Sep 21, 2009

Articles in journals

Barros, C., Peypoch, N., Botti, L.

14

10

This paper proposes a new framework for analysing Decision Making Unit (DMU) productivity changes during two time period. This method is based on the Luenberger Productivity Indicator which uses the Directional Distance Function. This method has two advantages which are explained in the paper. First, it evaluates simultaneously the scale of the economies and the improvements in production which have been achieved by each observed entity during the time span. Thus, it can be considered as a method to indicate the performance evolution of DMUs. Moreover, it indicates technical efficiency and technological changes during the period. This framework is applied to a Portuguese travel agencies sample which has faced a number of threats under the period 2000 – 2004. Conclusions are that productivity increased for the majority of the travel agencies analyzed and that these good performances are almost always explained by technical progress. Some managerial implications beneficial for agencies productivity are drawn from this study.

Portugal,Travel agencies,Benchmarking,Productivity,Directional Distance Function,Luenberger Productivity Indicator