The technical efficiency in Sardinian fisheries cooperatives

Mediterranean fisheries are characterized by differentiated fishing systems implemented by companies of different sizes and types. On the other hand, small scale fishing is the most important characteristic when one tries to find the main differences with oceanic fisheries. Small-sized family fishing firms play an important role in several local communities and economies, where the globalization of the competitive arena is perceived as one of the worst threats to their survival. One of the organizational solutions adopted by small scale fishing firms in order to face the changing institutional as well as marketing environment is cooperation. Economic performances in fishery have been predominantly determined by adopting vessels as decision-making units. This means that a lack of information exists with reference to fishing companies or cooperatives. This study aims to estimate the economic performances of Sardinian fishing cooperatives by surveying a sample of 104 firms. The research has been carried by first assessing firms’ profitability by applying a balance sheet analysis; then, sector technical was estimated as well as scale efficiency. High technical and scale efficiency and substantial technological homogeneity between big and small cooperatives were found. Some policy implications deriving from these findings are discussed in the concluding remarks.