Case-Oriented Paper
Journal of the Operational Research Society (2009) 60, 168–179. doi:10.1057/palgrave.jors.2602542 Published online 19 December 2007
Using SSM to structure the identification of inputs and outputs in DEA
J Mingers1, W Liu1 and W Meng2
- 1University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
- 2Institute of Policy and Management, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China
Correspondence: J Mingers, Kent Business School, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent CT5 7PE, UK. E-mail: j.mingers@kent.ac.uk
Received July 2006; Accepted October 2007; Published online 19 December 2007.
Abstract
This paper reports on an innovative combination of hard and soft methods—soft systems methodology (SSM) with data envelopment analysis (DEA). Problems in defining and agreeing appropriate inputs and outputs for DEA led to the use of SSM as a way or producing a comprehensive and systemic database of performance indicators. The contributions of the paper are: the use of SSM to improve DEA specifications; conceptual clarifications within both SSM and DEA; and an innovative example of multimethodology. These developments are illustrated through a study evaluating the performance of the basic research institutes of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Keywords:
Chinese Academy of Sciences, data envelopment analysis (DEA), performance evaluation, research, soft systems methodology (SSM)
