DEA applications to port efficiency measurement and future research possibilities

In order to measure improvement initiatives and benchmark efficiency of ports several performance measurement tools have been developed and applied frequently. Based on a number of advantages favouring the application to a complex port system the non-parametric method Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) evolved to be one preferential tool. The aim of this research paper is to evaluate differences of DEA applications to the port sector on the basis of 37 articles published in 21 different academic journals between 1993 and 2011 and to derive future research possibilities to measure the efficiency of ports interlinking in maritime supply chains. The main differentiation criteria proposed are (1) number and type of Decision Making Units (DMUs), (2) selected input and output criteria, (3) accessed data sources and timely data coverage, and (4) applied DEA type or combination of methods. Concluding, possible gaps in DEA applications to port supply chains are highlighted to stress future research opportunities.