环保项目有效性评价的数据包络分析方法

利用数据包络分析(DEA)方法评价环保项目有效性时,输入、输出数据中可能同时存在环境因素,不符合传统的DEA模型要求,需要对这些数据进行转换。本文讨论了"不好的"数据平移转换法、输入和输出因素转换法、倒数转换法,建立了三种DEA模型,对建立的DEA模型一致性进行了分析,拓宽了以前DEA模型的应用范围。一个例子验证了这三种方法在评价环保项目有效性时是一致的。     

Directional distance based diversification super-efficiency DEA models for mutual funds

Current data envelopment analysis (DEA) models with diversification cannot discriminate the performance of efficient mutual funds. Based on the directional distance function and diversification DEA models, this paper proposes two diversification super-efficiency models for discriminating the performance of efficient mutual funds on financial market. The proposed diversification super-efficiency models as well as the corresponding diversification DEA models are feasible and can deal with negative values in risk measures, transaction costs and return measures. The proposed methods generate bounded super-efficiency scores for all the funds. Under the assumption of discrete return distributions, all the models in the proposed diversification super-efficiency methods can be transformed into linear programming (LP) problems by choosing proper risk and return measures. To demonstrate the validity and practicality of the proposed diversification super-efficiency methods, we apply them to evaluate the performance of mutual funds in the American market. The empirical results show that the proposed diversification super-efficiency models can distinguish efficient funds well and the linear combination of efficient funds might be inefficient. Moreover, the backtesting results show that the proposed diversification super-efficiency models generally have a good practice value for the actual portfolio selection.     

超效率DEA模型的模糊扩展

在输入、输出数据为模糊数而效率值为准确值的模糊DEA模型中,会出现有两个以上有效单元,从而无法对所有决策单元进行全排序的情形。本文利用模糊数的基于α-截集的比较规则,建立了模糊条件下的超效率DEA模型,有效地解决了模糊决策单元的全排序问题。文末给出了一个实例。     

Multi-valued measures in DEA in the presence of undesirable outputs

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) evaluates the relative efficiency of a set of comparable decision making units (DMUs) with multiple performance measures (inputs and outputs). Classical DEA models rely on the assumption that each DMU can improve its performance by increasing its current output level and decreasing its current input levels. However, undesirable outputs (like wastes and pollutants) may often be produced together with desirable outputs in final products which have to be minimized. On the other hands, in some real-world situations, we may encounter some specific performance measures with more than one value which are measured by various standards. In this study, we referee such measures as multi-valued measures which only one of their values should be selected. For instance, unemployment rate is a multi-valued measure in economic applications since there are several definitions or standards to measure it. As a result, selecting a suitable value for a multi-valued measure is a challenging issue and is crucial for successful application of DEA. The aim of this study is to accommodate multi-valued measures in the presence of undesirable outputs. In doing so, we formulate two individual and summative selecting directional distance models and develop a pair of multiplier- and envelopment-based selecting approaches. Finally, we elaborate applicability of the proposed method using a real data on 183 NUTS 2 regions in 23 selected EU-28 countries.     

DEA for non-homogenous parallel networks

In practice, systems are often composed of a group of sub-units. Each sub-unit has a set of performance metrics that are classified as inputs and outputs in data envelopment analysis (DEA). Conventional DEA views such a system as a “black-box”, other DEA-based models are developed to investigate the inner structure, either with a serial structure where components are connected by intermediate products, or with a parallel system under the key assumption that all sub-units are associated with the same type of inputs and outputs (in differing amounts) without the links. In many applications, however, this property of identical input/output factors may not hold. For example, factories may have various manufacturing lines whose inputs and outputs differ from one another. The current paper proposes a series of DEA models to accommodate settings where non-homogenous sub-units operate in parallel network structures with intermediate measures or links. Both the overall performance of the entire parallel network system and efficiency decomposition for each sub-unit can be evaluated through our method.     

Data envelopment analysis: Prior to choosing a model

In this paper, we address several issues related to the use of data envelopment analysis (DEA). These issues include model orientation, input and output selection/definition, the use of mixed and raw data, and the number of inputs and outputs to use versus the number of decision making units (DMUs). We believe that within the DEA community, researchers, practitioners, and reviewers may have concerns and, in many cases, incorrect views about these issues. Some of the concerns stem from what is perceived as being the purpose of the DEA exercise. While the DEA frontier can rightly be viewed as a production frontier, it must be remembered that ultimately DEA is a method for performance evaluation and benchmarking against best-practice. DEA can be viewed as a tool for multiple-criteria evaluation problems where DMUs are alternatives and each DMU is represented by its performance in multiple criteria which are coined/classified as DEA inputs and outputs. The purpose of this paper is to offer some clarification and direction on these matters.     

Ranking efficient units in DEA

Super-efficiency data envelopment analysis (DEA) model can be used in ranking the performance of efficient decision making units (DMUs). Because of the infeasibility problem associated with the super-efficiency DEA model, ranking has been restricted to the model where constant returns to scale and proportional changes in all inputs or all outputs are assumed. In fact, when super-efficiency is used as an efficiency stability measure, infeasibility means the highest super-efficiency. However, if super-efficiency is interpreted as input saving or output surplus achieved by a specific efficient DMU, infeasibility does not necessarily mean the highest super-efficiency. In order to obtain a complete ranking of efficient DMUs when the two assumptions are relaxed, a modified super-efficiency DEA model is proposed to overcome the infeasibility problem and to correctly capture the super-efficiency represented by the input saving or the output surplus. The current paper suggests using both input- and output-oriented super-efficiency models to characterize the super-efficiency when infeasibility occurs. As a result, we can rank the efficient DMUs if infeasibility occurs. The approach is applied to 20 largest Japanese companies and 15 US cities, respectively.     

Two-stage DEA models with undesirable input-intermediate-outputs

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is a non-parametric approach for measuring the relative efficiencies of peer decision making units (DMUs). Many studies have examined DEA efficiencies of two-stage systems, where all the outputs from the first stage are the only inputs to the second stage. Although single-stage DEA models with undesirable input-outputs have been extensively studied, there still lacks of more systematical investigation on two-stage DEA with undesirable variables. For instance, depending on its operating model, even whether an intermediate variable is desirable or undesirable can be questionable for a particular two-stage system. Furthermore, most of the existing studies on two-stage systems focus on the case where only the final outputs are undesirable. In this work, we try to systematically examine two-stage DEA models with undesirable input-intermediate-outputs. Particularly, we utilize the free-disposal axioms to construct the production possibility sets (PPS) and the corresponding DEA models with undesirable variables. The proposed models are then used to illustrate some theoretical perspectives by using the data of China׳s listed banks.     

Dynamic DEA: A slacks-based measure approach

In data envelopment analysis, there are several methods for measuring efficiency changes over time, e.g. the window analysis and the Malmquist index. However, they usually neglect carry-over activities between two consecutive terms and only focus on the separate time period independently aiming local optimization in a single period, even if these models can take into account the time change effect. In the actual business world, a long time planning and investment is a subject of great concern. For these cases, single period optimization model is not suitable for performance evaluation. To cope with long time point of view, the dynamic DEA model incorporates carry-over activities into the model and enables us to measure period specific efficiency based on the long time optimization during the whole period. Dynamic DEA model proposed by Färe and Grosskopf is the first innovative contribution for such purpose. In this paper we develop their model in the slacks-based measure (SBM) framework, called dynamic SBM (DSBM). The SBM model is non-radial and can deal with inputs/outputs individually, contrary to the radial approaches that assume proportional changes in inputs/outputs. Furthermore, according to the characteristics of carry-overs, we classify them into four categories, i.e. desirable, undesirable, free and fixed. Desirable carry-overs correspond, for example, to profit carried forward and net earned surplus carried to the next term, while undesirable carry-overs include, for example, loss carried forward, bad debt and dead stock. Free and fixed carry-overs indicate, respectively, discretionary and non-discretionary ones. We develop dynamic SBM models that can evaluate the overall efficiency of decision making units for the whole terms as well as the term efficiencies.     

基于分段参数型DEA前沿面的投入—产出型技术效率

由传统DEA模型可以直接测算投入固定(产出固定)的条件下,面向产出(投入)的技术效率。尽管加型DEA模型同时考虑了投入和产出的松弛,但却不能像传统模型一样直接测算投入—产出型技术效率。为了直接由加性模型测算投入产出型技术效率,本文将利用DEA有效决策单元建立分段参数型DEA生产前沿面,并根据古典技术效率的定义,解决投入产出型技术效率的测算问题。研究发现,这种效率实质上是产出型技术效率与投入配置效率的乘积。由于同时考虑了投入和产出的技术无效性,与其它类型的技术效率相比,这种投入产出型技术效率的可分性更强。     

Time-staged outputs in DEA

This paper examines the issue of handling outputs in DEA that occur at different stages in time. As a backdrop for the research we examine a data set involving the evaluation of efficiencies of business schools. The data focuses explicitly on a particular institution, namely the business school ENCSH (Escuela de Negocios, Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades) at ITESM (Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores Monterrey) in Mexico. This school of business is evaluated relative to 41 peer institutions in the USA, using data envelopment analysis as the principal evaluation instrument. Using internships and jobs as outputs, and various quality measures as inputs, we demonstrate that this problem setting gives rise to the phenomenon of time-staged outputs. Specifically, the two outputs occur at different points in time, meaning that one of them plays a dual role. While this problem might potentially be viewed as a type of network DEA model, we demonstrate that a modification of the conventional DEA methodology is a more appropriate structure to handle this situation.     

存在非期望输入输出的多阶段系统效率评价模型

现有多阶段DEA模型的研究普遍假设所有输入、输出均为期望指标, 对存在非期望指标的情况研究较少, 尚无对最初投入和中间产出带有非期望指标的研究。为此, 本文首先提出了输入、输出类型的判定方法, 并将其应用于存在非期望输入、输出的两阶段系统。进一步针对存在非期望指标的两阶段生产系统中同种输入、输出, 尤其中间产出类型判定一致与不一致的情况, 构建了相应的生产可能集以及两阶段DEA模型, 最后利用本文方法和模型对我国上市银行效率进行了评价。     

存在保证域的模糊非径向偏好DEA模型——基于中科院24个研究所的实证分析

数据包络分析（DEA）是一种非参数化的方法,用于评价具有类似输入和输出的决策单元的效率。传统的非径向DEA模型假设输入和输出数据均为准确值,且对权重变量不加以限制,本文构建了存在保证域的模糊非径向偏好DEA模型,并给出了一种基于模糊数截集的模型求解方法,有效地解决了输入和输出全部或部分为模糊数的决策单元评价问题。最后给出了一个中科院研究所效率评价的实例说明了方法的有效性。     

Duality of weakly disposable technology

The axiom of weak disposability is frequently imposed in data envelopment analysis (DEA) models involving undesirable outputs such as pollution. This paper sheds new light on the economic interpretation of weak disposability by developing dual formulations of the weakly disposable DEA technology. We find that the economic implications of weak disposability on the multiplier DEA problem are two-fold: (1) the shadow prices of the undesirable outputs can be positive or negative, and (2) the economic loss of the benchmark cannot exceed the suck cost of the inputs. We interpret the second implications as a limited liability condition. The dual formulations developed in this paper enable one to estimate shadow prices of the undesirable outputs using the weakly disposable technology. The insights gained are illustrated by a numerical example and an empirical application to the US power plants.     

Benchmarking firm performance from a multiple-stakeholder perspective with an application to Chinese banking

We know very little about how a firm would compare against its peers when evaluated from a multiple-stakeholder perspective where the same variables are interpreted differently. Since most medium-to-large organizations acknowledge the multi-dimensional nature of their operations, finding out the performance evaluations of various stakeholders can inform managerial decision-making. Thus, the main motivation for this study is to capture the interactions among different perceptions on a common set of performance measures. Using data envelopment analysis (DEA), we work with an approach that allows a flexible designation of inputs and outputs based on varying perspectives of five key stakeholders in banking. The versatile approach demonstrates that different views from the stakeholder universe can be summarily captured in DEA scores. A numerical example on Chinese commercial banks identifies the compliant (efficient) banks versus rigid (inefficient) banks, as well as the amenable stakeholders (those evaluating banks as efficient) versus the recalcitrant stakeholders (those evaluating banks as inefficient). The aligned views held by management and shareholders as evidenced by significant correlation among performance rankings imply reduced agency costs. Similarly, shared perceptions between customers and employees may encourage management to examine how this important business interface can be improved.     

Two-level DEA approaches in research evaluation

It is well known that the discrimination power of data envelopment analysis (DEA) models will be much weakened if too many input or output indicators are used. It is a dilemma if decision makers wish to select comprehensive indicators, which often have some hierarchical structures, to present a relatively holistic evaluation using DEA. In this paper we show that it is possible to develop DEA models that utilize hierarchical structures of input–output data so that they are able to handle quite large numbers of inputs and outputs. We present two approaches in a pilot evaluation of 15 institutes for basic research in the Chinese Academy of Sciences using the DEA models.     

动态市场竞争环境下电子商务企业盈利能力的影响因素研究

为找到电子商务企业高投入、低投资回报现象存在的原因,本文首先运用数据包络分析（DEA）模型计算了电子商务企业投入对产出的过度效应,即投入拥挤,然后将之与行业内的市场竞争程度和移动电子商务的发展相结合,通过构建面板数据回归模型,详细探讨了动态市场竞争环境下电子商务企业盈利能力的影响因素。研究结果证实了资产规模过大对传统电子商务企业盈利能力具有削弱作用,而市场集中度和移动电子商务的发展则对传统电子商务企业盈利能力具有推动作用。这些发现启示企业经营管理者应聚焦于移动电子商务发展带来的新机遇,消除投入拥挤,通过调适生产规模和新业务模式的创新,开辟新的营销渠道和盈利模式。     

Governance Structures,Multidimensional Efficiency and Firm Profitability

Using a panel data set of 361 German corporations for the period 1991–1996 we test the hypothesis that firms with more efficient governance structures have higher profitability. To determine efficiency we compare firms with respect to ownership concentration, the identity of owners, capital structure, investment and firm growth by a multi-input/multi-output Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). This non-parametric linear programming technique considers both multiple in- and out- puts. Based on the concept of pareto efficiency, it computes an efficiency score where the associated weights of the inputs and outputs are determined endogenously. The DEA efficiency scores are then used as explanatory variables in panel data regressions of profitability. Our main finding is that the efficiency scores indeed contribute significantly to explaining profitability differences between firms, even after controlling for industry effects and unobserved systematic firm effects.     

DEA models for extended two-stage network structures

Liang et al. (2008) [1] developed DEA models based upon game approach to decompose efficiency for two-stage network structures where all outputs of the first stage are the only inputs to the second stage. This paper extends Liang et al. (2008) [1] by assuming that the inputs to the second stage include both the outputs from the first stage and additional inputs to the second stage. Two models are proposed to evaluate the performance of this type general two-stage network structures. One is a non-linear centralized model whose global optimal solutions can be estimated using a heuristic search procedure. The other is a non-cooperative model, in which one of the stages is regarded as the leader and the other is the follower. The newly developed models are applied to a case of regional R&D of China.     

Production efficiency in Indian agriculture: An assessment of the post green revolution years

In this paper we use the nonparametric method of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to obtain Pareto-Koopmans measures of technical efficiency of individual states over the years 1970–71 through 2000–01 in a multi-output, multi-input model of agricultural production. We disaggregate overall efficiency into two distinct components representing output and input efficiencies and identify the contribution of individual outputs and inputs to the measured level of overall efficiency. Because introduction of modern inputs has been a major component of the process of modernization of Indian agriculture, we examine to what extent different states succeeded in utilizing the modern inputs compared to the traditional inputs. Variations in the DEA efficiency scores across states and over years is explained in terms of differences in various institutional and demographic factors in a second stage regression analysis.