Examining Operational Efficiency Indicators to Improve the Operational Efficiency of Khorramshahr Port in Iran

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to study operational indicators that could effectively improve the productivity of Khorramshahr port operation. A mixed exploratory and qualitative-quantitative research method was used. The research was carried out on the statistical sample of 34 subjects, including the managers, experts and staff of Khorramshahr Port Authority, chosen as a statistical sample using the available sampling method. The data analysis method (DEA), a mathematical method and one of the best non-parametric methods, was used to measure organizational efficiency based on input and output variables. Another method, fuzzy TOPSIS, was used to assist with the decision-making process. In this study, operational indicators were examined to increase the productivity of Khorramshahr port, using the data envelopment analysis method, the multiple CCR model and the fuzzy TOPSIS technique. In the Data Envelopment Analysis method, indicators whose efficiency score equals one are considered effective. The results obtained using the two methods (Data Envelopment Analysis and fuzzy TOPSIS) indicate that there are no sufficiently efficient and productive operational efficiency indicators that could be used to increase the performance of Khorramshahr port wharfs. Therefore, as seen from both research methods, the loading and unloading indices of the Khorramshahr wharfs must be top priority.