A robust network DEA model for sustainability assessment: an application to Chinese Provinces

Zhongfei Chen (), Stavros Kourtzidis, Panayiotis Tzeremes and Nickolaos Tzeremes ()
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Zhongfei Chen: Jinan University
Nickolaos Tzeremes: University of Thessaly

Operational Research, 2022, vol. 22, issue 1, No 10, 235-262

Abstract: Abstract This paper constructs an Environmental Sustainability index in order to investigate regional efficiency in China between 2000 and 2012. The Environmental Sustainability index consists of a Production Efficiency index and an Eco-efficiency index. A multiplicative relational network data envelopment analysis model is applied, and a window analysis is conducted to capture the efficiency trends over time. The results reveal significant heterogeneity among Chinese provinces for the Environmental Sustainability and the Eco-efficiency indices, while there is a high level of Production Efficiency across all provinces. Furthermore, there are large differences among geographical areas. Specifically, high Production Efficiency levels are reported for the eastern area, whereas, high Eco-efficiency levels are reported for the western area. The reported results provide valuable insights to decision makers, revealing a high potential for improvement in the overall Environmental Sustainability score, especially for the eastern and middle areas. In addition, regional heterogeneity should be taken into account when considering new legislation.

Keywords: Chinese provinces; Eco-efficiency; Environmental sustainability; Network data envelopment analysis; Production efficiency (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C61 C67 P25 P28 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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DOI: 10.1007/s12351-020-00553-x

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