Measuring the efficiency of materials management based on data envelopment analysis approach: the case of Polish regions

This paper examines the applicability of DEA (Data Envelopment Analysis) to measure and evaluate the efficiency of materials management at the regional level. The research has been conducted for Polish regions as a case study. The basis for the calculation of the efficiency scores was a statistically selected set of materials used in a given region and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The results of the analysis reveal that 4 (Lodzkie, Slaskie, Warminsko-Mazurskie, and Zachodniopomorskie) out of 16 Polish regions are relatively efficient. The remaining regions consume too many material resources in the process of generating goods and services.