Assessing the relative efficiency of decision making units using Data Envelopment Analysis models with weight restrictions

In models of data envelopment analysis (DEA), an optimal set of input and output weights is generally assumed to represent the assessed decision making unit (DMU) in the best light in comparison to all the other DMUs. The paper shows that this may not be correct if absolute weight bounds or some other weight restrictions are added to the model. A consequence may be that the model will underestimate the relative efficiency of DMUs. The incorporation of weight restrictions in a maximum DEA model is suggested. This model can be further converted to more operational forms, which are similar to the classical DEA models.