A generalized multiple layer data envelopment analysis model

Abstract

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is recognized as a powerful analytical research tool for performance evaluations by obtaining empirical estimates of relations between multiple inputs and multiple outputs In order to further embody the hierarchical structures of numerous performance evaluation problems in the DEA framework, a generalized multiple layer DEA (MLDEA) model is proposed, and its linear transformation is realized Moreover, the weights within each category of each layer of the hierarchy are deduced, and different types of possible weight restrictions are discussed