bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ANALYZING GEOGRAPHICALLY DISCRETE WAREHOUSING NETWORKS BY COMPUTER SIMULATION*
Authors: Markland Robert E.
Published: June 2007

This paper describes a comprehensive simulation modeling approach to the problem of locating warehousing facilities in a fashion that minimizes the cost associated with operating a multi‐product, multi‐source, multi‐destination distribution system. The digital simulation model presented in the study is derived within an “industrial dynamics” framework, utilizes input from an existing management information system, and employs a number of relatively simple heuristic procedures to analyze various alternative warehousing networks. Simulation results, in terms of the distribution costs associated with various warehouse locations, are presented for cases involving the effect of provision of a 100% service level, the effect of constraining product availability and/or inventory capacities at various warehouses, and the effect of deleting various warehouses from the existing warehouse network.
A DYNAMIC PROGRAMMING MODEL FOR PERIODICAL SELECTION
Authors: Rothstein Marvin
Published: June 2007

This paper presents a model for choosing the periodical collection in a reading room. The model consists of two stages. In the first stage the probability distribution of contacts by users with a given periodical is developed and employed to determine the utility of the periodical. In the second stage the problem of choosing an optimum periodical collection is formulated as a capital budgeting problem and solved with the aid of dynamic programming. The implementation of this model at the University of Connecticut is described in detail.
APPLICATION AND IMPLEMENTATION
Authors: Kefalas Asterios , Schoderbek Peter P.
Published: June 2007

Organizations are in constant interaction with their environment. This phenomenon has been termed in the literature as the environment‐organizational interface. An organization acquires information concerning changes in its environment via some scanning system. This paper presents the results of an empirical investigation of the scanning process. The relationships of scanning to different environmental states is discussed and various propositions advanced. Different environmental states (stable versus dynamic) are moderated by the determinants of hierarchical levels and functional specialties in the firm.
EDUCATION
Authors: McMillan Claude , Plane Donald R.
Published: June 2007

The power of an integer programming approach—and more particularly a 0,1 programming approach—to resource allocation problems is not widely appreciated. Recent developments in mathematical programming and in problem formulation enable decision makers to deal explicitly with the special conditions which characterize real world problems in capital budgeting, scheduling, and facilities planning. In this paper, somewhat tutorial in nature, we seek to demonstrate formulation and solution of an equipment selection resource allocation problem with several special conditions. The problem can be solved on any reasonably equipped computer system. Sensitivity studies are also performed and discussed.
EXPRESSED STUDENT ATTITUDE TOWARD CONVENTIONAL VERSUS COMPUTER SUPPLEMENTED INSTRUCTION
Authors: Gray Clifford F.
Published: June 2007

This paper describes studies concerning computer supplemented exercises using an exponentially weighted moving average forecast simulator. Student attitudes toward the concepts school, lecture method of teaching, the computer supplementary exercises, and the value of the computer are examined. The fact that students perceive the computer as the vehicle for bringing more realistic problems to the classroom suggests that the future “mix” of pedagogical approaches will include more computer supplemented instruction.
STOCHASTIC DOMINANCE AS A RISK ANALYSIS CRITERION*
Authors: Porter R. Burr , Carey Kenneth
Published: June 2007

This paper discusses the Stochastic Dominance (SD) approach to the evaluation of risky assets. Given a set of portfolios, the familiar EV procedure chooses a set of EV‐efficient portfolios while the SD procedures choose SD‐efficient sets that usually are quite similar to (but not identical with) the EV‐efficient set. The SD approach can be employed as a refinement of the EV model or as an alternative method of evaluating portfolios. The SD view has certain conceptual advantages in the screening of a set of portfolios, but the EV model has the important advantage of an optimizing algorithm that builds efficient portfolios. Also, the SD approach requires more data than the EV approach.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTEGRATIVE CURRICULUM IN AN UNDERGRADUATE BUSINESS PROGRAM*
Authors: Logue Dennis E. , Merville Larry J.
Published: June 2007

This paper describes how the core portion of the undergraduate business program at Indiana University was revised to facilitate integration of basic functionally oriented decision making skills and thus help students gain a deeper understanding of the interdependence of business decisions. It relates, in essence, why and how a single computer‐oriented case study which demanded a solution to a large‐scale, unified finance‐marketing‐production problem was used at Indiana University, mentions how we plan to accomplish further integration of functional material, and provides some insight into student reaction to what was, in fact, a massive project from both student and administrative points of view.
THE ECONOMICS OF DECOMPOSITION: RESOURCE ALLOCATION VS TRANSFER PRICING
Authors: Burton R. M. , Damon W. W. , Loughridge D. W.
Published: June 2007

Two distinctively different decomposition algorithms have been developed. Both are analagous to decentralized decision making in the firm. One essentially deals with the allocation of corporate resources by the use of transfer prices charged to the divisions, while the other deals with the direct allocation of fixed quantities of the corporate resources to each division. The analogy of a price coordinated, or transfer pricing, technique to decentralization was developed by Baumol and Fabian [1] and later by Kim [4]. The second approach to decomposition was developed by Kornai and Liptak [5] [6] in an attempt to formulate the planning problem in a Socialist economy. It is the purpose of this paper to develop the analogy of the resource allocation decomposition to decentralized decision making.
HOTEL OVERBOOKING AS A MARKOVIAN SEQUENTIAL DECISION PROCESS*
Authors: Rothstein Marvin
Published: June 2007

This paper deals with the problems of hotel overbooking and the scientific determination of hotel booking policies. The general hotel reservations system is described, and a Markovian sequential decision model is proposed for it. An application of the model is presented, based on an actual sample of hotel data. Because of the significance of the cancellation phenomena in the sample, the model prescribes a substantial amount of overbooking. The paper concludes with comments regarding the necessity for and course of future research in this area.
A SECTIONING SEARCH APPROACH TO AGGREGATE PLANNING OF PRODUCTION AND WORK FORCE
Authors: Goodman David A.
Published: June 2007

The use of search and heuristic methods as a means of solving nonlinear aggregate planning models has been given considerable attention in recent years. A few of these methods have shown promising results. In this paper a sectioning search procedure is explored as an alternative means of solving nonlinear aggregate planning models. Application is made to two test cases, and the results are compared with those of other solution methods.
EVALUATING MULTIPLE CRITERIA—MODELS FOR TWO‐CRITERIA SITUATIONS
Authors: Smith Lee H. , Lawless Robert W. , Shenoy Bhamy
Published: June 2007

A general procedure is given for evaluating various alternatives (e.g., investments, projects, systems, etc.) involving two criteria of evaluation. The method involves the detailed questioning of decision makers as to preferences between various combinations of pre‐selected sets of alternatives under various conditions. From the responses to such questions, a mathematical function which can be applied repeatedly for implementing choices between other alternatives is established. An example of the application of the procedure is given, along with discussion of certain ramifications of the example. In addition to the specific application, potential extensions of the technique are discussed briefly.
ADVERTISING DECISION RULES FOR MARKET SHARE MODELS
Authors: Weinberg Charles B.
Published: June 2007

This paper develops rules for setting advertising budgets when long term effects of advertising and competitive promotional spending are considered in a market share model. In both deterministic and probabilistic cases, a firm's optimal advertising budget is shown to be relatively insensitive to the level of competitive advertising. The key determinant of the advertising level is long run expected profit, and the budgeting rule developed is to spend a constant percentage of long run profit on advertising. Reasons for this result are explored.
CONSTRAINED DECISION CRITERIA1
Authors: Schenkerman Stanley
Published: June 2007

The choice of a suitable decision criterion is a difficult decision for many decision makers. In general, each criterion selects a different optimal act, each having its own appealing features. This paper proposes an approach allowing the decision maker to incorporate multiple criteria into an easily solved mathematical programming model whose solution is the optimal act. Optimality is defined by the objective function used in the model. The constraints embody the decision maker's anxieties and minimal desires.
THE STRUCTURE OF A STUDENT PROJECT COURSE
Authors: Chervany Norman L. , Heinen J. Stephen
Published: June 2007

This paper describes the objectives, operating structure, and evaluation of a course entitled Operations Analysis and Management (OAM) 8–159, Quantitative Approaches to Administrative Problems. The purpose is to present the reader with an in‐depth view of a project course in order to help an instructor decide whether or not a project course is desirable and feasible within his academic unit. Further, the paper presents some suggestions concerning what attributes are associated with a successful project course experience.
A TEACHING NOTE ON THE USE OF ASSUMPTIONS IN CASE STUDY
Authors: Harris John K.
Published: June 2007

This note describes a modification in the conventional case method of instruction. The modification, which deals with the problem caused by each student making a different set of assumptions for a given case, has successfully met the test of classroom use.
SEASONAL ADJUSTMENT FOR THE DECISION MAKER
Authors: Melnick Edward L. , Moussourakis John
Published: June 2007

A procedure is presented for removing the influence of seasonal variation from an observed time series. The procedure leads to the development of moving average filters which optimally adjust the data based upon their unique characteristics. In this paper optimal adjustments are determined by the requirements of the decision maker.
ALTERNATIVES TO EXPECTANCY THEORIES OF WORK MOTIVATION
Authors: Behling Orlando , Schriesheim Chester , Tolliver James
Published: June 2007

A number of criticisms of expectancy theory as an explanation of work effort have been raised in recent months. These criticisms are basic enough and based on sound enough evidence to warrant consideration of possible alternate frameworks for the study of work effort. Promising alternatives are: (1) Detuned Cognitive Models; (2) Acognitive Models; and (3) Combined Cognitive and Acognitive Models.
FAIRNESS IN COST ALLOCATIONS AND COOPERATIVE GAMES
Authors: Spinetto Richard D.
Published: June 2007

In an economic environment where there is a conflict of interest among several parties, the job of an adjudicator is to devise a “solution” to this conflict that is “fair” or at least acceptable to all parties. For example, a cost accountant may have to allocate the cost of a research and development division or of a common power facility to several departments—each of which makes some use of the facility. Perhaps, several firms responsible for the pollution of a lake or river may be under a court order to clean up the lake, and he must decide how to distribute this cost among the several firms. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate through the above two examples how the theory of cooperative games may be of service to such an adjudicator. However, there are several different notions of “fairness,” and the decision as to which notion of “fairness” is appropriate to which conflict situation is a decision that at this point is beyond the theory of cooperative games. By examining these different notions of fairness, a person may find himself able to distinguish features of various solution proposals which make one solution “fairer” than another.
AN EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP OF UNCERTAINTY IN THE ENVIRONMENT TO INFORMATION USED BY DECISION MAKERS*
Authors: Schroeder Roger G. , Benbasat Izak
Published: June 2007

This paper discusses the relationship between uncertainty in a decision making environment and the desired characteristics of information used for decision making. The work is aimed at providing a better understanding of the variables that affect the design of Management Information Systems. An experiment was conducted using an inventory simulator. The subjects could decide on inventory control variables and the amount and type of information to be used in monitoring system performance. The demand for inventory was an external random variable under the control of the experimenter. The experiment investigated how different demand variances affected the decision information used, the decisions made, and the resulting decision effectiveness (cost.)

It was found that decision review frequency was not affected by demand variability. However, age and degree of summary of information used were greatly affected. Subjects exposed to high variability used data with a shorter history and a higher level of detail than those exposed to low variability. It was also found that the number of reports used increased from the low to middle variance group, then decreased at very high variance. Subjects tended to “give‐up” on their information system at high variance, and they relied on additional safety stock to prevent frequent stockouts. Finally, the correlation between the information used and decision effectiveness as measured by cost was low. This result was contrary to the subjects' beliefs that more and better information produced “better” decisions. It indicates that although variability may strongly affect preferences for different types of information, the information used may not in turn affect decision performance.
IMPLICATIONS OF A MODAL‐DELAYED DISTRIBUTED LAG RESPONSE TO ADVERTISING EXPENDITURE*
Authors: Mann Don H.
Published: June 2007

This paper reviews a generalized optimal theoretic advertising model with the flexibility to account for a modal‐delayed (inverted V), distributed lag response to advertising expenditure. Three econometric techniques are used in a general test of this model. Conclusions show that models constrained to a simple exponential lag overspecify the optimal level of advertising.
QUADRATIC PREFERENCES AND GOAL PROGRAMMING
Authors: Shim Jae K. , Siegel Joel
Published: June 2007

One of the shortcomings of goal programming lies in itslinearity, assumption, specifically in the objective function. This assumption compels one to work withconstantmarginal utilities and rates of substitution. In this paper a quadratic preference function, which is more consistent with economic theory and reality, is formulated and introduced into goal programming. In an effort to facilitate the understanding of the proposed procedure, two illustrative examples—one with symmetric preferences and the other with asymmetric preferences, both applied to the objective function—are solved and compared with a goal programming solution.
A COST CENTER BASED RATE MODEL
Authors: Smith Raymond L.
Published: June 2007

The Surface Transportation Act of 1974 called for the Interstate Commerce Commission to “establish and maintain standards for determination of adequate rate levels.” The writer proposes a possible rate‐making model based on a study made of Oklahoma distribution motor carriers that is readily adaptable to other forms of surface transportation.
AN EMPIRICAL EXAMINATION OF SOCIAL POWER IN TERMS OF DECISION THEORY1
Authors: Pollard William E. , Mitchell Terence R. , Beach Lee Roy
Published: June 2007

The paper presents an extension of decision theory to the analysis of social power. The power of a person, A, over another person, B, is viewed in terms of the effect A has on B's decision. The analysis is based on the idea that B's decision regarding the performance of alternative behaviors is a function of 1) B's utility for the consequences of the behaviors and 2) B's subjective probabilities that the behaviors will lead to these consequences. In these terms, A's power over B lies in A's ability to mediate various consequences for B, contingent upon B's compliance or noncompliance.

Subjects were asked to consider eight situations in which hypothetical individuals had to make a choice between two courses of action. In each situation another person (A) was attempting to induce the hypothetical individual (B) to choose one of the alternatives, while various situational factors were influencing B to choose the other alternative. The subjects were asked to consider B's utilities and subjective probabilities in each situation and to indicate whether or not B should comply with A and to make ratings of A's power. The decision theory analysis did well in predicting whether or not subjects would indicate that B should comply with A. Also, subjects generally were able to correctly specify whether A or the situational factors had more influence over B's decision. Finally, the subjects' ratings of A's power in the eight situations were highly related to the decision theoretic measure of power.
CURRICULUM INTEGRATION IN THE DECISION SCIENCES: AN EVALUATION*
Authors: Johnson George A.
Published: June 2007

Recent interest in curriculum integration in the decision sciences has led to the proposal that topics in computer science, statistics, quantitative methods, operations research, and possibly mathematics might be integrated into a single unified set of courses. Such a unification may reinforce the learning process of the student and form the basis for the eventual synthesis of tools topics with functional area decision making. This integration proposal and speculation is examined using research in learning and motivation theory, and concludes that the integration of tools concepts with functional area topics is much more promising than the integration of tools topics alone. A pair of example course integrations is provided to illustrate in detail the application of learning and motivation principles to tools‐into‐functions curriculum integration.
CONFIDENCE INTERVALS FOR ABSORBING MARKOV CHAIN PROBABILITIES APPLIED TO LOAN PORTFOLIOS
Authors: Karson Marvin J. , Wrobleski William J.
Published: June 2007

The problem of estimating steady state absorption probabilities for first order stationary Markov chains having a finite state space is examined. As model parameters, these probabilities are analytic functions of transition probabilities Q and R, and they can be represented as P= (I‐Q)‐1R. Estimators P̌ may be obtained by replacing the transition probabilities by their maximum likelihood estimators Q and Ř under multinomial theory. Using large sample multivariate normal theory, one can derive the asymptotic distribution of these estimators and can obtain large sample confidence intervals. Finally, an application related to estimating loss reserves for an installment loan portfolio assumed to satisfy a Markov chain is discussed.
LEARNING WITH DETERMINISTIC DECISION RULES
Authors: Hadar Josef
Published: June 2007

While many problems of uncertainty are commonly analyzed by means of stochastic models, under certain circumstances this may not be an appropriate approach. The latter situation arises when the decision maker knows that the uncertain variables are not generated by a stochastic process, or when he is unwilling, or unable, to compute subjective probabilities. One of the nonstochastic approaches to uncertainty is the expectational approach in which the decision maker forms deterministic expectations about the uncertain aspects of his environment.

This paper is concerned with some criteria for selecting among available expectations, or anticipations functions, and the possibility of ordering them according to these criteria. This study focuses especially on the learning criterion. The discussion brings out conceptual problems in connection with the definition of learning, as well as some technical difficulties that one encounters when attempting to compare different anticipations functions from the point of view of the learning criterion. As an illustration of the issues discussed, the paper reports on the results of some simulated decision rules. These show that decision rules in which no learning takes place, and in which some information is ignored, may perform better than more sophisticated rules.
USING RESIDUAL ANALYSIS TO SEARCH FOR SPECIFICATION ERRORS*
Authors: Gipe George W.
Published: June 2007

The author generated several residual patterns under controlled conditions in order to observe the effects of various specification errors. The results and their interpretation are presented in this article extending the work of Richards [3]. A list of conditions which affect the residual pattern resulting from the misspecifications is included.
AN ANALYSIS OF PORTFOLIO REVISION STRATEGIES UTILIZING VARIABLE REVISION INTERVALS*
Authors: Nast Donald A. , Philippatos George C.
Published: June 2007

This paper investigates portfolio revision with an emphasis on the decision of when to revise. A statistical technique based on the sequential analysis of the time series of portfolio return relatives determines when revision is to occur. The technique detects changes in the time series which are an indication that the underlying generating process of the time series has changed and that the portfolio should be, if necessary, revised. Thus, the length of the revision interval is variable and a function of the data. The statistical technique is utilized in conjunction with three portfolio revision strategies. These three revision strategies are compared to a buy and hold policy over three nonoverlapping, 12‐year investment horizons. The basis of comparison is the net terminal values which include adjustments for transaction costs and taxes. The sensitivity of the statistical technique to its parameters is also analyzed.
THE EFFECTS OF INTERDISCIPLINARY EDUCATIONAL FORMATS ON CONCEPT RETENTION AND PROBLEM–SOLVING ABILITY*
Authors: Ault David , Rutman Gilbert
Published: June 2007

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of different interdisciplinary problem‐oriented formats on a student's knowledge of and retention of disciplinary concepts and principles, his application of these concepts and principles to disciplinary problems, and his use of a discipline in his analysis of a complex problem. Performances of students enrolled in the experimental sections were compared to those of students enrolled in standard lecture‐discussion sections. Regression analysis was used to analyze students' performance in order to control the effects of differences in student backgrounds.

It was found that altering the pedagogical format and reward system within the experimental sections had no significant effect upon student performances in the experimental, problem‐oriented program. In general, this study indicates that students taught in the standard lecture‐discussion format in which grades are determined by examination over course material retain concepts and principles, apply these concepts and principles to disciplinary problems, and integrate disciplinary concepts into their analysis of complex problems as well as, if not better than, students taught in an interdisciplinary, problem‐solving format.
EXPLORING MARKET PRICING STRATEGIES VIA DYNAMIC PROGRAMMING
Authors: Davis K. Roscoe , Simmons L. F.
Published: June 2007

Price determinants as well as strategies can be studies by use of simulation, particularly if cost and price relationships can be related to market activity [1] [9] [11]. But, through the use of dynamic programming, given the market conditions, one can extend the analysis to include an optimal strategy.

This paper describes a dynamic programming approach to studying price strategy. A model is developed to show that in a market characterized by cost/volume and price/volume relationships, profitability can be extended beyond that resulting from a dominant market strategy to an optimal maximizing strategy. Extension of the model is suggested for studying (a) sensitivity of a strategy (solution) to price level and cost changes, (b) optimal timing of withdrawal, and (c) present value analysis.
THE NEW BREAK‐POINT METHOD OF IDENTIFYING A COST ORIENTED MARKET BOUNDARY
Authors: Kuo Kung‐Mo , Constantin James A.
Published: June 2007

Traditional methods of identifying cost‐oriented market boundaries have three fundamental deficiencies. They assume transportation charges are proportional to distance. Second, where non‐proportional cost‐distance relationships are considered, a high degree of abstraction, generally stopping at the purely theoretical level, is present. Third, because of the time consuming and tedious work required, they appear to be operationally unfeasible.

The method presented in this paper accommodates certain non‐linear transportation cost‐distance relationships and is operationally feasible in cost‐oriented market area analyses.
MANAGERIAL DECISION MAKING UNDER INTRANSITIVE CONDITIONS: AN INTERNATIONAL STUDY OF THE VOTER'S PARADOX
Authors: Cummings Larry L. , Harnett Donald L. , Hamner W. Clay
Published: June 2007

Researchers and scholars have been concerned for many years with the normative aspects of amalgamating individual preferences to form a group decision. The present paper studies how managers actually make decisions involving intransitive preference functions by examining how the Voter's Paradox Conflict (VPC) is actually resolved by homogeneous groups of subjects from five different populations (Denmark, England, Switzerland, U.S. Private, and U.S. Military). The results showed that level of cooperation, the reward structure (real versus imaginary money), and experience with the VPC are the major factors relating to the solution obtained. Nationality differences explained little of the variance in decision outcomes. Intrasitivity in preferences seems to be handled similarly by executives in the countries studied. Interpretations are drawn in the context of cooperative and competitive decision theory and for cross‐cultural decision research.
THE MANAGEMENT OF WILDERNESS AREAS: A SIMULATION MODEL
Authors: Smith V. Kerry , Webster David B. , Heck Norman A.
Published: June 2007

This paper describes a travel simulation model developed to analyze the effects of alternative management practices on the quality of low‐density recreation experiences. The model represents the first attempt to represent the travel behavior of wilderness recreationists in a format consistent with the analysis of management policy. The model can accommodate large scale areas and has been applied to the Spanish Peaks Area in Montana and the Desolation Wilderness in California. It is illustrated with a simple example. Experience with the framework suggests that it can function as an instrument for managerial policy with wilderness areas.
A NOTE ON RIDGE REGRESSION
Authors: Smith V. Kerry
Published: June 2007

The purpose of this paper is to show that ridge regression is a special case of the class of mixed estimators. This derivation permits a convenient interpretation of the ridge constant. It also allows for a better understanding of the divergence between the theoretical results for the ridge estimator and recent sampling evidence, and suggests a new means of selecting of ridge constant.
MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS PLANNING UNDER UNCERTAINTY
Authors: Whybark D. Clay , Williams J. Gregg
Published: June 2007

This paper presents a framework for characterizing and studying the uncertainty which can affect inventory investment and service level performance in a material requirements planning (MRP) system. It also presents the results of a simulation experiment which compared two techniques (safety stock and safety lead time) for building inventory to protect against uncertainty. The simulation results disclose consistent differences between the techniques in protecting a representative part against timing and quantity uncertainty in both demand and supply for the part. The paper not only provides some initial insights into the behavior of MRP systems under uncertainty, but also establishes some guidelines for choosing between safety stock and safety lead time.
THE SYNTHESIS OF HIERARCHICAL STRUCTURES: TECHNIQUE AND APPLICATIONS
Authors: Waller Robert J.
Published: June 2007

Hierarchical structures are an important property of all complex systems and play an important role in the decision and policy sciences. The methodology described in this paper provides a systematic and efficient approach to the synthesis of hierarchies, regardless of their size or intricacy. Two applications are briefly discussed, and other applications are suggested.
START UP OR LEARNING CURVES–SOME NEW APPROACHES
Authors: Pegels C. Carl
Published: June 2007

The traditional start up or learning curve is presented in a somewhat different way to encourage increased application of the start up curve as a useful tool for management planning, control, and decision purposes. It is shown that the parameter estimation problem can be avoided in those situations in which the percent start up or learning is known or can be estimated.

Several interesting approaches allowing simplified computations are presented for those common situations in which (a) the point at which the marginal cost per unit stabilizes is known, (b) the cost of the first unit is known, and (c) the percent start up for both (a) and (b) is known.

The relationship between breakeven analysis and start up curves is shown, as well as the relationship between marginal cost‐revenue analysis and start up curves.
DYNAMIC OPERATING RULES FOR MOTEL RESERVATIONS
Authors: Ladany Shaul P.
Published: June 2007

When customers call a motel or a hotel to reserve a particular room (large, small, suites, single‐bed, double‐bed, etc.) decisions have to be made concerning the allocation of the available rooms. This paper presents a model for determining the maximum number of specific bookings that should be made for each type of room. The objective is to maximize the expected contribution to profit per rental day. The model considers the distribution of requests for reservations over time as well as cancellations. Also included are the effects of late (unbooked) arrivals and overbookings.
THE EFFECTS OF TWO NORMATIVE STRUCTURAL INTERVENTIONS ON ESTABLISHED AND AD HOC GROUPS: IMPLICATIONS FOR IMPROVING DECISION MAKING EFFECTIVENESS1
Authors: Nemiroff Paul M. , Pasmore William A. , Ford David L.
Published: June 2007

This paper focuses on a direct comparison of consensual, nominal, and conventional decision making techniques in established and ad hoc groups. The impact of the structural interventions on group decision quality and group attitudes is examined, and the appropriateness of the techniques in various situations is discussed.
THE IMPACT OF POLLUTION CONTROL ON CONSUMER INCOME A METHODOLOGICAL STUDY
Authors: Yan Chiou‐Shuang , Chung An‐Min
Published: June 2007

This paper develops a methodology for assessing the impact of a comprehensive pollution control program on income distribution. A regional input‐output table is employed to determine the overall effect of pollution control costs on prices. These price changes, are then translated into changes in consumption expenditures by income groups, which serve as a measure of the impact on consumers.

The validity of this methodology is tested on the metropolitan Philadelphia region. It was found that the EPA air quality standards would raise the spending of middle income groups by about 3 percent as compared to about 2 percent increase for the highest and the lowest income groups.

The paper concludes with an examination of the advantages and limitations of the proposed methodology.
USING SPECTRAL ANALYSIS FOR FORECAST MODEL SELECTION
Authors: Reinmuth James E. , Geurts Michael D.
Published: June 2007

Spectral analysis can be used to determine the general class of forecasting models which should be considered for purposes of generating forecasts of a marketing time series. Power spectral estimates and cross‐spectral estimates can aid in selecting the most appropriate model when several variations of the predetermined class are under consideration.
SOME INSTRUMENTALITY‐VALENCE MODELS OF UNDERGRADUATE COLLEGE CHOICE
Authors: Connolly Terry , Vines Carol V.
Published: June 2007

This paper reports an extension of valence‐instrumentality‐expectancy (VIE) type models of organizational choice to the decision process of high school students selecting undergraduate colleges. Using questionnaire data from 714 respondents, interactive vatence‐instrumentality models correctly predicted 68% of actual choices. A number of alternative models are evaluated, and several areas for refinement and extension of this study are identified.
QUALITATIVE VARIABLE DISCRIMINANT ANALYSIS AND ITS USE IN PRODUCT VERSION SELECTION
Authors: Reinmuth James E. , Hawkins Del I.
Published: June 2007

The purpose of this article is to illustrate the use of multiple discriminant analysis in those cases in which all discriminating variables are qualitative. The authors will show that an appropriate qualitative variable discriminant analysis model is a reformulation of the Bayesian decision theoretic model. Rules for the use of multiple discriminant analysis also are suggested for the cases in which some variables are qualitative and some are measurable on at least an interval scale. The qualitative variable discriminant analysis model is illustrated as an appropriate device for selecting a product version that will minimize a manufacturer's risk of product introduction.
DECISION RULES IN PRODUCTION PLANNING UNDER CHANGE‐CONSTRAINED SALES*
Authors: Gupta S. K. , Sengupta J. K.
Published: June 2007

Alternative decision rules for aggregate production scheduling are specified here under chance‐constrained sales and compared with the HMMS model. These rules are evaluated for their performance on the basis of simulated data on sales and it is found that the linear decision rules of the HMMS model can be considerably improved.
GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION OF THE EFFECTS OF MULTICOLLINEARITY
Authors: Weber Jean E. , Monarchi David E.
Published: June 2007

This paper considers the effects of multicollinearity on the multiple coefficient of determination and on the standard errors of the estimated regression coefficients. Limiting results are well known for these problems, and some particular cases have been investigated. However, the limiting cases do not explain the nonmonotonic relationships that have been observed in practice. This paper explores these relationships and attempts to provide a unifying graphical explanation that includes the previous results as special cases. Implications for stepwise regression and for the interpretation of any multiple regression involving multicollinear independent variables are discussed.
COMPLIANCE WITH THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ACT: A MATHEMATICAL PROGRAMMING FRAMEWORK
Authors: Taylor Bernard W. , Davis K. Roscoe , Ryan Lanny J.
Published: June 2007

As a result of the passage of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, many employers are confronted with a multiple decision situation. The employer would like to comply with federally imposed standards as quickly as possible, but the employer must consider the budgetary limits under which he can profitably operate while achieving compliance. A goal programming model can be formulated to solve the problem. In this paper a review of the OSHA requirements is made, and a case example is presented to demonstrate the applicability of goal programming to resolving the budgetary pressure of OSHA compliance.
CORRECTING A MISCONCEPTION ABOUT EOQ
Authors: Pinney W.E.
Published: June 2007

The author discusses the well known (by faculty) but seldom articulated (to students) mathematical reason that the simple EOQ model can be optimized by equating total, rather than marginal, costs.
OPTIMAL ALLOCATIONS OF JOINT (COMMON) COSTS: A PARAMETRIC PROGRAMMING APPROACH
Authors: Jensen Robert E.
Published: June 2007

A parametric programming model for allocating joint costs is described and illustrated. Given M mutually exclusive missions and P alternative systems for accomplishing such missions, the model first determines the optimal choice of systems for all missions simultaneously. It then allocates both joint and separable costs such that no mission receives a greater cost allocation than any other mission alternative that might be suboptimal for the mission but nonoptimal when all missions are simultaneously considered. Although the model initially assumes a mission priority ranking, this assumption is relaxed later on as alternative rankings are evaluated and cost allocation ranges under all priority rankings are evaluated.
THE EFFECT OF MASCULINE AND FEMININE BRAND NAMES ON THE PERCEIVED TASTE OF A CIGARETTE *
Authors: Friedman Hershey H. , Dipple William S.
Published: June 2007

The purpose of the current study was to determine whether brand name can affect the public's evaluation of a product. All subjects smoked identical cigarettes. One group of subjects, however, knew the cigarettes by the name of “Frontiersman,” a masculine name, while the other group knew the cigarettes as “April,” a feminine name. Male and female subjects were asked to rate the cigarette on seven measures. Results show that women gave a more positive evaluation to the cigarette purportedly named “April,” while men gave a more positive evaluation to the identical cigarette when they thought it was named “Frontiersman.” In addition, women reacted more strongly than did men to brand name influence.
OPTIMIZATION THROUGH EXPERIMENTATION: APPLYING RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY
Authors: Brightman Harvey J.
Published: June 2007

The crucial steps in a quantitative analysis of a decision problem are problem formulation, model building, analysis, and implementation. Given an initial model specification, the goal of analysis is to determine the values of the controllable or decision variables that optimize the objective function. Frequently the initial model is inadequate and must be reformulated. While modeling is an evolutionary process involving art and science, under certain conditions Response Surface Methodology (RSM) is an effective vehicle for constructing and parameterizing optimization models. RSM, which draws upon the areas of experimental design, modeling, inference, and optimization, utilizes different opening and ending strategies. Through simultaneous and sequential experimentation, the approximate region of the model's maximum response is found by employing the steepest ascent method. Subsequently, the exact values of the controllable variables that maximize the model's response are determined by canonical analysis. The RSM concepts are first developed within the context of a manufacturing problem. A potential application to simulation studies is then presented.
USING MANAGEMENT GAMES AS AN AID IN TEACHING MIS DESIGN
Authors: Courtney James F. , Bierer Julia M. , Luckew Thomas G. , Kabbes John J.
Published: June 2007

As an approach to teaching management information systems, students are required to play a management game. The students become aware of information needs through participation in the decision process of the game. The student then develops an integrated system to assist in playing this management game. This new approach, the gaming method, is considered an effective way of teaching integrated systems because the intimate interrelationships between decision‐making processes and information systems can be easily illustrated.
A SIMPLE PROOF THAT DOLLAR AVERAGING IS A MAXIMIN INVESTMENT STRATEGY
Authors: Whitmore G. A.
Published: June 2007

Dollar averaging is a strategy for investment timing which hedges against purchases at the market high by investing fixed amounts at regular intervals. This note gives a simple proof that it is a maximin strategy. This result complements Pye's [2] finding that dollar averaging is a minimax regret strategy. In addition to its theoretical value, the result is an excellent classroom illustration of a real‐life application of the maximin criterion.
COST, PRICE, AND THE CONTRACTING RELATION: A CASE STUDY
Authors: Roistacher Richard C.
Published: June 2007

The paper describes the failure of a project in which a group of computer specialists tried to help a group of scholars by automating a conference registration system. Although there was a warm and personal relationship between the group liaisons, difficulties arose because there was no agreed‐on mechanism to allocate priorities and resources. The author analyzes the price and cost mechanisms which might have been used to communicate complex trade‐offs and thus avert the ensuing disaster.
A BAYESIAN ANALYSIS OF MULTIPLICATIVE TREATMENT EFFECTS WHEN TWO INDEPENDENT SAMPLES ARE OBSERVED
Authors: Menzefricke Ulrich
Published: June 2007

A Bayesian analysis of multiplicative treatment effects is given for a normally distributed population. The two samples taken, one for each treatment, are used to make inferences on the multiplicative effect. An analysis of the general problem with uneven sample sizes and prior information is rather untractable, which leads to the use of numerical integration methods. A special case for which analytical results are available is discussed. Finally, the method suggested in this paper is compared with an approach utilizing a logarithmic transformation.
SOME TESTS OF BINOMIAL PROBABILITY ASSESSMENTS
Authors: Peters William S.
Published: June 2007

A replication of the Alpert‐Raiffa probability assessment experiment is used to motivate the development of several tests for evaluating assessors. The tests permit an evaluation of an assessor's accuracy in estimating target quantities and in estimating his own uncertainty as well.

Assumption of normal subjective distributions permits the determination of subjective variances. Data from trial assessments are employed to test models which assert that assessed quantities are equal to subjectively assessed error variances. Several tests of the latter type are compared using data from individual, as well as pooled, assessors.
ANALYZING MODELS WITH MULTIPLE‐OUTCOME VARIABLES *
Authors: Ryan Michael J.
Published: June 2007

Multivariate designs have been useful in testing models with more than one output variable. This paper explains the use of the step‐down F statistic, a technique that allows a more refined analysis than does the traditional multivariate or univariate F test by examining sequential interactions among dependent variables in a multiple‐response set. An illustration is presented within the context of a laboratory experiment designed to examine a manipulation effect on a three‐variable causal chain. The example illustrates the misleading interpretation that could result without the information provided by the step‐down statistic.
QUANTITATIVE TECHNIQUES IN MARKETING: AN ASSESSMENT OF TEACHING AND USAGE PATTERNS
Authors: Capella Louis M. , Jain Subhash C.
Published: June 2007

This paper presents the perspectives of quantitative techniques in academics and practice. Based on the findings of an empirical study, the academicians and practitioners emphasize different techniques and prefer different journals for keeping abreast. This reveals the areas for curriculum improvement to orient the program toward the practitioners.
THE USE OF MODERATED REGRESSION IN JOB REDESIGN DECISIONS*
Authors: Peters William S. , Champoux Joseph E.
Published: June 2007

This paper describes the use of moderated regression in job redesign decisions. The procedures outlined are intended to augment the job redesign strategy described by Hackman and his colleagues. Different regression models based on a theory of job design are shown to lead to different job redesign decisions. Comparisons are also made between the moderated regression procedures and the more commonly used subgroups analysis.
INTRODUCING OR/MS INTO ORGANIZATIONS: NORMATIVE IMPLICATIONS OF SELECTED INDIAN EXPERIENCE*
Authors: Mohan Lakshmi , Bean Alden S.
Published: June 2007

There is considerable evidence that firms and institutions that have adopted and utilized operations research and related management sciences (OR/MS) experience severe internal disruptions and changes as the new technology is introduced. In some cases the reactions have been adverse enough to result in temporary rejection of the technology and a period of three to five years has been necessary for reintroduction of OR/MS. Such lags represent lost opportunities with attendant costs that firms and institutions can ill afford. There is obvious need to manage the introduction of OR/MS into organizations to minimize the inevitable resistances to change and to expedite institutional acceptance and practice. This paper presents a normative framework for this purpose based on four case studies of Indian implementation experience. The selected firms, which represent different sectors of industry, adopted different strategies for introduction and diffusion of OR/MS. The authors have noted several points of similarity between the Indian experience and the experience of U.S. organizations which indicate a fair measure of general validity for the proposed normative framework.
CHOOSING BETWEEN AN ADDITIVE AND A MULTIPLICATIVE MODEL OF EXPERIMENTAL EFFECTS*
Authors: Menzefricke Ulrich
Published: June 2007

An experiment is carried out, and the question is whether the experimental effect is additive or multiplicative. This paper suggests a decision‐theoretic approach to this problem of model choice when the underlying population distribution is normal.
DYNAMIC DISAGGREGATE CHOICE MODELS, WITH AN APPLICATION IN TRANSPORTATION
Authors: Krishnan K. S. , Beckmann Martin J.
Published: June 2007

A standard assumption of disaggregate mode‐choice models is that an individual faced with a choice among several available alternative transportation modes compares their utilities. These utilities are almost always expressed as a linear composite measure of various perceived benefits which are assumed constant. However, the individual's perceptions change as he learns, acquires new habits, or adapts to different physical, economic, and social circumstances. In order to account for these changes, two dynamic models of model‐choice behavior are developed herein. These two models are based on two common postulates. (1) One alternative is preferred over another only if the absolute difference in their utilities exceeds a positive constant; otherwise, the decision maker is indifferent toward the two alternatives. (2) If an alternative is preferred, it will be chosen with certainty.

In the indifference state, the individual is postulated to randomly choose one of the two alternatives (Model 1) or choose the same alternative as was most recently chosen (Model 2). Choice probabilities derived from these two models are shown to differ from those obtained using the conventional logit model. If there is a strong loyalty toward a mode, the logit model underestimates its choice probability when that mode is less attractive than the competing mode. The results are illustrated using numerical examples.