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Educational Infrastructure Efficiency in China: A Dual-Method Provincial Analysis With Cross-National Benchmarking, 2020–2025

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This study evaluates the efficiency of educational infrastructure investment in China and Colombia between 2020 and 2025. The research aims to measure technical efficiency, identify institutional and contextual determinants, and assess whether infrastructure investment causally improves educational outcomes. Using a dual-method approach—Data Envelopment Analysis and Stochastic Frontier Analysis—combined with panel Granger causality tests, the study analyzes provincial and departmental data from multilateral sources. Results show substantial efficiency variation within and between countries, with Chinese provinces operating closer to the efficiency frontier than Colombian departments. Diminishing returns to infrastructure investment are evident, while governance quality, urbanization, and budget execution rates significantly shape efficiency patterns. Causality tests confirm that infrastructure investment precedes improvements in educational outcomes.

Source: International Journal of Chinese Education

DOI: 10.1177/2212585x261416126

Authors: Mario de la Puente, Jose Torres, Hernan Guzman, Anderson Dominguez, Juan Lamby

Institutions: Universidad del Norte, University of Sucre, Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios

Language: English

Topic: Efficiency Analysis Using DEA

Subfield: Management Science and Operations Research

Field: Decision Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Quality education

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W7119490343

FWCI:

Cites: 22

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