Seafood preprocessing centres in India: an assessment using life cycle assessment and data envelopment analysis

Purpose The notion of efficiency in business operations generally focuses on both operational and ecological impacts. Individual assessments are critical considering the mutual dependence of both these impacts. Traditional evaluative techniques often produce erratic results when undesirable outputs (UOs), such as emissions and pollutants, are directly included to evaluate efficiency. To provide a comprehensive assessment of performance efficiency, this study applies a proposed framework in seafood pre-processing centres in India. Design/methodology/approach A framework comprising life cycle assessment (LCA) and data envelopment analysis (DEA) is developed and applied to assess performance efficiency comprising both ecological and operational efficiency. To assess the inclusion of UOs generated, four standalone integrative models identified from literature are examined, using the case addressed in this study. Findings Analysis reveals (1) the average carbon footprint of pre-processed seafood. (2) Better performance of the slack-based measure of efficiency model (SBM) with UO using the nonlinear approach compared to other models. (3) Influence of electricity consumption and operation costs on efficiency scores, as determined through sensitivity analysis. Research limitations/implications Outcomes highlight significant improvements in operational efficiency and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. The outcomes highlight the need for enhanced waste management, energy efficiency and cold chain infrastructure. The outcomes also contribute to sustainability development goals (SDG) emphasizing the need for adequate policies. Originality/value Conclusions highlight the uniqueness of the framework, which integrates LCA and DEA. The results provide a valuable reference for policymakers and stakeholders, enabling them to adopt the proposed framework and minimise resource consumption and environmental impacts.