Efficiency Analysis of Technology-Based Firms Using the SBM-DEA Model‎: ‎Evidence from Iran

Mohammadhashemi, Zahra; Ghorbani-Moghadam, Khatere; Allahy, Safora; Ghazinoory, Sepehr

doi:10.30473/coam.2025.74337.1302

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

¹ Department of Policy Evaluation & STI Monitoring, National Research Institute for Science Policy (NRISP), Tehran, Iran.

² Mosaheb Institute of Mathematics‎, ‎Kharazmi University‎, ‎Tehran‎, ‎Iran.

³ ‎Iran University of Science and Technology‎, ‎Tehran‎, ‎Iran.

⁴ ‎School of Management and Economics, Tarbiat Modares University‎, ‎Tehran‎, ‎Iran‎.

10.30473/coam.2025.74337.1302

Abstract

‎This study employs a two-stage analytical framework to assess efficiency, comprising a standard SBM evaluation and a novel weighted SBM model. Unlike conventional SBM-DEA applications, the proposed weighted model uses an enhanced slack-based mechanism that prioritizes strategic inputs (R&D investment, number of employees, and funding) and clearly distinguishes input redundancies (e.g., excessive R&D expenditure or staffing) from output deficiencies (e.g., weak revenue performance). This separation yields more precise and targeted diagnostic insights. Additionally, the model incorporates sector-specific efficiency differentiation, supported by ANOVA, enabling assessment of cross-firm inefficiencies and their statistical significance in terms of systemic versus sector-specific phenomena. The methodology is applied to a distinctive panel of 146 technology-based firms (TBFs) in Iranian science and technology parks from 2021–2023, a context rarely explored with DEA in emerging markets. The study combines quantitative DEA results from both models with qualitative follow-up analyses of factors such as marketing strategies, private investment initiatives, and certification achievements, producing a robust mixed-methods approach and actionable policy recommendations. A comparative analysis reveals that fully efficient firms comprise 2.7\% under the unweighted model and 3.4\% under the weighted model, indicating that weighting yields a small, non-significant change in overall efficiency. About 97.3\% of firms display efficiency gaps due to input redundancies or output shortfalls. Sectoral tests show no statistically significant inter-sector differences, pointing to systemic inefficiencies across industries. Qualitative insights identify firm-level success factors—effective marketing, certification, and investment strategies—that align with the detected inefficiency patterns. Collectively, these findings offer measurable strategies for improvement, such as reducing redundant investment and enhancing revenue-generation mechanisms, to inform evidence-based policy aimed at the commercialization and growth of TBFs in emerging markets.

Highlights

Investigated the efficiency of technology-based firms (TBFs) in Iran using input-output performance analysis via Slack-Based SBM-DEA.
Identified resource usage problems and provided actionable recommendations to enhance firm performance.
Employed SBM-DEA with a weighted approach to emphasize strategic inputs.
Used ANOVA to compare efficiency across nine industrial sectors.
Identified critical success factors for efficient firms: effective marketing, attracting private investment, and obtaining certifications.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Data envelopment Analysis-DEA

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Efficiency Analysis of Technology-Based Firms Using the SBM-DEA Model‎: ‎Evidence from Iran

References

References

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript Available Online from 08 November 2025

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 08 November 2025