Abstract
Most
studies on data envelopment analysis arrive at efficiency values that are too
similar to be compared. Using a “cost
efficiency model”, we gauge the efficiency of China’s banks by analyzing 25
listed banks from 2001 to 2016 to resolve this issue. The
results show that the efficiency value of each bank has been clearly
differentiated. Moreover, we determine that the banks’ efficiency would only
improve by lowering the number of employees, reducing payroll, or increasing loans and making investments
to generate higher revenues. Additionally,
owing to policies in favor of the development of rural areas, certain rural
commercial banks increased their efficiency and gradually displaced urban counterparts in
terms of operation efficiency in 2016.
JEL Classifications
Numbers: G21, D24
Keywords:
listed banks; cost efficiency; data envelopment analysis