Open Access Article SciPap-787
Using DEA for Regional Merging Zones Based on Geographic Models of the European Economy
by Michaela Staníčková 1,* and Lukáš Melecký 2

1 Faculty of Economics, Department of European Integration, VŠB-TU Ostrava, Sokolská třída 33, Ostrava 1 70200, Czechia

2 Faculty of Economics, Department of European Integration, VŠB-TU Ostrava, Sokolská třída 33, Ostrava 1 70200, Czechia

* Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Abstract: For centuries, the “Blue Banana”, metropolitan axis running from London to Milan, has been Europe’s breeding place for innovation and growth. Recently, the “Sunbelt” from Milan to Valencia and the “Yellow Banana” from Paris to Warsaw have been identified as future European growth poles beside or even beyond the Blue Banana. Europe’s competitiveness depends on a multiplicity of actions that can optimise the potentials within its territory, especially regions. Nowadays, regions are increasingly becoming the drivers of the economy. All regions possess development opportunities – however, use these options enough and hence the competitiveness of European regions must be efficient enough. It is well-known that there are significant differences among the European Union regions which weaken its competitiveness. What are differences in territorial efficiencies with respect to the structure of Europe’s economic-geographical system? The paper is focused on using SBMT VRS DEA model for dividing NUTS 2 regions from geographic models of the European economy into efficient and inefficient ones. The main aim of the paper is to find the efficient frontier and identify optimal benchmark for inefficient regions as a strategy for enhancing their economic structure.

Keywords: Efficiency, Competitiveness, Geographic Model, NUTS 2 Region, Sbmt Vrs Dea Model, Super-Efficiency

JEL classification:   C61 - Optimization Techniques • Programming Models • Dynamic Analysis,   C67 - Input–Output Models,   O18 - Urban, Rural, Regional, and Transportation Analysis • Housing • Infrastructure,   R11 - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes,   R13 - General Equilibrium and Welfare Economic Analysis of Regional Economies,   R15 - Econometric and Input–Output Models • Other Models,   R58 - Regional Development Planning and Policy

SciPap 2016, 24(1), 787

Received: 31 December 2015 / Accepted: 21 March 2016 / Published: 27 April 2016