Measuring Water Transport Efficiency in the Yangtze River Economic Zone, China

Dan He, Peng Gao, Zhijing Sun and Yui-yip Lau
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Dan He: Center for Modern Chinese City Studies, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
Peng Gao: Center for Modern Chinese City Studies, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
Zhijing Sun: School of Urban and Regional Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
Yui-yip Lau: Division of Business, Hong Kong Community College, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China

Sustainability, 2017, vol. 9, issue 12, 1-13

Abstract: Water transport, a component of integrated transport systems, is a key strategic resource for achieving sustainable economic and social development, particularly in the Yangtze River Economic Zone (YREZ). Unfortunately, systematic studies on water transport efficiency are not forthcoming. Using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and the Malmquist index as a model framework, this paper measures water transport efficiency in YREZ, conducts spatial analysis to identify the leading factors influencing efficiency, and provides scientific evidence for a macroscopic grasp of water transport development and the optimization of YREZ. The results indicate that water transport technical efficiency (TE) in YREZ is low and in fluctuating decline. Therefore, it has seriously restricted performance and improvements in the service function. Additionally, the spatial pattern of TE has gradually changed from complexity and dispersion to clarity and contiguity with a larger inter-provincial gap. Water transport efficiency has slightly improved through technological change (TECHch), whereas deteriorating pure technical efficiency change (PEch) is the main cause of a TE decrease. According to our findings, decision-makers should consider strengthening intra-port competition and promoting water transport efficiency.

Keywords: water transport efficiency; DEA and Malmquist index model; the Yangtze River Economic Zone (YREZ); spatial pattern evolution (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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