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Evaluating Returns to Scale and Convexity in DEA Via Bootstrap: A Case Study with Brazilian Port Terminals

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Handbook of Operations Analytics Using Data Envelopment Analysis

Part of the book series: International Series in Operations Research & Management Science ((ISOR,volume 239))

Abstract

This paper presents a simple methodology, built upon the bootstrapping technique originally developed by Simar and Wilson (Handbook on Data Envelopment Analysis, Kluwer International Series, Boston, 2004), in order to evaluate, unambiguously, returns to scale and convexity assumptions in DEA. The basic idea is to use confidence intervals and bias corrected central estimates to test for significant differences on distance functions and returns-to-scale indicators provided by different DEA models. This methodology is illustrated by means of a case study in the Brazilian port sector, where anecdotal evidence regarding an eventual capacity shortfall is corroborated.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. CELIG (Center for Studies in Logistics, Infrastrucutre and Management), Instituto COPPEAD de Administração, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rua Paschoal Lemme 355; 21.949-900, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    Peter F. Wanke

  2. UECE (Research Unit on Complexity and Economics), Instituto Superior de Economia e Gestão, Technical University of Lisbon, Rua Miguel Lupi 20; 1249-078, Lisbon, Portugal

    Carlos Pestana Barros

Authors
  1. Peter F. Wanke
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  2. Carlos Pestana Barros
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Correspondence to Peter F. Wanke .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept of Business Administration, Ming Chuan University, Taipei, Taiwan

    Shiuh-Nan Hwang

  2. College of Maritime Science & Mgmt, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan

    Hsuan-Shih Lee

  3. School of Business, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA

    Joe Zhu

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Wanke, P.F., Barros, C.P. (2016). Evaluating Returns to Scale and Convexity in DEA Via Bootstrap: A Case Study with Brazilian Port Terminals. In: Hwang, SN., Lee, HS., Zhu, J. (eds) Handbook of Operations Analytics Using Data Envelopment Analysis. International Series in Operations Research & Management Science, vol 239. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-7705-2_8

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