Multi-output profit efficiency and directional distance functions

•Nonparametric efficiency measurement using data envelopment analysis.•Profit efficiency analysis for multi output production.•Efficiency measurement with directional distance functions.

We extend a recently developed DEA methodology for cost efficiency analysis towards profit efficiency settings. This establishes a novel DEA toolkit for profit efficiency assessments in situations with multiple inputs and multiple outputs. A distinguishing feature of our methodology is that it assumes output-specific production technologies. In addition, the methodology accounts for the use of joint inputs, and explicitly includes information on the allocation of inputs to individual outputs. We also establish a dual relationship between our multi-output profit inefficiency measure and a technical inefficiency measure that takes the form of a multi-output directional distance function. Finally, we demonstrate the empirical usefulness of our methodology by an empirical application to a large service company.