The selection of input and output variable for performance evaluation of DEA

This study constructed a model for assessing the operational efficiency. The cause-effect relations of the input and output variables in the efficiency assessment were examined with Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory(DEMATEL). Amongst the many methods for testing causality in recent years, structure equation modeling (SEM) is the commonest. Arguing that SEM is often misused in the absence of theoretical support where users revise the model with data and even develop theories afterwards, applied the Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) technique to reinforce the effect of SEM when investigating the correlations among the variables affecting the flight safety efficiency of airlines. Also, DEMATEL has been widely applied to test the variables in elearning, decision-making, knowledge management, operations research, customer behavior, and selection system. Hence, apart from categorizing and collating the correlations among the input and output variables in past studies with the Pearson correlation test, this dissertation will test the correlations among the input and output variables with DEMATEL and questionnaire expert survey.