Evaluation of Chinese natural gas investment along the Belt and Road Initiative using super slacks-based measurement of efficiency method

Abstract Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) provides new opportunity for China to enhance the security of natural gas but with potential challenges. The objective of this study was to scientifically assess China's natural gas investment (NGI) along BRI so as to improve its investment performance. We used the super slacks-based measurement of efficiency (SE-SBM) method to construct a linear programming model for NGI performance considering the resource status, political situation, eco-tech environment, social conditions, market quality, and international cooperation. The mean value of NGI from 2003 to 2013 was used to classify countries along BRI into three clusters, namely high, middle and low efficiency zones. Combined with scale of returns and the dual price analysis of input factors, we put forward the improvement path of NGI in target countries in different zones.