Key facts
UNE unit code: ECON577
*You are viewing the 2025 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.
- Trimester 2 - On Campus
- Trimester 2 - Online
- Armidale Campus
- Yes
- No
- Yes
- 6
Unit information
In an era of rapid change, studying this unit will equip you with the tools to measure and evaluate performance in complex firms and organisations with multiple inputs and outputs in order to help them improve business efficiency and productivity, and become more responsive to disruptions brought about by new technology.
Using quantitative approaches such as data envelopment analysis, stochastic frontier analysis and index numbers, you will measure and decompose productivity differences into various components. These includes technical efficiency, allocative efficiency, scale efficiency and technological change.
You will gain hands-on experience implementing these methods using different software packages and data sets in a selection of case studies.
Offerings
For further information about UNE's teaching periods, please go to Principal Dates.
| Teaching period | Mode/location |
|---|---|
| Trimester 2 | On Campus, Armidale Campus |
| Trimester 2 | Online |
*Offering is subject to availability
Intensive schools
There are no intensive schools required for this unit.
Enrolment rules
Notes
This unit is offered in alternate years.
Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.
Unit coordinator(s)
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- demonstrate an advanced understanding of performance measurement using the concepts of technical efficiency, allocative efficiency, scale efficiency, and total factor productivity;
- demonstrate a specialist understanding of how to measure technical efficiency, allocative efficiency, scale efficiency, and total factor productivity, given access to suitable data;
- apply and interpret the three principal performance measurement methods: index numbers, stochastic frontier analysis, and data envelopment analysis;
- critically analyse and evaluate empirical literature in the area of efficiency and productivity measurement; and
- critically evaluate the ways in which these methods can be used to address management and policy issues.
Assessment information
Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
| Title | Must Complete | Weight | Offerings | Assessment Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment 1 | No | 15% | All offerings | Problem-based and computations. |
| Assignment 2 | No | 15% | All offerings | Problem-based and computations. |
| Assignment 3 | No | 15% | All offerings | Problem-based and computations. |
| Final Examination | Yes | 55% | All offerings |
Learning resources
Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Note: Referenced material is held in the University Library — purchase is optional.
Benchmarking with DEA, SFA and R
ISBN: 9781441979605
Bogetoft, P. and Otto, L., Springer 2011
Text refers to: All offerings
An Introduction to Efficiency and Productivity Analysis
ISBN: 9780387242668
Coelli, T.J., Rao, P.S., O'Donnell, C.J. and Battese, G.E., Springer 2nd revised ed. 2006
Text refers to: All offerings
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