Chilean primary healthcare practice is analyzed using a Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) multiple stage approach. We estimate the efficiency level of 259 municipalities nationwide. Since the efficiency score by itself is of limited value for decision making, we use a multivariate tool to help explain the effect of relevant factors. First, we use a cluster analysis to homogenize the units under study. Second, we use DEA to estimate the efficiency levels, which varies from 61% to 71% for urban municipalities, and from 51% to 56% in rural ones. Third, we use bootstrap to estimate confidence intervals for the efficiency scores, and a Biplot method to identify adequate variables to include in the Tobit Model, which is our last stage. We identify six factors associated with rural municipalities' operational efficiency, and two with urban ones. Knowing the efficiency level of municipalities can help determine ways to improve their efficiency.

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This paper examines whether different approaches for estimating the technical efficiency of a primary healthcare centre-PHC-can have significantly different results. Although effective regulation demands the development of measures for establishing good operation levels, few studies have compared results from a data envelopment analysis-DEA-and stochastic frontier analysis-SFAin a PHC. Furthermore, to the best of our knowledge, no studies have used Chilean nationwide data. Efficiency refers to the relation between the number of output units per input unit. Effectiveness evaluates the outcome of medical care and can be influenced by efficiency. The data that were used in this study came from 259 Chilean municipalities. We included two outputs-medical and checkup visits-and three inputs-staff, general service and drugs expenses. For the DEA, we used a variable return to scale output-oriented model. Before applying the SFA, a principal component analysis-PCA-combined the two outputs. The results were similar for both methods: the SFA efficiency averages were 70.89% and 65.83% and the DEA averages were 68.37% and 54.46% for the urban and rural municipalities, respectively. In addition to defining a frontier of "best practice", this study merged the PCA with the SFA to form an innovative approach to combining outputs.

Purpose This paper aims to identify any relation between the strategies defined in Chilean higher education institutions strategic planning and the compliance with both national accreditation criteria and the dimensions of an integrated internationalization approach, allowing to determine if standards and funding policies shape internationalization processes. Design/methodology/approach Strategic plans of 29 universities were analyzed using a nonexperimental qualitative–quantitative methodology. The institutions were categorized according to the scores obtained through the revision of objectives, aims and goals of their strategic plans. Key elements of integrated internationalization were used to identify the assimilation of such dimensions and the actions executed. Data were collected through documentary revision and scrutinized through content analysis using two dichotomous instruments. Results were examined using principal component and cluster analysis. Findings Chilean universities’ internationalization processes aim to fulfill national accreditation criteria but do not follow a comprehensive internationalization model, as shown by a 53.2% of compliance with the number of elements relating to internationalization accreditation criteria and a 27% of adherence with an integrated internationalization approach. Institutions are slowly evolving, blending isolated internationalization strategic elements and focusing on external guidelines. Research limitations/implications This study was performed through documentary analysis. The derived conclusions could further be complemented through interviews or the inclusion of institutional self-assessment reports for institutional accreditation purposes. Originality/value This paper demonstrates why Chilean universities need to take a qualitative step toward implementing an integrated internationalization approach, to make an even more tangible contribution to their internal and external communities.