A study of the Malmquist productivity index of infrastructure investments using non-parametric approach

Gross regional product, per capita gross regional product and urbanization level were regarded as indicators measuring the output of infrastructure investments, fully reflecting the performance of infrastructure investments. The Malmquist productivity index of infrastructure investments, for analysis and evaluation of infrastructure investment efficiency, was calculated through the application of DEA non-parameters approach, without the deficiency of using an indicator to measure infrastructure investment performance. The results showed that the pulling effect of infrastructure investments for economic development was being reduced gradually and the focus has shifted from infrastructure investments of promoting economic development in the eastern areas to those promoting economic development of the middle and western regions, that the scale efficiency of infrastructure investments was gradually improved, that the pure technical efficiency change was leveling off, which showed that the current scale of infrastructure investments was modest, and that the key of getting rid of declining productivity was to promote technology innovation of infrastructure investment and allocation.