Methodological application of the efficiency evaluation to Spanish ports

Abstract

In this article, the economic and operational efficiency of the Spanish Port Authorities (AAPP) in the period 2005-2015 is analyzed, using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA, Data Envelopment Analysis). In the first place, the efficiency measures of each public administration are calculated from an operational and economic point of view; second, public administrations are classified according to the levels of efficiency achieved throughout the study period, using cluster analysis; Third, the interdependence between the results of operational and economic efficiency found in the different groups of the Public Administrations is studied. The results obtained show that operating efficiency is a necessary condition to be economically efficient, but it is not a sufficient condition, analyzing the possible causes that cause operational efficiency not always to be translated into economic efficiency.