Title: Evaluating management efficiency in the banking sector: an integrated MCDM framework

Authors: Priya Das; Subir Kumar Sen

Addresses: Department of Commerce, Tripura University, Suryamaninagar, Agartala, Tripura, India ' Department of Commerce, Tripura University, Suryamaninagar, Agartala, Tripura, India

Abstract: This study evaluates management efficiency in Indian public and private sector banks from 2018-2019 to 2023-2024 using an integrated multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach. It employs a comprehensive approach, utilising the CRITIC method for objective weighting of eight efficiency attributes and the MARCOS method to rank 33 banks. To ensure the robustness of the model, a sensitivity analysis is conducted using entropy, MEREC, and equal weighting. The Mann-Whitney U test showed no significant efficiency differences between public and private banks, while the Friedman test highlighted significant changes in overall efficiency over time. The HDFC Bank consistently emerged as the top performer, while Bank of Maharashtra demonstrated significant improvement. The high Spearman rank correlations (ρ > 0.90) across various methods confirm a strong level of agreement and reliability. The study proposes an Integrated Efficiency Adaptation Model that merges concepts of X-efficiency, institutional theory, financial intermediation, dynamic capabilities, and decision theory.

Keywords: banks; management efficiency; CRITIC; MARCOS; entropy; MEREC.

DOI: 10.1504/IJADS.2026.156116

International Journal of Applied Decision Sciences, 2026 Vol.19 No.5, pp.530 - 561

Received: 03 Jul 2025
Accepted: 20 Sep 2025
Published online: 04 Sep 2026 *

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