Efficient Semiparametric Estimation in a Stochastic Frontier Model

This article considers the semiparametric stochastic frontier model with panel data that arises in the problem of measuring technical inefficiency in production processes. We assume a parametric form for the frontier function, which is linear in production inputs. The density of the individual firm-specific effects is considered to be unknown. We construct an efficient estimator of the slope parameters in the frontier function. We also give an estimator of the level of the frontier function and investigate its asymptotic properties. Furthermore, we provide a predictor of the individual effects that can be directly translated to firm-specific technical inefficiencies. Finally, we illustrate our methods through a real data example.