Investigation of the relative efficiency of LEADER+ in rural areas of Northern Greece

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to investigate and measure the relative efficiency of LEADER+ action plans of seven rural areas in Northern Greece. To this end, a Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model is used, which is based on data from LEADER+ provided by the Ministry of Agriculture. In particular, the DEA method is used for measuring the relative efficiency of local actions and for the investigation of the inputs and outputs and to show how the maximisation of their relative efficiencies could be achieved through its use. The specific DEA model has the required characteristics for the empirical application of the input-oriented DEA method. The model shows that some Decision-Making Units could maximise their relative efficiency by proceeding to internal adjustments of the inputs being used, and it is these internal adjustments which are being taken into consideration for this paper. Copyright © 2014 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.