Template-type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0
Author-Name: Simon D. Smith
Author-Workplace-Name: University of Oxford, University of York
Author-Email: simon.smith@bnc.ox.ac.uk
Author-Name: Martin Forster
Author-Workplace-Name: University of Oxford, University of York
Author-Email: mf8@york.ac.uk
Title: ‘The Curse of the Caribbean’? Agency’s impact on the efficiency of sugar estates in St.Vincent and the Grenadines, 1814-1829
Abstract: This study estimates agency’s impact on the efficiency of sugar plantations on St.Vincent
and the Grenadines during the early 19th century. Using a panel data set covering the years 1814-1829,
a series of stochastic frontier models are estimated to investigate whether estates employing agents 
were more technically efficient than those managed by the owners themselves. Multiple imputation methods
are used to deal with missing data problems. There is no evidence in any of the models estimated to 
suggest that estates under agency were less efficient than those that were directed by their owners. 
Estimates from a number of models suggest that agent-operated estates were more efficient.
X-Classification-JEL: 
X-Keywords: 
Length: 41 pages
Creation-Date: 2013-03-20
Number: _112
File-URL: http://www.economics.ox.ac.uk/materials/papers/12645/smithforster112.pdf
File-Format: application/pdf
Handle: RePEc:nuf:esohwp:_112