Does knowledge management matter? Assessing the performance of electricity distribution districts based on slacks-based data envelopment analysis

Abstract

This study uses slacks-based data envelopment analysis (DEA) to examine the performance of electricity distribution districts (EDDs) in Taiwan in 2004. It also explores the relationship between a knowledge management system (KMS) and variations in the efficiency of EDDs in the Taiwan Power Company from 2000 to 2004. The findings show that the EDDs performed well in terms of managerial efficiency in 2004, and 75% of the districts exhibited an increasing performance variation when using cross-period analysis for that period. We show that there is a positive relationship between a KMS and variations in organizational efficiency. In addition, we present a decision-making matrix and conceptual map to help EDD managers improve their managerial efficiency and skills. This study contributes to the field of knowledge management research by applying the DEA model to link the performance between KMS and an organization. Several significant findings emerge from the study.

Keywords:

• data envelopment analysis
• slacks-based measure
• performance measurement
• knowledge community system

Acknowledgements

This research was partially sponsored by the National Science Council (NSC), Taiwan under Grant No: 96-2416-H-606-002-MY2, 97-2410-H-606-003-MY2.