Modelling Nonconvex Network Production Technologies in Wheat Supply Chains: Centralized and Decentralised Approaches

Hilda Saleh (), Morteza Shafiee () and Kristiaan Kerstens ()
Additional contact information
Hilda Saleh: Department of Mathematics, CT.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Morteza Shafiee: School of Business and Law, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia
Kristiaan Kerstens: IESEG School of Management, Univ. Lille, CNRS, UMR 9221 - LEM - Lille Économie Management, F-59000 Lille, France. Corresponding author.

No 2026-EQM-03, Working Papers from IESEG School of Management

Abstract: This study proposes a nonconvex network data envelopment analysis model for evaluating efficiency in multi-stage supply chains under centralized and decentralized decision structures. Existing network DEA models typically rely on convexity assumptions, which limit their ability to capture indivisibilities and scale discontinuities inherent in real world supply chains. To address this gap, we develop a unified framework that accommodates nonconvex production technologies while enabling efficiency assessment at both the stage and the system levels. The model allows identification of coordination inefficiencies and structural performance differences across decision regimes. An empirical application to national wheat supply chains demonstrates significant efficiency variation across stages and decision units. It reveals that high efficiency at individual stages does not guarantee overall system efficiency. The results highlight the critical role of coordination in improving supply chain performance. The proposed framework provides a more realistic efficiency assessment tool and offers practical insights for improving resource allocation and operational coordination in complex supply chains.

Keywords: Data Envelopment Analysis; Network; Nonconvex Technology; Centralized and Decentralized Systems; Wheat Supply Chain. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 37 pages
Date: 2026-04
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.ieseg.fr/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-EQM-03.pdf

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ies:wpaper:e20260430

Access Statistics for this paper

More papers in Working Papers from IESEG School of Management Contact information at EDIRC.
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Lies BOUTEN ().