Measuring productive performance using binary and ordinal output variables: the case of the Swedish fire and rescue services. Issue 3 (1st February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jaldell, Henrik
• Is Part Of: International journal of production research. Volume 57:Issue 3(2019)
• Page Start: 907
• Page End: 917
• Publication Date: 2019-02-01
• Subjects: qualitative output -- efficiency -- productivity -- logit parameter model -- fire departments; Factory management -- Periodicals; 658.57
• DOI: 10.1080/00207543.2018.1489159
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0020-7543

Abstract

Abstract : Fire protection is an example of a complex production process. This study measures efficiency by constructing binary and ordinal output variables from information on residential fires in Sweden about how a fire spreads from when the fire and rescue brigade arrives to when a fire is suppressed. The motivations behind this study are that there are only a few studies trying to estimate production efficiency for fire and rescue services, that data on a more detailed level is interesting for some public services, and there is a need to be able to measure efficiency differences even if only a binary or ordinal output variable is available. Using a logit random parameter model, the random effects are interpreted as efficiency differences. The conclusions are that fire and rescue services with a more flexible fire organisation with first response persons, working in collaboration with other municipalities and with larger populations are more efficient.