Efficient water supply management: a sustainable approach

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31637/epsir-2024-528

Keywords:

Efficiency, sustainability, public services, local government, DEA, sustainable development indicators, efficiency measurement, water supply

Abstract

Introducción : El agua es un recurso indispensable y limitado, que se enfrenta a una demanda creciente y a unas infraestructuras obsoletas. En consecuencia, este estudio busca desarrollar un marco teórico que evalúe diversas estrategias para la gestión sostenible del agua, destacando la importancia de medir la eficiencia del servicio como un factor crucial para promover la sostenibilidad. Metodología : Con este propósito, tras la revisión bibliográfica que destaca la importancia de la sostenibilidad y la eficiencia en la gestión del agua y la necesidad de indicadores de desarrollo sostenible que faciliten la consecución de dicho objetivo, se utiliza la metodología DEA (Data Envelopment Analysis) para calcular los índices de eficiencia de una muestra de municipios españoles. Resultados: Los resultados indican un nivel de eficiencia técnica media muy bajo del 6,3% para el servicio público de abastecimiento de agua. Discusiones: La eficiencia observada sugiere que los municipios deben adoptar políticas más efectivas y responsables en su gestión. Conclusiones : Concluyendo que la gestión eficiente es esencial para la sostenibilidad del servicio. Y el amplio margen de mejora revelado en la eficiencia de los municipios españoles recomienda futuras investigaciones sobre los factores que generan ineficiencia y cómo definir políticas que mejoren la gestión en la prestación del servicio de agua y, por tanto, su sostenibilidad.

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Author Biographies

Carmen Conesa-Pérez, UCAM

Professor at the Faculty of Economics and Business at the Catholic University of Murcia (UCAM). Coordinator of the online MBA and the specialties of economics and business of the Master's Degree in Teaching at UCAM. She holds a Master's Degree in Business Science, a Master's Degree in Auditing and a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management and Administration from the University of Murcia. She has contributed significantly to research and teaching with publications in recognized journals and books, and has presented her work at numerous international conferences. Her research focuses on educational innovation and efficiency in resource management, contributing to the development of knowledge in the academic and professional environment.

Isabel Ros- Clemente, Universidad Católica de Murcia (UCAM)

Currently, professor, academic secretary and MBA coordinator at the Faculty of Economics and Business at the Catholic University of Murcia. PhD in Business Administration and Management from the Catholic University of Murcia, with a Master's degree in Business Administration and Management, a degree in Economics and Business Administration and a degree in Social Education from the University of Murcia. She has published articles and book chapters on educational innovation and economics. She actively participates in research projects on circular economy and labor discrimination.

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Published

2024-10-14

How to Cite

Carmen Conesa-Pérez, & Isabel Ros- Clemente. (2024). Efficient water supply management: a sustainable approach. European Public & Social Innovation Review, 9, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.31637/epsir-2024-528

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Section

Research articles