NA0198, Analysis of productivity and efficiency of food system firms, 7.5 Hp
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Syllabus

Finalized by: Jon Petter Gustafsson, 2022-12-09
Valid from : Spring semester 2024 (2024-01-15)

Level

Second cycle (A1N)

Main field of study

Economics

Grading Scale

5 / 4 / 3 / U

The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.

Course language

English

Entry Requirements

Objectives

The course aims at providing students with advanced understanding of performance measurement and assessment of firms in the food system, with a specific focus on the agricultural component of the system. The course also discusses performance in relation to various types of risk exposure of firms.

After completing the course, the student should be able to:

• conceptualise firm performance in terms of productivity and efficiency
• measure and estimate firm productivity and efficiency using empirical methods
• critically discuss reasons for production inefficiencies
• analyse risk exposure of firms and discuss how it can impact productivity and efficiency
• describe sustainability performance measurement and discuss it in relation to production efficiency.

Content

Subject content:

The course starts with a review of productivity and efficiency analysis and of how productivity and efficiency can be estimated using empirical methods. After this follows impact evaluation of production efficiency and a critical assessment of reasons for inefficiency. The course ends with a review on risk exposure and how it can affect productivity and efficiency and with a review of sustainability performance measurement and how it relates to production efficiency.

Course implementation:

The course uses different teaching methods to promote students' learning and discussions through:
Lectures, exercises, seminars, group work and individual studies.

The course focuses on the following general competences:
Critical thinking, scientific methods, independence.

The following components are compulsory:
Seminars.

Examination Formats and Requirements for Passing the Course

Passed written exam<br> Approved participation in compulsory components.<br> Approved written report.

•  If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.
• The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.
• If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.
• For the assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Responsible Department/Equivalent

Department of Economics

Supplementary information

Module set

Title	Credits	Code
Single module	7.5	0001

The Course Replaces

NA181

Other Information

• The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.
• If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.