Supply chain performance evaluation with data envelopment analysis and balanced scorecard approach

One of the most complicated decision making problems for managers is the evaluation of supply chain (SC) performance which involves various criteria. Though vast studies have been recorded on supply chain efficiency evaluation via balanced scorecard (BSC) approach, these studies do not focus on the relationships between the four perspectives of BSC approach. The present paper is an attempt focusing on these relationships, especially the returnable ones. To do so, at first, all relationships between the four perspectives of BSC were determined and then the DEMATEL approach was employed to obtain a network structure. This network structure was then used to create a network DEA model. Since it was not possible to calculate the efficiency evaluation score by BSC, the data envelopment analysis (DEA) model was used for such an evaluation. Moreover, after reviewing different tools to evaluate the performance of supply chain, a new approach, relying on network DEA with BSC approach, was generated. Finally, this model was applied in the Iranian food industry to evaluate its supply chains efficiency and the results proved the high efficiency of the model designed. The findings could be used in various evaluation processes in different industries.