New approach to determine common weights in DEA efficiency evaluation model

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is a mathematical programming approach to appraise the relative efficiencies of peer decision-making unit (DMU), which is widely used in ranking DMUs. However, almost all DEA-related ranking approaches are based on the self-evaluation efficiencies. In other words, each DMU chooses the weights it prefers to most, so the resulted efficiencies are not suitable to be used as ranking criteria. Therefore this paper proposes a new approach to determine a bundle of common weights in DEA efficiency evaluation model by introducing a multi-objective integer programming. The paper also gives the solving process of this multi-objective integer programming, and the solution is proven a Pareto efficient solution. The solving process ensures that the obtained common weight bundle is acceptable by a great number of DMUs. Finally a numeral example is given to demonstrate the approach.