Data envelopment analysis: Recent developments and challenges

Abstract

Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) methods have been widely used in many fields, including operations research, optimization, operations management, industrial engineering, accounting, management, and economics. This chapter starts with an introduction to common DEA-based models in the envelopment and multiplier forms to illustrate the importance of these models. Then, we provide details of the recent theoretical developments including Network DEA, Stochastic DEA, Fuzzy DEA, Bootstrapping, Directional measures, desirable (good) and undesirable (bad) factors, and Directional returns to scale. This is followed by the presentation of some novel applications of DEA to provide direction for future developments in this field. In summary, this chapter aims to discuss some of the latest developments in DEA and provide direction for future research.