Title: A DEA model for efficiency evaluation with undesirable output: an application of paper mills along Huai River

Authors: Jie Wu; Hong Yan; Zhixiang Zhou; Liang Liang

Addresses: School of Management, University of Science and Technology of China, He Fei, An Hui Province 230026, China ' Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong ' School of Management, University of Science and Technology of China, He Fei, An Hui Province 230026, China ' School of Management, University of Science and Technology of China, He Fei, An Hui Province 230026, China

Abstract: This paper focuses on evaluating the operations efficiency of paper mills located on the banks of Huai River in China using data envelopment analysis (DEA). We divide the outputs as desirable (good) and undesirable (bad) outputs and consider them simultaneously. In this manner, we expect to identify the environmental characteristics of efficiency evaluation problem with undesirable outputs. Different from conventional DEA models, a novel model is constructed in this paper to evaluate the performance of decision-making units (DMUs) from both sides of desirable and undesirable outputs. Based on the proposed model, some managerial suggestions for the poorly performing DMUs to improve their efficiency are given. Finally, a practical application on the efficiency evaluation on 31 paper mills is conducted to illustrate the proposed model.

Keywords: DEA; data envelopment analysis; operational efficiency; undesirable output; paper mills; Huai River; China; decision making units; DMUs; efficiency evaluation; environmental impact.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSSOC.2012.044673

International Journal of Sustainable Society, 2012 Vol.4 No.1/2, pp.194 - 207

Published online: 31 Dec 2014 *

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