NONPARAMETRIC MODELS FOR SPATIAL EFFICIENCY

This research develops a nonconvex model for measuring the spatial eff iciency of siting decisions and demonstrates the virtues of such measu rements in comparison to those of convex approaches. Working with a ca se study from the public sector, we develop relative spatial efficienc y (RSE) models which access the sufficiency of a location decision in relation to a best practice decision on the efficient (or most accessi ble) frontier The paper also compares the results of the nonconvex met hodology with that of the convex model and suggests the strengths and weaknesses of each in terms of the type of support they offer to decis ionmakers concerned with actual siting decisions.