Theoretical Paper
Journal of the Operational Research Society (2009) 60, 72–78. doi:10.1057/palgrave.jors.2602519 Published online 7 November 2007
Linear programming solutions and distance functions under a constant returns to scale technology
J-P Boussemart1, W Briec2 and H Leleu3
- 1University of Lille and LEM-IESEG, Lille, France
- 2University of Perpignan, Perpignan, France
- 3CNRS-LEM-Catholic University of Lille, Lille, France
Correspondence: H Leleu, CNRS-LEM-Catholic University of Lille, 41 rue du Port, F59046, Lille Cedex, France. E-mail: hleleu@cresge.fr
Received February 2007; Accepted August 2007; Published online 7 November 2007.
Abstract
In this paper, we investigate the various relationships among the linear programming solutions of data envelopment analysis (DEA) models under a constant returns to scale technology. We derive the analytical relationships among the efficiency measures and the activity variables for four separate models: the input-based, the output-based, the hyperbolic, and the proportional distance functions. We apply our results in order to derive a test of consistency that can be used in assessing the returns to scale among differing DEA models.
Keywords:
data envelopment analysis, methodology, linear programming, production
