Abstract

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is the most extensively applied method in comparative performance measurement. It is widely known that the basic dea models do not ensure a precise efficiency analysis whenever some factors, which are beyond the managerial control, considerably impact firms' performance. Several new approaches have been proposed to overcome this limitation. The main purpose of this paper is to provide a brief review of the available DEA-based approaches that allow performing a careful efficiency analysis when the performances of the entities under investigation are strongly affected by the operational environment. A multi level classification of these approaches is also provided.