Yuan, F; Tang, M and Hong, J (2020) Efficiency estimation and reduction potential of the Chinese construction industry via SE-DEA and artificial neural network. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 27(7), pp. 1533-1552. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose: The objective of this study is to evaluate the overall technical efficiency, labor efficiency, capital efficiency and equipment efficiency of 30 Chinese construction sectors to foster sustainable economic growth in the construction industry. Design/methodology/approach: This study employed the super-efficiency data envelopment analysis (SE-DEA) and artificial neural network model (ANN) to evaluate the industrial performance and improvement potential of the Chinese regional construction sectors from 2000 to 2017. Findings: Results showed that the overall technical and capital efficiencies displayed relatively stable patterns. Equipment efficiency presented a relatively huge fluctuation during the sample period. Meanwhile, labor, capital and equipment efficiencies could potentially improve in the next five years. A spatial examination of efficiencies implied that the economic level was still a major factor in determining the efficiency performance of the regional construction industry. Beijing, Shanghai and Zhejiang were consistently the leading regions with the best performance in all efficiencies. Shandong and Hubei were critical regions with respect to their large reduction potential of labor, capital and equipment. Research limitations/implications: The study focused on the regional efficiency performance of the construction industry; however, it failed to further deeply discover the mechanism that captured the regional inefficiency. In addition, sample datasets used to predict might induce the accuracy of prediction results. Qualitative policy implications failed to regress the efficiency performance of the industrial policy variables. These limitations will be discussed in our further researches. Practical implications: Enhancing the overall performance of the Chinese construction industry should focus on regions located in the western areas. In comparison with labor and capital efficiencies, equipment efficiency should be given priority by eliminating outdated equipment and developing high technology in the construction industry. In addition, the setting of the national reduction responsibility system should be stratified to account for regional variations. Originality/value: The findings of this study can provide a systematic understanding for the current and future industry performance of the Chinese construction industry, which would help decision makers to customize appropriate strategies to improve the overall industrial performance with the consideration of regional differences.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | artificial neural network; construction industry; overall technical efficiency; reduction potential; super-efficiency data envelopment analysis |
| Index terms: | variation, methodology, construction sector, dataset, accuracy, industrial policy, artificial neural network, Shanghai, strategy, Beijing, policy implication, data envelopment analysis, industry performance, construction industry, economic growth, efficiency, estimation |
| Subjects: | modelling and simulation, financial and cost management, economic analysis, data analysis and analytics, policy studies, data management, financial analysis, industry analysis, research methods, performance management, economic development, management, professional development, contractual condition, Geography |
| Topics: | Business Strategy, Cost Management, Geographical Context, Research Practice, Information Management, Governance, Sustainability, Digital Applications, Quality Management, Contract Administration |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here