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This paper compares technical efficiencies (TEs) and technological gap ratios (TGRs) for dairy farms in the Norwegian regions accounting for differences in working environments. We used the 'true' random effect model of Greene (2005) and the stochastic metafrontier approach by Huang et al. (2014) to estimate TEs and TGRs. The dataset used was farm-level balanced panel data for 23 years (1992-2014) with 5442 observations from 731 dairy firms. The results of the analysis provide empirical evidence of small regional differences in technical efficiencies, technological gap ratios, and input use. Thus, an assumption about joint underlying technology across regions seems to be quite reasonable, since our results implies that the policies in place are working effectively to keep relatively disadvantaged producers in the business. Further, the results may provide some support for the more region-specific agricultural policies, in terms of support schemes and structural regulations.

As studies done by different scholars indicate that the present status of street children is remarkably insightful, this invites us to systematically review the existing literature by using meta-analysis. In this paper 31 studies were reviewed by applying a predetermined set of inclusion and exclusion criteria as part of meta-analysis. These studies were compiled mainly from three continents (Africa, Asia, and Latin America), which are often observed to be diversified economically, politically, socially, and environmentally. Empirical evidences based on data generated from reviewed studies provide a holistic picture on the predominance of male street children among a total sample size of 68014 street children. Working as a daily labourer is considered as the most predominant informal occupation for street children. Empirical evidences suggest that majority of street dwellers were categorized into children working on the street in Africa, while in Asia a sizable proportion of them were abandoned from their house. Interestingly, it suggests that children coming to a street may be due to push factors like coercion by family, lack of access to education, and the existence of displeasing life in Africa, while in Asia children were pushed by family to beg and act as a day labourer and street vendor to assure the livelihood of their abandoned families. Statistical evidence based on odds ratio suggested no association between location of the study region and the characteristics of street children. Analysis of variance results showed that there exists a significant variation within a continent for all four variables (living condition, education, gender, and livelihood strategies). In fact, daily labour was the most acceptable means of livelihood earning and it is followed by street vendor and others. The present condition of street children necessitates social intervention to address the present problems of street dwellers by ensuring sustainable livelihood options among them.