The efficiency of social and economic image projection in spatial configurations

In this paper we examine issues related to the regional images of spatial configurations and their performance in attracting resources that are expressed in terms of regional gross domestic product. The concepts of social and economic image efficiency are introduced and their dual relationship is acknowledged. A non-parametric frontier analysis methodology is proposed for assessing the two types of efficiency, based on the concept of data envelopment analysis. The method is applied to the twenty prefectures of Northern Greece on data that span the period 1981 to 1991.