A Combined OCBA–AIC Method for Stochastic Variable Selection in Data Envelopment Analysis

This study introduces a novel approach to enhance variable selection in Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), especially in stochastic environments where efficiency estimation is inherently complex. To address these challenges, we propose a game cross-DEA model to refine efficiency estimation. Additionally, we integrate the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) with the Optimal Computing Budget Allocation (OCBA) technique, creating a hybrid method named OCBA–AIC. This innovative method efficiently allocates computational resources for stochastic variable selection. Our numerical analysis indicates that OCBA–AIC surpasses existing methods, achieving a lower AIC value. We also present two real-world case studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach in ranking suppliers and tourism companies under uncertainty by selecting the most suitable partners. This research enriches the understanding of efficiency measurement in DEA and makes a substantial contribution to the field of performance management and decision-making in stochastic contexts.