An input relaxation measure of efficiency in stochastic data envelopment analysis

We introduce stochastic version of an input relaxation model in data envelopment analysis (DEA). The input relaxation model, recently developed in DEA. is useful to resource management [e.g. G.R. Jahanshahloo, M. Khodabakhshi, Suitable combination of inputs for improving outputs in DEA with determining input congestion, Appl. Math. Comput. 151(1) (2004) 263-273]. This model allows more changes in the input combinations of decision making units than those in the observed inputs of evaluating decision making units. Using this extra flexibility in input combinations we can find better outputs. We obtain a non-linear deterministic equivalent to this stochastic model. It is shown that under fairly general conditions this non-linear model can be replaced by an ordinary deterministic DEA model. The model is illustrated using a real data set. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.