Abstract
This paper analyses the value added (VA) of a sample of Portuguese schools using two methodologies: data envelopment analysis (DEA) and the methodology used presently by the UK Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). The VA estimates obtained by the two methods are substantially different. This reflects their different focus: DEA emphasizes on best-observed performance, whereas the DCSF method reveals average performance. The main advantage of the methodology used by the DCSF is its simplicity, although it confounds pupil effects with school effects in the estimation of school VA. In contrast, the DEA methodology can differentiate these effects, but the complexity may prevent its use in a systematic way. This paper shows that the two methods provide complementary information regarding the VA of schools, and their joint use can improve the understanding of the relative effectiveness of schools regarding the progress that pupils make between educational stages.

Abstract
Recently Tracy and Chen presented a parametric DEA model (PDEA) to assess relative efficiency in the presence of a generalized form of linear weight restrictions. This paper proposes a modification to the PDEA model that avoids the need to resort to searching algorithms to estimate efficiency, and assures that the correct efficiency scores are obtained in a single stage using mathematical programming solvers. The results of this model and the results of Tracy and Chen's PDEA model are compared using the examples reported in their paper. The results confirm the superiority of the model proposed in this paper. Journal of the Operational Research Society (2010) 61, 1789-1793. doi:10.1057/jors.2009.140 Published online 16 December 2009

Abstract
The practical application of data envelopment analysis (DEA) presents a range of procedural issues to be examined and resolved including those relating to the homogeneity of the units under assessment, the input/output set selected, the measurement of those selected variables and the weights attributed to them. Each of these issues can present difficulties in practice. The purpose of this paper is to highlight some of the pitfalls that have been identified in application papers under each of these headings and to suggest protocols to avoid the pitfalls and guide the application of the methodology. © 2001 Elsevier Science B.V.

Abstract
This paper explores the possibilities presented by DEA to assess quality of life and evaluate the performance of city managers in what concerns the promotion of urban quality of life. Using the data provided by the Urban Audit program, from the European Union, we defined the city profile regarding quality of life for 206 cities. Two approaches are presented: the construction of a composite indicator of quality of life and the assessment of local management performance, contextualised by the GDP per capita to measure the ability of local authorities to promote quality of life given the economic condition of the country. The results identify the cities with urban best practices and present a model of intervention for the cities considered inefficient, based on benchmarking principles.

Abstract
This paper enhances cost efficiency measurement methods to account for situations where the input prices can depend on negotiation or tend to qualitatively differentiate the resources available at each decision making unit. In these circumstances, there are some shortcomings in the cost efficiency measure described in the data envelopment analysis (DEA) literature. This paper proposes new models and measures for cost efficiency evaluation that overcome the limitations of the existing DEA models. The applicability of the measures developed is illustrated in the context of the analysis of bank branch performance.

Abstract
The purpose of the paper is to examine trends in the performance of the Portuguese construction industry, and identify the factors that promote excellence and innovation in the sector. From a methodological perspective, this study enhances the construction of composite indicators using the principles of the "benefit of the doubt" weighting. This involves the use of Data Envelopment Analysis to estimate weights for aggregating the key performance indicators of the construction companies. The paper also proposes a new DEA-based method to assess innovation within an industry, identifying the innovative companies and the extent of innovation. The determinants of good performance and innovation are examined using regression techniques and the statistical significance of the results is ensured by the use of bootstrapping. The study reveals that the Portuguese construction industry experienced a remarkable performance improvement during the 1990s, but this growth trend in performance slowed down in recent years. It is concluded that company performance is strongly affected by the national economic context, and that small specialized companies and large contractors tend to achieve the best performance levels.