Perhaps the most difficult aspect of constructing a multi-dimensional index is that of choosing weights for the components. This problem is often bypassed by adopting the ‘agnostic’ option of equal weights, as in the human development index. This is an annual ranking of countries produced by...

Perhaps the most difficult aspect of constructing a multi-dimensional index is that of choosing weights for the components. This problem is often bypassed by adopting the ‘agnostic’ option of equal weights, as in the Human Development Index. This is an annual ranking of countries produced by...

We highlight differences in the way multiplicative DEA is being applied and draw attention to the fact that a units-invariant (i.e. scale-invariant) form is available. Moreover, this model avoids the ‘zero weight problem' in DEA (where criteria are effectively ignored)

An obvious measure of efficiency or productivity is the ratio of output to input. When there are multiple outputs and/or inputs one approach is to take weighted combinations before calculating the ratio. How should these weights be chosen? In comparing the efficiency of organizational units data...

This paper presents a way of modelling relationships between multiple dependent and multiple independent variables. The method involves fitting coefficients to functions of these two sets of variables such that the resulting ‘aggregate’ functions have maximum correlation. The inclusion of...

Consider a set of decision-making units (DMUs, e.g. branches, departments, firms) which employ a variety of resources to produce multiple outputs. The units being compared may be in the public sector e.g. health or education, so that the outputs and inputs need not be measured in monetary terms....

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is a technique that takes account of multiple inputs and outputs to assess the relative efficiency of organisational units. Unlike regression its assessments are not based on any average but on best observed practice (and weighted combinations thereof). Whilst DEA...