Bayesian Estimation of Technical Efficiency of a Single Input

Lyubov A. Kurkalova, Alicia L. Carriquiry
November 2000  [00-WP 254]

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Kurkalova, L.A. and A.L. Carriquiry. 2000. "Bayesian Estimation of Technical Efficiency of a Single Input." Working paper 00-WP 254. Center for Agricultural and Rural Development, Iowa State University.


Abstract

The authors propose estimation of a stochastic production frontier model within a Bayesian framework to obtain the posterior distribution of single-input-oriented technical efficiency at the firm level. This method can be used to estimate the environmental efficiency of agricultural production when the technology interaction with the environment is modeled via public inputs such as soil quality and environmental conditions. All computations are carried out using Markov chain Monte Carlo methods. The approach is illustrated through its application to production data from Ukrainian collective farms.