Data envelopment analysis in satisfaction survey research: sample size problem

Abstract

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) frequently uses stochastic input and/or output data. If these data are estimated from a sample in each decision-making unit, the DEA efficiency will be an estimation of the obtained efficiency if the population information is available. We propose a methodology to determine the relationship between the sample size and the estimation error of the efficiency in the presence of output data estimated with a sample. The practical utility of this result is to evaluate, with fixed precision, the efficiency of a set of making units, taking deterministic inputs that explain the opinion–satisfaction of the unit users, whose opinion is known through a sampling survey. We illustrate how to apply the proposed research with a case study.

Keywords:

• Stochastic data envelopment analysis
• estimated DEA efficiency score
• satisfaction survey research
• consistent estimator
• estimation error
• sample size

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the Editor and two anonymous referees for their constructive comments and suggestions that have helped to improve the quality of the paper.

Notes

Please note this paper has been re-typeset by Taylor & Francis from the manuscript originally provided to the previous publisher.