Evaluating shifts in Japan's quality-of-life

This paper presents a Data Envelopment Analysis/Malmquist index (DEA/MI) analysis of the change in quality-of-life (QOL), which is defined as the state of a social system as measured by multiple social-indicators. Applying panel data from Japan's 47 prefectures for the period 1975–2002, we identify significant movement in the country's overall QOL using a “cumulative” frontier shift index. Results suggest that Japan's QOL rose during the so-called “bubble economy years” (second half of the 1980s), and then dropped in the succeeding “lost-decade” (1990s). We also identify those prefectures considered most “responsible” for the shift(s) in QOL. Moreover, the use of both upper- and lower-bound DEAs enabled an evaluation of both “good” and “bad” movements in QOL.     

企业物流运营评价体系研究

基于层次分析法(AHP)和数据包络分析法(DEA),构建了适合企业物流运营评价的新型指标体系,建立了AHP和DEA相结合的两阶段评价模型。该模型首先进行定性指标的层次分析,然后将分析结果作为DEA的输入输出项,并结合其它定量指标进行DEA评价,最后结合实例验证评价方法的可行性。     

基于CCA-MDEA的房地产上市公司的经营绩效评价

将典型相关分析和改进的数据包络分析方法相结合,对评价指标中的输入和输出指标进行了典型相关分析,得到了综合的典型相关变量。在满足DEA约束条件下,对典型相关变量用改进的DEA方法分析,对房地产上市公司经营绩效进行评价,得到了更科学的评价结果。这种评价方法有效地克服了传统DEA方法的不足,使评价结果区分能力更强。     

Combining PCA With DEA to Improve the Evaluation of Project Performance Data: A Taiwanese Bureau of Energy Case Study

This article proposes a new method of project performance evaluation, by which project performance data can be better understood. This article combines principal component analysis (PCA) and data envelopment analysis (DEA) to enhance the efficiency of decision‐making units more accurately. The data used was based on energy projects promoted by the Bureau of Energy at the Ministry of Economic Affairs in Taiwan. The results of this article show that by combining PCA and DEA in evaluating the performance of energy projects, there was an improved evaluation of projects over simply using DEA data alone.     

在线旅行服务企业战略绩效评价体系研究

本研究采用深度访谈法搜集数据,利用内容分析法构建了在线旅行服务企业战略绩效评价维度和指标,运用层次分析法和模糊综合评价法构建了在线旅行服务企业战略绩效综合评价体系。首先,将在线旅行服务企业战略绩效评价体系分为6个一级指标、16个二级指标和34个三级指标,财务状况、市场地位、产品质量、服务质量、员工关系和社会责任6个维度为一级指标;其次,运用层次分析法确定了各一级和二级评价指标的权重系数,其中财务状况的权重最高,随后依次是市场地位、产品质量、服务质量、员工关系和社会责任;最后,利用模糊综合评价法构建了在线旅行服务企业战略绩效综合评价体系模型。本研究在理论上丰富了在线旅行服务企业战略绩效管理的研究内容和理论,也为未来的实证研究提供了可靠和操作性强的战略绩效评价工具。     

基于AHP-DEA的第三方物流企业绩效评价管理

适时、全面、有效地对物流企业绩效进行评估,是确保企业能够有效运行,实现企业自身价值和目标的基础和关键。针对第三方物流企业管理中的绩效评价问题,文章基于层次分析法(AHP)和数据包络分析法(DEA),建立第三方物流企业绩效评价管理体系,构建AHP-DEA组合评价模型。该组合模型首先针对第三方物流企业进行指标层次分析,再将分析结果作为数据包络分析的投入产出指标进行DEA评价,并基于供应链视角为企业提供新思路,实证分析表明该模型能够客观评价企业物流绩效,为企业经营管理提供依据。     

Social sustainability of regional transportation: An assessment framework with application to EU road transport

The assessment of transportation social sustainability appeals to many scholars as an essential issue but imposes a risk of selecting inadequate factors and methods to measure social phenomena. In this study, based on an extensive review, we identify the measurable key social indicators (instead of the economic or environmental factors commonly used) and propose a comprehensive evaluation framework for relative performance analysis of social sustainability in the regional context. This work is the first attempt to assess regional social sustainability of transport explicitly utilizing a multi-output performance measure. We use Shannon entropy to combine the results of selected data envelopment analysis (DEA) models into a unified social sustainability performance score. The method is applied to regional road transport in the European Union (EU) member states for the period 2004–2017. The empirical section explores individual profiles of EU countries, compares the states grouped into two clusters of old (EU-15) and new (EU-13) EU members, and examines their social sustainability performance over time. The analysis suggests that considering only social factors in the measurement eliminates the bias resulting from the inclusion of economic factors. As a result, our method prevents inaccurate inflation of the scores of more economically advanced countries. The findings also draw attention to the car dependence problem associated with high motorization rates in affluent EU-15 states. The study confirms the capacity of the proposed DEA-based framework to serve as an adequate tool for measuring the social sustainability of transport, which can support policymakers by providing useful benchmarks employing social factors.     

Assessment and budget allocation of Iranian natural gas distribution company- A CSW DEA based model

Regarding the importance of budgeting in organizations, this research proposes an empirical approach to budget allocation problems. The methodological instrument utilized is data envelopment analysis (DEA) which is a nonparametric mathematical programming technique. In the DEA methodology a standard DEA model should be independently solved to evaluate each decision making unit (DMU). Consequently, it is hard to find the magnitude of budget for each DMU by applying a budget allocation model based on standard DEA models because identifying the DMU under evaluation is problematic. Also, to overcome problems of evaluation using standard DEA models, common set of weights (CSW) DEA models were suggested. These models can be developed for use in budget allocation DEA models that lead to finding a single magnitude of budget for each DMU. Moreover, the opinion of the decision maker can be incorporated into the model using budgetary constraints. As a result, a restricted linear budget allocation CSW DEA model is proposed in which the central authority would like to plan for improving the total efficiency scores of all DMUs. In essence, the proposed model is used to reallocate the available budget and, thus, the results obtained will be a suggestion for budget allocation in subsequent periods. Finally, the proposed model is applied to budget allocation in the Iranian gas industry in which the available budget is reallocated to increase the total efficiency scores of Iranian gas distribution branches.     

基于DEA的先进制造技术无形效益评价研究

根据输入输出指标数据值进行数据包络分析(DEA)计算,对先进制造技术(AMT)投资方案的输入数据进行相对效率评价,避免单纯考虑输出指标的不确定性和不可度量性,做到无形效益价值输出指标的量化分析。将DEA中的C2R模型与BC2模型进行改变,结合对偶理论,提出AMT无形效益价值是一种新型影子价格的观点,分析AMT无形效益价值的相对有效性,对无效的方案提出了输入输出指标数据的改进方法。最后通过一个实例,验证了方法的可行性和实用性。     

Online banking performance evaluation using data envelopment analysis and axiomatic fuzzy set clustering

This paper presents a hybrid model to conducting performance measurements for Internet banking by using data envelopment analysis (DEA) and axiomatic fuzzy set (AFS) clustering. For each bank, DEA is applied to select a best combination by computing an aggregated efficiency score based on outputs, such as web metrics and revenue; and inputs, such as equipment, operation cost and employees. Then AFS clustering method is used to classify the best combination into different groups and provide the definitely semantic interpretations for the evaluation results. Identification of operational fitness and business orientation of each firm, in this way, will yield insights into understanding the weaknesses and strengths of banks, which are considering moving into Internet banking.     

Measuring efficiency under fixed proportion technologies

Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) applications frequently involve nonsubstitutable inputs and nonsubstitutable outputs (that is, fixed proportion technologies). However, DEA theory requires substitutability. In this paper, we illustrate the consequences of nonsubstitutability on DEA efficiency estimates, and we develop new efficiency indicators that are similar to those of conventional DEA models except that they require nonsubstitutability. Then, using simulated and real-world datasets that encompass fixed proportion technologies, we compare DEA efficiency estimates with those of the new indicators. The examples demonstrate that DEA efficiency estimates are biased when inputs and outputs are nonsubstitutable. The degree of bias varies considerably among Decision Making Units, resulting in substantial differences in efficiency rankings between DEA and the new measures. And, over 90% of the units that DEA identifies as efficient are, in truth, not efficient. We conclude that when inputs and outputs are not substituted for either technological or other reasons, conventional DEA models should be replaced with models that account for nonsubstitutability.     

Advances in physician profiling: the use of DEA

Insurers, health plans, and individual physicians in the United States are facing increasing pressures to reduce costs while maintaining quality. In this study, motivated by our work with a large managed care organization, we use readily available data from its claims database with data envelopment analysis (DEA) to examine physician practices within this organization. Currently the organization evaluates primary care physicians using a profile of 16 disparate ratios involving cost, utilization, and quality. We employed these same factors along with indicators of severity to develop a single, comprehensive measure of physician efficiency through DEA. DEA enabled us to identify a reference set of “best practice” physicians tailored to each inefficient physician. This paper presents a discussion of the selection of model inputs and outputs, the development of the DEA model using a “stepwise” approach, and a sensitivity analysis using superefficiency scores. The stepwise and superefficiency analyses required little extra computation and yielded useful insights into the reasons as to why certain physicians were found to be efficient. This paper demonstrates that DEA has advantages for physician profiling and usefully augments the current ratio-based reports.     

基于DEA分析法的港口物流效率测评研究

港口物流效率测评对于研究港口经营活动具有重要的意义,是衡量港口竞争能力以及经济效应的重要指标。文章将从宏观层面以及微观层面,并运用非参数化方法中的DEA方法对港口的物流效率进行测评。在宏观层面上运用DEA方法分析港口腹地产业与交通体系的投入量对港口吞吐量产生的影响;在微观层面采用DEA方法分析港口相关生产投入与产出指标来判定港口生产技术与规模的有效性。文章的研究价值在于,通过分析港口各种要素投入与产出的有效性可以测评出港口物流效率的实际水平状况,为港口未来的建设和发展提供决策依据,避免资源的重复建设和盲目投入。     

Major weapons procurement: An efficiency-based approach for the selection of fighter jets

This study applies the epsilon-based measure method in data envelopment analysis (DEA) to evaluate processes in procuring fighter jets (FJs), which are indicative of the technology and capability of major weapons. Moreover, multidimensional scaling analysis and sensitivity analysis were included to assess the selection of FJs. The DEA analysis indicates that the overall efficiency of the sample of 26 FJs was 0.824 on average. Besides, procurers rely on price and capability to decide which FJ models to purchase. Overall, the evaluation results can be provided to procurement decision makers even in selecting other types of major weapon in a cost-effective manner.     

DEA and Activity Planning under Asymmetric Information

The productivity analysis literature has traditionally focused on the evaluation of past performances. In this paper, we consider the post productivity analysis problem of deciding which production plans to choose in the future given information from a productivity analysis. In particular, we demonstrate that Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) has an important role to play in the reallocation game following a normal productivity analysis. DEA estimates reduce the information rents an agent can extract by claiming high costs for the least reduced or most expanded activity. We also examine how to optimally combine DEA estimates with other information in a planning context, including preference information, ex-ante cost reports and ex-post cost data.     

基于DEA的人力资本系统评价方法

本文基于数据包络分析(DEA)方法、结合定量和定性分析,给出了一种较为有效的人力资本评价方法。在建立人力资本评价模型的基础上,本文以一个案例研究了企业间人力资本使用的相对有效性。     

Inter-metropolitan regional migration galvanized by high-speed rail: A simulation analysis of the Linear Chuo Shinkansen line in Japan

The development of transportation infrastructure impacts migration, production, and other economic activities along with it. In this study, we conducted a multiregional computable general equilibrium simulation analysis to assess the effects that the proposed 2027 high-speed railway, the Linear Chuo Shinkansen in Japan, will have on population migration. The 47 prefectures ordained by the Japanese administrative unit were considered, and the simulation potential workforce population was taken as 110 million. The population is concentrated in the Tokyo metropolitan area. As per our simulation, once the proposed high-speed railway opens, “travel costs” (comprising time and the monetary costs of traveling) will decrease. This situation will stimulate economic activities and lead people to migrate to the prefectures where the economic environment improves. The results show that this development will ease extreme population concentration while simultaneously increasing employment and production values. However, additional analysis indicates that further development of the Linear Shinkansen to strengthen the current high-speed rail on the route to Tokaido will increase population concentration.     

Social responsibility portfolio optimization incorporating ESG criteria

Social responsibility investment (SRI) has attracted worldwide attention for its potential in promoting investment sustainability and stability. We developed a three-step framework by incorporating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance into portfolio optimization. In comparison to studies using weighted ESG rating scores, we constructed a data envelopment analysis (DEA) model with quadratic and cubic terms to enhance the evidence of two or more aspects, as well as the interaction between the environmental, social, and governance attributes. We then combined the ESG scores with financial indicators to select assets based on a cross-efficiency analysis. The portfolio optimization model incorporating ESG scores with selected assets was constructed to obtain a social responsibility investment strategy. To illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach, we applied it in the United States industrial stock market from 2005 to 2017. The empirical results show that the obtained SRI portfolio may be superior to traditional investment strategies in many aspects and may simultaneously achieve the consistency of investment and social values.     

Cross redundancy and sensitivity in DEA models

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) measures the efficiency of each decision making unit (DMU) by maximizing the ratio of virtual output to virtual input with the constraint that the ratio does not exceed one for each DMU. In the case that one output variable has a linear dependence (conic dependence, to be precise) with the other output variables, it can be hypothesized that the addition or deletion of such an output variable would not change the efficiency estimates. This is also the case for input variables. However, in the case that a certain set of input and output variables is linearly dependent, the effect of such a dependency on DEA is not clear. In this paper, we call such a dependency a cross redundancy and examine the effect of a cross redundancy on DEA. We prove that the addition or deletion of a cross-redundant variable does not affect the efficiency estimates yielded by the CCR or BCC models. Furthermore, we present a sensitivity analysis to examine the effect of an imperfect cross redundancy on DEA by using accounting data obtained from United States exchange-listed companies.     

Reverse efficiency measures for environmental assessment in data envelopment analysis

Environmental issues are becoming more and more important in our everyday life. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is a tool developed for measuring relative operational efficiency. DEA can also be employed to estimate environmental efficiency where undesirable outputs like greenhouse gases exist. The classical DEA method identifies best practices among a given empirical data set. In many situations, however, it is advantageous to determine the worst practices and perform efficiency evaluation by comparing DMUs with the full-inefficient frontier. This strategy requires that the conventional production possibility set is defined from a reverse perspective. In this paper, presence of both desirable and undesirable outputs is assumed and a methodological framework for performing an unbiased efficiency analysis is proposed. The reverse production possibility set is defined and new models are presented regarding the full-inefficient frontier. The operational, environmental and overall reverse efficiencies are studied. The important notion of weak disposability is discussed and the effects of this assumption on the proposed models are investigated. The capability of the proposed method is examined using data from a real-world application about paper production.