Efficiency Improvement Strategy Under Constant Sum of Inputs

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is a non-parametric technique for measuring the efficiency of decision making units (DMU) with exact input and output terms. So far, a number of DEA models with interval data have been developed. The radial DEA model such as CCR or BCC model with interval data are well known as basic DEA models with interval data. However, these radial DEA models have some defects. In this study, we develop a new approach based upon the slacks-based measurement (SBM) of super-efficiency model for dealing with interval data in DEA. The SBM super-efficiency DEA model can not only discriminate the performance of efficient DMUs from inefficient ones, but can distinguish between the efficient DMUs. In addition, this model can overcome the drawback that the super-efficiency model can be infeasible under variable returns to scale (VRS) assumption. An illustrative example is provided to verify the idea of this paper and show its potential application and validity.

A generalized model for data envelopment analysis with interval data

Cross-efficiency aggregation in DEA models using the evidential-reasoning approach

The appreciative democratic voice of DEA: A case of faculty academic performance evaluation

In most models of data envelopment analysis (DEA), the best performers have the efficiency score of unity. Usually there are plural decision making units (DMUs) which have this ‘efficient status’ and DEA cannot provide more information about these efficient DMUs. Discrimination between these efficient DMUs is an interesting research subject. In effect, most conventional methods to rank efficient DMUs are based on the concept of common weights analysis (CWA). In this paper, after reviewing the existing common weights models, we propose a new methodology to rank the common weights models for the performance indices of only DEA efficient DMUs based on a voting model. Also, an approach for combining the results obtained from the common weights models is presented. Then, we give an example to illustrate our approach, and finally the new method is employed to rank efficient units in a real world problem.

Survey on rank preservation and rank reversal in data envelopment analysis

The main goal of this paper is to develop a new data envelopment analysis (DEA) model to use optimal weights of each decision making unit (DMU) to improve its relative efficiency aligned with other DMUs. In spite of the vast amount of studies in this area and related tools and techniques, current literature deploys the optimal weights of DMUs to calculate the DMUs' relative efficiency and benchmarking for each DMU is less investigated. In order to fill this gap, this paper proposes a model for obtaining benchmark(s) for each DMU. Furthermore, a numerical example is used to illustrate the capability of the proposed model.

In models of data envelopment analysis (DEA), an optimal set of input and output weights is generally assumed to represent the assessed decision making unit (DMU) in the best light in comparison to all the other DMUs. The paper shows that this may not be correct if absolute weight bounds or some other weight restrictions are added to the model. A consequence may be that the model will underestimate the relative efficiency of DMUs. The incorporation of weight restrictions in a maximin DEA model is suggested. This model can be further converted to more operational forms, which are similar to the classical DEA models.

Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) models with weight restrictions (WRs) have proven valuable for benchmarking and target setting. Although the DEA literature has explored the incorporation of managerial preferences and value judgments regarding the relative worth of inputs and outputs, as well as the establishment of targets in benchmarking contexts, little attention has been devoted to target setting under restricted DEA models. Moreover, despite the significant advances offered by minimum distance models for target establishment, limited research has addressed benchmarking improvement plans that integrate expert opinions and prior knowledge. Some studies have examined minimum distance models constrained to the efficient Assurance Region (AR) frontier, primarily by extending the concept of closest targets under WR. In contrast, this paper develops improvement plans that deviate minimally from the closest target projection obtained from the original, unrestricted DEA model—termed the reference target. This reference target is considered an acceptable “peer” since it requires the least effort for a decision making unit (DMU) to reach optimal performance before incorporating WR. To this end, we developed a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model under the assumption of Variable Returns to Scale in DEA. The proposed approach is illustrated through an application to benchmarking the tourism performance of localities in Córdoba, Argentina. The results reveal realistic and achievable improvement plans for the analyzed localities, ensuring that both global efforts are managed and expert-imposed restrictions are satisfied.

Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is a popular non-parametric technique for the assessment of efficiency of a set of homogeneous decision making units (DMUs) with the same set of inputs and outputs. In the conventional DEA models, it is assumed that all variables are fully controllable. However, in the real-world applications of DEA, some of the variables are completely uncontrollable or partially controllable. In this paper, we are concerned about partially controllable variables which are called semi-discretionary variables. In DEA models, in the presence of semi-discretionary variables, decision makers have partial control on these variables and the proportional changes are possible to some extent. Previous DEA models with semi-discretionary variables consider a certain level of control on the variables which is fixed and it is given by decision makers or a higher authority. Since this level is usually given by experts, it is possible that in some cases all experts may not come up with an agreement, so in this paper we consider variable instead of fixed level of control on each semi-discretionary variable. In the presence of semi-discretionary variables, the proportional changes in inputs and out-puts may not be feasible and as a result the obtained target value by conventional DEA models is not achievable for an inefficient DMU. Thus, we propose a bi-objective model to evaluate DMUs when modifying a variable to its target value should be managed by decision makers in a voting system. One of the advantages of the proposed model is including decision making conditions directly into a DEA model.

Greenhouse gas (GHG) is a main cause for climate anomalies, and thus, declining GHG emissions becomes an essential task for enterprises, especially for international liner shipping companies, to achieve the goal of corporate social responsibility (CSR). To liner shipping companies, main emitting gases are CO2, SOx, and NOx that cause marine pollution and global warming. To decline environmental warming and marine pollution, efficiency measure about GHG emissions for liner shipping companies is important. Due to data specifications of GHG, slack-based measure (SBM) data envelopment analysis (DEA) and super SBM DEA models focus on undesirable outputs are proposed and integrated into new DEA models. Through these models above, GHG emissions of liner shipping companies for varied years viewed as peer decision-making units (DMUs) are measured. Then, relative efficient DMUs are useful references for GHG emissions of liner shipping companies in emitting policies and technologies to reduce marine pollution.

This study aimed to measure the efficiency scores of 75 dairy buffalo farms in the province of Nueva Ecija, Central Luzon, Philippines, using an input-oriented, variable-return-to-scale Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model. The farmer-informants or decision-making units (DMUs) were categorized as smallholders, family modules, and semi-commercial in operations. Personal interviews using structured questionnaires were done to gather various information on the socio-economic and management practices of the DMUs. Output in the form of volume and value of milk produced and inputs such as quantities and costs of biologics, feeds, forage, and labor were also collected and evaluated among individual DMUs. The efficiency scores were computed using PIM-DEA software, which identified fully efficient DMUs lying on the frontier line (scores of 1.0) and those enveloped by it (inefficient DMUs with scores of less than 1.0). The overall mean Technical Efficiency (TE), Allocative Efficiency (AE), and Economic Efficiency (EE) scores among the DMUs were 0.80, 0.81, and 0.65, respectively. Most of the inefficient DMUs were in the smallholder category. In sum, smallholder DMUs classified under low and moderate TE clusters should reduce their inputs by 53.31% and 40.01%, respectively, to become fully efficient. Likewise, higher lambda values among efficient peer DMUs indicate the best practice frontiers that the inefficient peer DMUs can benchmark with. Extension and advisory services can help promote the best management practices of the frontiers to improve the TE, AE, and EE of the inefficient DMUs.

Efficiency evaluation with regret-rejoice cross-efficiency DEA models under the distributed linguistic environment

This study attempts to exploit information from environmental variables together with data envelopment analysis (DEA) efficiency scores for efficiency predictions of groups with more limited information. Based on DEA efficiency scores, decision-making units (DMUs) are sorted into two sets containing efficient and inefficient units, respectively. Then they are reshuffled into homogeneous groups with respect to environmental factors. We assume that the efficiency of DMUs in such a homogeneous group would be correlated. However, efficiency of different groups would vary. A beta binomial logistic model is proposed to fit such phenomena and is applied to predict the performance of a new group of commercialization projects for given environmental characteristics.

Abstract. The traditional data envelopment analysis (DEA) model ignores the cooperative relationship among decision-making units (DMUs), so it is difficult to evaluate the DMUs efficiency reasonably. In this study, we use a cross-efficiency and bootstrap truncated regression (BTR) model to analyze the determining factors of digital mobile e-learning. The empirical results of this research indicate the following results: (1) Importing digital mobile e-learning can really enhance the efficiency of school management. (2) The school size, tablet PC numbers, total equipment expenses associated with tablet PC and school location are important determinants for affecting the efficiency of school management. Owing to the government is full implementation of the new learns model, that is, to be where the students able to experience the authentic joy of new learning model and attract students join. The result of the study suggested that in order to increase the school’s cross-efficiency model efficiency. The first assist the school in upgrading the Wi-Fi technology and network equipment. In general, the school adds to the Wi-Fi technology and network equipment. That would enlarge the school network and as to attract more school will adopt the new learning. It is where the students able to experience the authentic joy of new learning model and attract students join. Thus, the schools will increase school size. However, it should be noted that total equipment expenses associated with tablet PC have the negative influence on school management efficiency due to the increasing costs for furnishing the related internet and network equipment or device to facilitate for teaching and learning among teachers and students by digital mobile e-learning. The results of this research can also be the reference for educational authorities when formulating policies and regulations for promoting digital mobile e-learning in high school in Taiwan. Keywords. Operating efficiency, Digital mobile e-Learning, Data envelopment analysis (DEA), Truncated bootstrapped regression (TBR), Cross efficiency model. JEL. I21, I25, I28.