# Stochastic P-Robust Approach to a Centralized Two-Stage DEA System with Resource Waste

Authors: Rita Shakouri; Maziar Salahi
Journal: Advances in Operations Research
 (2022)

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## Abstract

Uncertain data and undesirable outputs are two challenging issues in traditional data envelopment analysis (DEA) models while dealing with the environmental efficiency estimation of decision-making units (DMUs). This study considers Stackelberg and the centralized game theory approach in a two-stage DEA model for evaluating DMUs in the presence of uncertainty and undesirable outputs simultaneously. To tackle the uncertainty, we apply the p-robust technique and assume that undesirable outputs are weakly disposable. The proposed fractional models are linearized using the Charnes and Cooper transformation. We utilize the new models for a real dataset drawn from 11 oil generation ports in the Persian Gulf region consisting of two stages: an oil production stage and a wastewater treatment stage. The results revealed that the managers should take different strategies in environmental efficiency evaluation including undesirable impacts and also efficiency improvement in increasing oil generation. Further, the empirical results showed that the stochastic p-robust approach for controlling the conservatism level leads to a more conservative solution, and policymakers could recognize the significant steps that should be followed to improve each oil generation unit’s environmental performance. Also, to show the reliability and accuracy of the results and the effect of the decision-maker’s preference, a detailed sensitivity analysis is performed.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

Environmental issues, such as resource shortage and environmental pollution have attracted significant attention in recent years[1, 2]. In fact, overuse of natural resources for economic growth and development on the one hand and pollution from the production process on the other hand causes irreparable damage to the environment. To resolve these issues, in the production process in addition to increasing outputs with a certain level of inputs, one has to focus also on the environmental aspect. Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is a widely used methodology for the efficiency estimation of decision-making units (DMUs) in various settings such as environmental analysis [3]. As a nonparametric approach, it has the advantage that it does not require any prior assumptions on the underlying functional relationships between variables of inputs and outputs (e.g., [4–6]. Classical DEA models, with outputs maximization and inputs minimization, evaluate the performance of DMUs without considering environmental factors. Thus, various extension of classical DEA models are proposed in the last decades taking into account environmental factors (undesirable input/output) that are summarized in Table 1.Table 1
Some advances of environmental factor applications in DEA.
AuthorsDEA modelEnvironmental factorApplications scopeAslam et al. [7]CCROutputFinancial systemsMatsumoto et al. [8]CCROutputEuropean countriesMozaffari et al. [9]CCR/FUZZYOutputPetrochemical sectorLi et al. [10]CCROutputWater pollutionWang and Zhao [11]ADDOutputEnergyMurty and Russell [12]CCROutputEmission-generating technologyZhang et al. [13]SBMOutput/InputManufacturing industryMoreover, original DEA models treat each DMU as a black box and neglect their internal structure. However, in the real production process, the internal structures of DMUs are often multistage. That is outputs from the one stage become the inputs to the other stage (e.g., [14–17]. The multistage structures also have been applied for the efficiency evaluation taking into account environmental factors. Table 2 gives an overview of network DEA (NDEA) research with a focus on environmental factors.Table 2
Some advances of environmental factor applications in NDEA.
AuthorsDEA modelEnvironmental factorApplications scopeLozano [18]SBMOutputCoal-fired power plantChen and Zhu [19]CCROutputIndustrial systemsLi and Xiao[20]SBMOutputPulp and paper industryMichali et al. [21]CCROutputRailway transportAsanimoghadam et al. [22]ASBMOutputAirportSalahi et al. [23]ASBMOutputIndustryWang and Feng[24]CCROutputIndustrial eco-efficiencyMozaffari et al. [9]CCR/FuzzyOutputPetrochemical sectorWu et al. [25]BCC/outputOutputProvincial environmentalVaezi et al. [26]CCROutputFactoryIn all the abovementioned research, input and output parameters are presumed to be precise and the effect of uncertainty is ignored. Research indicated that a small noise in the problem data can lead to serious variation in ranking. To treat uncertainty in the DEA models, various approaches such as fuzzy programming, stochastic programming, and robust optimization are used in the literature. Table3 summarizes some of DEA and NDEA models under uncertainty.Table 3
Progress in stochastic, fuzzy and robust optimization applications in DEA and NDEA.
AuthorsDEA/Uncertainty parametersRobust approachApplications scopeBlagojević et al. [27]SBM/InputFuzzy/AHPRailway undertakingRasoulzadeh et al. [28]CCR/inputFuzzyPortfolio of financeWu et al. [25]CCR/outputMax-minHybrid poplar clonesSalahi et al. [29]CCR-CSW/in-outputIntervalEnergy/forest districtSalahi et al. [30]Russell/in-outputRussell measureBanking sectorZhou et al. [31]CCRStochasticBanking sectorShakouri et al. [32]CCR/inputStochasticp-robustBanking sectorHuang et al. [33]CCRStochasticBanking sectorPeykani et al. [34]CCRFuzzyInvestment firmsAlbeit the extant literature has progressed significantly, but all of the available two-stage NDEA consider either the pure intermediate undesirable outputs or uncertainties in problem data. So, in this paper, we present a centralized additive model to measure the efficiency of the whole system with both undesirable outputs and uncertainty perspectives. We apply a stochastic p-robust approach to attain robustness against the existing uncertainty for centralized game-theoretic DEA models of Liang et al. [14]; also, the weak disposable production technology of Kuosmanen [35] is applied for modelling undesirable outputs. The stochastic approaches search to minimize the total expected cost among all scenarios. The optimal solution gained by applying it probably is very good for some scenarios but very poor for others. However, decision makers are often motivated to search for min-max regret solutions that appear effective no matter which scenario is realized. Indeed, the aim of this study is to introduce a more stable system for two-stage NDEA models in which major decreases in regret are possible with small increases in the expected efficiency of DMUs. The proposed model has the following contributions in comparison with existing models: First, both undesirable outputs and uncertainty of data are considered in the model. Second, an efficient scenario generation approach is adopted to model the uncertain parameters to ensure the correctness and reliability of the final solutions that are close to the optimal real-world solution. Third, a robustness factor is adopted in the proposed approach, which bounds the relative regret in each scenario when minimizing the expected objective function.The remainder of the paper is unfolded as follows. In the next section, a short summary of the centralized and noncentralized models utilized in two-stage DEA models and a brief review of weakly disposable technology will follow. Section3 presents the stochastic p-robust approach for centralized and noncentralized models. Then, the new model and related results are presented. We apply the proposed model to a real dataset to demonstrate its efficiency in Section 4. Sensitivity analysis is discussed in Section 5. Concluding remarks and some directions for future research are given in the last section.


## 2. NDEA Two-Stage Proposed Structure with Resource Waste

Consider the two-stage structure in Figure1 in which each DMU is composed of two sub-DMUs sequentially, and undesirable outputs from stage 2 are wastages that can be sent back as inputs to stage 1.Figure 1
A DMUj in the two-stage process with an undesirable output.Suppose we haven DMUs. In the first stage, each DMUjj=1,…,n uses m inputs xij1si=1,…,m and produces H outputs yhj1sh=1,…,H and D intermediate outputs zdjsd=1,…,D under scenario sϵS that serve as the inputs to the second stage. Also, there are T inputs xtj2st=1,…,T of the second stage under scenario sϵS. Outputs from the second stage take three forms; desirable outputs yrj2sr=1,…,A, undesirable outputs zqj2sq=1,…,Q and a feedback variable fgjsg=1,…,G under scenario. sϵS.For each DMUj, the efficiency score of the first stage (leader) is denoted bye01s and the efficiency of the second stage (follower) is denoted by e02s under the sth scenario. Model (1) displays a generic form of the efficiency evaluation of the follower stage that is computed by replacing the efficiency of leader stage equal to e01s∗ as a constraint which can be obtained by a linear CCR-type model:(1)e02s∗=maxe02ss.tej1s≤1,∀j,∀sϵS,ej2s≤1,∀j,∀sϵS,e01s=e01s∗∀sϵS.


### 2.1. Undesirable Outputs

A production technology using the weakly disposable axiom of outputs to model undesirable outputs in the DEA framework is propounded in [35]. Under this technology, inputs and desirable outputs are considered to be freely disposable, undesirable outputs are weakly disposable, and the outputs set is assumed to be convex under a constant return to scale (CRS) assumption. The linear programming model of this technology to evaluate the performance of a DMU is as follows (for further details, see [36]):(2)max∑r=1Auryrjo2s−∑q=1Dϑqzqjo2ss.t∑r=1Auryrj2s−∑q=1Dϑqzqj2s+∑i=1mvixij1s≤0,∀j,∀sϵSur,vi≥0,∀r,i,ϑqfree∀q.In model (2), the vi, ur, and ϑq are decision variables of inputs, desirable outputs, and undesirable outputs, respectively. Constraints (2) guarantee that efficiency value is less than or equal to one for each DMU. In the sequel, according to the concepts of the leader-follower or the Stackelberg game theory [14], we will discuss the efficiency of the substages under the noncentralized model in the presence of undesirable outputs.


### 2.2. Generic Noncentralized Model with Undesirable Outputs

As mentioned above, by accepting that the first and second stages are the leader and the follower, respectively, model (3) computes the maximum achievable value for the efficiency of the first stage under the sth scenario, based on the original CRS-DEA model. Thus we have the following input-oriented DEA model for the first stage in the presence of undesirable outputs according to Kuosmanen [35]’s production technology:(3)e01s∗=max∑h=1Hηhyhjo1s+∑d=1Dwdzdjos∑i=1mvixijo1s+∑g=1G∂gfgjoss.t∑h=1Hηhyhj1s+∑d=1Dwdzdjs∑i=1mvixij1s+∑g=1G∂gfgjs≤1,∀j,∀sϵS,∂g,wd,ηh,vi≥0,∀g,d,h,i.Model (3) is nonlinear but can be linearized using the Charnes and Cooper [37] transformation as follows:Letα=1/∑i=1mvixijo1s+∑g=1G∂gfgjos, then ∑i=1mαvixijo1s+∑g=1Gα∂gfgjos=1,αvi=v¯i, α∂g=∂¯g,αηh=η¯h, αwd=w¯d. Now, model (3) becomes the following linear model:(4)e01s∗=max∑h=1Hη¯hyhjo1s+∑d=1Dw¯dzdjoss.t∑h=1Hη¯hyhj1s+∑d=1Dw¯dzdjs−∑i=1mv¯ixij1s−∑g=1G∂¯gfgjs≤0,∀j,∀sϵS,∑i=1mv¯ixijo1s+∑g=1G∂¯gfgjos=1,∀sϵS,∂¯g,w¯d,η¯h,v¯i≥0,∀g,d,h,i.Also, according to model (1), the efficiency score of the second stage with undesirable outputs is computed as follows:(5)e02s∗=max∑r=1suryrjo2s+∑g=1G∂gfgjos−∑q=1Qϑqzqjo2s∑d=1Dwdzdjos+∑t=1Tδtxtjo2ss.t∑r=1suryrj2s+∑g=1G∂gfgjs−∑q=1Qϑqzqj2s∑d=1Dwdzdjs+∑t=1Tδtxtj2≤1,∀j,∀sϵS,∑h=1Hηhyhjo1s+∑d=1Dwdzdjos∑i=1mvixijo1s+∑g=1G∂gfgjos≤1,∀j,∀sϵS,∑h=1Hηhyhjo1s+∑d=1Dwdzdjos∑i=1mvixijo1s+∑g=1G∂gfgjos=e01s∗,∀sϵS,ur,wd,∂g,δt,ηh,vi,ϑq≥0,∀r,d,g,t,h,i,q.As before, using Charnes and Cooper [37] transformation, it is linearized as follows:(6)e02s∗=max∑r=1su¯ryrjo2s+∑g=1G∂¯gfgjos−∑q=1Qϑ¯qzqjo2ss.t∑r=1su¯ryrj2s+∑g=1G∂¯gfgjs−∑q=1Qϑ¯qzqj2s−∑d=1Dw¯dzdjs−∑t=1Tδ¯txtj2≤0,∀j,∀sϵS,∑d=1Dw¯dzdjos+∑t=1Tδ¯txtjo2s=1,∀sϵS,∑h=1Hη¯hyhj1s+∑d=1Dw¯dzdjs−∑i=1mv¯ixij1s−∑g=1G∂¯gfgjs≤0,∀j,∀sϵS,∑h=1Hη¯hyhjo1s+∑d=1Dw¯dzdjos−e01s∗∑i=1mv¯ixijo1s+∑g=1G∂¯gfgjos=0,∀sϵS,ur,w¯d,∂g,δt,ηh,vi,ϑq≥0,∀r,d,g,t,h,i,q.


### 2.3. Centralized Model with Undesirable Outputs

In this section, we combine the two stages as the weighted sum of efficiency scores of stages 1 and 2 with undesirable outputs under thesth scenario as follows:(7)eocs∗=maxξ1se01s+ξ2se02ss.te01s=∑h=1Hηhyhj1s+∑d=1Dwdzdjs∑i=1mvixij1s+∑g=1G∂gfgjs≤1,∀j,∀sϵS,e02s=∑r=1suryrj2s+∑g=1G∂gfgjs−∑q=1Qϑqzqj2s∑d=1Dwdzdjs+∑t=1Tδtxtj2≤1,∀j,∀sϵS,ur,wd,∂g,δt,ηh,vi,ϑq≥0,∀r,d,g,t,h.where ξ1s and ξ2s are the weights of the first and second stages, respectively, reflecting the importance of the two stages in the overall system (ξ1s+ξ2s=1). We let ξ1s=∑i=1mvixijo1s+∑g=1G∂gfgjos/∑i=1mvixijo1s+∑g=1G∂gfgjos+∑d=1Dwdzdjos+∑t=1Tδtxtjo2 and ξ2s=∑d=1Dwdzdjos+∑t=1Tδtxtjo2/∑i=1mvixijo1s+∑g=1G∂gfgjos+∑d=1Dwdzdjos+∑t=1Tδtxtjo2 in order to linearize the model. Then, model (7) becomes as follows:(8)eocs=max∑h=1Hηhyhjo1s+∑d=1Dwdzdjos+∑r=1suryrjo2s+∑g=1G∂gfgjos−∑q=1Qϑqzqjo2s∑i=1mvixijo1s+∑g=1G∂gfgjos+∑d=1Dwdzdjos+∑t=1Tδtxtjo2s.te01s=∑h=1Hηhyhj1s+∑d=1Dwdzdjs∑i=1mvixij1s+∑g=1G∂gfgjs≤1,∀j,∀sϵS,e02s=∑r=1suryrj2s+∑g=1G∂gfgjs−∑q=1Qϑqzqj2s∑d=1Dwdzdjs+∑t=1Tδtxtj2≤1,∀j,∀sϵS,ur,wd,∂g,δt,ηh,vi,ϑq≥0,∀r,d,g,t,h.Now, lett1=∑i=1mvixijo1s+∑g=1G∂gfgjos+∑d=1Dwdzdjos+∑t=1Tδtxtjo2−1, vi¯=t1vi, ∂¯g=t1∂g, η¯h=t1ηh,u¯r=t1ur,δ¯t=t1δt, w¯d=t1wd and ϑ¯q=t1ϑq; then, model (8) is transformed into the following linear model:(9)eocs∗=max∑h=1Hη¯hyhjo1s+∑d=1Dw¯dzdjs+∑r=1su¯ryrjo2s+∑g=1G∂¯gfgjos−∑q=1Qϑ¯qzqjo2ss.t∑h=1Hη¯hyhj1s+∑d=1Dw¯dzdjs−∑i=1mvi¯xij1s−∑g=1G∂¯gfgjs≤0,∀j,∀sϵS,∑r=1su¯ryrj2s+∑g=1G∂¯gfgjs−∑q=1Qϑ¯qzqj2s−∑d=1Dw¯dzdjs−∑t=1Tδ¯txtj2s≤0,∀j,∀sϵS,∑i=1mvi¯xijo1s+∑g=1G∂¯gfgjos+∑d=1Dw¯dzdjos+∑t=1Tδ¯txtjo2s=1,∀sϵS,ur,wd,∂g,δt,ηh,vi,ϑq≥0,∀r,d,g,t,h.In model (9), eocs∗ displays the average of the efficiency score of the two-stage process.Definition 1.
The two-stage process is efficient if and only ifej1s=ej2s=1.
It is noted that, if there is uncertainty in data set, models (4), (6), or (9) might be infeasible at optimal solution of nominal problem. Thus, it is essential to choose alternative models such that small variation in data cannot change the rankings. To cope this case, we apply the stochastic p-robust optimization approach of Snyder and Daskin [38] that will be illustrated in the next section.


## 2.1. Undesirable Outputs

A production technology using the weakly disposable axiom of outputs to model undesirable outputs in the DEA framework is propounded in [35]. Under this technology, inputs and desirable outputs are considered to be freely disposable, undesirable outputs are weakly disposable, and the outputs set is assumed to be convex under a constant return to scale (CRS) assumption. The linear programming model of this technology to evaluate the performance of a DMU is as follows (for further details, see [36]):(2)max∑r=1Auryrjo2s−∑q=1Dϑqzqjo2ss.t∑r=1Auryrj2s−∑q=1Dϑqzqj2s+∑i=1mvixij1s≤0,∀j,∀sϵSur,vi≥0,∀r,i,ϑqfree∀q.In model (2), the vi, ur, and ϑq are decision variables of inputs, desirable outputs, and undesirable outputs, respectively. Constraints (2) guarantee that efficiency value is less than or equal to one for each DMU. In the sequel, according to the concepts of the leader-follower or the Stackelberg game theory [14], we will discuss the efficiency of the substages under the noncentralized model in the presence of undesirable outputs.


## 2.2. Generic Noncentralized Model with Undesirable Outputs

As mentioned above, by accepting that the first and second stages are the leader and the follower, respectively, model (3) computes the maximum achievable value for the efficiency of the first stage under the sth scenario, based on the original CRS-DEA model. Thus we have the following input-oriented DEA model for the first stage in the presence of undesirable outputs according to Kuosmanen [35]’s production technology:(3)e01s∗=max∑h=1Hηhyhjo1s+∑d=1Dwdzdjos∑i=1mvixijo1s+∑g=1G∂gfgjoss.t∑h=1Hηhyhj1s+∑d=1Dwdzdjs∑i=1mvixij1s+∑g=1G∂gfgjs≤1,∀j,∀sϵS,∂g,wd,ηh,vi≥0,∀g,d,h,i.Model (3) is nonlinear but can be linearized using the Charnes and Cooper [37] transformation as follows:Letα=1/∑i=1mvixijo1s+∑g=1G∂gfgjos, then ∑i=1mαvixijo1s+∑g=1Gα∂gfgjos=1,αvi=v¯i, α∂g=∂¯g,αηh=η¯h, αwd=w¯d. Now, model (3) becomes the following linear model:(4)e01s∗=max∑h=1Hη¯hyhjo1s+∑d=1Dw¯dzdjoss.t∑h=1Hη¯hyhj1s+∑d=1Dw¯dzdjs−∑i=1mv¯ixij1s−∑g=1G∂¯gfgjs≤0,∀j,∀sϵS,∑i=1mv¯ixijo1s+∑g=1G∂¯gfgjos=1,∀sϵS,∂¯g,w¯d,η¯h,v¯i≥0,∀g,d,h,i.Also, according to model (1), the efficiency score of the second stage with undesirable outputs is computed as follows:(5)e02s∗=max∑r=1suryrjo2s+∑g=1G∂gfgjos−∑q=1Qϑqzqjo2s∑d=1Dwdzdjos+∑t=1Tδtxtjo2ss.t∑r=1suryrj2s+∑g=1G∂gfgjs−∑q=1Qϑqzqj2s∑d=1Dwdzdjs+∑t=1Tδtxtj2≤1,∀j,∀sϵS,∑h=1Hηhyhjo1s+∑d=1Dwdzdjos∑i=1mvixijo1s+∑g=1G∂gfgjos≤1,∀j,∀sϵS,∑h=1Hηhyhjo1s+∑d=1Dwdzdjos∑i=1mvixijo1s+∑g=1G∂gfgjos=e01s∗,∀sϵS,ur,wd,∂g,δt,ηh,vi,ϑq≥0,∀r,d,g,t,h,i,q.As before, using Charnes and Cooper [37] transformation, it is linearized as follows:(6)e02s∗=max∑r=1su¯ryrjo2s+∑g=1G∂¯gfgjos−∑q=1Qϑ¯qzqjo2ss.t∑r=1su¯ryrj2s+∑g=1G∂¯gfgjs−∑q=1Qϑ¯qzqj2s−∑d=1Dw¯dzdjs−∑t=1Tδ¯txtj2≤0,∀j,∀sϵS,∑d=1Dw¯dzdjos+∑t=1Tδ¯txtjo2s=1,∀sϵS,∑h=1Hη¯hyhj1s+∑d=1Dw¯dzdjs−∑i=1mv¯ixij1s−∑g=1G∂¯gfgjs≤0,∀j,∀sϵS,∑h=1Hη¯hyhjo1s+∑d=1Dw¯dzdjos−e01s∗∑i=1mv¯ixijo1s+∑g=1G∂¯gfgjos=0,∀sϵS,ur,w¯d,∂g,δt,ηh,vi,ϑq≥0,∀r,d,g,t,h,i,q.


## 2.3. Centralized Model with Undesirable Outputs

In this section, we combine the two stages as the weighted sum of efficiency scores of stages 1 and 2 with undesirable outputs under thesth scenario as follows:(7)eocs∗=maxξ1se01s+ξ2se02ss.te01s=∑h=1Hηhyhj1s+∑d=1Dwdzdjs∑i=1mvixij1s+∑g=1G∂gfgjs≤1,∀j,∀sϵS,e02s=∑r=1suryrj2s+∑g=1G∂gfgjs−∑q=1Qϑqzqj2s∑d=1Dwdzdjs+∑t=1Tδtxtj2≤1,∀j,∀sϵS,ur,wd,∂g,δt,ηh,vi,ϑq≥0,∀r,d,g,t,h.where ξ1s and ξ2s are the weights of the first and second stages, respectively, reflecting the importance of the two stages in the overall system (ξ1s+ξ2s=1). We let ξ1s=∑i=1mvixijo1s+∑g=1G∂gfgjos/∑i=1mvixijo1s+∑g=1G∂gfgjos+∑d=1Dwdzdjos+∑t=1Tδtxtjo2 and ξ2s=∑d=1Dwdzdjos+∑t=1Tδtxtjo2/∑i=1mvixijo1s+∑g=1G∂gfgjos+∑d=1Dwdzdjos+∑t=1Tδtxtjo2 in order to linearize the model. Then, model (7) becomes as follows:(8)eocs=max∑h=1Hηhyhjo1s+∑d=1Dwdzdjos+∑r=1suryrjo2s+∑g=1G∂gfgjos−∑q=1Qϑqzqjo2s∑i=1mvixijo1s+∑g=1G∂gfgjos+∑d=1Dwdzdjos+∑t=1Tδtxtjo2s.te01s=∑h=1Hηhyhj1s+∑d=1Dwdzdjs∑i=1mvixij1s+∑g=1G∂gfgjs≤1,∀j,∀sϵS,e02s=∑r=1suryrj2s+∑g=1G∂gfgjs−∑q=1Qϑqzqj2s∑d=1Dwdzdjs+∑t=1Tδtxtj2≤1,∀j,∀sϵS,ur,wd,∂g,δt,ηh,vi,ϑq≥0,∀r,d,g,t,h.Now, lett1=∑i=1mvixijo1s+∑g=1G∂gfgjos+∑d=1Dwdzdjos+∑t=1Tδtxtjo2−1, vi¯=t1vi, ∂¯g=t1∂g, η¯h=t1ηh,u¯r=t1ur,δ¯t=t1δt, w¯d=t1wd and ϑ¯q=t1ϑq; then, model (8) is transformed into the following linear model:(9)eocs∗=max∑h=1Hη¯hyhjo1s+∑d=1Dw¯dzdjs+∑r=1su¯ryrjo2s+∑g=1G∂¯gfgjos−∑q=1Qϑ¯qzqjo2ss.t∑h=1Hη¯hyhj1s+∑d=1Dw¯dzdjs−∑i=1mvi¯xij1s−∑g=1G∂¯gfgjs≤0,∀j,∀sϵS,∑r=1su¯ryrj2s+∑g=1G∂¯gfgjs−∑q=1Qϑ¯qzqj2s−∑d=1Dw¯dzdjs−∑t=1Tδ¯txtj2s≤0,∀j,∀sϵS,∑i=1mvi¯xijo1s+∑g=1G∂¯gfgjos+∑d=1Dw¯dzdjos+∑t=1Tδ¯txtjo2s=1,∀sϵS,ur,wd,∂g,δt,ηh,vi,ϑq≥0,∀r,d,g,t,h.In model (9), eocs∗ displays the average of the efficiency score of the two-stage process.Definition 1.
The two-stage process is efficient if and only ifej1s=ej2s=1.
It is noted that, if there is uncertainty in data set, models (4), (6), or (9) might be infeasible at optimal solution of nominal problem. Thus, it is essential to choose alternative models such that small variation in data cannot change the rankings. To cope this case, we apply the stochastic p-robust optimization approach of Snyder and Daskin [38] that will be illustrated in the next section.


## 3. Proposed NDEA Models with Uncertainty

In this section, first, we depict the stochastic p-robust optimization concept; then, we apply it to the proposed two-stage models of Section2.


### 3.1. StochasticP-Robust Concept

LetS be a collection of scenarios, and Ps be a deterministic maximization problem for each scenario s (there is a different problem Ps for each scenario sϵS). For each s,, let Fs∗>0 be the optimal efficiency score for Ps As well, let Χ be a feasible solution for Ps for all sϵS and let FsΧ be the efficiency score of Ps under solution Χ. Therefore, Χ is called p robust if for all sϵS the following inequality holds:(10)p≥Fs∗−FsΧFs∗.In equation (10), the right-hand side is the relative regret for scenarios and p≥0 is a parameter (constant) that limits the relative regret for each scenario. It is obvious that inequality (10) can be written as follows:(11)1−pFs∗≤FsΧ.Therefore, in order to control the relative regret pertinent to all scenarios, thep-robust constraints (11) are put in the models.Definition 2.
DMUj is stochastic p -robust efficient in different scenarios if and only if its optimal objective function is one.


### 3.2. Stochasticp -Robust Noncentralized Model

Here, we present the stochasticp robust Stackelberg game versions of uncertain DEA models (4) and (6). The stochastic p robust model for the first stage of model (4) is as follows:(12)f01s∗=max∑s=1Sqs∑h=1Hη¯hyhjo1s+∑d=1Dw¯dzdjoss.t∑h=1Hη¯hyhjo1s+∑d=1Dw¯dzdjos≥1−pe01s∗,∀sϵS,∑h=1Hη¯hyhj1s+∑d=1Dw¯dzdjs−∑i=1mv¯ixij1s−∑g=1G∂¯gfgjs≤0,∀j,∀sϵS,∑i=1mv¯ixijo1s+∑g=1G∂¯gfgjos=1,∀sϵS,∂¯g,w¯d,η¯h,v¯i≥0,∀g,d,h,i.The objective function of model (12) computes the expected efficiency value of DMUs according to the data from each scenario in the leader stage. Also, qs in the objective function is the probability that scenario s happens (it is clear that, there is no information about the probability of chance of each scenario). Constraints (12) represent the p robust restrictions. This set of restrictions may not allow the scenario efficiency to take value more than 1001−p% of the ideal efficiency scores gained by each scenario. Also, the parameter p controls the relative regret between all scenarios, and if p=∞, then the p robust constraints in model (12) become inactive. The third to the fifth set of constraints are the same constraints as in model (4) which must hold for each sϵS.Remark 1.
By assumingfkos=maxfgos|1≤g≤G>0, xkos=maxxios|1≤i≤m>0and then setting η1,…,w1,…,,v1,…,∂1,…=0,…,1/xkos,0,…,1/fkos,0,…, constraints ∑i=1mvixijo1s+∑g=1G∂gfgjos=1 and ∑h=1Hηhyhj1s+∑d=1Dwdzdjs−∑i=1mvixij1s−∑g=1G∂gfgjs≤0 imply ∑h=1Hηhyhjo1s+∑d=1Dwdzdjos≤1. Thus, we get e01s∗≤1/1−p . So for very small p’s, there may not be p-robust solutions for model (12); therefore, it may be infeasible.
As retaining the leader’s efficiency fixed, the stochasticp robust model for the second stage for all scenarios can be modeled as follows:(13)f02s∗=max∑s=1Sqs∑r=1su¯ryrjo2s+∑g=1G∂¯gfgjos−∑q=1Qϑ¯qzqjo2ss.t∑r=1su¯ryrjo2s+∑g=1G∂¯gfgjos−∑q=1Qϑ¯qzqjo2s≥1−pe02s∗,∀sϵS,∑r=1su¯ryrj2s+∑g=1G∂¯gfgjs−∑q=1Qϑ¯qzqj2s−∑d=1Dw¯dzdjs−∑t=1Tδ¯txtj2≤0,∀j,∀sϵS,∑d=1Dw¯dzdjos+∑t=1Tδ¯txtjo2s=1,∀sϵS,∑h=1Hη¯hyhj1s+∑d=1Dw¯dzdjs−∑i=1mv¯ixij1s−∑g=1G∂¯gfgjs≤0,∀j,∀sϵS,∑h=1Hη¯hyhjo1s+∑d=1Dw¯dzdjos−e01s∗∑i=1mv¯ixijo1s+∑g=1G∂¯gfgjos=0,∀sϵS,ur,w¯d,∂g,δt,ηh,vi,ϑq>0,∀r,d,g,t,h,i,q.
According to data from each scenario, the objective function of model (13) maximize the expected efficiency value of all DMUs. Constraints (13) impose the p robust criterion associated with all expert’s probabilities. Further, the relative regret among all scenarios is controlled by the parameter p. Constraints (13) show the efficiency value of the first stage under scenario s. The other set of constraints are the same as in model (6) which must hold for each sϵS. In addition, the relation between the overall efficiency and the efficiency score of each stage, i.e., f0s∗,f01s∗andf02s∗, respectively, are given below.Definition 3.
DMU0 for the sth scenario is overall efficient if and only if it is efficient in both stages under the sth scenario.Definition 4.
DMU0, under the sth scenario and kth stage is efficient if only if fjks=1,j=1,…,nandk=1,2.


### 3.3. Stochasticp-Robust Centralized Proposed Model

Similar to the previous subsection, the stochasticp robust centralized model (9) under uncertainty is as follows:(14)focs∗=max∑s=1Sqs∑h=1Hη¯hyhjo1s+∑d=1Dw¯dzdjs+∑r=1su¯ryrjo2s+∑g=1G∂¯gfgjos−∑q=1Qϑ¯qzqjo2ss.t∑h=1Hη¯hyhjo1s+∑d=1Dw¯dzdjs+∑r=1su¯ryrjo2s+∑g=1G∂¯gfgjos−∑q=1Qϑ¯qzqjo2s≥1−pe0s∗,∀sϵS,∑h=1Hη¯hyhj1s+∑d=1Dw¯dzdjs−∑i=1mvi¯xij1s−∑g=1G∂¯gfgjs≤0,∀j,∀sϵS,∑r=1su¯ryrj2s+∑g=1G∂¯gfgjs−∑q=1Qϑ¯qzqj2s−∑d=1Dw¯dzdjs−∑t=1Tδ¯txtj2s≤0,∀j,∀sϵS,∑i=1mvi¯xijo1s+∑g=1G∂¯gfgjos+∑d=1Dw¯dzdjos+∑t=1Tδ¯txtjo2s=1,∀sϵS,ur,wd,∂g,δt,ηh,vi,ϑq≥0,∀r,d,g,t,h.The objective function of model (14) maximizes the expected efficiency value of all DMUs. Constraints (14) impose the p-robust restrictions that may not permit the scenario efficiency to take value more than 1001−p% of the ideal efficiency scores gained by each scenario. The relative regret between all scenarios is controlled by the parameter p. The p robust constraints in model (14) become ineffective if p=∞. The other constraints are the same as in model (9) which must be retained for all sϵS. It is noteworthy that the p values generally are assumed greater than 0.2 and their upper bound is gained by try and error. Also, these values can be different for any problem and are usually defined by the decision maker.Lemma 1.
The expected efficiency values of model (9) for different scenarios are greater than those of the robust model (14).Proof.
Since the feasible set of model (14) is the subset of the feasible set of model (9); thus, the result follows.Theorem 1.
The expected regret values of model (9) in various scenarios are not less than those of model (14).Proof.
Let the gap between the expected efficiency values of each model with the average ideal efficiency be as follows:(15)θ=∑sεSqsFsΧ−∑sεSqsFs∗.
Obviously, the smallerθ amount of a model means that the model gives more exact results. According to Lemma 1, we have(16)focs∗≤Ω¯,in which Ω¯ is the expected optimal objective value of model (9). From inequality (16), we further can obtain(17)focs∗−∑sεSqsFs∗≤Ω¯−∑sεSqsFs∗.
The left-hand side in (17) is the gap value for model (14) and the right-hand side represents the gap value of the expected value of model (9). Thus, the result follows.


## 3.1. StochasticP-Robust Concept

LetS be a collection of scenarios, and Ps be a deterministic maximization problem for each scenario s (there is a different problem Ps for each scenario sϵS). For each s,, let Fs∗>0 be the optimal efficiency score for Ps As well, let Χ be a feasible solution for Ps for all sϵS and let FsΧ be the efficiency score of Ps under solution Χ. Therefore, Χ is called p robust if for all sϵS the following inequality holds:(10)p≥Fs∗−FsΧFs∗.In equation (10), the right-hand side is the relative regret for scenarios and p≥0 is a parameter (constant) that limits the relative regret for each scenario. It is obvious that inequality (10) can be written as follows:(11)1−pFs∗≤FsΧ.Therefore, in order to control the relative regret pertinent to all scenarios, thep-robust constraints (11) are put in the models.Definition 2.
DMUj is stochastic p -robust efficient in different scenarios if and only if its optimal objective function is one.


## 3.2. Stochasticp -Robust Noncentralized Model

Here, we present the stochasticp robust Stackelberg game versions of uncertain DEA models (4) and (6). The stochastic p robust model for the first stage of model (4) is as follows:(12)f01s∗=max∑s=1Sqs∑h=1Hη¯hyhjo1s+∑d=1Dw¯dzdjoss.t∑h=1Hη¯hyhjo1s+∑d=1Dw¯dzdjos≥1−pe01s∗,∀sϵS,∑h=1Hη¯hyhj1s+∑d=1Dw¯dzdjs−∑i=1mv¯ixij1s−∑g=1G∂¯gfgjs≤0,∀j,∀sϵS,∑i=1mv¯ixijo1s+∑g=1G∂¯gfgjos=1,∀sϵS,∂¯g,w¯d,η¯h,v¯i≥0,∀g,d,h,i.The objective function of model (12) computes the expected efficiency value of DMUs according to the data from each scenario in the leader stage. Also, qs in the objective function is the probability that scenario s happens (it is clear that, there is no information about the probability of chance of each scenario). Constraints (12) represent the p robust restrictions. This set of restrictions may not allow the scenario efficiency to take value more than 1001−p% of the ideal efficiency scores gained by each scenario. Also, the parameter p controls the relative regret between all scenarios, and if p=∞, then the p robust constraints in model (12) become inactive. The third to the fifth set of constraints are the same constraints as in model (4) which must hold for each sϵS.Remark 1.
By assumingfkos=maxfgos|1≤g≤G>0, xkos=maxxios|1≤i≤m>0and then setting η1,…,w1,…,,v1,…,∂1,…=0,…,1/xkos,0,…,1/fkos,0,…, constraints ∑i=1mvixijo1s+∑g=1G∂gfgjos=1 and ∑h=1Hηhyhj1s+∑d=1Dwdzdjs−∑i=1mvixij1s−∑g=1G∂gfgjs≤0 imply ∑h=1Hηhyhjo1s+∑d=1Dwdzdjos≤1. Thus, we get e01s∗≤1/1−p . So for very small p’s, there may not be p-robust solutions for model (12); therefore, it may be infeasible.
As retaining the leader’s efficiency fixed, the stochasticp robust model for the second stage for all scenarios can be modeled as follows:(13)f02s∗=max∑s=1Sqs∑r=1su¯ryrjo2s+∑g=1G∂¯gfgjos−∑q=1Qϑ¯qzqjo2ss.t∑r=1su¯ryrjo2s+∑g=1G∂¯gfgjos−∑q=1Qϑ¯qzqjo2s≥1−pe02s∗,∀sϵS,∑r=1su¯ryrj2s+∑g=1G∂¯gfgjs−∑q=1Qϑ¯qzqj2s−∑d=1Dw¯dzdjs−∑t=1Tδ¯txtj2≤0,∀j,∀sϵS,∑d=1Dw¯dzdjos+∑t=1Tδ¯txtjo2s=1,∀sϵS,∑h=1Hη¯hyhj1s+∑d=1Dw¯dzdjs−∑i=1mv¯ixij1s−∑g=1G∂¯gfgjs≤0,∀j,∀sϵS,∑h=1Hη¯hyhjo1s+∑d=1Dw¯dzdjos−e01s∗∑i=1mv¯ixijo1s+∑g=1G∂¯gfgjos=0,∀sϵS,ur,w¯d,∂g,δt,ηh,vi,ϑq>0,∀r,d,g,t,h,i,q.
According to data from each scenario, the objective function of model (13) maximize the expected efficiency value of all DMUs. Constraints (13) impose the p robust criterion associated with all expert’s probabilities. Further, the relative regret among all scenarios is controlled by the parameter p. Constraints (13) show the efficiency value of the first stage under scenario s. The other set of constraints are the same as in model (6) which must hold for each sϵS. In addition, the relation between the overall efficiency and the efficiency score of each stage, i.e., f0s∗,f01s∗andf02s∗, respectively, are given below.Definition 3.
DMU0 for the sth scenario is overall efficient if and only if it is efficient in both stages under the sth scenario.Definition 4.
DMU0, under the sth scenario and kth stage is efficient if only if fjks=1,j=1,…,nandk=1,2.


## 3.3. Stochasticp-Robust Centralized Proposed Model

Similar to the previous subsection, the stochasticp robust centralized model (9) under uncertainty is as follows:(14)focs∗=max∑s=1Sqs∑h=1Hη¯hyhjo1s+∑d=1Dw¯dzdjs+∑r=1su¯ryrjo2s+∑g=1G∂¯gfgjos−∑q=1Qϑ¯qzqjo2ss.t∑h=1Hη¯hyhjo1s+∑d=1Dw¯dzdjs+∑r=1su¯ryrjo2s+∑g=1G∂¯gfgjos−∑q=1Qϑ¯qzqjo2s≥1−pe0s∗,∀sϵS,∑h=1Hη¯hyhj1s+∑d=1Dw¯dzdjs−∑i=1mvi¯xij1s−∑g=1G∂¯gfgjs≤0,∀j,∀sϵS,∑r=1su¯ryrj2s+∑g=1G∂¯gfgjs−∑q=1Qϑ¯qzqj2s−∑d=1Dw¯dzdjs−∑t=1Tδ¯txtj2s≤0,∀j,∀sϵS,∑i=1mvi¯xijo1s+∑g=1G∂¯gfgjos+∑d=1Dw¯dzdjos+∑t=1Tδ¯txtjo2s=1,∀sϵS,ur,wd,∂g,δt,ηh,vi,ϑq≥0,∀r,d,g,t,h.The objective function of model (14) maximizes the expected efficiency value of all DMUs. Constraints (14) impose the p-robust restrictions that may not permit the scenario efficiency to take value more than 1001−p% of the ideal efficiency scores gained by each scenario. The relative regret between all scenarios is controlled by the parameter p. The p robust constraints in model (14) become ineffective if p=∞. The other constraints are the same as in model (9) which must be retained for all sϵS. It is noteworthy that the p values generally are assumed greater than 0.2 and their upper bound is gained by try and error. Also, these values can be different for any problem and are usually defined by the decision maker.Lemma 1.
The expected efficiency values of model (9) for different scenarios are greater than those of the robust model (14).Proof.
Since the feasible set of model (14) is the subset of the feasible set of model (9); thus, the result follows.Theorem 1.
The expected regret values of model (9) in various scenarios are not less than those of model (14).Proof.
Let the gap between the expected efficiency values of each model with the average ideal efficiency be as follows:(15)θ=∑sεSqsFsΧ−∑sεSqsFs∗.
Obviously, the smallerθ amount of a model means that the model gives more exact results. According to Lemma 1, we have(16)focs∗≤Ω¯,in which Ω¯ is the expected optimal objective value of model (9). From inequality (16), we further can obtain(17)focs∗−∑sεSqsFs∗≤Ω¯−∑sεSqsFs∗.
The left-hand side in (17) is the gap value for model (14) and the right-hand side represents the gap value of the expected value of model (9). Thus, the result follows.


## 4. Real Case Study and Discussion

In this section, the advantage of the proposed models for a dataset of Persian Gulf oilfields is discussed. In comprehensive reservoir management, achieving maximum economic advantage is the most important goal in the development of an oilfield. One of the most important variables in achieving this maximum advantage is the number of wells drilled oilfields [39]. When oil production is increased, more water is being used and more oilfield wastewater is being generated, and while any reduction in water use means less oilfield wastewater releases, it also means a reduction in oil production.Thus, some inputs are utilized to generate both the desirable and undesirable outputs and minimizing total costs and maximizing the desirable outputs are the aims. Moreover, in accordance with the supportable expansion program, it is required to reuse wastewater to warrant the water reserve in the water-deficient regions [40]. Thus, the wastewater here behaves as a feedback variable which makes better the efficiency of the total oilfield system. Further, uncertainty in the number of wells is an important issue in the development of oil fields. Therefore, every decision needs to take into account all the uncertainties in all stages of field development. The flowchart of the methodology is given in Figure 2.Figure 2
Flowchart of two-stage stochastic p robust.First, we evaluate ideal efficiency values of the two-stage NDEA models under discrete scenarios, provided by the oilfield system analyzers (i.e.,s1  = pessimistic and s2  = optimistic). According to the study by Snyder and Daskin [38]; we assume that all scenarios have equiprobable that is qs= 0.5. Further, we consider five inputs in stage1, number of generating wells, cost of oil, cost of water, water increasing rate, and reusable water; desirable outputs and undesirable output are actual oil generation and incremental oil generation, respectively. In stage 2, undesirable wastewater is refined by applying the inputs as operating costs, consumption cost, construction expenditure, hydrocarbons (ammonia); therefore, hydrocarbons removal rates and the quantity of reusable refined wastewater are desirable outputs and unrefined wastewater is undesirable output. Table 4 shows inputs, intermediates, and outputs data of 11 ports of the Persian Gulf oilfields.Table 4
The data set of three scenarios for 11 oilfields.
DMUsx11x21x31x41y11y21z1s1s2s1s2s1s2s1s2s1s2s1s2s1175000900000.4980.51092.22121.5767.4560.8510.1638.1102.068.0433.0248000840000.4420.45373.36132.0585.595797.1997.172.096.0344.4352000870000.4340.462113.18117.3855.164.6542.0678.087.0116.0531.344000740000.5330.546209.60138.3430.427.55231.2289.2150.0200.0984.0535000630000.4100.42079.65125.7678.8582.65693.5867.585.5114.0373.9630000900000.3420.351127.86117.3848.4540.85342.8428.887.0116.0600.2718000900000.5130.525138.34119.4745.640.85342.8428.896.0128.0649.486000950000.3680.377119.47117.3852.2552.25438.4548.490.0120.0560.9946000950000.5230.53685.94123.6672.264.6542.0678.052.570.0403.41023700900000.5640.577113.18117.3856.0546.55390.6488.682.5110.0531.31112000840000.3180.32688.03121.5771.2558.9494.2618.261.582.0413.3DMUsx12x22x32s1s2s1s2s1s21477.0117135.017479.924279.992.62379.4109126.012338.817138.8117.43585.3113130.514909.420709.447.44108.496111.025705.835705.865.55411.98294.514652.320352.361.06661.2117135.014909.420709.4103.97715.4117135.016451.722851.785.88617.9124142.515423.521423.576.89444.4124142.58997.012497.0173.910585.3117135.014138.219638.288.111455.3109126.010539.414639.467.7DMUsf1z12y12s1s2s1s2s1s21239.4489.310.430.40.410.712191.5391.48.324.30.520.93478.8978.520.860.80.210.584339.9694.714.843.20.290.325363.9743.715.846.20.270.836215.5440.39.427.40.460.517263.3538.211.433.40.380.488292.1596.912.737.10.340.559129.3264.25.616.40.770.7610253.8518.611.032.20.390.5911330.4675.214.442.00.30.75First, using models (4), (6), and (9), we obtain the ideal efficiency score of each DMU based on each scenario. Then, we apply models (12)–(14) for the efficiency analysis of DMUs. In Table 5, the relevant results are reported. As well, the ideal efficiency score matching the amounts specified in each scenario is shown in the columns of Table 5.Table 5
Ideal efficiency scores under scenarios for models (4), (6) and (9).
DMUsModel (4)Model (6)Model (9)s1s2s1s2s1s2111111120.7697111113111111411111150.72810.945111116110.97650.8936117110.8320111811111190.9549111111011111111111111With respect to Table5, the efficiency scores in model (4) for most DMUs are equal to one in two scenarios that is 72% of the total oilfield regions in the first scenario and 90% in the second scenario. In model (6), most DMUs gained an efficiency score of one that is 0.81% of total oilfield regions and finally, in model (9) all DMUs are efficient in two scenarios.Subsequently, we solved models (12)–(14) to gain the efficiency scores for different p values in each scenario that are presented inTables 6–8. As can be seen, models (12)–(14) give infeasible results for some DMUs when p≤0.47 that we do not report those here.Table 6
The results of solving model (12).
p value0.470.480.490.500.510.52DMUs10.0580.0880.0340.0410.0390.03920.0450.0450.0190.1500.1500.15030.0520.1020.0640.0670.0650.06540.0540.0940.0760.0690.0690.0695INF0.0630.0380.0630.0650.06560.0430.0430.0400.0610.0670.06770.0490.0980.0130.0980.0960.09680.0340.0660.0250.0610.0630.06390.0460.0960.0020.0130.0130.013100.0510.0150.0470.0490.0490.049110.0620.0620.0410.0450.0420.042Table 7
The results of solving model (13).
p value0.470.480.490.500.510.52DMUs10.0100.1040.0580.0580.0580.05820.1230.1130.0970.1010.1010.10130.0260.0240.0280.0300.0280.02840.1440.1320.0370.0390.0390.03950.0910.0810.0650.0700.0700.0706INFINF0.0570.0600.0600.06070.1010.1010.1010.1050.1050.10580.1190.0210.0350.0490.0490.0499INF0.0900.0050.0010.0020.00210INFINF0.0190.0180.0170.017110.1220.1270.0190.0210.0230.023Table 8
The results of solving model (14).
p value0.470.480.490.500.510.52DMUs10.0480.0470.2240.2750.2750.27520.0510.1520.2160.2600.2600.26030.0490.2470.2280.3810.3810.38140.0600.2310.2950.2340.2340.23450.0440.1440.1600.2570.2570.2576INF0.1240.2070.4380.4390.43970.0420.162o. 1840.2290.2290.22980.0480.1680.2830.4020.4020.40290.0520.1820.2200.2630.2650.26510INFINF0.3890.3960.3980.398110.0500.1600.1840.3780.3780.378As mentioned in Section3.2, for small values of p, the offered models give infeasible results in some scenarios. In this perusal, on the one hand, when p<0.47 with respect to the results, our models give infeasible results for most DMUs. As the p value enhances, the efficiency scores set better and the number of infeasible DMUs gradually reduces and we see feasible results. On the other hand, for p≥0.52, the efficiency scores remain fixed. So, we do not carry on and stop it for the other p-values. Thus, here, we only consider p≥0.47 and do not report the results of p≤0.47. For example, with increasing the p value from 0.47 to 0.50, the efficiency score of DMU #7 shifts. This shift also can be seen in other DMUs. Models (12)–(14) maximize the expected efficiency scores of DMUs in each scenario, while p robust constraints control the respective variation between their efficiency scores produced by the model and ideal efficiency under each scenario. We should note that the overall efficiency of DMU0 for models (12) and (13) can be specified as f0s∗=f01s∗+f02s∗ as reported in Table 9.Table 9
The sum of the efficiency scores of models (12) and (13).
p value0.470.480.490.500.510.52DMUs10.0680.1920.0920.0990.0970.13620.1680.1580.1160.2510.2510.40130.0780.1260.0920.0970.0930.09340.1980.2260.1130.1080.1080.1775INF0.1440.1030.1330.1350.2006INFINF0.0970.1210.1270.19470.1500.1990.1140.2030.2010.29780.1530.0870.0600.1100.1120.1759INF0.1860.0070.0140.0150.01510INFINF0.0660.0670.0660.066110.1840.1890.0600.0660.0650.107In order to compare the overall efficiency scores of model (14), we let p= 0.49 for each DMU. The related results are given in Table 10, and as well, are shown in Figure 3.Table 10
The results of the overall efficiency of model (14) with p=0.49.
Efficiencyf01s∗f02s∗f0s=f01s∗+f02s∗focS∗DMUs10.0340.0580.0920.22420.0190.0970.1160.21630.0640.0280.0920.22840.0760.0370.1130.29550.0380.0650.1030.16060.0400.0570.0970.20770.0130.1010.1140.18480.0250.0350.0600.28390.0020.0050.0070.220100.0470.0190.0660.389110.0410.0190.0600.184Figure 3
Comparison of the overall efficiency with model (14).As seen in Table10, the robust centralized model (i.e., focS∗) gives better results for the overall efficiency scores (i.e., f0s) compared to the robust noncentralized model. Thus, one can conclude that the centralized approach is preferred over the noncentralized approach.It is obvious that, for all DMUs, the efficiency scores in model (14)are more premier than the other one. So, model (14) as a superior model is chosen, and to gain a profound understanding of the stochastic p robust NDEA models, we compare model (14) with model (9).After solving each model and gainingFsΧ, we present two criterions as ∑sεSqsFsΧ and ∑sεSqsFs∗−FsΧ/Fs∗, where the first criterion measures the expected efficiency score of all DMUs by taking into account the occurrence probabilities of each scenario, and the second criterion measures the expected relative regret for each DMU, respectively. Finally, the computed efficiency scores by the robust model (14) are balanced with these two criteria under two scenarios. The results of this comparison are reported in Table 11 and illustrated in Figure 4. It should be noted that, in this trial, we put p= 0.49. As seen in Figure 4, both efficiency scores and regret values of model (14) are less than the other one. As mentioned before, the relative regret value demonstrates the relative difference between the ideal efficiency gain in each scenario and the efficiency of a model that is displayed according to Lemma 1 and Theorem 1.Table 11
The results of expected and regret values of models (9) and (14)in two scenarios.
EfficiencyExpected valueRegret valuepRobustRegret valueDMUsModel (9)Model (9)Model (14)Model (14)10.6710.1580.1310.06320.5870.0900.1580.04330.7820.1430.2300.04940.5280.0950.0690.03450.7920.1320.1650.04660.5560.0990.1670.05170.7270.1410.1960.06280.5860.1520.1630.05690.5010.1370.1130.052100.8580.0790.2070.044110.7620.1070.1420.066Figure 4
Comparison of regret and expected efficiency of models (9) and (14).


## 5. Sensitivity Analysis

In this section, we run some experiments for understanding the sensitivity of the proposed model (model (14)) to the experts’ probabilities and compare the results to the sensitivity of model (9) . The first row of Table 12 and 13 show the value of probabilities as qs=q1,q2, and columns 2–4 present the difference between the expected efficiency values of each model and the average ideal efficiency score. In fact, each model is solved using these probabilities and the difference between the expected efficiency of each DMU with the average ideal efficiency (i.e., the gap value) is obtained using equation (15).Table 12
The gap values of model (9).
qs(0.3, 0.7)(0.6, 0.4)(0.2, 0.8)DMUs10.6350.6590.64720.5510.5750.56330.7460.7700.75840.4920.5160.50450.7560.7800.76860.5200.5440.53270.6910.7150.70380.5500.5740.56290.4650.4890.477100.8220.8460.834110.7260.7500.738Table 13
The gap values of model (14).
qs(0.3, 0.7)(0.6, 0.4)(0.2, 0.8)DMUs10.6350.6590.64720.5510.5750.56330.7460.7700.75840.4920.5160.50450.7560.7800.76860.5200.5440.53270.6910.7150.70380.5500.5740.56290.4650.4890.477100.8220.8460.834110.7260.7500.738The smaller value of the gap for a model approves that the model generates more accurate results, since the expected efficiency of that model is closer to the ideal expected efficiency. It can be viewed from Tables12 and 13 that model (14) gives better results than the expected model (9). This approves the superiority of our proposed stochastic p-robust model (model (14)) compared to model (9).


## 6. Conclusions and Future Research

Uncertainty is an essential part of real performance evaluation that imposes serious challenges in this context. In this research, scenario-based robust centralized and noncentralized models are designed for appraising the efficiency of a two-stage NDEA model in the presence of undesirable outputs according to Snyder and Daskin’s approach (2006). The objective function of this model sustains the robustness of the solution and achieves the optimal solution from the expected efficiency in each scenario. This model is substantially sensitive to the variation of the parameters pertinent to the robustness level between the values under different scenarios and allows controlling the conservatism level. Further, managers can make a balance between the regret amount and the expected amount of DMUs in feasible scenarios, and as well as a balance between the robustness of the model and the robustness of the solution. Moreover, it combines the benefits of original stochastic and robust optimization models, and the robustness of results is increased significantly without substantial decrease in the expected efficiency. It has relatively low conservatism than the other existing uncertainty models and the solution is immunized against scenarios that are rarely to occur. To appraise the validity and reliability of the proposed models, we applied them to a real dataset drawn from the oilfield system with undesirable outputs in the Persian Gulf region where oil generation is the first stage and wastewater treatment is the second stage. The results indicated, for maximizing the oil generation, the election of the centralized approach for all DMUs gives preferable efficiency in comparison with the noncentralized approach. When oil generation is enhanced, more water is applied and in Stage 2, more oilfield wastewater is obtained, while any decrease in water usage means not so much oilfield wastewater issuances, and it causes a decrease in the input to Stage 1. Moreover, sensitivities analysis on different probability vectors confirms that the proposed p-robust stochastic DEA model produces better results than the differences gained by our model are smaller than those obtained by another model. Extension of the proposed model into the Malmquist indicator Bansal and Mehra [41] under dynamic conditions can be considered as future research direction. In addition, the idea of uncontrollable inputs Zarbakhshnia and Jaghdani [42], and nondiscretionary factors [43] Shakouri and Salahi [44] have also extensive applications, so including them in the proposed models would be an absorbing future research direction.



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*Source: 1133882-2022-09-19.xml*