Efficiency of materials management in the European Union

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to measure and evaluate the efficiency of materials management in the European Union countries (EU-28) during the period of 2008–2017.Design/methodology/approachThe study was conducted using the method of data envelopment analysis (DEA) and variables applied to de...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:World journal of entrepreneurship, management and sustainable development management and sustainable development, 2019-10, Vol.15 (4), p.354-365
Main Author: Masternak-Janus, Aneta
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Consumption
Data envelopment analysis
Economic development
Economic growth
Economic indicators
Efficiency
GDP
Gross Domestic Product
Linear programming
Materials management
Natural resources
Per capita
Productivity
Variables
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Summary:PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to measure and evaluate the efficiency of materials management in the European Union countries (EU-28) during the period of 2008–2017.Design/methodology/approachThe study was conducted using the method of data envelopment analysis (DEA) and variables applied to determine the resource productivity indicator. Therefore, the components of domestic material consumption constituted inputs in the DEA method, while gross domestic product (GDP) was applied as an output.FindingsThe results of the analysis showed that the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Latvia and the UK are the efficiency leaders among all the member states of the European Union. One of the least efficient countries is Poland, which uses too much natural resources in the process of generating goods and services. However, this consumption is growing at a slower rate than the value of GDP, which is beneficial from the point of view of sustainable development. Poland, like other inefficient countries, should reduce its consumption of natural resources in line with the best international practices.Practical implicationsThe obtained research results can be a valuable source of information for decision-makers, and contribute to the adoption of more effective policies in order to improve the relationship between materials consumption and economic growth.Originality/valueThe application of the DEA method for calculating the efficiency of materials management represents a new approach, and it is the first attempt of its kind in the European Union countries.
ISSN:2042-5961
2042-597X
DOI:10.1108/WJEMSD-03-2019-0019