Quantitative Models for Performance Evaluation and Benchmarking

It is difficult to evaluate an organization s performance when there are multiple inputs and multiple outputs to the system. The difficulties are further enhanced when the relationships between the inputs and the outputs are complex and involve unknown tradeoffs. This book introduces DEA as a multiple-measure performance evaluation and benchmarking tool. The focus of performance evaluation and benchmarking is shifted from characterizing performance in terms of single measures to evaluating performance as a multidimensional systems perspective. This second edition improves a number of DEA spreadsheet models and provides a DEAFrontier software for use with Excel 2007. Several new DEA models and approaches are added. For example, a new DEA-based supply chain model (chapter 8) and DEA models for two-stage processes (Chapter 14) are new additions to the book. Models with restricted multipliers are also discussed and added into the DEAFrontier software. A detailed use of sensitivity analysis in identifying critical measures under DEA is provided. A demonstration of how to use the DEAFrontier software is provided at the end of related chapters.