Linear programming solutions and distance functions under a constant returns to scale technology

In this paper, we investigate the various relationships among the linear programming solutions of data envelopment analysis (DEA) models under a constant returns to scale technology. We derive the analytical relationships among the efficiency measures and the activity variables for four separate models: the input–based, the output–based, the hyperbolic, and the proportional distance functions. We apply our results in order to derive a test of consistency that can be used in assessing the returns to scale among differing DEA models.