Deriving the DEA frontier for two-stage processes

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is a method for measuring the efficiency of peer decision making units (DMUs). Recently DEA has been extended to examine the efficiency of two-stage processes, where all the outputs from the first stage are intermediate measures that make up the inputs to the second stage. The resulting two-stage DEA model provides not only an overall efficiency score for the entire process, but as well yields an efficiency score for each of the individual stages. Due to the existence of intermediate measures, the usual procedure of adjusting the inputs or outputs by the efficiency scores, as in the standard DEA approach, does not necessarily yield a frontier projection. The current paper develops an approach for determining the frontier points for inefficient DMUs within the framework of two-stage DEA.     

考虑决策单元竞争合作动态变化的DEA博弈交叉效率方法

利用DEA方法进行相对效率评估时,决策单元通常需要考虑多重目标,且随着目标的变化,决策单元间竞争合作状态也会发生动态变化。传统竞合模型虽然考虑了决策单元间竞争与合作同时存在的现象,但忽视了竞争合作关系动态变化的过程。本文以竞争合作对策为切入点,将多目标规划中的优先因子引入传统DEA博弈交叉效率模型中,提出了带有优先等级的多目标DEA博弈交叉效率模型,即动态竞合博弈交叉效率模型。该模型充分体现了不同目标下决策单元间竞争合作关系的动态变化,其焦点由传统竞合模型对多重最优权重现象的改善,转向对最优效率得分的直接寻找。利用DEA动态竞合博弈交叉效率模型,本文对环境污染约束下2014年长三角地区制造业投入产出绩效进行了客观的评估。分析结果表明:DEA动态竞合博弈交叉效率模型收敛速度优于传统DEA博弈交叉效率模型,其交叉效率得分收敛于唯一的纳什均衡点;不同目标重要性的差异程度,对最终排名结果不产生明显影响,不需要确切指出。     

Equivalence in two-stage DEA approaches

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is a linear programming problem approach for evaluating the relative efficiency of peer decision making units (DMUs) that have multiple inputs and outputs. DMUs can have a two-stage structure where all the outputs from the first stage are the only inputs to the second stage, in addition to the inputs to the first stage and the outputs from the second stage. The outputs from the first stage to the second stage are called intermediate measures. This paper examines relations and equivalence between two existing DEA approaches that address measuring the performance of two-stage processes.     

A DEA game model approach to supply chain efficiency

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is a useful method to evaluate the relative efficiency of peer decision making units (DMUs). Based upon the definitions of supply chain efficiency, we investigate the efficiency game between two supply chain members. It is shown that there exist numerous Nash equilibriums efficiency plans for the supplier and the manufacturer with respect to their efficiency functions. A bargaining model is then proposed to analyze the supplier and manufacturer's decision process and to determine the best efficiency plan strategy. DEA efficiency for supply chain operations is studied for the central control and the decentralized control cases. The current study is illustrated with a numerical example.     

Network DEA pitfalls: Divisional efficiency and frontier projection under general network structures

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is a method for measuring the efficiency of peer decision making units (DMUs). Recently network DEA models been developed to examine the efficiency of DMUs with internal structures. The internal network structures range from a simple two-stage process to a complex system where multiple divisions are linked together with intermediate measures. In general, there are two types of network DEA models. One is developed under the standard multiplier DEA models based upon the DEA ratio efficiency, and the other under the envelopment DEA models based upon production possibility sets. While the multiplier and envelopment DEA models are dual models and equivalent under the standard DEA, such is not necessarily true for the two types of network DEA models. Pitfalls in network DEA are discussed with respect to the determination of divisional efficiency, frontier type, and projections. We point out that the envelopment-based network DEA model should be used for determining the frontier projection for inefficient DMUs while the multiplier-based network DEA model should be used for determining the divisional efficiency. Finally, we demonstrate that under general network structures, the multiplier and envelopment network DEA models are two different approaches. The divisional efficiency obtained from the multiplier network DEA model can be infeasible in the envelopment network DEA model. This indicates that these two types of network DEA models use different concepts of efficiency. We further demonstrate that the envelopment model’s divisional efficiency may actually be the overall efficiency.     

基于DEA的二阶段网络系统的固定成本分摊方法

结合DEA和博弈的思想研究二阶段网络系统的固定成本分摊问题,将分摊成本作为新的投入,可以证明存在某种分摊使DMU整体效率达到最优,在此基础上考虑各个DMU之间以及DMU内部之间的博弈,首先建立讨价还价乘积最大化模型,求出各DMU唯一的分摊解,然后建立DMU子系统之间的讨价还价模型,给出子系统的分摊解,最终的分摊方案满足系统效率和子系统效率为1,与现有的方法相比具有一定的优势.     

DEA model with shared resources and efficiency decomposition

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) has proved to be an excellent approach for measuring performance of decision making units (DMUs) that use multiple inputs to generate multiple outputs. In many real world scenarios, DMUs have a two-stage network process with shared input resources used in both stages of operations. For example, in hospital operations, some of the input resources such as equipment, personnel, and information technology are used in the first stage to generate medical record to track treatments, tests, drug dosages, and costs. The same set of resources used by first stage activities are used to generate the second-stage patient services. Patient services also use the services generated by the first stage operations of housekeeping, medical records, and laundry. These DMUs have not only inputs and outputs, but also intermediate measures that exist in-between the two-stage operations. The distinguishing characteristic is that some of the inputs to the first stage are shared by both the first and second stage, but some of the shared inputs cannot be conveniently split up and allocated to the operations of the two stages. Recognizing this distinction is critical for these types of DEA applications because measuring the efficiency of the production for first-stage outputs can be misleading and can understate the efficiency if DEA fails to consider that some of the inputs generate other second-stage outputs. The current paper develops a set of DEA models for measuring the performance of two-stage network processes with non splittable shared inputs. An additive efficiency decomposition for the two-stage network process is presented. The models are developed under the assumption of variable returns to scale (VRS), but can be readily applied under the assumption of constant returns to scale (CRS). An application is provided.     

Interval cross efficiency for fully ranking decision making units using DEA/AHP approach

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is a popular technique for measuring the relative efficiency of a set of decision making units (DMUs). Fully ranking DMUs is a traditional and important topic in DEA. In various types of ranking methods, cross efficiency method receives much attention from researchers because it evaluates DMUs by using self and peer evaluation. However, cross efficiency score is usual nonuniqueness. This paper combines the DEA and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to fully rank the DMUs that considers all possible cross efficiencies of a DMU with respect to all the other DMUs. We firstly measure the interval cross efficiency of each DMU. Based on the interval cross efficiency, relative efficiency pairwise comparison between each pair of DMUs is used to construct interval multiplicative preference relations (IMPRs). To obtain the consistency ranking order, a method to derive consistent IMPRs is developed. After that, the full ranking order of DMUs from completely consistent IMPRs is derived. It is worth noting that our DEA/AHP approach not only avoids overestimation of DMUs’ efficiency by only self-evaluation, but also eliminates the subjectivity of pairwise comparison between DMUs in AHP. Finally, a real example is offered to illustrate the feasibility and practicality of the proposed procedure.     

Super-efficiency DEA in the presence of infeasibility

It is well known that super-efficiency data envelopment analysis (DEA) approach can be infeasible under the condition of variable returns to scale (VRS). By extending of the work of Chen (2005), the current study develops a two-stage process for calculating super-efficiency scores regardless whether the standard VRS super-efficiency mode is feasible or not. The proposed approach examines whether the standard VRS super-efficiency DEA model is infeasible. When the model is feasible, our approach yields super-efficiency scores that are identical to those arising from the original model. For efficient DMUs that are infeasible under the super-efficiency model, our approach yields super-efficiency scores that characterize input savings and/or output surpluses. The current study also shows that infeasibility may imply that an efficient DMU does not exhibit super-efficiency in inputs or outputs. When infeasibility occurs, it can be necessary that (i) both inputs and outputs be decreased to reach the frontier formed by the remaining DMUs under the input-orientation and (ii) both inputs and outputs be increased to reach the frontier formed by the remaining DMUs under the output-orientation. The newly developed approach is illustrated with numerical examples.     

Network DEA: Additive efficiency decomposition

In conventional DEA analysis, DMUs are generally treated as a black-box in the sense that internal structures are ignored, and the performance of a DMU is assumed to be a function of a set of chosen inputs and outputs. A significant body of work has been directed at problem settings where the DMU is characterized by a multistage process; supply chains and many manufacturing processes take this form. Recent DEA literature on serial processes has tended to concentrate on closed systems, that is, where the outputs from one stage become the inputs to the next stage, and where no other inputs enter the process at any intermediate stage. The current paper examines the more general problem of an open multistage process. Here, some outputs from a given stage may leave the system while others become inputs to the next stage. As well, new inputs can enter at any stage. We then extend the methodology to examine general network structures. We represent the overall efficiency of such a structure as an additive weighted average of the efficiencies of the individual components or stages that make up that structure. The model therefore allows one to evaluate not only the overall performance of the network, but as well represent how that performance decomposes into measures for the individual components of the network. We illustrate the model using two data sets.     

基于Shephard距离函数的DEA TOPSIS方法研究

本文通过对Shephard距离函数的引入,正式构建了DEA TOPSIS决策单元排序方法的框架。本文首先定义了正(负)理想决策制定单元(DMU)以及相应的(反)生产可能集,然后在考虑正(负)理想DMU的条件下分别给出DMU的(反)效率评价模型以及对应的Shephard距离函数,然后基于评价对象到理想DMU相对接近度这一综合评价值给出了DMU的一个完全排序。最后,本文通过算例分析说明了该方法的有效性和实用性。     

外源投入型两阶段制造系统网络DEA效率分析研究

制造过程评价是改善制造系统效率的重要一环,传统的评价方法将每个制造系统决策单元视为黑箱来研究整体效率,忽略了中间产品转化信息及投入要素在各子过程中的配置信息。针对两阶段(第二阶段有外源性新投入)制造系统的效率评估问题,分别在固定规模报酬和可变规模报酬假设下,充分利用制造系统中间产品的转化及外源投入要素的配置信息,建立了制造系统网络DEA效率测度及分解模型,建模方法遵循客观评价原则,无需事先主观确定子效率和系统效率之间的组合关系。并将其应用于钢铁制造系统效率测度与分解,研究结果表明该方法能够挖掘决策单元内部子单元的效率情况,帮助决策者发现复杂制造过程非有效的根源,为复杂制造过程的整体效率测度及分解提供了有效的分析方法。     

A modified super-efficiency DEA model for infeasibility

The super-efficiency data envelopment analysis (DEA) model is obtained when a decision making unit (DMU) under evaluation is excluded from the reference set. This model provides for a measure of stability of the “efficient” status for frontier DMUs. Under the assumption of variable returns to scale (VRS), the super efficiency model can be infeasible for some efficient DMUs, specifically those at the extremities of the frontier. The current study develops an approach to overcome infeasibility issues. It is shown that when the model is feasible, our approach yields super-efficiency scores that are equivalent to those arising from the original model. For efficient DMUs that are infeasible under the super-efficiency model, our approach yields optimal solutions and scores that characterize the extent of super-efficiency in both inputs and outputs. The newly developed approach is illustrated with two real world data sets.     

Network-based method for ranking of efficient units in two-stage DEA models

This study presents a methodology that is able to further discriminate the efficient decision-making units (DMUs) in a two-stage data envelopment analysis (DEA) context. The methodology is an extension of the single-stage network-based ranking method, which utilizes the eigenvector centrality concept in social network analysis to determine the rank of efficient DMUs. The mathematical formulation for the method to work under the two-stage DEA context is laid out and then applied to a real-world problem. In addition to its basic ranking function, the exercise highlights two particular features of the method that are not available in standard DEA: suggesting a benchmark unit for each input/intermediate/output factor, and identifying the strengths of each efficient unit. With the methodology, the value of DEA greatly increases.     

Two-stage cooperation model with input freely distributed among the stages

Shared flow has been widely used in production scenarios where inputs and outputs are shared among various activities. In DEA literature, shared flow represents situations that DMUs are divided into different components that require common resources or produce goods or services obtained through collaboration among them. The objective of this paper is to offer an approach for studying shared flow in a two-stage production process in series, where shared inputs can be freely allocated among different stages. A product-form cooperative efficiency model is proposed to illustrate the overall efficiency of the DMU, and the relationship between the stages. First, we use a game-theory framework to decide the upper and lower bounds of the efficiencies of the stages in a non-cooperative context. A heuristic is suggested to transform the non-linear model into a parametric linear one, which is then used to solve the cooperative model. The model is justified by a numerical evaluation of bank performances.     

Super-efficiency and DEA sensitivity analysis

This paper discusses and reviews the use of super-efficiency approach in data envelopment analysis (DEA) sensitivity analyses. It is shown that super-efficiency score can be decomposed into two data perturbation components of a particular test frontier decision making unit (DMU) and the remaining DMUs. As a result, DEA sensitivity analysis can be done in (1) a general situation where data for a test DMU and data for the remaining DMUs are allowed to vary simultaneously and unequally and (2) the worst-case scenario where the efficiency of the test DMU is deteriorating while the efficiencies of the other DMUs are improving. The sensitivity analysis approach developed in this paper can be applied to DMUs on the entire frontier and to all basic DEA models. Necessary and sufficient conditions for preserving a DMU’s efficiency classification are developed when various data changes are applied to all DMUs. Possible infeasibility of super-efficiency DEA models is only associated with extreme-efficient DMUs and indicates efficiency stability to data perturbations in all DMUs.     

基于DEA-博弈论模型的铁路电子车票实名制查验评价分析

将基于数据包络分析(DEA)模型和纳什讨价还价博弈论结合, 作为一种合作博弈方法, 对铁路电子车票实名制的查验进行了综合评价, 为准确评估铁路电子车票实名制查验的效率, 加强铁路客运服务水平提供决策判断。本文以20个不同等级的铁路车站为研究对象, 分人工和机器两大类, 选取身份证购票比例、通勤员工购票比例、临时身份证购票比例, 以及人工查验旅客数/小时/通道、机器查验的通过人数/闸机/小时、闸机人脸自动识别比例和延误比例等7个指标作为投入指标, 选取人、证、票三证合一的实名制查验比例作为产出指标, 基于数据包络分析(DEA)和纳什讨价还价博弈论结合的合作博弈模型, 从人工查验和机器查验两个角度对铁路电子车票实名制查验进行统一综合评价。案例结果表明, 铁路电子车票实名制查验效率呈现出人工查验和机器查验效率不均衡的态势; 车站人脸识别闸机的数量投入与所需闸机数量的不匹配是造成实名制查验效率下降的主要原因。根据评价结果, 从人工和机器查验两个角度提出了可行建议, 促进了铁路电子车票实名制查验效率的进一步提升。     

运输问题的合作对策求解方法

产地间或销地间往往存在竞争,在这种情况下,使用运输问题最优化方法是不合理的。因此,从个体理性的视角提出运输问题的合作对策求解方法,方法将运输问题看作是一个博弈问题,各个产地或销地是博弈的局中人,求解其纳什均衡与纳什讨价还价解。在此基础上,说明了运输问题的非合作形式是一个指派问题,并证明指派问题的最优解是一个纳什均衡点。接着,通过实验验证运输问题的最优解是一个纳什讨价还价解,满足产地或销地的自身利益。在此基础上,针对纳什讨价还价解不唯一的问题,从决策者的视角给出最大可能激励成本的计算方法。最后,为弥补纳什讨价还价解不唯一及纳什讨价还价解不允许出现子联盟的缺陷,给出运输收益分配或成本分摊的Shapely值计算方法。     

Sensitivity analysis of inefficient units in data envelopment analysis

One important issue in DEA which has been studied by many DEA researchers is the sensitivity of the results of an analysis to perturbations in the data.This paper develops a procedure for performing a sensitivity analysis of the inefficient decision making units (DMUs). The procedure yields an exact “Necessary Change Region” in which the efficiency score of a specific inefficient DMU changes to a defined efficiency score.In what follows, we identify a new frontier, and prove the efficiency score of each arbitrary unit on it which is defined as the efficiency score.     

Efficiency decomposition for general multi-stage systems in data envelopment analysis

Conventional data envelopment analysis (DEA) models only consider the inputs supplied to the system and the outputs produced from the system in measuring efficiency, ignoring the operations of the internal processes. The results thus obtained sometimes are misleading. This paper discusses the efficiency measurement and decomposition of general multi-stage systems, where each stage consumes exogenous inputs and intermediate products (produced from the preceding stage) to produce exogenous outputs and intermediate products (for the succeeding stage to use). A relational model is developed to measure the system and stage efficiencies at the same time. By transforming the system into a series of parallel structures, the system efficiency is decomposed into the product of a modification of the stage efficiencies. Efficiency decomposition enables decision makers to identify the stages that cause the inefficiency of the system, and to effectively improve the performance of the system. An example of an electricity service system is used to explain the idea of efficiency decomposition.