Network Data Envelopment Analysis ― Foundations and Extensions

This book presents the underlying theory, model development, and applications of network Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) in a systematic way. The field of network DEA extends and complements conventional DEA by considering not only inputs and outputs when measuring system efficiency, but also the internal structure of the system being analyzed. By analyzing the efficiency of individual internal components, and more particularly by studying the effects of relationships among components which are modeled and implemented by means of various network structures, the “network DEA” approach is able to help identify and manage the specific components that contribute inefficiencies into the overall systems. This relatively new approach comprises an important analytical tool based on mathematical programming techniques, with valuable implications to production and operations management. The existing models for measuring the efficiency of systems of specific network structures are also discussed, and the relationships between the system and component efficiencies are explored. This book should be able to inspire new research and new applications based on the current state of the art.

Chiang Kao is aUniversity Chair Professor of Industrial and Information Management at NationalCheng Kung University in Taiwan. He received his MS in Operations Research andPhD in Forest Management from Oregon State University, and did post-doctoralresearch in Economics also at Oregon State University. After joining Cheng KungUniversity, he has taken sabbatical leaves at Purdue University, AachenUniversity of Technology (Germany), INSEAD and University of Paul Sabatier(France), and University of Bologna (Italy). He has also been hired by theComputer Science Department of Southwest Texas State University.

Professor Kaohas also held administrative posts at Cheng Kung University, including Chairmanof Department of Industrial and Information Management, Dean of College ofManagement, and President of the University. He has published more thanfifty papers on DEA in international journals. Of which, twenty are related tonetwork DEA. Currently, heserves as a member of the Editorial Board for European Journal of OperationalResearch and an Associate Editor for Omega.