The main aim of this paper is to perform efficiency and productivity analysis of Universal Service Obligation (USO) based on the Malmquist Productivity Indices (MPI) analysis. The study focuses on 29 Designated Operators (DOs) and two isolated periods, the years 2003 and 2017. There is a clear trend of workforce reduction (12%). Considering the postal services, the data confirm a general trend that the letter-post is in decline (30%) and the parcels are on the rise (52%). Considering the financial results, both costs and revenues are increased; however, there is a higher increase of revenue (33.13%) compared to the cost (32.61%). Further, the results of implemented methodology are twofold. Firstly, a progress is determined at the average level of all observed DOs according to the efficiency and productivity indicators. Among other, the results indicate the increase of productivity for both input MPI (3.5%) and output MPI (8%). However, there are significant variations of efficiency and productivity at the individual level. Secondly, the aim of research was also to examine the sources of productivity changes by considering postal market liberalization, ownership, marketing services and e-commerce. Our findings show that the last three specified variables contribute to the explanation of productivity change.

中文翻译：

---

普遍服务义务的效率和生产力分析：以欧洲国家 29 家指定运营商为例

本文的主要目的是基于 Malmquist 生产力指数 (MPI) 分析对普遍服务义务 (USO) 进行效率和生产力分析。该研究侧重于 29 家指定运营商 (DO) 和两个独立时期，即 2003 年和 2017 年。劳动力减少的趋势明显（12%）。考虑到邮政服务，数据证实了信件下降（30%）和包裹上升（52%）的总体趋势。考虑到财务结果，成本和收入都增加了；然而，与成本（32.61%）相比，收入（33.13%）的增幅更高。此外，实施方法的结果是双重的。首先，根据效率和生产力指标，在所有观察到的 DO 的平均水平上确定进度。其中，结果表明，输入 MPI (3.5%) 和输出 MPI (8%) 的生产率均有所提高。但是，个人层面的效率和生产力存在显着差异。其次，研究的目的还在于通过考虑邮政市场自由化、所有权、营销服务和电子商务来检查生产力变化的来源。我们的研究结果表明，最后三个指定的变量有助于解释生产力变化。