A modified directional distance formulation of DEA to assess bankruptcy: An application to IT/ITES companies in India

One of the most significant threats of a national economy is the bankruptcy of its firms. Assessment of bankruptcy provides valuable information on which governments, investors and shareholders can base their financial decisions in order to prevent possible losses. Data envelopment analysis (DEA) has generally been used to assess the best relative efficiency of decision making units (DMUs). In this paper we modify directional distance formulation of DEA to assess bankruptcy. The method we develop is the most general non-oriented, non-radial directional distance model. This model measures worst relative efficiency within the range of zero to one. This is contrary to the best relative efficiencies of conventional DEA method. Our model locates worst performing DMUs and determines an inefficient frontier. This model simultaneously contracts output and expands input. This idea of bankruptcy assessment is in agreement with economic theory of bankruptcy. The study introduces a precise and comprehensive bankruptcy measure that could be used as an early warning system for bankruptcy assessment. Further, we apply our model to Information Technology (IT) and IT enabled services (ITES) companies in India as a case study. We find that Hewlett-Packard Globalsoft Ltd. has the least possibility of bankruptcy and Logix Microsystems has the greatest possibility of bankruptcy. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.