Academic Mapping of The Application of Non-Parametric Methods for Efficiency Evaluation With Bootstrap Resampling

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the evolution, trends, and gaps in the scientific literature that integrates Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and the Bootstrap statistical technique, aiming to map both methodological and applied developments, as well as to identify key authors, themes, and areas of application in international literature. Theoretical Framework: The theoretical background relies on the foundations of efficiency measurement introduced by Farrell (1957) and expanded by Charnes, Cooper, and Rhodes (1978) with the CCR model, which established DEA. The study also highlights methodological advances by Simar and Wilson (1996, 1998, 2000, 2007), who incorporated the Bootstrap method to overcome limitations such as the lack of statistical inference, sensitivity to noise, and frontier bias. Additionally, it discusses the expansion of DEA applications across various sectors, including health, energy, finance, public management, sustainability, and industry. Method: The methodological approach consists of a systematic bibliometric review using the Web of Science and Scopus databases. Searches were restricted to the period 1996–2025, employing the descriptors “DEA” AND “Bootstrap”. The PRISMA protocol was applied to ensure transparency and reproducibility. Data analysis was conducted using Bibliometrix (R) and VOSviewer to generate descriptive metrics, co-authorship networks, keyword co-occurrence patterns, thematic evolution, and conceptual structure maps. Results and Discussion: Results identified 1329 eligible articles, revealing an annual growth rate of approximately 9.9%. China, Spain, and the United States emerged as leading producers. Simar and Wilson were the most influential authors, emphasizing the predominance of methodological studies. Thematic analyses revealed two major axes: (i) methodological advances in DEA-Bootstrap; and (ii) sectoral applications, particularly in health, energy, and sustainability. Conceptual maps and co-occurrence networks highlight increasing thematic diversification and geographic expansion, especially in Asian countries. Research Implications: The findings strengthen the role of DEA-Bootstrap as a robust tool for efficiency analysis, while also identifying promising areas for future research, including environmental sustainability, public health, and urban systems. The results offer valuable insights for researchers, public managers, and policymakers, supporting more informed decisions and methodological choices in performance evaluation. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by providing the most comprehensive and up-to-date mapping of the combined application of DEA and Bootstrap. It reveals research trajectories, scholarly networks, knowledge gaps, and emerging trends. Its value lies in integrating quantitative and structural analyses to deliver a strategic overview of the field and guide future research agendas.