Gordana Savić

An application of DEA for comparative analysis and ranking of regions in Serbia with regards to social-economic development

Abstract In this paper, we use data envelopment analysis (DEA) to estimate how well regions in Serbia utilize their resources. Based on data for four inputs and four outputs we applied an output-oriented CCR DEA model and it appears that 17 out of 30 regions are efficient. For each inefficient unit, DEA identifies the sources and level of inefficiency for each input and output. An output-oriented set of targets is determined for 13 inefficient regions. In addition, the possibilities of combining DEA and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) in evaluating performance are explored. The efficient regions are ranked using a cross efficiency matrix and an output-oriented version of Andersen–Petersen’s DEA model and the results are analyzed and compared.

How does the normalization of data affect the ARWU ranking

The aim of this paper is to present new ideas in evaluating Shanghai University’s Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU). In particular, this paper shall try to determine whether the normalization of data affects University ranks. In accordance with this, both the normalized and original (raw) data for each of the six variables has been obtained. Based on a sample containing the 54 US universities which are placed in the ARWU top 100, the statistical I-distance method was performed. The results showed great inconsistencies between university ranks obtained for the original and normalized data. These findings were then analyzed and the universities that had the greatest fluctuation in their ranks were noted.

A Conjoint-based approach to student evaluations of teaching performance

In recent years, the need for greater accountability and improvement in teachings quality has become a major issue in higher education. The results of student evaluation of teaching are increasingly used to make judgments about teaching quality, career advancement, and the funding of teaching itself. An important component of any such student evaluation is the communication of rating results in a manner that allows for fair and meaningful interpretations and comparisons of results by a wide range of evaluation users. In this paper, an approach for a more objective evaluation of university teachers is proposed, one which is based on previously obtained conjoint analysis data concerning criteria importance from a students point of view. Therein, an illustrative example is given to demonstrate the efficiency and practical usage of such a proposed approach.

A New Approach to the Evaluation of Countries’ Educational Structure and Development: The European Study

The ranking of higher education institutions, as well as the ranking of countries based on their scientific achievements, draws a significant amount of attention. Nevertheless, the ranking of countries according to their educational structure provides a completely different view. This article introduces a new approach to ranking, proposes certain changes in defining the parameters that should be included in the ranking process, and compares the results to the available Education index. This provides a new perspective on the evaluation of a country’s educational structure, which can speak volumes about its overall educational development.

Efficiency of bank branches: empirical evidence from a two-phase research approach

Abstract The aim of this paper is to assess the relative efficiency of the branches of Komercijalna Banka AD Skopje during a three-year period (from 2009 to 2011). The research sample consists of eight branches performing the same financial activities during the reporting period. The mathematical technique DEA window analysis was used in the first phase in order to allow monitoring of the trend of the relative efficiency of each branch under consideration. From the bank management point of view, unexpected results were obtained in this phase; to validate the results the AHP-DEA validation model was proposed and used in the second phase. The management verified the obtained results claiming they were especially valuable in the process of making justifiable decisions for the further successful performance of the bank.

An Approach to Determining the Importance of Model Criteria in Certifying a City as Business-Friendly

One of the key problems in the application of multicriteria analysis methods is identifying the importance of the model criteria. The relevance and validity of the decisions are directly conditioned by the relevance of a given set of criteria used for evaluating alternatives, and the correct determination of the weights of these criteria. Several methodologies have been developed to calculate the importance of each criterion for a given problem. All methodologies are classified into two main groups: subjective and objective. In this paper, we present a new procedure to integrate two recognized methods for determining the weights of factors—the analytic hierarchy method as a subjective method and entropy as an objective method. We apply our methodology to a contemporary local economic problem in Serbia—the process of certifying cities and municipalities as favorable to business. We also discuss its implementation in a software tool on a local government website.

Preface of special issue BALCOR

This special issue contains selected papers presented at IXBalkanConference onOperational Research, which took place in Belgrade and on Zlatibor, a beautiful mountain in western Serbia, from September 7–11, 2013. BALCOR is an international conference which traditionally gathers operational researchers with the objective to present the results of theoretical and applied work. One of the benefits is a successful exchange of ideas and information of interest to operational research and the promotion of international co-operation, particularly among the Balkan countries. The conference program contained 144 contributions by 309 authors from 25 counties. Invited speakers at BALCOR 2013 and at its joint conference SYM-OPIS 2013 were the following well-known scientists: Sally Brailsford, University of Southampton, UK; Emilio Carrizosa, Universidad de Sevilla, Spain; Zohar Laslo, SCE—Shamoon College of Engineering, Israel; İlhan Or, Bogaziçi University, Turkey; Veljko Milutinović, University of Belgrade, Serbia; Jose Moreno Perez, University of La Laguna, Spain; Abraham Duarte, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Spain; Bertrand Mareschal, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium; Athanasios Migdalas, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece; Moshe Sniedovich, The University of Melbourne, Australia. More details regarding conference may be found at http://www.balcor2013.fon.bg.ac.rs/. Conference proceedings that contains 815 pages may be found at http://www.balcor2013.fon.bg.ac.rs/wp-content/uploads/