Application of DEA technique in SWOT analysis of oily sludge management using fuzzy data

The proper management of oily sludge from petroleum products storage tanks is necessarybecause inappropriate methods for dredging of tanks may result in high costs and increased environmentalpollution. The purpose of the current study is to rank the strategies outlined by strengths, weaknesses,opportunities and threats analysis using data envelopment analysis model, which provides enriched insightsinto management of waste from dredging of tanks. As a result, with the use of strengths, weaknesses,opportunities and threat analysis, the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats were determined andsome management strategies for oily sludge were obtained. Afterward, fuzzy data envelopment analysis wasused to prioritize the strategies. Using experts’ opinions, strategies can be ranked and prioritized by solvingthe data envelopment analysis model according to the acquired optimal solutions. An important point inthis method is that experts’ opinions are also incorporated into the analysis. Sixteen strategies are presentedbased on the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threat analysis and prioritized based on fuzzy dataenvelopment analysis. Strategies number 14 and 10, based on weakness-opportunities and strengths-threatsrespectively are of first priorities. Therefore, the strategies such as development of executive instructions andguidelines, elaboration of duties of managers regarding waste management and construction of a suitableand centralized site for storing oily sludge according to environmental requirements could be strategicallyuseful for the management of oily sludge from storage tanks.

Keywords:

Fuzzy data envelopment analysis (FDEA) , Oily sludge , Ranking strategies , Strategic management , Strengths , weaknesses , opportunities and threat (SWOT)