Multiple Criteria and Multiple Periods Performance Analysis: A Comparison of North African Railways

Abstract

Multi-period differences of technical and financial performances are analyzed by comparing five North African railways over the period 1990–2004. A first approach is based on the Malmquist DEA TFP index for measuring the total factors productivity change, decomposed into technical efficiency change and technological changes. A multiple criteria analysis is also performed using the PROMETHEE II method and ARGOS software. These methods provide complementary detailed information, especially by discriminating the technological and management processes by Malmquist and the two dimensions of performance by Promethee, service to the community and enterprise performance, which are often in conflict.