We explain what efficiency is and how it differs from efficiency and effectiveness. Also, what is meant by efficiency in different disciplines.
What is efficiency?
Efficiency is ability of an object, a process or a person to achieve its objectives in the best possible way. Depending on the context, this can mean different things: do it quickly, with the least amount of input possible, making the least amount of errors, or all of the above.
For example, when talking about productive efficiency in the economic and business sectors, reference is made to the ideal functioning of the processes of manufacturing goods. A company is more efficient the more it produces more goods in less time and with the highest possible quality.
Where does the word “efficiency” come from?
The word “efficiency” comes from Latin efficiencycomposed of the voices ex (“outside”), facere (“do”) and the suffixes “-ent” and “-tia”. This Latin term could be translated as “that which completes something” and is linked to efficiencies (“that produces or gives rise to something”).
- See also: Productivity
Differences between efficiency, effectiveness and effectiveness
Efficiency should not be confused with efficiency and effectiveness, since these three concepts, although related, refer to totally different assessments of a process or task:
- Effectiveness. It refers to the capacity of a process or an input to achieve its purpose, that is, how well it meets the proposed objective. For example: a flu vaccine is effective if a high percentage of those vaccinated obtain the desired effect, which is immunity to the flu.
- Efficiency. It refers to the ability of a process or input to achieve its purpose in the best possible way. For example: a flu vaccine is efficient if it more or less fulfills its purpose, but is easy, cheap and quick to produce.
- Effectiveness. It refers to the balance between efficiency and effectiveness, that is, the capacity of a process or input to fully fulfill its purpose and also do so in the best possible way. For example: a flu vaccine is effective if it is easy, quick and cheap to make, and achieves a high degree of immunity in those who receive it.
The relationship between these three concepts can be summarized as follows:
| Effectiveness | Efficiency | Effectiveness |
|---|---|---|
| It depends on how well something fulfills its purpose. | It depends on how well something fulfills its purpose. | It depends on how much and how well something fulfills its purpose. |
| It is determined from the objective achieved. | It is determined from the resources used to achieve the objective. | It is determined from the objective and the resources used to achieve it. |
| Something that is effective is effective. | Something that has efficiency is efficient. | Something that is effective is cash. |
- Effectiveness, efficiency and productivity
Meanings of efficiency in various disciplines
The concept of efficiency can imply different issues, depending on the discipline in which it is used.
Livestock efficiency
In livestock farming, we talk about biological efficiency to refer to the production capacity of agricultural goods that a species or a set of animal, plant or even mushroom species has. This is expressed as the ratio between the input and output of a resource and a product in a specific production system.
For example: the production of milk from cows and eggs from chickens, depending on the farm's feeding model.
Efficiency in physics
In physics, the concept of efficiency is used to refer to the proportion between the useful energy obtained from a system or machinery and the matter or energy invested in its operation. Thus, an efficient system is one that releases greater amounts of useful energy with the same amount of energy invested. On the other hand, an inefficient system is one that consumes a lot of matter or energy to release little useful energy in return.
For example: the combustion of gasoline is a much more efficient process to obtain energy than the combustion of mineral coal.
Efficiency in statistics
In statistics, the concept of efficiency is used to refer to the margin of error in a calculation or measurement. When deciding what type of statistics will be used for a given study, those with a smaller margin of error will be chosen, as they will have greater agreement with reality.
For example: between two pre-election polls, the results that have a lower percentage of error will preferably be disseminated, as they will be more efficient for thinking about the political reality of the country.
Efficiency in public health
In the branch of medicine known as public health, efficiency is understood as the ability of a health center to provide specialized care to the greatest number of patients. This translates into a greater positive impact on the community, using the least amount of inputs and resources.
For example: a community vaccination drive will be much more efficient if you can administer the correct dose to the greatest number of people in the shortest time possible and with the fewest nursing staff involved.
Efficiency in agriculture
In agriculture, the concept of efficiency is used mainly for the evaluation of irrigation systems. A system is considered effective when it uses the smallest amount of water, also coming from the closest water currents, and in return obtains equal results in the harvest. This allows a greater amount of land to be cultivated and is expressed in the percentage of useful water invested in the soil per 100 liters applied.
For example: Peru's irrigation systems invest around 30% of water in their crops, meaning that 70% of the water they consume is not used. A significant improvement would imply that with the same volume of water invested, an irrigation percentage of at least 50% is obtained.
References
- Cochrane, A.L. (1985). Effectiveness and efficiency. Random reflections on healthcare services. Salvat.
- Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2024). Efficiency. The Britannica Dictionary. https://www.britannica.com
- Jullien, F. (1999). Efficiency treatise. Siruela.
