Abstract
In this research, the application of data envelopment analysis (DEA) is proposed as a methodology to overcome the problems related to the lack of methodology to assign the correct weightings for the calculation of indexes and to the subjectivity of the interpretations of results. DEA is a linear programming technique to determine the relative efficiencies of a company when the inputs and outputs of production units within the company are known, but the productive process itself is not. In this way, quantitative efficiencies and the weighting of any performance indicator can be assessed and compared, permitting managers to obtain a well‐defined performance ranking. This is especially important when managers dispose of a limited budget. The results of the application of this methodology to Andalusian irrigation districts (Spain) are presented and discussed here. This study was used to select the most representative irrigation districts in Andalusia which were then studied in greater depth by applying the performance indicators selected by IPTRID for use by the benchmarking international program. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.