Title: The impact of decision-making units features on efficiency by integration of data envelopment analysis, artificial neural network, fuzzy C-means and analysis of variance

Authors: Ali Azadeh, Leili Javanmardi, Morteza Saberi

Addresses: Center of Excellence for Intelligent-Based Experimental Mechanics, Department of Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, PO Box 11365-4563, Tehran 16844, Iran. ' Center of Excellence for Intelligent-Based Experimental Mechanics, Department of Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, PO Box 11365-4563, Tehran 16844, Iran. ' Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Tafresh, PO Box 79611-39518, Tafresh, Iran

Abstract: In today|s working environment, there is a great desire to identify the critical attributes for sensitivity analysis of inefficient decision-making units (DMUs) regarding personnel attributes. An integrated algorithm, which uses data envelopment analysis (DEA) and data mining tools including fuzzy C-means (FCM), rough set theory (RST), artificial neural network (ANN), cross validation test technique (CVTT) and analysis of variance (ANOVA), is proposed to asses the impact of personnel attributes on efficiency. DEA is used for DMUs| efficiency evaluation. ANN is employed with regard to its ability to model linear and non-linear systems. As numerous inputs are not useful for ANN modelling, RST and ANN are combined to resolve this issue. RST is used to decrease the time of decision-making. FCM is used for data clustering and finally ANOVA is utilised for identification of attributes importance. The proposed algorithm is applied to an actual banking system.

Keywords: ANOVA; analysis of variance; ANNs; artificial neural networks; banks; data mining; DEA; data envelopment analysis; efficiency; FCM; fuzzy C-means; decision making units; personnel attributes; banking.

DOI: 10.1504/IJOR.2010.032113

International Journal of Operational Research, 2010 Vol.7 No.3, pp.387 - 411

Published online: 10 Mar 2010 *

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