Efficiency measuring in the dairy industry via Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA).

Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is presented as the adequate method for efficiency measuring in the dairy industry. Its approach is founded on the production theory. The correlation between efficiency measuring and the hypotheses of fired economics of scale or convex technique is elaborated. On the afore mentioned basis, methodics for the use of DEA in the dairy industry are developed, adapted to EDP and demonstrated at 2 examples. Reference units and amending proposals for a further use in a Benchmarking or Best-Practice procedure are derived for investigated objects which have been identified as inefficient. The results are as follows: retraceable on an intersubjective basis, founded on production theory, as regards the efficiency statement, it is derivable without reference to given weightings. At comparing the efficiency of different evaporation departments of German dairies saving potentials in personnel of more than 50% could be stated.