DEA and Malmquist analysis of 150 small, medium and large Thai food enterprises in 2021–2023 found technological change to be the main aggregate productivity driver. Larger firms captured more technological gains, while smaller firms relied more on efficiency improvement; scale efficiency differed significantly by firm size.
Key findings
- Technological change dominated aggregate gains; larger firms leveraged it more, while small firms depended more on efficiency change. Kruskal–Wallis indicated scale-efficiency differences, but the abstract omits size-specific MPI values, effect magnitudes and input-output definitions.
Why this matters globally
Emerging economies need digital transitions that do not leave SMEs behind. Productivity decomposition can guide finance, infrastructure, skills and shared technology services tailored by firm size.
Thai researcher contribution
RMUT Isan researchers linked three-year Thai food-enterprise data with frontier analysis and regional supply-chain policy.
Limitations to consider
DEA is sample-relative and sensitive to variables, outliers and error. Malmquist change may reflect prices, macro conditions or pandemic effects rather than technology. Panel completeness is unclear, and sustainability is not demonstrated through carbon, waste, labor or equity indicators.