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This study aims to investigate environmental efficiency based on energy change by using energy-related or nonenergy-related variables by reckoning with months and years as decision-making units (DMUs) for a hospital under radial and nonradial models.

The non-oriented slack-based measures (SBM)-data envelopment analysis (DEA) model considering desirable and undesirable outputs has been embraced in this study, where its obtained results were compared with the results of other DEA models are output-oriented SBM-DEA and Banker, Charnes, & Cooper-DEA. For this purpose, this research has used a data set covering the 2012–2018 period for a reference hospital, which includes energy-related and nonenergy-related variables.

The results demonstrate that environmental efficiency based on energy reached the highest level in the winter months, whereas the summer months have the lowest efficiency values arising from the increasing electricity consumption due to high cooling needs. According to results of the non-oriented SBM model, the month with the highest efficiency in all periods is January with a 0.936 average efficiency score, the lowest month is August with a 0.406 value.

This paper differs from other studies related to energy and environmental efficiencies in the literature with some aspects. First, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first one that takes into account time periods (months and years) as (DMUs for a single organization. Second, this study investigates environmental nonefficiencies, which are derived from energy uses and factors affecting energy use.

Recently, deep learning (DL) has been widely applied in various aspects of human endeavors. However, studies have shown that DL models may also be a primary cause of data leakage, which raises new data privacy concerns. Membership inference attacks (MIAs) are prominent threats to user privacy from DL model training data, as attackers investigate whether specific data samples exist in the training data of a target model. Therefore, the aim of this study is to develop a method for defending against MIAs and protecting data privacy.

One possible solution is to propose an MIA defense method that involves adjusting the model’s output by mapping the output to a distribution with equal probability density. This approach effectively preserves the accuracy of classification predictions while simultaneously preventing attackers from identifying the training data.

Experiments demonstrate that the proposed defense method is effective in reducing the classification accuracy of MIAs to below 50%. Because MIAs are viewed as a binary classification model, the proposed method effectively prevents privacy leakage and improves data privacy protection.

The method is only designed to defend against MIA in black-box classification models.

The proposed MIA defense method is effective and has a low cost. Therefore, the method enables us to protect data privacy without incurring significant additional expenses.

To manage cash flow in supply chains, the purpose of this paper is to propose inverse data envelopment analysis (DEA) model.

This paper develops an inverse range directional measure (RDM) model to deal with positive and negative values. The proposed model is developed to estimate input and output variations such that not only efficiency score of decision making unit (DMU) remains unchanged, but also efficiency score of other DMUs do not change.

Given that auto making industry deals with huge variety and volumes of parts, cash flow management is so important. In this paper, inverse RDM models are developed to manage cash flow in supply chains. For the first time, the authors propose inverse DEA models to deal with negative data. By applying the inverse DEA models, managers distinguish efficient DMUs from inefficient ones and devise appropriate strategies to increase efficiency score. Given results of inverse integrated RDM model, other combinations of cash flow strategies are proposed. The suggested strategies can be taken into account as novel strategies in cash flow management. Interesting point is that such strategies do not lead to changes in efficiency scores.

In this paper, inverse input and output-oriented RDM model is developed in presence of negative data. These models are applied in resource allocation and investment analysis problems. Also, inverse integrated RDM model is developed.

Construction economics scholars have emphasised the importance of construction output forecasting and have called for increased investment in infrastructure projects due to the positive relationship between construction output and economic growth. However, construction output tends to fluctuate over time. Excessive changes in the volume of construction output have a negative impact upon the construction sector, such as liquidation of construction companies and job losses. Information gleaned from extant literature suggests that fluctuation in construction output is a global problem. Evidence indicates that modelling of construction output provides information for understanding the factors responsible for these changes.

An interpretivist epistemological lens is adopted to conduct a systematic review of published studies on modelling of construction output. A thematic analysis is then presented, and the trends and gaps in current knowledge are highlighted.

It is observed that interest rate is the most common determinant of construction output. Also revealed is that very little is known about the underlying factors stimulating growth in the volume of investment in maintenance construction works. Further work is required to investigate the efficacy of using non-linear techniques for construction output modelling.

This study provides a contemporary mapping of existing knowledge relating to construction output and provides insights into gaps in current understanding that can be explored by future researchers.

Traditionally, economic production models consider pollution as bads that may be modeled as either outputs or inputs in economic models. The purpose of this paper is to examine the implications of these modeling choices on the measurements of productive efficiency and private costs of pollution control.

The authors apply the hyperbolic distance functions to measure trucking efficiency and the private costs of pollution control.

The results show: (i) regardless of the choice of modeling, when only one bad was incorporated in hyperbolic distance functions, the efficiency loss and private abatement cost measures derived from the two models were equivalent, but potential pollution reduction and good output expansion differed; (ii) when more than one bad were introduced, the equivalence of efficiency loss measure in (i) did not hold; and (iii) the potential amounts of pollution reduction and good output expansion were larger when bads were modeled as inputs. With multiple bads, private abatement costs varied considerably under the two modeling treatments.

From a policy standpoint, the results suggest that one should consider the modeling options with caution when multiple economic bads are involved, because the resulting measures of economic burden of pollution control differ.

The paper shows that the traditional conceptual framework for modeling pollution in hyperbolic distance functions could yield inconsistent results.

This study proposes targeted modernization of the Department of Defense (DoD's) Joint Forces Ammunition Logistics information system by implementing the optimized innovative information technology open architecture design and integrating Radio Frequency Identification Device data technologies and real-time optimization and control mechanisms as the critical technology components of the solution. The innovative information technology, which pursues the focused logistics, will be deployed in 36 months at the estimated cost of $568 million in constant dollars. We estimate that the Systems, Applications, Products (SAP)-based enterprise integration solution that the Army currently pursues will cost another $1.5 billion through the year 2014; however, it is unlikely to deliver the intended technical capabilities.

The purpose of this study is to estimate inputs (outputs) and flexible measures when outputs (inputs) are changed provided that the relative efficiency values remain without change.

A novel inverse data envelopment analysis (DEA) approach with flexible measures is proposed in this research to assess inputs (outputs) and flexible measures when outputs (inputs) are perturbed on condition that the relative efficiency scores remain unchanged. Furthermore, flexible inverse DEA approaches proposed in this study are used for a numerical example from the literature and an application of Iranian banking industry to clarify and validate them.

The findings show that including flexible measures into the investigation effects on the changes of performance measures estimated and leads to more reasonable achievements.

The traditional inverse DEA models usually investigate the changes of some determinate input-output factors for the changes of other given input-output indicators assuming that the efficiency values are preserved. However, there are situations that the changes of performance measures should be tackled while some measures, called flexible measures, can play either input or output roles. Accordingly, inverse DEA optimization models with flexible measures are rendered in this paper to address these issues.

This research is about embedding service-based supply chain management (SCM) concepts in the education sector. Due to Canada's competitive education sector, the authors focus on Canadian universities.

The authors develop a framework for evaluating and forecasting university performance using data envelopment analysis (DEA) and artificial neural networks (ANNs) to assist education policymakers. The application of the proposed framework is illustrated based on information from 16 Canadian universities and by investigating their teaching and research performance.

The major findings are (1) applying the service SCM concept to develop a performance evaluation and prediction framework, (2) demonstrating the application of DEA-ANN for computing and predicting the efficiency of service SCM in Canadian universities, and (3) generating insights to enable universities to improve their research and teaching performances considering critical inputs and outputs.

This paper presents a new framework for universities' performance assessment and performance prediction. DEA and ANN are integrated to aid decision-makers in evaluating the performances of universities.

The findings suggest that higher education policymakers should monitor attrition rates at graduate and undergraduate levels and provide financial support to facilitate research and concentrate on Ph.D. programs. Additionally, the sensitivity analysis indicates that selecting inputs and outputs is critical in determining university rankings.

This research proposes a new integrated DEA and ANN framework to assess and forecast future teaching and research efficiencies applying the service supply chain concept. The findings offer policymakers insights such as paying close attention to the attrition rates of undergraduate and postgraduate programs. In addition, prioritizing internal research support and concentrating on Ph.D. programs is recommended.

Fluctuations in construction output has an adverse effect on the construction industry and the economy due to its strong linkage. Developing reliable and accurate predictive models is vital to implementing effective response strategies to mitigate the impact of such fluctuations. The purpose of this paper is to compare the accuracy of two univariate forecast models, i.e. Box-Jenkins (autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA)) and Neural Network Autoregressive (NNAR).

Four quarterly time-series data on the construction output of Hong Kong were collected (1983Q1-2014Q4). The collected data were divided into two parts. The first part was fitted to the model, while the other was used to evaluate the predictive accuracy of the developed models.

The NNAR model can provide reliable and accurate forecast of total, private and “others” construction output for the medium term. In addition, the NNAR model outperforms the ARIMA model, in terms of accuracy.

The applicability of the NNAR model to the construction industry of other countries could be further explored. The main limitation of artificial intelligence models is the lack of explanatory capability.

The NNAR model could be used as a tool for accurately predicting future patterns in construction output. This is vital for the sustained growth of the construction industry and the economy.

This is the first study to apply the NNAR model to construction output forecasting research.

The purpose of this paper is to design an innovative performance modeling system by jointly using data envelopment analysis (DEA) and artificial neural network (ANN). The hybrid DEA-ANN model integrates performance measurement and prediction frameworks and serves as an adaptive decision support tool in pursuit of best performance benchmarking and stepwise improvement.

Advantages of combining DEA and ANN methods into an optimal performance prediction model are explored. DEA is used as a preprocessor to measure relative performance of decision-making units (DMUs) and to generate test inputs for subsequent ANN prediction modules. For this sequential process, Charnes, Cooper, and Rhodes and Banker, Chames and Cooper DEA models and back propagation neural network (BPNN) are used. The proposed methodology is empirically supported using longitudinal data of Japanese electronics manufacturing firms.

The combined modeling approach proves effective through sequential processes by streamlining DEA analysis and BPNN predictions. The DEA model captures notable characteristics and efficiency trends of the Japanese electronics manufacturing industry and extends its utility as a preprocessor to neural network prediction modules. BPNN, in conjunction with DEA, demonstrates promising estimation capability in predicting efficiency scores and best performance benchmarks for DMUs under evaluation.

Integration of adaptive prediction capacity into the measurement model is a practical necessity in the benchmarking arena. The proposed framework has the potential to recalibrate benchmarks for firms through longitudinal data analysis.

This research paper proposes an innovative approach of performance measurement and prediction in line with superiority-driven best performance modeling. Adaptive prediction capabilities embedded in the proposed model enhances managerial flexibilities in setting performance goals and monitoring progress during pursuit of improvement initiatives. This paper fills the research void through methodological breakthrough and the resulting model can serve as an adaptive decision support system.