Athanassopoulos, Antreas D. (1995) Decision support systems for target setting and resource allocation in multi-unit and multi-level organisations using data envelopment analysis. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

This thesis is concerned with the development of decision support systems for determining
performance targets and allocating resources in multi-unit organisations. These
organisations are organised into networks of decision making units (DMUs) that seek to
satisfy demand for services in the public sector or attract demand for services in the for
profit making sector. Mathematical programming methods in general, and data
envelopment analysis in particular are the methods chiefly used throughout the thesis.
The decision support systems sought to address two distinct problems faced by multi-unit
organisations.
The first is concerned with the allocation of recurrent type of budgets to decision making
units which use their resources without interference from their headquarters. This type of
problem is called a-posteriori decision support and it is addressed by developing a
framework of effective target setting. Data envelopment analysis models are developed for
setting targets at the DMU and the global organisational levels. Two target-based resource
allocation models are then developed seeking to encapsulate alternative organisational
structures and objectives of resource allocation, namely equity, effectiveness and efficiency.
The second case concerns problems where the allocation of resources is made directly to
prespecified DMUs. This problem is called a-priori decision support which includes a
phase of managerial diagnosis and planning. In the diagnostic phase performance targets
for different management tiers are assessed, and systematic procedures of micro level
benchmarking are developed. In the planning phase targets for improving the scale size of
individual units are assessed, the long & short run viability of the network of outlets is
examined and, fmally, the marginal impacts of past investments on the performance of
DMUs are investigated. The two phases of the decision support system would aid
management in making decisions regarding the future of individual DMUs (e.g. investment,
expansion, divestment). Application of the method to a network of 154 public houses is incorporated
throughout the relevant chapters of the thesis.

Item Type:	Thesis or Dissertation (PhD)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Decision support systems, Resource allocation -- Mathematical models, Decision making -- Mathematical models, Data envelopment analysis
Official Date:	January 1995
Dates:	Date Event January 1995 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Warwick Business School
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Thanassoulis, Emmanuel
Sponsors:	Science and Engineering Research Council (Great Britain) (SERC) ; Warwick Business School
Extent:	xiv, 272, [20] leaves
Language:	eng

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