I think one reason why not is that you don’t tend to have much evidence that a thing is efficient unless you are in the business of making quantitative measurements.
I think this is incorrect. In competitive environments, mere existence is an indicator of significant efficiency (on the dimensions of competition). The necessity of sensitive tools for measurements pretty much means that the differences being measured are relatively small.
And, as you point out, “efficient” isn’t a property of a thing, it’s a ratio or specific inputs to specific outputs. Unit analysis is needed to be sure of which efficiencies you’re talking about—it’s quite possible that a daycare can be very efficient in terms of dollars/hour, and wildly inefficient in terms of child’s wellness/visit.
I think this is incorrect. In competitive environments, mere existence is an indicator of significant efficiency (on the dimensions of competition). The necessity of sensitive tools for measurements pretty much means that the differences being measured are relatively small.
And, as you point out, “efficient” isn’t a property of a thing, it’s a ratio or specific inputs to specific outputs. Unit analysis is needed to be sure of which efficiencies you’re talking about—it’s quite possible that a daycare can be very efficient in terms of dollars/hour, and wildly inefficient in terms of child’s wellness/visit.