Efficiency and productivity
Neoclassical economic theory predicts that agents or decision makers who perform below their ability won't survive in competitive markets. However, in reality many other factors, such as imperfect information and regulation, can cause inefficiency and damage productivity. Using quantitative methods such as regression analysis, we investigate whether there is inefficiency in certain sectors and identify its potential causes.
For instance, we consider the impact of deregulation of Indian banking in 1998 on the performance of Indian banks. Following the deregulation, foreign banks became less efficient on average, the proportion of banks with low level efficiency increased, and some private banks became highly inefficient. By contrast, state banks seem to have benefited from deregulation.
Collaborations and partnerships
Our academic partners include the University of Nottingham, University of Alabama, University of Queensland, State University New York and KU Leuven in Belgium.
Current projects
- Analysing sectoral productivity in the UK to identify reasons for high and low productivity
- Identifying the impact on productivity of the introduction of a revenue-neutral carbon tax in British Columbia, Canada.
Recent publication highlights
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Measurement of energy efficiency based on economic foundations (2015)
Filippini, M. and Hunt, L. C. Energy Economics, 52, S5-S16.
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Efficiency and productivity of the cement industry
Pakistani experience of deregulation and privatisation (2015). Ghulam, Y. and Jaffry, S. Omega, 54, 101-114.
Discover our areas of expertise
Efficiency and productivity is one of our 4 areas of expertise in our Economics research area – explore the others below.
Research groups
We're undertaking cutting-edge research ranging from microeconomic level analysis of individual decision making, to global macroeconomic and monetary interactions.
Interested in a PhD in Economics?
Browse our postgraduate research degrees – including PhDs and MPhils – at our Economics postgraduate research degrees page.