Locational Efficiency Analysis of Animal Hospitals Using DEA

In recent years, the veterinary industry in Korea has experienced rapid growth, driven by the increase in single-person households and the expansion of companion animal culture, with pet ownership now accounting for approximately 30% of the population. However, the sharp rise in the number of animal hospitals has intensified competition, resulting in an increasing number of closures and highlighting the importance of location selection as a key factor for business performance. This study focuses on Seoul, the city with the highest proportion of single-person households, and selects representative administrative districts from the top 10 boroughs as the research area. Indicators such as population density, floating population, number of officially appraised land lots, number of animal hospitals, and average official land price were utilized. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) models, including the CCR, BCC, and SBM models, were applied to measure efficiency and super-efficiency. The results show that Ilwon 1-dong in Gangnam-gu and Gil-dong in Gangdong-gu exhibited high efficiency, while Wirye-dong in Songpa-gu recorded low efficiency. Furthermore, the super-efficiency analysis revealed that Bongcheon-dong in Gwanak-gu achieved the highest score, indicating a strong concentration effect relative to the limited number of hospitals. This study empirically examines the efficiency of animal hospital locations and provides a foundation for balanced veterinary service provision and opening strategies, while also suggesting applicability to other service industries requiring location analysis.