Title

A common set of weight approach using an ideal decision making unit in data envelopment analysis

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-2012

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.3934/jimo.2012.8.623

Abstract

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is a common non-parametric frontier analysis method. The multiplier framework of DEA allows flexibility in the selection of endogenous input and output weights of decision making units (DMUs) as to cautiously measure their efficiency. The calculation of DEA scores requires the solution of one linear program per DMU and generates an individual set of endogenous weights (multipliers) for each performance dimension. Given the large number of DMUs in real applications, the computational and conceptual complexities are considerable with weights that are potentially zero-valued or incommensurable across units. In this paper, we propose a two-phase algorithm to address these two problems. In the first step, we define an ideal DMU (IDMU) which is a hypothetical DMU consuming the least inputs to secure the most outputs. In the second step, we use the IDMU in a LP model with a small number of constraints to determine a common set of weights (CSW). In the final step of the process, we calculate the efficiency of the DMUs with the obtained CSW. The proposed model is applied to a numerical example and to a case study using panel data from 286 Danish district heating plants to illustrate the applicability of the proposed method.

Language

English

Comments

Saati, S., Hatami-Marbini, A., Agrell, P.J. and Tavana, M. (2012) ‘A Common Set of Weight Approach Using an Ideal Decision Making Unit in Data Envelopment Analysis,’ Journal of Industrial and Management Optimization, Vol. 8, No. 3, pp. 623-637.

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS