Alternative minimax model for finding the most efficient unit in data envelopment analysis

•Some previous approaches for finding the most efficient DMU are compared and analyzed.•A new minimax model for dealing with the most efficient unit selection problem is formulated.•The proposed model involves some important advantages over the previous models.•Three different case studies are utilized to illustrate the various potential applications of the suggested model.

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) deals with the evaluation of efficiency score of peer decision making units (DMUs) and divides them in two mutually exclusive sets: efficient and inefficient. There are various ranking methods to get more information about the efficient units. Nevertheless, finding the most efficient unit is a scientific challenge and hence has been the subject of numerous studies. Here, the main contribution is an integrated model that is able to determine the most efficient unit under a common condition is developed. The current research formulates a new minimax mixed integer linear programming (MILP) model for fining the most efficient DMU. Three different case studies from different contexts are taken as numerical examples to compare the proposed model with other methods. These numerical examples also illustrate the various potential applications of the suggested model.