Measurement and Sensitivity Analysis of Relative Efficiency in Non-Petroleum Exports of Iran and Selected Countries: A DEA Approach

This paper chooses a kind of mutual view to consider inputs in measuring productivity. In doing this, we employ the Porter's competitive advantage model as well as data envelopment analysis as a strong mathematical model. In Porter's Diamond model, competitive advantage includes exports and direct foreign investment as the output of the model. The data are used in the quantitative model covers the period 2000-2006 for 112 countries. The Findings confirm that Iran is ranked 70 out of 112 with the efficiency value of 68.67. The sensitivity analysis shows that Iran among the input indicators is sensitive to the following indicators respectively: manufactures imports, government effectiveness, and gross fixed capital formation. The most sensitive input indicators in all countries are manufactures imports, research and development expenditures and government effectiveness.