DETERMINATION OF PATHS TO VENDOR MARKET-EFFICIENCY USING PARALLEL COORDINATES REPRESENTATION - A NEGOTIATION TOOL FOR BUYERS

This study demonstrates the use of data envelopment analysis for measu ring vendor performance and efficiency. An algorithm by Inselberg is e mployed for determining points of vendor efficiency on multiple criter ia. This study then demonstrates how parallel coordinates graphical re presentation can be used to display the efficiency of vendors on multi ple criteria, and, in so doing, visually identify benchmark values on these criteria for negotiating with inefficient vendors. An example of a firm purchasing in a JIT manufacturing environment is used to illus trate this approach. The results of this approach point to its flexibi lity for use in vendor negotiations.