Developing a novel data envelopment analysis model to determine prospective benchmarks of green supply chain in the presence of dual-role factor

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop a model based on data envelopment analysis (DEA) and program evaluation and review technique/critical path method (PERT/CPM) for determining prospective benchmarks. Design/methodology/approach – The idea of determining prospective benchmark is needed for developing a model for future planning where inputs and outputs of systems are influenced by external factors such as economic conditions, demographic changes, and other socio-economic factors. In this paper, the PERT/CPM method estimates prospective inputs and outputs. On the other hand, in particular systems some measures play the role of both input and output. Such factors in DEA literature are called dual-role factors. This paper integrates PERT/CPM technique and the DEA. Findings – The results of the proposed model depict that a present benchmark may not be a benchmark in future. A numerical example validates the proposed model. Originality/value – This paper, for the first time, applies the PERT/CPM technique to incorporate the ideas for identifying prospective benchmarks. Moreover, the proposed model is an alternative solution for classifying inputs and outputs in DEA. Also, the proposed model is utilized in benchmarking green supply chain management.