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Different Conclusions (different + conclusion)
Kinds of Different Conclusions Selected AbstractsGrowth and Productivity in Singapore Manufacturing Industries: 1975,1998ASIAN ECONOMIC JOURNAL, Issue 3 2002Soo-Wei Koh Consistently de,ned price and volume relatives are constructed for 18 manufacturing industries under the two-digit industry classi,cations of,cially adopted in 1996. Industry-speci,c output and materials price de,ators for the period 1974,1998 are also constructed. Where the comparison is possible, we arrive at a markedly different conclusion from those in Tsao (1982, 1985) and Young (1994), and narrow the cause to a difference in the choice of output measure. The updated accounts show that the conventional index number measure of total factor productivity growth (TFPG) for Singapore manufacturing is 2.7% per annum for the period 1975,1998, and exhibits a cyclical pattern over time. [source] Die chemische Bindung , Lernhindernisse und mögliche LernhilfenCHEMKON - CHEMIE KONKRET, FORUM FUER UNTERRICHT UND DIDAKTIK, Issue 1 2003Christiane S. Reiners Prof. Dr. Abstract THE CHEMICAL BOND There is an often-quoted parable about a group of blind men who are taken to examine an elephant. Each comes in contact with a different part of the elephant and, therefore, draws a different conclusion about its nature: the man examining the trunk thinks, it is some kind of snake, the one touching its leg thinks it is a tree, and so on. The lesson of this story is, of course, that we can have many different views of the same reality, depending on where we are standing and what data we use for our conclusions. The chemical bond is the chemist's "elephant". Unable to see this construct that they use to explain the aggregation of atoms into molecules, the chemists interpret its existence in terms of their own views of chemistry, To each of these chemists the chemical bond has different descriptors, although they may all be investigating the same molecule. Thus, the chemist concerned with quantum mechanics regards the chemical bond as an interaction of wave functions, the more classical physical chemist sees a balancing of energies and charges among the component atoms, and the organic or inorganic chemist interested in the three-dimensional structure of the molecule interprets the bonds in terms of the geometry of the overlapping orbitals. [1, S. 190] [source] HAVE EFFORTS TO REDUCE SMOKING REALLY CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBESITY EPIDEMIC?ECONOMIC INQUIRY, Issue 2 2009JAMES NONNEMAKER Two of the most notable trends in public health over the past 30 yr are the reductions in smoking rates and the rapid rise in obesity rates. Several studies have investigated the relationship between these trends but have drawn different conclusions. In this article, we revisit this issue, attempting to clarify the prior discrepant results. Overall, we find no support for the claim that rising cigarette taxes have significantly contributed to rising obesity rates. Instead, we find only a moderately sized effect among former smokers. (JEL I12) [source] Influence of stability on the acute toxicity of CdSe/ZnS nanocrystals to Daphnia magnaENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 6 2010Heather E. Pace Abstract The acute toxicity of polymer-coated CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) to Daphnia magna was investigated using 48-h exposure studies. The principal objective was to relate the toxicity of QDs to specific physical and chemical aspects of the QD. As such, two different CdSe core diameters, 2,nm QDs (green-emitting) and 5,nm QDs (red-emitting), and two different surface coatings, polyethylene oxide (PEO) and 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA) were studied. The QDs were characterized before and after the 48-h exposure using fluorescence, ultrafiltrations (3 kDa), and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) metal analysis. In addition, flow field flow fractionation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (Fl FFF-ICP-MS) was used as a more extensive characterization technique to determine particle size and composition as well as identify other potential constituents in the QD solutions. The more stable QDs (PEO) were found to be less acutely toxic than the QDs with accelerated dissolution (MUA), suggesting QD stability has significant impact on the nanoparticles' short-term toxicity. The emergence of dissolved Cd2+ in solution indicates that the toxicity of the MUA QDs is likely due to Cd poisoning, and a mass-based dose response occurred as a consequence of this mode of action. Alternatively, the PEO QDs caused acute toxicity without observed particle dissolution (i.e., no detectable metals were solubilized), suggesting an alternative mode of toxic action for these nanoparticles. Results of the present study suggest that using particle number, instead of mass, as a dose metric for the PEO QDs, produces markedly different conclusions, in that smaller core size does not equate to greater toxicity. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2010;29:1338,1344. © 2010 SETAC [source] Developing a critical load approach for national risk assessments of atmospheric metal deposition,ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 3 2006Jane R. Hall Abstract The critical load approach has been proposed for evaluation of the need to reduce atmospheric emissions of metals that lead to transboundary transport and deposition across Europe. The present study demonstrates and evaluates the application of a critical load approach for national-scale risk assessment of metal deposition in the United Kingdom. Critical load maps, calculated using critical limits based on pH-dependent free metal ion activities, are presented. Current concentrations of lead and cadmium in soils are compared with two sets of critical limit values: First, limits based on the reactive soil concentration, and second, a pH-dependent free ion critical limit function, which takes into account variable soil characteristics across the country. The use of these two models leads to different conclusions about which areas of the United Kingdom are at greatest risk, partly because of differences in the range of values of pH and organic matter in soils used in ecotoxicological experiments and in the national database. Critical loads were calculated based on free ion critical limits; the critical loads were lowest in the south and east of the country and were associated with higher soil pH, lower runoff, and lower soil organic matter. [source] Can the choice of endpoint lead to contradictory results of mixture-toxicity experiments?ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 7 2005Nina Cedergreen Abstract Theoretically, the effect of two independently acting compounds in a mixture will depend on the slope of the dose-response curves of the individual compounds if evaluated in relation to the model of concentration addition (CA). In the present study, we explored development of the shape of the dose-response relationship for four different recommended endpoints (surface area, frond number, fresh weight-specific, and dry weight-specific relative growth rates [RGRA, RGRF, RGRFW, and RGRDW, respectively]) and for two differently acting herbicides (metsulfuron-methyl and terbuthylazine) over time (3,15 d) on the standard test plant Lemna minor to identify endpoints and experiment times for which predictions of independent action (IA) would depart the most from those of CA. After a test time of 6 d, predictions of IA based on RGRA and RGRFW showed antagonism in relation to CA. Based on RGRDW, synergy was predicted, whereas IA based on RGRF was indistinguishable from CA. To test the prediction of choice of endpoint giving different results in mixture-toxicity experiments, three endpoints and six combinations of independently acting herbicides were evaluated using isobolograms. The experiments showed that in four of six herbicide combinations, different conclusions were reached depending on endpoint. The contradictory isoboles did not follow the theory of IA and, therefore, are more likely to be related to differences in susceptibility of the physiological processes affecting each endpoint than to the shape of the dose-response curve. [source] WHY DOES A METHOD THAT FAILS CONTINUE TO BE USED?EVOLUTION, Issue 4 2009THE ANSWER It has been claimed that hundreds of researchers use nested clade phylogeographic analysis (NCPA) based on what the method promises rather than requiring objective validation of the method. The supposed failure of NCPA is based upon the argument that validating it by using positive controls ignored type I error, and that computer simulations have shown a high type I error. The first argument is factually incorrect: the previously published validation analysis fully accounted for both type I and type II errors. The simulations that indicate a 75% type I error rate have serious flaws and only evaluate outdated versions of NCPA. These outdated type I error rates fall precipitously when the 2003 version of single-locus NCPA is used or when the 2002 multilocus version of NCPA is used. It is shown that the tree-wise type I errors in single-locus NCPA can be corrected to the desired nominal level by a simple statistical procedure, and that multilocus NCPA reconstructs a simulated scenario used to discredit NCPA with 100% accuracy. Hence, NCPA is a not a failed method at all, but rather has been validated both by actual data and by simulated data in a manner that satisfies the published criteria given by its critics. The critics have come to different conclusions because they have focused on the pre-2002 versions of NCPA and have failed to take into account the extensive developments in NCPA since 2002. Hence, researchers can choose to use NCPA based upon objective critical validation that shows that NCPA delivers what it promises. [source] Centralizing Advisory Systems: Presidential Influence and the U.S. Foreign Policy Decision-Making ProcessFOREIGN POLICY ANALYSIS, Issue 2 2005David Mitchell This study is motivated by a simple yet vitally important question for an understanding of U.S. foreign policy. Quite simply, how does a president's choice of management style influence the U.S. foreign policy decision-making process and decision outcomes? Presidents play a critical role in the formulation of U.S. foreign policy; however, the presidential studies literature and foreign policy analysis literature arrive at very different conclusions regarding how presidents influence the policy process and both are often inaccurate. This study develops an Advisory Systems Typology to address how presidents influence the decision-making process. In addressing this question, this study overcomes the deficiencies of both the presidential studies and foreign policy analysis literature. Four different types of decision-making processes are produced by a president's choice of advisory structure and level of centralization. In addition, the study identifies "unstructured solutions" that indicate how the presidential advisers and president choose to resolve policy disagreements, thereby providing an indication of the decision outcome. The identified decision-making processes and their associated decision outcomes are explored using four cases of decision making on security policy drawn from the Nixon (Vietnam War), Carter (Strategic Arms Limitation Talks II), Reagan (Strategic Arms Reduction Talks I), and Clinton (Bosnia conflict) administrations. The case studies are constructed using the method of structured,focused comparisons, whereby a set of theoretically based questions and anticipated observations to those questions are made in order to guide the research and allow for comparison of decision making within and between cases. [source] Assessing the effect of elevated carbon dioxide on soil carbon: a comparison of four meta-analysesGLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY, Issue 8 2009BRUCE A. HUNGATE Abstract Soil is the largest reservoir of organic carbon (C) in the terrestrial biosphere and soil C has a relatively long mean residence time. Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations generally increase plant growth and C input to soil, suggesting that soil might help mitigate atmospheric CO2 rise and global warming. But to what extent mitigation will occur is unclear. The large size of the soil C pool not only makes it a potential buffer against rising atmospheric CO2, but also makes it difficult to measure changes amid the existing background. Meta-analysis is one tool that can overcome the limited power of single studies. Four recent meta-analyses addressed this issue but reached somewhat different conclusions about the effect of elevated CO2 on soil C accumulation, especially regarding the role of nitrogen (N) inputs. Here, we assess the extent of differences between these conclusions and propose a new analysis of the data. The four meta-analyses included different studies, derived different effect size estimates from common studies, used different weighting functions and metrics of effect size, and used different approaches to address nonindependence of effect sizes. Although all factors influenced the mean effect size estimates and subsequent inferences, the approach to independence had the largest influence. We recommend that meta-analysts critically assess and report choices about effect size metrics and weighting functions, and criteria for study selection and independence. Such decisions need to be justified carefully because they affect the basis for inference. Our new analysis, with a combined data set, confirms that the effect of elevated CO2 on net soil C accumulation increases with the addition of N fertilizers. Although the effect at low N inputs was not significant, statistical power to detect biogeochemically important effect sizes at low N is limited, even with meta-analysis, suggesting the continued need for long-term experiments. [source] Sometimes more equal than others: how health inequalities depend on the choice of welfare indicatorHEALTH ECONOMICS, Issue 3 2006Magnus Lindelow Abstract In recent years, a large body of empirical work has focused on measuring and explaining socio-economic inequalities in health outcomes and health service use. In any effort to address these questions, analysts must confront the issue of how to measure socioeconomic status. In developing countries, socioeconomic status has typically been measured by per capita consumption or an asset index. Currently, there is only limited information on how the choice of welfare indicators affect the analysis of health inequalities and the incidence of public spending. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the potential sensitivity of the analysis of health related inequalities to how socioeconomic status is measured. Using data from Mozambique, the paper focuses on five key health service indicators, and tests whether measured inequality (concentration index) in health service utilization differs depending on the choice of welfare indicator. The paper shows that, at least in some contexts, the choice of welfare indicator can have a large and significant impact on measured inequality in utilization of health services. In consequence, we can reach very different conclusions about the ,same' issue depending on how we define socioeconomic status. The paper also provides some tentative conclusions about why and in what contexts health inequalities can be sensitive to the choice of living standards measure. The results call for more clarity and care in the analysis of health related inequalities, and for explicit recognition of the potential sensitivity of findings to the choice of welfare measure. The results also point at the need for more careful research on how different dimensions of SES are related, and on the pathways by which the respective different dimensions impact on health related variables. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The intersection of scientific and indigenous ecological knowledge in coastal Melanesia: implications for contemporary marine resource management*INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 187 2006Simon Foale Fundamental differences in the worldviews of western marine scientists and coastal Melanesian fishers have resulted in very different conclusions being drawn from similar sets of observations. The same inductive logic may lead both scientists and indigenous fishers to conclude that, say, square-tail trout aggregate at a certain phase of the moon in a certain reef passage, but different assumptions derived from disparate worldviews may lead to very different conclusions about why the fish are there. In some cases these differences have significant implications for the way marine resources are (or are not) exploited and managed. Here I analyse examples of what I call empirical gaps in both scientific and indigenous knowledge concerning the biology and ecology of fished organisms that in some cases have led to the poor management of stocks of these species. I argue that scientific education can complement indigenous knowledge systems and thus lead to improved resource management, despite some claims that scientific and indigenous knowledge systems are incommensurable. [source] Peak morphological diversity in an ecotone unveiled in the chukar partridge by a novel Estimator in a Dependent Sample (EDS)JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY, Issue 6 2002Salit Kark Summary 1Areas of environmental transition (i.e. ecotones) have recently been shown to play an important role in the maintenance of genetic diversity, divergence and in speciation processes. We test the hypothesis that ecotone populations maintain high phenotypic diversity compared to other populations across the distribution range. 2Focusing on the chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar Gray), we study trends in morphological diversity across a steep ecotone within the species native range in Israel and Sinai. Using 35 traits and 23 ratios between traits, we apply a novel weighted average statistic that we term ,Estimator in a Dependent Sample' (EDS). This estimator enables us to compare levels of diversity across populations using multiple-correlated traits and is especially useful when sample sizes are small. 3We provide a program for calculating the EDS and a bootstrapping procedure to describe its confidence interval and standard deviation. This estimator can be applied widely in a range of studies using multiple-correlated traits in evolutionary biology, ecology, morphology, behaviour, palaeontology, developmental biology and genetics. 4Our results indicate that within-population diversity peaks in chukar populations located in the Mediterranean-desert ecotone in Israel. However, had we not included the ecotone region in our study, we would have drawn different conclusions regarding patterns of morphological diversity across the range. We suggest that ecotones should be given higher priority in future research and conservation planning, potentially serving as within-species diversity hotspots. [source] The distributive consequences of machismo: a simulation analysis of intra-household discrimination,JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, Issue 8 2006José Cuesta Abstract Empirical evidence questions the unitary allocation model of the household that underpins the standard measurement of monetary poverty and inequality. Intra-household gender discrimination has been widely shown to shape expenditure decisions, nutrition status, and human capital accumulation of household members. However, conventional poverty and inequality analyses are conducted for the household as a whole, which might lead to different conclusions compared with studies based on individuals. Using recent developments in intra-household bargaining modelling, this paper constructs non-cooperative allocation rules dominated by gender discrimination among household members. Estimates for Chile show a substantial worsening of poverty and inequality under such allocation rules. This suggests that intra-household discrimination deserves some of the attention typically directed to extra-household discrimination in labour markets, access to public services or political participation. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] When superior courts reach different conclusions in the same child sexual abuse cases,is there a lesson to be learned?JOURNAL OF INVESTIGATIVE PSYCHOLOGY AND OFFENDER PROFILING, Issue 3 2008Frank Lindblad Abstract The objective of this study was to analyse Swedish child sexual abuse cases from 1989 to 2004 characterised by the following: (1) conviction in first trial in a court of appeal; (2) the Supreme Court later accepted a petition for a new trial; and (3) acquittal in second trial in the same court of appeal (with new judges). The study was conducted to determine what criteria were used for evaluating psychological child-related information and how they were applied. Eight argument themes were identified in the reasoning of the courts: (1) ability to perceive, remember, and communicate about experiences in a reliable way; (2) influence before first forensic interview; (3) influence during forensic interview/s; (4) motives for disclosing/retracting; (5) statement characteristics; (6) disclosure process; (7) behaviour and/or emotions related to investigations/interviews; and (8) psychological symptoms. The arguing of the courts was classified as belonging to one of three categories for each argument theme: (1) supporting/challenging the allegations; (2) opposing a conceivably supportive/challenging argument; and (3) indifferent. In six of the nine cases, arguments belonging to the same theme were presented in both court proceedings. Diametrically opposite conclusions were reached in 15 of 20 of these examples and same conclusion in one case. The evaluation method/s seemingly underlying the child psychological arguments of the courts may have a low reliability. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Do experimental and nonexperimental evaluations give different answers about the effectiveness of government-funded training programs?JOURNAL OF POLICY ANALYSIS AND MANAGEMENT, Issue 3 2006David H. Greenberg This paper uses meta-analysis to investigate whether random assignment (or experimental) evaluations of voluntary government-funded training programs for the disadvantaged have produced different conclusions than nonexperimental evaluations. Information includes several hundred estimates from 31 evaluations of 15 programs that operated between 1964 and 1998. The results suggest that experimental and nonexperimental evaluations yield similar conclusions about the effectiveness of training programs, but that estimates of average effects for youth and possibly men might have been larger in experimental studies. The results also suggest that variation among nonexprimental estimates of program effects is similar to variation among experimental estimates for men and youth, but not for women (for whom it seems to be larger), although small sample sizes make the estimated differences somewhat imprecise for all three groups. The policy implications of the findings are discussed. © 2006 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management [source] Value Similarities Among Fathers, Mothers, and Adolescents and the Role of a Cultural Stereotype: Different Measurement Strategies ReconsideredJOURNAL OF RESEARCH ON ADOLESCENCE, Issue 4 2009Annette M. C. Roest In research on value similarity and transmission between parents and adolescents, no consensus exists on the level of value similarity. Reports of high-value similarities coexist with reports of low-value similarities within the family. The present study shows that different conclusions may be explained by the use of different measurement strategies. In addition, we demonstrate that measured value similarities may be biased by a cultural stereotype, that is, an indirectly measurable phenomenon outside the family most likely attributed to shared cultural experiences. We examined similarities in 8 social,cultural value orientations among fathers, mothers, and adolescents from 433 Dutch families. Results revealed different outcomes when using ordinary correlations (r), absolute difference scores (d), or profile correlations (q). Similarly, different influences of a cultural stereotype were found when applying different measurement strategies. We discuss which measurement strategies are best used under which circumstances and which role the cultural stereotype plays. [source] GROUNDING SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT IN RESOURCE-ADVANTAGE THEORY,JOURNAL OF SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT, Issue 1 2008SHELBY D. HUNT A key issue for strategic supply chain management research is whether purchasing can be a source of long-term competitive advantage. Recent resource-based works in strategic management suggest that purchasing cannot be a source of long-term competitive advantage. In contrast, recent works in supply chain management suggest that purchasing can be such a source. This article explains why works in strategic management and supply chain management come to such radically different conclusions on purchasing strategy. Specifically, this article points out that the negative conclusion concerning purchasing strategy is derived from theories of competition based on the neoclassical, equilibrium economics research tradition. Therefore, the positive case for strategic purchasing needs to be grounded in a research tradition that provides a clean break from the neoclassical, equilibrium economics research tradition. The authors discuss the characteristics of what has come to be labeled "the resource-advantage research tradition" and offer it as an appropriate grounding for purchasing strategy, in particular, and supply chain management, in general. [source] Gas cooking, kitchen ventilation, and asthma, allergic symptoms and sensitization in young children , the PIAMA studyALLERGY, Issue 5 2006S. M. Willers Background:, Several studies reported inconsistent associations between using gas for cooking and respiratory symptoms or lung function in children. Kitchen ventilation characteristics may modify the relationship between gas cooking and respiratory health. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of kitchen ventilation (while cooking) on the relationship between gas cooking, combustion product dispersal, and respiratory and allergic outcomes in children. Methods:, Data on respiratory and allergic symptoms and diagnoses were collected by yearly questionnaires in a population of over 3000 children participating in a birth cohort study on development of allergy and asthma. At 4 years of age, a sub-sample of 647 children provided blood samples for antibody testing. Data on gas cooking and kitchen ventilation were collected when the children were 5 years old. Based on these data a model was constructed to determine the chance of accumulation of combustion products (CACP) in the kitchen. Results:, No relationship was found between gas cooking and any of the respiratory or allergy outcomes except nasal symptoms. The overall results did not change when the ,CACP' was used as exposure variable instead, while the association for nasal symptoms decreased to borderline significance. Conclusion:, Our results suggest that gas cooking per se is associated with nasal symptoms in young children and not with the other respiratory symptoms that were investigated. Taking kitchen ventilation characteristics into account did not lead to different conclusions in this population where, according to the classification system, the majority of households using gas for cooking have insufficient kitchen ventilation. [source] Surgery of the motor thalamus: Problems with the present nomenclaturesMOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue S3 2002Paul Krack MD Abstract The literature on thalamic surgery is difficult to read because different nomenclatures are in use. Neurosurgeons mostly use the stereotactic atlas of Schaltenbrand with Hassler's nomenclature of the thalamus. Neuroanatomists use different nomenclatures for the primate thalamus. The cytoarchitectonic definition of nuclei is difficult in the motor thalamus, and it would be best to define the nuclei based on their subcortical afferents. However, tracing studies are not available in humans. Thus, human thalamic nomenclature is based entirely on cytoarchitectonic subdivisions and transfer of knowledge by analogy from monkey to man. Problems arise when trying to transfer the detailed knowledge from monkey to the human brain. By doing so, different authors have come to different conclusions concerning the subcortical afferents of Hassler's motor nuclei, which inevitably leads to confusion when attempting neurophysiological interpretations of the surgical data. The present review draws attention to the discrepancies and open questions in the literature. There is a need to better define the limits of the sensory and cerebellar afferent receiving thalamic nuclei as well as those of the cerebellar and pallidal afferent receiving territories in humans. © 2002 Movement Disorder Society [source] IMPORTANCE-PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS OF CITIZEN SATISFACTION SURVEYSPUBLIC ADMINISTRATION, Issue 1 2007GREGG G. VAN RYZIN This paper introduces the method of importance-performance analysis of citizen surveys, a useful approach to understanding citizen satisfaction with local government services. Using data from a US national online panel, we directly compare two approaches to importance-performance analysis: one employing an explicitly stated measure of importance, the other using a measure of importance derived from regression analysis. The different results that the two approaches give suggest that local government administrators and policy analysts arrive at distinctly different conclusions depending on which importance measure they use. These differences are illustrated by simulating the change in citizen satisfaction that would result from improvement in the top-rated services according to each measure. Research and policy implications are discussed. [source] Do volatility determinants vary across futures contracts?THE JOURNAL OF FUTURES MARKETS, Issue 3 2010Insights from a smoothed Bayesian estimator We apply a new Bayesian approach to multiple-contract futures data. It allows the volatility of futures prices to depend upon physical inventories and the contract's time to delivery,and it allows those parametric effects to vary over time. We investigate price movements for lumber contracts over a 13-year period and find a time-varying negative relationship between lumber inventories and lumber futures price volatility. The Bayesian approach leads to different conclusions regarding the size of the inventory effect than does the standard method of parametric restrictions across contracts. The inventory effect is smaller for the most recent contracts when the inventory levels are larger. In contrast, the Bayesian approach does not lead to substantively different conclusions about the time-to-delivery effect than do traditional classical methods. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 30:257,277, 2010 [source] Comparison of Economic Efficiency Estimation Methods: Parametric and Non,parametric TechniquesTHE MANCHESTER SCHOOL, Issue 5 2002Hsin Huang We employ a wide range of parametric and non,parametric cost frontiers' efficiency estimation methods to estimate economic efficiency and economies of scale, using the same panel data of 22 Taiwanese commercial banks over the period 1982,97. According to our empirical implementation, the two methodologies yield similar average efficiency estimates, yet they come to very dissimilar results pertaining to the efficiency rankings, the stability of measured efficiency over time, the consistency between frontier efficiency and conventional performance measures, and the estimates of scale economies. Thus, the choice of an estimation approach can result in very different conclusions and policy implications regarding cost efficiencies and cost economies. These findings suggest that making policy decisions and evaluations relies on multiple techniques and specifications. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||