Cost efficiency of French rugby clubs

Abstract

This article analyses the cost efficiency of French first-league rugby clubs using a stochastic frontier model. The frontier estimation confirmed that the model fits the data well with all coefficients correctly signed and in line with the theoretical requirements. The results show that one of the clubs is operating efficiently, with the majority of clubs clustered around 20% inefficiency. Policy implications are derived.

Keywords:

• rugby
• France
• technical efficiency
• stochastic frontier model

JEL Classification:

• L83
• D02

Acknowledgements

We thank Loic Brial (University of Perpignan) for the data set used in this article.