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Objective:To analyze the operation efficiency of hospitals in 31 provinces in China from 2009 to 2019 based on the three-stage data envelopmeni analysis(DEA) model, for references to improve the operation efficiency of hospitals in China and promote the high-quality development of public hospitals.Methods:The data came from such sources as China health statistics yearbook and China general hospital ranking list of Fudan university.The number of hospitals, health technicians and beds in 31 provinces of China from 2009 to 2019 were used as input indicators, while that of hospital patients, discharged patients, hospitalized patients, reputational scoring of superior specialties and academic scoring of scientific research were used as output indicators.Government health expenditure, per capita GDP, population density and the proportion of tertiary hospitals were used as environmental variables.The three-stage DEA model was used to calculate the hospital operation efficiency and scale reward.Results:The environmental variables affected the operation efficiency of hospitals in China( P<0.05). After removing the impact, the average of comprehensive efficiency, pure technical efficiency and scale efficiency of hospitals in 31 provinces from 2009 to 2019 were 0.703, 0.961 and 0.726, respectively.Among them, the scale benefit of hospitals in 4 provinces remained unchanged, while those in 26 provinces increased progressively and 1 province decreased progressively. Conclusions:Pure technical efficiency could be the main factor to improve the operation efficiency of hospitals in China, while the low scale efficiency will affect the improvement of the operation efficiency of hospitals.The scale efficiency of hospitals in most provinces had great room for improvement.In order to improve the overall hospital operation efficiency in China, the authors suggested to expand hospital scale based on the precondition of quality, promote balanced distribution of high-quality medical resources, and play the positive role of the social, economic and environment variables.
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This research analyzed the efficiency situation of corn farms operating in the Adana province of Turkey. In this context, required farm management data were collected from 111 corn farmers by using face to face survey method during the 2019-2020 cultivation season. To determine the technical efficiency (TE) levels of corn farms, Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) was applied. Furthermore, factors that cause the inefficiency in corn farms were detected by using the Tobit regression model. According to research results, the average TE levels of corn farms in the research area under the variable return to scale conditions are reported as 0.887 (111 farms). These results suggested that if farms reduced their input use by 11.3% on average, they can achieve the same output level and be able to reach full technical efficiency. The most ineffective source in terms of farms performance is machine expenditures with 68.2% of excessive use followed by labor use. In this regard, mechanization modernization, education and training of the labor force and more sensitive fertilizers and pesticide use can increase the efficiency of corn farms. Results of the Tobit regression model indicated that factors such as experience, education, number of tractors and size of the irrigated area positively influenced the TE, whereas family size in corn farming has a negative effect.
Esta pesquisa tem como objetivo analisar a situação de eficiência das fazendas de milho operando na província de Adana, na Turquia. Neste contexto, os dados necessários de gestão da fazenda foram coletados de 111 produtores de milho usando o método de pesquisa frente a frente durante a temporada de cultivo de 2019-2020. Para determinar os níveis de eficiência técnica (TE) das fazendas de milho, foi aplicada a Análise Envoltória de Dados (DEA). Além disso, os fatores que causam a ineficiência nas fazendas de milho foram detectados por meio do modelo de regressão Tobit. De acordo com os resultados da pesquisa, os níveis médios de TE das fazendas de milho na área de pesquisa sob as condições de retorno variável à escala são encontrados em 0,887 (111 fazendas). Esses resultados sugerem que, se as fazendas reduzirem o uso de insumos em 11,3% em média, podem atingir o mesmo nível de produção e alcançar eficiência técnica plena. A fonte mais ineficaz em termos de desempenho das fazendas são os gastos com máquinas, com 68,2% do uso excedente continuado com o uso de mão de obra. Nesse sentido, a mecanização, a modernização, a educação e o treinamento da força de trabalho e o uso de fertilizantes e pesticidas mais sensíveis podem ser sugeridos para aumentar a eficiência das fazendas de milho. Os resultados do modelo de regressão Tobit indicam que fatores como experiência, escolaridade, número de tratores e tamanho da área irrigada influenciaram positivamente no TE, enquanto o tamanho da família na cultura do milho tem efeito negativo.
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Análise Custo-Eficiência , Produção Agrícola , Zea mays , Turquia , Análise de RegressãoRESUMO
RESUMEN En esta investigación se desarrolla un método que integra herramientas de análisis multivariado con el objetivo de identificar perfiles característicos de las pequeñas y medianas empresas exportadoras pequeñas y evaluar su eficiencia empresarial, de manera que se apoyen procesos de mejora en sus resultados. Para lo anterior se revisaron elementos teóricos asociados a la eficiencia empresarial y el cálculo estadístico multivariado, lo que permitió desarrollar una metodología que integra el análisis de conglomerados, análisis discriminante y análisis envolvente de datos para evaluar la eficiencia empresarial. Se analizaron 45 empresas pequeñas y medianas exportadoras de Cartagena-Colombia, en las que se identificaron 3 perfiles característicos con niveles promedio de eficiencia de 71,89% el uno, 70,93% el dos y 51,25% tres. El análisis discriminante mostró la pertinencia y relevancia de los perfiles identificados lográndose un 95,6% de clasificación correcta del modelo discriminante. Se concluye que las herramientas de cálculo multivariado analizadas en esta investigación son significativas para clasificar y evaluar la eficiencia de grupos empresariales. CLASIFICACIÓN JEL C19, O11, O32
ABSTRACT This research develops a method that integrates multivariate analysis tools with the aim of identifying characteristic profiles of small and medium-sized small exporting companies and evaluating their business efficiency so that improvement processes are supported in their results. For the above, theoretical elements associated with business efficiency and multivariate statistical calculation were reviewed, which develops a methodology that integrates cluster analysis, discriminant analysis and data envelopment analysis to evaluate business efficiency. 45 small and medium exporting companies from Cartagena-Colombia were analyzed, in which 3 characteristic profiles were identified with average efficiency levels of 71.89% for one, 70.93% for two and 51.25% for three. The discriminant analysis selected the relevance and relevance of the identified profiles, registering 95.6% of correct classification of the discriminant model. It is concluded that the multivariate calculation tools analyzed in this research are analyzed to classify and evaluate the efficiency of business groups. JEL CLASSIFICATION C19, O11, O32
RESUMO Nesta investigação é desenvolvido um método que integra ferramentas de análise multivariada com o objectivo de identificar perfis característicos das pequenas e médias empresas exportadoras e avaliar a sua eficiência empresarial, de forma a apoiar os processos de melhoria dos seus resultados. Para o efeito, foram revistos elementos teóricos associados à eficiência empresarial e ao cálculo estatístico multivariado, o que permitiu desenvolver uma metodologia que integra análise de clusters, análise discriminante e análise envolvente de dados para avaliar a eficiência empresarial. Foram analisadas quarenta e cinco pequenas e médias empresas de exportação em Cartagena-Colômbia, identificando três perfis característicos com níveis médios de eficiência de 71,89% para uma, 70,93% para duas e 51,25% para três. A análise discriminante mostrou a pertinência e relevância dos perfis identificados, atingindo 95,6% da classificação correcta do modelo discriminante. Conclui-se que as ferramentas de cálculo multivariado analisadas nesta investigação são significativas para classificar e avaliar a eficiência dos grupos empresariais. CLASSIFICAÇÃO JEL C19, O11, O32
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Objective To learn the technical efficiency and influencing factors of hospital beds in China's hospitals from 2010 to 2016.Methods The two-stage Network DEA-Tobit model was used to analyze the technical efficiency and influencing factors of hospital beds at all levels in China.Results There was a big difference in the utilization status of hospital beds at all levels.The bed burden of tertiary hospitals was heavier,and their average bed occupancy rate was 102％,while the potential of primary and secondary hospital beds was relatively large.The average technical efficiency of the hospitals in the primary,secondary and tertiary hospitals was 0.99,0.37 and 0.82,respectively.Over-investment of resources for beds in hospitals at all levels was found with insufficient output,and the utilization of bed resources in primary and secondary hospitals was seriously insufficient.The nurse-bed ratio,per capita medical expenses of hospitalized patients,per-bed income and financial subsidy to the technical efficiency of the hospital bed were statistically significant.The correlation coefficient between the guard bed ratio and the technical efficiency of the hospital bed was 3.106 409.Conclusions It is necessary to further implement the hierarchical medical system and clarify the functional positioning of hospitals at all levels.It is recommended to control the scale of investment and improve the utilization efficiency of existing bed resources,and it is also imperative to improve the medical technology level and diagnosis rate of hospitals at all levels,and promote the maximization of bed utilization efficiency.
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Objective@#To learn the technical efficiency and influencing factors of hospital beds in China′s hospitals from 2010 to 2016.@*Methods@#The two-stage Network DEA-Tobit model was used to analyze the technical efficiency and influencing factors of hospital beds at all levels in China.@*Results@#There was a big difference in the utilization status of hospital beds at all levels. The bed burden of tertiary hospitals was heavier, and their average bed occupancy rate was 102%, while the potential of primary and secondary hospital beds was relatively large. The average technical efficiency of the hospitals in the primary, secondary and tertiary hospitals was 0.99, 0.37 and 0.82, respectively. Over-investment of resources for beds in hospitals at all levels was found with insufficient output, and the utilization of bed resources in primary and secondary hospitals was seriously insufficient. The nurse-bed ratio, per capita medical expenses of hospitalized patients, per-bed income and financial subsidy to the technical efficiency of the hospital bed were statistically significant. The correlation coefficient between the guard bed ratio and the technical efficiency of the hospital bed was 3.106 409.@*Conclusions@#It is necessary to further implement the hierarchical medical system and clarify the functional positioning of hospitals at all levels. It is recommended to control the scale of investment and improve the utilization efficiency of existing bed resources, and it is also imperative to improve the medical technology level and diagnosis rate of hospitals at all levels, and promote the maximization of bed utilization efficiency.
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Objective To analyze the economical operation and technical efficiency of Zhejiang provincial hospitals, and give references for deepening public hospitals reform.Methods We compiled data from 17 provincial public hospitals from 2013 to 2017 in Zhejiang, then used descriptive analysis to study hospitals′operating performance, and used stochastic frontier analysis( SFA) to analyze hospitals′ technical efficiency.Results From 2013 to 2017, the 17 provincial hospitals′ annual growth rate of outpatients and discharges were 5.2% and 9.5% , the number of outpatients and discharges at the general hospitals were 1.8 times and 2.5 times of those in specialized hospitals respectively.In these hospitals, service efficiency had been improved, and the income structure had become more reasonable.However, internal and external factors of the hospitals lowered technical inefficiency in their economic operation. Conclusions The economic operation mechanism of provincial hospitals should be further strengthened, and their external environment be improved as well.Only in this way can the hospitals achieve their operational goal of " doing the right thing and in the right way".
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Objetivo: Os hospitais públicos em Portugal apresentaram nos últimos anos uma melhoria dos seus resultados em termos de assistência. Porém, poucas têm sido as avaliações realizadas no âmbito do seu desempenho. Este estudo procura determinar a eficiência dos hospitais públicos em Portugal. Métodos: Este estudo considerou duas alternativas de modelos não paramétricos bidireccionais, baseados em Análise Envoltória de Dados e em Ordem-a. A utilização de ambos os modelos visa a validação da robustez dos resultados. Usaram-se quatro tipos de variáveis: custos totais, número de doentes atendidos ajustados ao risco, qualidade do serviço prestado, e o ambiente externo (demografia e epidemiologia). Com referência ao ano 2016, consideraram-se 27 hospitais e centros hospitalares públicos portugueses. Resultados: O nível de ineficiência médio, apenas para hospitais ineficientes, é aproximadamente 10%, correspondendo a cerca de 617 milhões desperdiçados. Conclusões: Os níveis de ineficiência variam conforme os modelos apresentados. A avaliação do desempenho deve considerar fatores como a presença de outliers, o número de variáveis, as condições externas desfavoráveis, bem como as características das fronteiras de eficiência. Um aspeto importante corresponde à convexidade da fronteira. Conclui-se que a melhor solução para avaliar o desempenho hospitalar é a abordagem por Ordem-a.
Objective: Portuguese public hospitals have exhibited an improvement of resources management in the past few years. However, only few analyses over their performance have been done. This study aims at find technical efficiency levels of Portuguese public hospitals using robust methods. Methods: This study has considered two different nonparametric alternatives for efficiency assessment. These methods are based on the Data Envelopment Analysis and on the Order-a frameworks. Four main variable categories were used: total expenses, risk-adjusted treated patients, delivered healthcare services' quality, and the epidemiologic and demographic conditions in which hospitals operate. A sample of 27 Portuguese public hospitals and hospital centres was used. Data regards the year of 2016. Results: Inefficient hospitals exhibit average technical inefficiency levels of about 10%, which corresponds to the waste of nearly 617 million. Conclusions: Inefficiency levels have a strong dependence on model features. Hence, performance evaluation should account for the existence of potential outliers, the number of variables, the existence of external factor affecting the hospitals' production process, as well as the characteristics of the achieved frontiers. An important aspect is the assumption of convexity of the frontier. A better solution for hospital performance assessment is, then, the Order-a method.
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Humanos , Eficiência , Hospitais Públicos , PortugalRESUMO
China implemented the public hospital reform in 2012.This study utilized bootstrapping data envelopment analysis (DEA) to evaluate the technical efficiency (TE) and productivity of county public hospitals in Eastern,Central,and Western China after the 2012 public hospital reform.Data from 127 county public hospitals (39,45,and 43 in Eastern,Central,and Western China,respectively) were collected during 2012-2015.Changes of TE and productivity over time were estimated by bootstrapping DEA and bootstrapping Malmquist.The disparities in TE and productivity among public hospitals in the three regions of China were compared by Kruskal-Wallis H test and Mann-Whitney U test.The average bias-corrected TE values for the four-year period were 0.6442,0.5785,0.6099,and 0.6094 in Eastern,Central,and Western China,and the entire country respectively,with average non-technical efficiency,low pure technical efficiency (PTE),and high scale efficiency found.Productivity increased by 8.12％,0.25％,12.11％,and 11.58％ in China and its three regions during 2012-2015,and such increase in productivity resulted from progressive technological changes by 16.42％,6.32％,21.08％,and 21.42％,respectively.The TE and PTE of the county hospitals significantly differed among the three regions of China.Eastern and Western China showed significantly higher TE and PTE than Central China.More than 60％ of county public hospitals in China and its three areas operated at decreasing return scales.There was a considerable space for TE improvement in county hospitals in China and its three regions.During 2012-2015,the hospitals experienced progressive productivity;however,the PTE changed adversely.Moreover,Central China continuously achieved a significantly lower efficiency score than Eastern and Westem China.Decision makers and administrators in China should identify the causes of the observed inefficiencies and take appropriate measures to increase the efficiency of county public hospitals in the three areas of China,especially in Central China.
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Objective To assess the technical efficiency and subsystem technical efficiency of the healthcare institutions in China,including that of management system and medical system.Methods Panel data of 31 provinces' healthcare institutions were selected,and Network DEA was adopted to assess such input indicators as managerial staff and health technical personnel,and such output indicators as medical revenue and number of medical visits.Results The technical efficiency of healthcare institutions is as lower as an efficiency mean of 0.853 in five year.Provinces of Zhejiang,Shandong,Henan,Guangdong and Tibet have maintained a higher level.The healthcare system breaks down into two independent subsystems of the management subsystem and medical subsystem.The mean of the former one is 0.937,higher than 0.783 of the latter.The number of medical revenue and that of patients in the non-effective provinces were relatively inadequate.Conclusions Healthcare resources allocation in China needs to be optimized.It is imperative to adjust the input-output ratio,improve medical service quality via scientific management.
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Objective To establish and optimize the evaluation indexes system of hospitals' technical efficiency in China.Methods Delphi method was used along with experts opinion to build the indexes system.Results The expert positive coefficient was over 80% in three rounds of consultation, and the coordination coefficients were 0.144, 0.302 and 0.533 respectively, proving the difference as statistically significant.In the end an evaluation indexes system of hospitals' technical efficiency had taken shape, comprising three level-1 indexes, 13 level-2 indexes and 114 level-3 indexes.Conclusions The evaluation indexes system of hospitals' technical efficiency established with Delphi method can contribute to optimizing resources allocation and promote efficiency of hospital service.
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Objective For an analysis and evaluation of the technical efficiency of tertiary hospitals in Tianjin.Methods Data Envelopment Analysis of different combinations of indicators and Spearman Rank Correlation Analysis were used for a study of the relative efficiency between 28 tertiary hospitals and the correlation between the indictors.Results The study showed that 12 hospitals reached DEA efficient,effective rate of 42.86%,and there is a correlation between the five sets of indicators. Conclusion Regulators of Tianjin hospitals should pay attention to efficiency calculations,make full use of medical resources,strengthen scientific management,and enhance the competitiveness of the hospital.
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This article applied stochastic frontier analysis to estimate the efficiency of the 2007 Beijing Medicine Development Foundation,and analyzed the dominant influencing factors of the performance.The following results were found out..(1) The performance of 2007 Beijing Medicine Development Foundation was good in general,however there was a 23％ gap between the actual output and the frontier output.As time passes by,the expected performance will get better.(2) There are large differences existed between various categories of projects and the different levels of institutions and project leaders.The relatively high profile projects,which means large input and more complexity,requires higher level of facility and environmental support,project manager's degree,professional title,while technical efficiency is not obvious for small scale independent innovation projects.
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To discuss the influences of government health input on the efficiency of hospital operation. Methods:Taking 16 county-level hospitals in Ningxia as samples, using DEA and DEA-malmqutist indicator method to calculate the technical efficiency scores from 2000 to 2012, then analyze the compositions of technique efficiency(TE) , using Tobit regression to analyze the relationship between government budget health expenditure and medical institution efficiency. Results: The Ningxia governmental health budget expenditure is growing almost 3 times from 2000 to 2012 and the average TE is 0.82-0.94. In the 16 county-level hospitals, the TFP of 6 hospitals (37.5%) was less than 1, and the minimum was 0.82; while the TFP of 10 hospitals (62.5%) were more than 1, the max was 1.699. For the 6 hospitals of which TFP was less than 1, the reason for negative growth of TFP was contributed to the slow technique change, the pure efficiency or small scale. The regression result of TOBIT showed that the government health expenditure increases 1 000 units, the efficiency of medical institutions will increase 0.0031. Conclusion: The relationship between the governmental expenditure and medical institutions is positive, but the technical efficiency of medical institutions expenditure was the result of multiple factors.
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Objective:To study on regional differences of technical efficiency under medical and health system in China, and analyze on the influence factors of technical efficiency. Methods: Based on the provincial panel data from 2002 to 2011, the stochastic frontier production function of healthcare system was established for empirical analysis. Results and Conclusion: Overall, the average technical efficiency of medical and health system in China presented an increasing tendency, however, a significant difference was found in regional efficiency. The non-efficiency of medical and health system in different areas could be reduced by the proportion of tertiary hospitals in all medical institutions, the ratio of profit-making medical institutions in all medical institutions and the population density;while the influences of highway density and per capital education year on technical efficiency in different areas are different.
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Objective: To support the distribution of health resources in China better. Methods: According to the related data of resident health, health resources and marketing index in China from 2005 to 2010, related conclusion was given by using stochastic frontier analysis and fixed effect panel analysis method to establish the change trend of technical efficiency in different provinces and cities. Results and Conclusion: (1) The distribution of technical efficiency in different provinces and cities are asymmetric and generally low;(2)there are obvious differences of technical efficiency among different areas;(3)government input in medical and health field should be focused on central and western areas.
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Objective:To explore the productivity of township health services in Guangzhou. Methods:We use a nonparametric Malmquist index approach to analyze total factor productivity change in Guangzhou’s township health service. The panel data was collected between 2009 and 2013. Results: The average growth rate of Guangzhou’s township health service was 18 . 7% from 2009 to 2013 . This growth was mainly due to improved technical progress but not technical efficiency. Pure technical efficiency and scale efficiency have not developed simultaneously. Conclusion:The change in the total factor productivity was positively affected by technical progress, not by strategic management and business decisions inside township health centers.
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Este estudo pretende mensurar os escores de eficiência técnica da atividade agropecuária nas microrregiões brasileiras e verificar seus determinantes. Para atender esses objetivos, empregaram-se os modelos de análise envoltória dos dados (DEA) e de regressão quantílica. Os dados foram obtidos do Censo Agropecuário (2006), publicado pelo Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. Os resultados do modelo DEA indicaram que a maioria das microrregiões brasileiras apresentou baixa eficiência técnica na produção. Quanto ao modelo de regressões quantílicas, verifica-se que assistência técnica, adubação, crédito concedido e mão de obra familiar constituem fatores relevantes na explicação das diferenças de eficiência técnica das microrregiões brasileiras em todos os quantis estimados.
This study intends to measure the scores of technical efficiency of agriculture and cattle raising activity in the 556 Brazilian microregions and to check their determinants. In order to achieve these goals, the data envelopment analysis models (DEA) and the quantile regression were used. The data were obtained from the Agricultural and Cattle raising Census (2006) published by the Brazilian Geography and Statistics Institute - IBGE. The results of the DEA model indicated low technical efficiency in production. So far as the quantile regression model is concerned, one can observe that technical assistance, fertilization, granted credit and family labor constitute relevant factors in accounting for the differences of technical efficiency of Brazilian microregions in all amounts estimated.
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Objective To longitudinally analyze the unit costs and technical efficiency of the model of male circumcision in the different kinds of persons .Methods Unit costs were calculated by the person and period using longitudinal data from 3 kinds of persons ,and then technical efficiency and Malmquist indices were measured with an approach to data envelopment analysis . Results Theunit costs for changing the willingness to accept surgery changed dramatically ,decreasing from 7 166 .67 yuan(mean) to 737 .31 yuan ,while the costs for changing the ratio of the surgery increased from 666 .64 yuan (mean) to 744 .58 yuan ,and its technical efficiency was averaging between 0 .95-0 .96 .Conclusion The time series of unit costs for changing the willingness to ac-cept surgery dramatically dropped ,while changing the ratio of the surgery formed a U-shape curve with an inflection point before which unit costs dramatically dropped and another inflection point beyond which unit costs went up .These findings can inform pro-gram managers of the changing unit costs when extending or expanding the program .
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In a time of rising demands on hospital reimbursement levels, focus on efficient operations is becoming more imperative. In health care systems, the measurement of efficiency is usually the first step in auditing individual performance of production units, e.g. hospitals, health centers, etc. It constitutes the rational framework for the distribution of human and other resources between and within health care facilities. The term efficiency is broadly used in economics and refers to the best utilization of resources in production. Typical example of efficiency is technical efficiency, referring to the effective use of resources in producing outputs. In the Farrell framework, a hospital is judged to be technically efficient if it is operating on the best practice production frontier in its hospital industry. In general, there are two main frontier methods in measuring efficiency. The first is Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), a linear programming method which enables the measurement of efficiency consistent with the theoretically based concept of production efficiency. DEA typically examines the relationship between inputs to a production process and the outputs of that process. The second technique for assessing efficiency that is employed is Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA). This is an econometric technique to estimate a conventional function; with the difference being that efficiency is measured using the residuals from the estimated equation. The error term is therefore divided into a stochastic error term and a systematic inefficiency term.
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A irrigação das culturas aumenta a possibilidade de obtenção de altas produtividades, mas exige racionalidade técnica e econômica no uso de insumos, especialmente fertilizantes nitrogenados. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar as doses mais adequadas de nitrogênio e de potássio para maior produtividade de grãos e o melhor retorno econômico da adubação com o cultivo de milho (Zea mays L.) sob irrigação por aspersão. O experimento foi conduzido nos anos agrícolas 2002/03 e 2003/04, em Cruz Alta, Rio Grande do Sul, em lavoura sob irrigação com pivô central, em Latossolo Vermelho distrófico típico. A população efetiva do milho foi de 78.000 e 71.000 plantas ha-1 em 2002/03 e 2003/04, respectivamente, utilizando-se o híbrido Pioneer 30F44. Os tratamentos foram compostos das doses de 0, 80, 120, 160, 200 e 240kg ha-1 de N (uréia) combinadas com 0, 40, 80 e 120kg ha-1 de K2O (cloreto de potássio). O delineamento utilizado foi blocos ao acaso com quatro repetições. A máxima produtividade de grãos de milho sob irrigação por aspersão foi obtida com a aplicação de 283 a 289kg ha-1 de nitrogênio, mas a máxima eficiência econômica ocorreu com 156 a 158kg ha-1 de nitrogênio, não havendo incremento na produtividade com a aplicação de potássio. Isso evidencia que, em muitas situações, os produtores estão utilizando fertilizantes nitrogenados e potássicos acima do necessário.
Irrigation increases the probability to obtain high crop grain yield, but demands a technical and economical reasonable use of agricultural inputs, especially nitrogen fertilizers. The objective was to determine the more adequate rates of nitrogen and potassium for corn (Zea mays L.) grain yield and the better economical return of the fertilization in corn under sprinkle irrigation. The experiment was carried out in the years 2002/03 and 2003/04 in Cruz Alta-RS, Brazil, in a crop farm using central pivot irrigation system. The soil used was an Oxisol (Hapludox). The corn effective population totalized 78.000 and 71.000 plants ha-1 for the years 2002/03 and 2003/04, respectively, using the hybrid Pioneer 30F44. The treatments were composed by 0, 80, 120, 160, 200 and 240kg ha-1 of N (urea) combined with 0, 40, 80 and 120kg ha-1 of K2O (potassium chloride). The experiment was set in a randomized block design with four replicates. The maximum corn grain yield under sprinkle irrigation was obtained with N rates between 283 and 289kg ha-1, but the maximum economic efficiency was between 156 and 158kg of N ha-1, without any increment in grain yield with potassium application. These results show that, in many situations, farmers are using rates of nitrogen and potassium fertilizers over than necessary.