Beyond Structural Equation Modelling in Tourism Research: fuzzy set/qualitative comparative analysis (fs/QCA) and data envelopment analysis (DEA)

This chapter discusses the methods of applying both the data envelopment analysis (DEA) and fuzzy set/qualitative comparative analysis (fs/QCA) in tourism research. Unlike conventional quantitative methods in social sciences, research such as system of regression and multivariate procedures are mostly based on frequency and consistency thresholds. The basis of fuzzy set analysis is the fact that there is no “single correct answer”. Indeed, fuzzy sets fill the gap between qualitative and quantitative methods of measurement, and QCA is one of the few methods that cover “limited diversity”. This method addresses the shortcoming of most traditional methods which presume that causal conditions are “independent” constructs and the impact on the outcome variable are both additive and linear. In addition, DEA is a nonparametric quantitative data analysis method that is used to examine the relationship between inputs to a production process and the outputs of that process. It acts as a mathematical programming technique to develop and provide the best possible solutions. This chapter shows that application of fuzzy set/QCA (fs/QCA) and DEA method in Asian tourism research would yield a fruitful contribution to the literature.