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Evaluating Territorial Space Use Efficiency: A Geographic Data Envelopment Model Considering Geospatial Effects

Author

Listed:
  • Minrui Zheng

    (School of Public Administration and Policy, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872, China
    Digital Government and National Governance Lab, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872, China)

  • Yin Ma

    (China Aero Geophysical Survey and Remote Sensing Center for Natural Resources, China Geological Survey, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Xinqi Zheng

    (School of Information Engineering, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
    Technology Innovation Center for Territory Spatial Big-Data, Ministry of Natural Resources of the People’s Republic of China, Beijing 100036, China
    Observation and Research Station of Beijing Fangshan Comprehensive Exploration, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Xvlu Wang

    (School of Information Engineering, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China)

  • Li Li

    (China Aero Geophysical Survey and Remote Sensing Center for Natural Resources, China Geological Survey, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Feng Xu

    (School of Information Engineering, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China)

  • Xiaoyuan Zhang

    (School of Information Engineering, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China)

  • Fuping Gan

    (China Aero Geophysical Survey and Remote Sensing Center for Natural Resources, China Geological Survey, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Jianchao Wang

    (China Aero Geophysical Survey and Remote Sensing Center for Natural Resources, China Geological Survey, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Zhengkun Zhu

    (China Aero Geophysical Survey and Remote Sensing Center for Natural Resources, China Geological Survey, Beijing 100083, China)

Abstract

Accurately evaluating territorial space use efficiency is a prerequisite for promoting the realization of high-quality development. Existing efficiency evaluation models all treat decision making units (DMUs) as independent individuals, ignoring geospatial effects between geographical spaces, which leads to unreliable results. This study proposes a geographic data envelopment analysis (GeoDEA) model, integrating a spatially constrained multivariate clustering model with generalized data envelopment analysis (DEA). The GeoDEA model reconstructs evaluation and reference sets considering spatial adjacency, cluster numbers, and socio-economic indicators and then applies a slack-based measure (SBM) super-efficient formula. It is verified that the efficiency value evaluated using the GeoDEA model is higher than that of the traditional DEA model, but it is also more consistent with cognition and more reliable. This is mainly explained by the fact that the GeoDEA model takes into account the geospatial effect and selects DMUs with relatively close geographic distance and higher levels of development as the reference frontier for efficiency evaluation. The GeoDEA model optimizes the traditional DEA model and avoids the problem that the efficiency of DMU is underestimated when the geographical background and development mode of DMU are very different from the reference frontier. It enhances the reliability of the evaluation of territorial space use efficiency.

Suggested Citation

  • Minrui Zheng & Yin Ma & Xinqi Zheng & Xvlu Wang & Li Li & Feng Xu & Xiaoyuan Zhang & Fuping Gan & Jianchao Wang & Zhengkun Zhu, 2025. "Evaluating Territorial Space Use Efficiency: A Geographic Data Envelopment Model Considering Geospatial Effects," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-26, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:3:p:635-:d:1614344
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    References listed on IDEAS

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