Being an intermediate textbook, its structured to meet basic econometrics needs for economics, finance, and other social sciences masters’ and graduate students. It also caters adequately for all researchers’ levels, especially those interested in using data envelopment analysis and Stata software.
This textbook necessity came out of my extensive interest in economics and finance, after at least three years lecturing experience in derivatives pricing, international economics, and international finance at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Catholic, and KCA universities in Kenya. The statistical and mathematical applications used are moderately low to understand the models by non-statistical research experts. The author clarifies local examples of research areas, and specific examples are coming out of these researches exhibited. Some efficiency measurement samples are the result of past research done at my PhD level at Moi University. A more recent study carried out in audit services efficiency measurement at the Office of the Auditor General-Kenya has been effectively discussed in a whole chapter in this book.
It is also worth noting that the contemporary issues to performance-precisely the Kenyan county governments’ efficiency measurement-are part of this text. A full chapter discusses this vital area. The data envelopment analysis comes in handy in demonstrating every county’s efficiency based on data collected from the Controller of Budget quarterly report of the recent past. Counties efficiency measurement is an area that requires further research to identify the star counties in term of efficiency. However, a chapter dedicated to this area forms a sound basis for future researchers’ efficiency measurements. And this will enhance the replacement if not enriching commonly used indicators of ranking counties by using a balanced scorecard measurement tool. As illustrated in this book, DEA’s excellent service involves identifying outputs, inputs, outcomes, and impacts subjected to iterations to determine the star performer. A full chapter in this area is also of paramount importance to government officers who may wish to measure one department’s efficiency compared to the others. DEA as a multi-variate tool is fit for measuring several government entities such as schools, universities and even hospitals.
I am grateful to contributions from my former PhD degree supervisors: Professor Philip Nyangweso and Dr Lucy Rono for their courteous assistance, which resulted in the inclusion of many PhD research findings into this book.
The technical support from Dr Elijah Museve of Jaramongi Oginga Odinga University, Dr Wilfred Kakucha of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology, and Dr John Messo of Masinde Muliro University were very crucial. The support from the Auditor General Kenya officers’ office and the students of KCA University were generous. I also thank Dr Naomi Koskei of Moi University for outstanding editorial work and technical assistance that made the Tropics Perspective Book a success.
