Environmental efficiency of port and regional system: A two-stage network efficiency model

Ports have a strong driving effect on regional economic growth. In turn, the prosperity and development of the regional economy also provide the port with various resources and services that enhance its comprehensive strength. Therefore, the harmonious development of the port and region is particularly important. In this context, the efficiency evaluation of the port-region system (PRS) has practical significance. To evaluate the PRS, this study constructs a feasible target-setting two-stage network performance model, which has two main advantages, unlike those from previous studies. First, the proposed model considers the linkage between ports and regional systems. Second, the traditional meta-frontier has infeasible combinations of inputs and outputs, whereas the proposed model modifies the selection rule of the meta-frontier and can provide a feasible meta-frontier for inefficient PRSs. The empirical analysis yields the following valuable research findings. First, the proposed models can effectively overcome the underestimation of efficiency. Second, in China, provincial PRS performance has considerable potential for improvement in the P- or R-subsystem. Third, all PRSs need to enhance their management ability, and the seven PRSs also need to improve their technical level. Finally, this study presents suggestions for the corresponding performance improvement of inefficient PRS.

Automated summary

Ports have a significant impact on regional economic growth, and the prosperity of the regional economy contributes to the development of ports. This study evaluates the efficiency of the port-region system using a two-stage network performance model, which addresses the issue of underestimation of efficiency. The empirical analysis of provincial port-region systems in China reveals the potential for improvement in management and technical levels, and provides suggestions for performance enhancement.