Efficiency studies in forestry using data envelopment analysis

There has been an increasing emphasis on measuring and comparing the efficiency of organizational units due to growing competition and globalization. Different techniques, parametric and non-parametric, have been used to evaluate and manage efficiency and productivity in public sectors as well as private sectors. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is a non-parametric method well suited for such work and it has been applied in more than 50 industries. This paper reviews DEA efficiency studies in forestry and associated industries. The objective of each study, type of DEA model, number of units and factors considered in the model, and the advantages and limitations of each study are examined and discussed. The intention of this review is to increase awareness in the forestry sector of this powerful technique for productivity management and decision making.