X-Efficiency: Theory, Evidence and Applications (Topics in Regulatory Economics and Policy, 23)

Frantz, Roger S.

ISBN 10: 0792397681 / ISBN 13: 9780792397687

Published by Springer, 1997

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Bibliographic Details

• Title: X-Efficiency: Theory, Evidence and Applications (Topics in Regulatory Economics and Policy, 23)
• Publisher: Springer
• Publication Date: 1997
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0792397681
• ISBN 13: 9780792397687
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

My interest in X-Efficiency (XE) dates back to 1978. At the time, I was writing the dissertation for my Ph. D. at Washington State University. My dissertation was concerned with the role of attitudes in the school-to-work transition among young men. I was advised by Professor Millard Hastay (a member of my committee) to look at Leibenstein's "new" book, Beyond Economic Man. One of the things that caught my attention was his behavioral description of (selective) rationality. It seemed that Leibenstein' s behavioral description of a (selectively) rational individ­ ual was very similar to what psychologists such as Abraham Maslow were reporting as being the product of a particular motivational system. In other words, I was impressed with the idea that what Leibenstein was referring to as X-inefficiency was being discussed by psychologists as "the way it (often) is. " So from the beginning I always considered the concept ofX-(in)efficiency to be a valuable one for understanding human behavior. I have since come to believe that this is particularly true when considering behavior in non-market environments, i. e. , within the firm. Work on this book, however, can most realistically said to have started with work which I began in 1982 while I was a Visiting Scholar at Harvard University. Professor Leibenstein suggested that I consider how some empirical evidence which was being cited as evidence for the role of property rights might also be consistent with XE theory. (The consistency, in both directions, is considerable.

Review

`The major contribution, in my opinion, is that it provides a rich resource for the use of any scholar who wishes to learn about the x-efficiency theory and its existence in the real world. Moreover, it willprovide very valuable assistance to any researcher in any field who is studying questions of efficiency, worker motivation, and the psychology of the work place.'
Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization, 14, 1990.