance of Lithuanian family farms. The technical efficiency of the Lithuanian family farms fluctuated around 80%. The analysis confirmed that the livestock farms were peculiar with higher mean technical efficiency if compared to that of mixed or crop farms. The estimated partial output elasticities imply that the intermediate consumption was the most productive factor, whereas assets were four to six times less productive depending on the farming type. The land factor was peculiar with the lowest partial output elasticities. The research contributes to the wider discussion on the patterns of efficiency and productivity in a transition European Union Member States following the accession.

The research follows neo-classical methodology to analyse the trends of the agricultural efficiency. The paper fits the stochastic production frontier to the micro data describing the performance of the Lithuanian family farms during 2004–2009 in order to define the current trends of efficiency and productivity in the sector. Indeed, this is the first application of stochastic frontiers to gauge the performance of Lithuanian family farms. The technical efficiency of the Lithuanian family farms fluctuated around 80%. The analysis confirmed that the livestock farms were peculiar with higher mean technical efficiency if compared to that of mixed or crop farms. The estimated partial output elasticities imply that the intermediate consumption was the most productive factor, whereas assets were four to six times less productive depending on the farming type. The land factor was peculiar with the lowest partial output elasticities. The research contributes to the wider discussion on the patterns of efficiency and productivity in a transition European Union Member States following the accession.

The literature suggests different approaches towards modelling of the environmental impact caused by the production processes. The present paper attempts to establish a framework for multicriteria comparison of agricultural sectors of the European Union Member States and identify the performance gaps in terms of energy-related carbon dioxide emission. The research relies on the two approaches, viz. the by-production approach and the multi-criteria decision making approach. The environmental performance indicators were evaluated in regards to the desirable output (gross value added), inputs, and the undesirable output (carbon dioxide emission). The results indicate that Slovakia, Estonia, Lithuania, and Hungary should attempt to improve their carbon factors by implementing cleaner energy technologies. The combinations of by-production sub-indices suggest that productivity gains are more important for Sweden, Belgium, Poland, and France. Czech Republic, Latvia, and Finland are specific with low performance in terms of both the intended production and the undesirable output. The MCDM approach identified similar trends in performance as suggested by country ranking and correlation analysis.

The literature suggests different approaches towards modelling of the environmental impact caused by the production processes. The present paper attempts to establish a framework for multicriteria comparison of agricultural sectors of the European Union Member States and identify the performance gaps in terms of energy-related carbon dioxide emission. The research relies on the two approaches, viz. the by-production approach and the multi-criteria decision making approach. The environmental performance indicators were evaluated in regards to the desirable output (gross value added), inputs, and the undesirable output (carbon dioxide emission). The results indicate that Slovakia, Estonia, Lithuania, and Hungary should attempt to improve their carbon factors by implementing cleaner energy technologies. The combinations of by-production sub-indices suggest that productivity gains are more important for Sweden, Belgium, Poland, and France. Czech Republic, Latvia, and Finland are specific with low performance in terms of both the intended production and the undesirable output. The MCDM approach identified similar trends in performance as suggested by country ranking and correlation analysis.

Benchmarking of the economic subjects—viz. enterprises, organizations, regions—usually involves assessment of the efficiency. Suchlike analyses are not only important in the private sector, but also in the public one for public agencies are usually funded by public funds and thus need to be effective. Indeed, the private (business) subjects are sometimes also operating under the environment requiring appropriate regulation based on benchmarking. This is the case for the agricultural sector which receives voluminous public support as direct payments and rural development measures. On the other hand, the efficiency of agricultural sector impacts the prices of agricultural products as well as factor markets. Therefore, it is important to measure the efficiency of agricultural sector as an outcome of the effectiveness of the agricultural policy. The scale efficiency constitutes one of the components of the gross technical efficiency. The latter measure is related to the farm size and farm structure in general. Furthermore, the optimal farm size is a key issue for the agricultural policy and thus is often influenced by the legal regulations. This paper aims at identifying the optimal scale size for Lithuanian family farms. The paper discusses the neoclassical methodology for analysis of the scale efficiency. The results indicate that the optimal farm size depends on the farming type. Nevertheless, the current maximum limit of land area (i. e. 500 ha) has not been exceeded by any farming type. ; Atliekant ekonominių subjektų (įmonių, įstaigų, regionų) veiklos analizę, dažnai vertinamas efektyvumas. Tokia analizė yra svarbi ne vien tik verslo sektoriuje, bet ir viešajame – viešieji subjektai paprastai yra finansuojami iš valstybės biudžeto, todėl yra svarbu užtikrinti jų veiksmingumą. Beje, dažnai ir privatieji (verslo) subjektai veikia tokioje aplinkoje, kurioje būtinas reguliavimas, pagrįstas lyginamąja analize. Vienas iš pavyzdžių – žemės ūkio sektorius. Šis sektorius yra remiamas (ir, iš dalies reguliuojamas) skiriant tiesiogines išmokas, vykdant kaimo plėtros programos priemones. Kita vertus, žemės ūkio produktų gamybos efektyvumas veikia jų kainas ir gamybos veiksnių (darbo, žemės, kapitalo) rinkas. Taigi žemės ūkio sektoriaus efektyvumo analizė gali būti svarbi vertinant žemės ūkio politikos priemonių veiksmingumą. Vienas iš bendrojo techninio efektyvumo elementų yra masto efektyvumas, susijęs su ūkio dydžiu (ūkių struktūra). Optimalus ūkio dydis yra svarbus agrarinės politikos klausimas, nes teisės aktai reguliuoja maksimalų įsigyjamos žemės kiekį. Šio straipsnio tikslas – nustatyti optimalų Lietuvos ūkininkų ūkių veiklos mastą. Straipsnyje aptariama masto efektyvumo vertinimo metodologija, remiamasi neoklasikine ekonomikos teorija.

The agricultural sector is the primary economic sector. Therefore, the production factors released form the agricultural production process can be employed in the remaining economic sectors, thus generating additional gross value added. In addition, substantial public support is allocated for the agricultural sector. As in the European Union, these processes are regulated by the Common Agricultural Policy. Consequently, researches in the agricultural efficiency are of great importance from the economic standpoint. Indeed, the conventional methods of the efficiency analysis suffer from certain caveats. Accordingly it is important to employ the robust mathematical - statistical methods. This paper aims to establish a methodology for analysis of the productive agricultural efficiency, based on the robust frontier and econometric methods. The paper discusses the following methodological issues: the measures of efficiency and models for efficiency analysis, methodology of the agricultural efficiency analysis. Some state-of-the art frontier methods are presented, namely partial frontiers, double bootstrap, conditional measures of efficiency, multi-directional efficiency analysis. As a result, the proposed methodology for the analysis of Lithuanian family farm efficiency enables to estimate both aggregate efficiency along with its determinants and the input-specific efficiencies. The aggregate efficiency was estimated by the means of the double bootstrap, whereas the multi-directional efficiency analysis was employed to estimate the input-specific efficiencies. The proposed methodology was employed to a sample of Lithuanian family farms.

The agricultural sector is the primary economic sector. Therefore, the production factors released form the agricultural production process can be employed in the remaining economic sectors, thus generating additional gross value added. In addition, substantial public support is allocated for the agricultural sector. As in the European Union, these processes are regulated by the Common Agricultural Policy. Consequently, researches in the agricultural efficiency are of great importance from the economic standpoint. Indeed, the conventional methods of the efficiency analysis suffer from certain caveats. Accordingly it is important to employ the robust mathematical - statistical methods. This paper aims to establish a methodology for analysis of the productive agricultural efficiency, based on the robust frontier and econometric methods. The paper discusses the following methodological issues: the measures of efficiency and models for efficiency analysis, methodology of the agricultural efficiency analysis. Some state-of-the art frontier methods are presented, namely partial frontiers, double bootstrap, conditional measures of efficiency, multi-directional efficiency analysis. As a result, the proposed methodology for the analysis of Lithuanian family farm efficiency enables to estimate both aggregate efficiency along with its determinants and the input-specific efficiencies. The aggregate efficiency was estimated by the means of the double bootstrap, whereas the multi-directional efficiency analysis was employed to estimate the input-specific efficiencies. The proposed methodology was employed to a sample of Lithuanian family farms.

The agricultural sector is the primary economic sector. Therefore, the production factors released form the agricultural production process can be employed in the remaining economic sectors, thus generating additional gross value added. In addition, substantial public support is allocated for the agricultural sector. As in the European Union, these processes are regulated by the Common Agricultural Policy. Consequently, researches in the agricultural efficiency are of great importance from the economic standpoint. Indeed, the conventional methods of the efficiency analysis suffer from certain caveats. Accordingly it is important to employ the robust mathematical - statistical methods. This paper aims to establish a methodology for analysis of the productive agricultural efficiency, based on the robust frontier and econometric methods. The paper discusses the following methodological issues: the measures of efficiency and models for efficiency analysis, methodology of the agricultural efficiency analysis. Some state-of-the art frontier methods are presented, namely partial frontiers, double bootstrap, conditional measures of efficiency, multi-directional efficiency analysis. As a result, the proposed methodology for the analysis of Lithuanian family farm efficiency enables to estimate both aggregate efficiency along with its determinants and the input-specific efficiencies. The aggregate efficiency was estimated by the means of the double bootstrap, whereas the multi-directional efficiency analysis was employed to estimate the input-specific efficiencies. The proposed methodology was employed to a sample of Lithuanian family farms.

The agricultural sector is the primary economic sector. Therefore, the production factors released form the agricultural production process can be employed in the remaining economic sectors, thus generating additional gross value added. In addition, substantial public support is allocated for the agricultural sector. As in the European Union, these processes are regulated by the Common Agricultural Policy. Consequently, researches in the agricultural efficiency are of great importance from the economic standpoint. Indeed, the conventional methods of the efficiency analysis suffer from certain caveats. Accordingly it is important to employ the robust mathematical - statistical methods. This paper aims to establish a methodology for analysis of the productive agricultural efficiency, based on the robust frontier and econometric methods. The paper discusses the following methodological issues: the measures of efficiency and models for efficiency analysis, methodology of the agricultural efficiency analysis. Some state-of-the art frontier methods are presented, namely partial frontiers, double bootstrap, conditional measures of efficiency, multi-directional efficiency analysis. As a result, the proposed methodology for the analysis of Lithuanian family farm efficiency enables to estimate both aggregate efficiency along with its determinants and the input-specific efficiencies. The aggregate efficiency was estimated by the means of the double bootstrap, whereas the multi-directional efficiency analysis was employed to estimate the input-specific efficiencies. The proposed methodology was employed to a sample of Lithuanian family farms.

It is efficiency that provides a momentum for a non-inflatory economic development and increase in competitiveness. Indeed, firm- and sector-specific efficiencies do also influence national competitiveness. This study aims at discussing efficiency and total factor productivity patterns in the Lithuanian agricultural sector as well as their implications on policy making. The efficiency analysis is carried out at various levels: First, the agricultural sector is compared to the remaining economic sectors of the Lithuanian economy. Second, the performance of the Lithuanian family farms is compared to that of the EU Member States. Third, the farming efficiency is analysed across farming types in Lithuania. The analysis, therefore, covers both national and international levels. The study is organized in the following way: Section 1 describes the general idea of the research and contains the literature survey. Section 2 presents the research methods, namely DEA, Malmquist TFP index, and MULTIMOORA. Section 3 focuses on the Lithuanian agricultural sector and treats the data provided by Statistics Lithuania. Lithuanian agricultural sector is analysed by the means of index decomposition analysis and financial ratio analysis. The inter- sectoral comparison proceeds by employing Malmquist TFP index for analysis of the productive efficiency. Section 4 is solely devoted to family farm sector and relies on FADN data. Specifically, an international comparison of family farming is facilitated by the menas of DEA, whereas the Lithuanian family farm performance is analysed by both DEA and Malmquist TFP index. The managerial implications of the findings on the agricultural policy are discussed. The DEA enabled to identify the prospective ways for efficiency improvement. More specifically, land productivity should be increased in the Baltic States.

It is efficiency that provides a momentum for a non-inflatory economic development and increase in competitiveness. Indeed, firm- and sector-specific efficiencies do also influence national competitiveness. This study aims at discussing efficiency and total factor productivity patterns in the Lithuanian agricultural sector as well as their implications on policy making. The efficiency analysis is carried out at various levels: First, the agricultural sector is compared to the remaining economic sectors of the Lithuanian economy. Second, the performance of the Lithuanian family farms is compared to that of the EU Member States. Third, the farming efficiency is analysed across farming types in Lithuania. The analysis, therefore, covers both national and international levels. The study is organized in the following way: Section 1 describes the general idea of the research and contains the literature survey. Section 2 presents the research methods, namely DEA, Malmquist TFP index, and MULTIMOORA. Section 3 focuses on the Lithuanian agricultural sector and treats the data provided by Statistics Lithuania. Lithuanian agricultural sector is analysed by the means of index decomposition analysis and financial ratio analysis. The inter- sectoral comparison proceeds by employing Malmquist TFP index for analysis of the productive efficiency. Section 4 is solely devoted to family farm sector and relies on FADN data. Specifically, an international comparison of family farming is facilitated by the menas of DEA, whereas the Lithuanian family farm performance is analysed by both DEA and Malmquist TFP index. The managerial implications of the findings on the agricultural policy are discussed. The DEA enabled to identify the prospective ways for efficiency improvement. More specifically, land productivity should be increased in the Baltic States.

It is efficiency that provides a momentum for a non-inflatory economic development and increase in competitiveness. Indeed, firm- and sector-specific efficiencies do also influence national competitiveness. This study aims at discussing efficiency and total factor productivity patterns in the Lithuanian agricultural sector as well as their implications on policy making. The efficiency analysis is carried out at various levels: First, the agricultural sector is compared to the remaining economic sectors of the Lithuanian economy. Second, the performance of the Lithuanian family farms is compared to that of the EU Member States. Third, the farming efficiency is analysed across farming types in Lithuania. The analysis, therefore, covers both national and international levels. The study is organized in the following way: Section 1 describes the general idea of the research and contains the literature survey. Section 2 presents the research methods, namely DEA, Malmquist TFP index, and MULTIMOORA. Section 3 focuses on the Lithuanian agricultural sector and treats the data provided by Statistics Lithuania. Lithuanian agricultural sector is analysed by the means of index decomposition analysis and financial ratio analysis. The inter- sectoral comparison proceeds by employing Malmquist TFP index for analysis of the productive efficiency. Section 4 is solely devoted to family farm sector and relies on FADN data. Specifically, an international comparison of family farming is facilitated by the menas of DEA, whereas the Lithuanian family farm performance is analysed by both DEA and Malmquist TFP index. The managerial implications of the findings on the agricultural policy are discussed. The DEA enabled to identify the prospective ways for efficiency improvement. More specifically, land productivity should be increased in the Baltic States.

It is efficiency that provides a momentum for a non-inflatory economic development and increase in competitiveness. Indeed, firm- and sector-specific efficiencies do also influence national competitiveness. This study aims at discussing efficiency and total factor productivity patterns in the Lithuanian agricultural sector as well as their implications on policy making. The efficiency analysis is carried out at various levels: First, the agricultural sector is compared to the remaining economic sectors of the Lithuanian economy. Second, the performance of the Lithuanian family farms is compared to that of the EU Member States. Third, the farming efficiency is analysed across farming types in Lithuania. The analysis, therefore, covers both national and international levels. The study is organized in the following way: Section 1 describes the general idea of the research and contains the literature survey. Section 2 presents the research methods, namely DEA, Malmquist TFP index, and MULTIMOORA. Section 3 focuses on the Lithuanian agricultural sector and treats the data provided by Statistics Lithuania. Lithuanian agricultural sector is analysed by the means of index decomposition analysis and financial ratio analysis. The inter- sectoral comparison proceeds by employing Malmquist TFP index for analysis of the productive efficiency. Section 4 is solely devoted to family farm sector and relies on FADN data. Specifically, an international comparison of family farming is facilitated by the menas of DEA, whereas the Lithuanian family farm performance is analysed by both DEA and Malmquist TFP index. The managerial implications of the findings on the agricultural policy are discussed. The DEA enabled to identify the prospective ways for efficiency improvement. More specifically, land productivity should be increased in the Baltic States.