Determining the effectiveness of countries in combating pandemics: COVID-19 case

Abstract

The aim of this study is to develop a multidimensional integrated efficiency analysis (MDIEA) model to be implemented when a pandemic breaks out. The first phase of the model involved the determination of input and output criteria that might affect the course of combat against the pandemic. Two methods were employed in the second phase: the CRITIC method, which uses objective values to determine criteria weights; and, the Fuzzy SWARA method, which is based on subjective values and decision-makers opinions due to the assumption that the criteria might not be determined precisely and completely. The subjective and objective criteria weights obtained from these two methods were combined using the SOWIA method so that integrated criteria weights could be determined. In the third phase, three separate efficiency rankings were obtained using EATWOS, OCRA, and FDEA methods depending on the criteria weights. In the fourth phase, these efficiency rankings were combined by employing the TPOP method to obtain one single precise ranking. The previous studies mostly analyzed the efficiency of countries by using one single efficiency method, where, the model proposed in this study determines countries’ efficiency by employing three different efficiency analysis methods together; it makes use of different points of view and different calculation procedures of different methods. As another aspect, rural population ratio, diabetes prevalence rate, proportion of the population over 65 years old, number of intensive care beds and number of vaccine doses are study-specific criteria, unlike other studies. The present study is expected to contribute to the literature since it is the first study that proposes a model to evaluate the performances of countries during pandemics. The proposed model was implemented to assess OECD countries’ efficiency in their fight against COVID-19, which was a prevailing crisis worldwide. When all the obtained results are considered, it is difficult to claim that one single criterion is effective in combating the pandemic. For an effective fight against the pandemic, it is of great importance to keep the rate of infection and therefore the number of infected people under control. It is also possible for countries to change their policies or adopt stricter policies to contain the spread of the virus.