Environmental performance evaluation with big data: theories and methods

Traditional theories and methods for comprehensive environmental performance evaluation are challenged by the appearance of big data because of its large quantity, high velocity, and high diversity, even though big data is defective in accuracy and stability. In this paper, we first review the liter...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annals of operations research 2018-11, Vol.270 (1-2), p.459-472
Main Authors: Song, Ma-Lin, Fisher, Ron, Wang, Jian-Lin, Cui, Lian-Biao
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analysis
Big Data
Big Data Analytics in Operations & Supply Chain Management
Business and Management
Combinatorics
Data envelopment analysis
Data management
Ecological footprint
Ecological monitoring
Environmental management
Environmental performance
Environmental protection
Environmental sustainability
Life cycle analysis
Life cycle assessment
Life cycle engineering
Literature reviews
Operations research
Operations Research/Decision Theory
Performance evaluation
Stability
Studies
Theory of Computation
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Traditional theories and methods for comprehensive environmental performance evaluation are challenged by the appearance of big data because of its large quantity, high velocity, and high diversity, even though big data is defective in accuracy and stability. In this paper, we first review the literature on environmental performance evaluation, including evaluation theories, the methods of data envelopment analysis, and the technologies and applications of life cycle assessment and the ecological footprint. Then, we present the theories and technologies regarding big data and the opportunities and applications for these in related areas, followed by a discussion on problems and challenges. The latest advances in environmental management based on big data technologies are summarized. Finally, conclusions are put forward that the feasibility, reliability, and stability of existing theories and methodologies should be thoroughly validated before they can be successfully applied to evaluate environmental performance in practice and provide scientific basis and guidance to formulate environmental protection policies.
ISSN:0254-5330
1572-9338
DOI:10.1007/s10479-016-2158-8