A review of network DEA models based on slacks‐based measure: Evolution of literature, applications, and further research direction

Abstract

This paper presents a literature review on network models in data envelopment analysis (DEA) focused on the slack‐based network model called slacks‐based measure‐network data envelopment analysis (SBM‐NDEA). The search was carried out in an international database, resulting in 97 publications in the period from 2009 to 2021. From these publications, a descriptive analysis is performed, the evolution of the literature is mapped, the articles are organized into categories, and the main methodological references for the models and applications used are identified. Also, the most used models and their main characteristics are described, in addition to the analysis of the applications. Moreover, the sectors and countries with the highest number of applications are also identified. Through this review, it was possible to observe an increase in the number of network studies using the SBM‐NDEA in recent years. Finally, directions for future research in SBM‐NDEA are suggested.

Network activity analysis for arbitrary production structures and technologies: Generic approach with application to network DEA

“…In DEA literature, intermediate products are often called links. Concluding their review of network SBM-DEA literature with further research directions Alves andMeza (2023, p. 2747) state:…”

“…Chen et al (2013), Kao (2014), and Ratner et al (2023) present reviews of network DEA literature in general. 2 A review of Alves and Meza (2023) focuses specifically on models with slacksbased efficiency measures, already resulting in 97 publications (until 2021), starting with Tone and Tsutsui (2009) and progressively increasing in last years, including mostly applications in banking, energy, environment, and transportation. Our own search for recent literature listed in the Web of Scienceby combining terms 'DEA' or 'data envelopment analy*' with 'network*'resulted in 3080 papers of which 2671 deal with the topic 'network DEA' (with 389 even with this term in its title).…”

Two-Stage Data Envelopment Analysis Models with Negative System Outputs for the Efficiency Evaluation of Government Financial Policies

“…In recent years, there has been growing interest in network and multi-stage Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) models in the scientific literature [1][2][3]. Unlike conventional models that deal with Decision Making Units (DMUs) as systems of the "black box" type, in which only inputs and outputs are known, multi-stage and network models make it possible to use a priori knowledge about the structure of the economic agent under study.…”