Neoclassical economics assume that producers in an economy always operate efficiently, however in real terms, producers are not always fully efficient. This difference may be explained both in terms of efficiency, as well as unforeseen exogenous shocks outside the producer control. This paper aims to analyse the productive efficiency estimation through a stochastic frontier analysis approach. Particularly, this paper attempts to examine systematically the theoretical background of stochastic frontier function estimation, focusing on the analysis of the efficiency function, in order to provide a solid background for productive efficiency estimation.

There is a huge literature regarding the main determinants and sources of economic growth. Most of the recent work emphasizes on the role of knowledge and innovation activities typically produced by a specific sector of the economy, and on analyzing the implications and the importance for economic growth. Moreover, the socioeconomic and public policies aim to distinguish the determining factors of growth to enhance the regional cohesion and the convergence process. Much of the recent work on regional growth can be viewed as refining the basic economic insights of economic geography. This article attempts to analyze the European systems of innovation and the effects of European technological policy to regional growth.

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