MANAGEMENT AND RETURNS TO FARM SIZE: RESULTS OF A CASE STUDY USING PARAMETRIC AND NON-PARAMETRIC METHODOLOGY TO MEASURE SCALE EFFICIENCIES / Bestuur en skaalopbrengs: Resultate van 'n gevallestudie in die gebruik van parametriese en nie-parametriese metodes vir die meting van skaaldoeltreffendhede

Abstract

Two hypotheses are tested empirically using cross sectional data from Vaalharts: Firstly, it is hypothesized that economies of scale exist and, secondly, that optimal farm size will not be the same for any two managers; the better the manager, the larger the optimum farm size. These hypotheses are tested by means of both parametric and non-parametric methods, respectively. Managerial skill was measured explicitly. The results support both the hypotheses which were tested empirically. There also appears to be no inconsistency between the results obtained with parametric or non-parametric methods. These findings have important implications for structural adjustment of South African agriculture.

Uittreksel

Twee hipoteses word empiries getoets deur gebruik te maak van dwarssnit data van Vaalharts: Eerstens word gehipotiseer dat ekonomie van grootte bestaan en, tweedens, dat die optimale plaasgrootte vir enige twee bestuurden nie dieselfde sal wees nie. Die hipoteses word getoets deur middel van beide parametriese en nie-parametries metodes. Bestuursvaardigheid is eksplisiet gemeet. Die resultate ondersteun beide die hipoteses. Dit blyk verder dat daar nie teenstrydighede tussen die resultate van die parametriese en die nie-parametriese metodes is nie. Die bevindinge het belangrike implikasies vir die strukturele verandering van die Suid-Afrikaanse landbou.