bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Solving Spreadsheet‐Based Integer Programming Models: An Example from International Telecommunications
Authors: Carraway Robert L. , Cummins J. Michael , Freeland James R. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTConsiderable effort has recently been devoted to augmenting existing spreadsheet capabilities with the power of mathematical programming. One way to accomplish this is to design mathematical programming‐based solution methodologies (most likely heuristics) that exploit existing spreadsheet capabilities. We describe how this latter approach was successfully applied to an integer programming model of an international telecommunications network.
Cognitive Fit: A Theory‐Based Analysis of the Graphs Versus Tables Literature*
Authors: Vessey Iris 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTA considerable amount of research has been conducted over a long period of time into the effects of graphical and tabular representations on decision‐making performance. To date, however, the literature appears to have arrived at few conclusions with regard to the performance of the two representations. This paper addresses these issues by presenting a theory, based on information processing theory, to explain under what circumstances one representation outperforms the other. The fundamental aspects of the theory are: (1) although graphical and tabular representations may contain the same information, they present that information in fundamentally different ways; graphical representations emphasize spatial information, while tables emphasize symbolic information; (2) tasks can be divided into two types, spatial and symbolic, based on the type of information that facilitates their solution; (3) performance on a task will be enhanced when there is a cognitive fit (match) between the information emphasized in the representation type and that required by the task type; that is, when graphs support spatial tasks and when tables support symbolic tasks; (4) the processes or strategies problem solvers use are the crucial elements of cognitive fit since they provide the link between representation and task; the processes identified here are perceptual and analytical; (5) so long as there is a complete fit of representation, processes, and task type, each representation will lead to both quicker and more accurate problem solving. The theory is validated by its success in explaining the results of published studies that examine the performance of graphical and tabular representations in decision making.
Choosing the Right Expert System Building Approach
Authors: Nelson Carl W. , Balachandra R. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTThe analytical hierarchy process (AHP) is used to systematically examine the relative appropriateness of contending expert system building approaches—algorithmic programming languages, symbolic programming languages, expert system shells, and knowledge engineering environments based upon characteristics of application domains and development environments. Two expert system projects, Back Expert, and R&D Expert, illustrate the value of this methodology. Domain and development environment characteristics identified in the AHP approach are then used to construct rule‐based and Lotus 1‐2‐3 expert systems for selecting the right expert system building approach.
A Service Quality Process Map for Credit Card Processing
Authors: Collier David A. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTEvaluating marketing (external) and operations (internal) service quality performance in most organizations is a data‐oriented management task that involves many variables for many different types of services. These two diverse sets of service quality information seldom “match up well” because the marketing and operations functions define and evaluate service quality “their way.” Management's interpretation of what the data “mean” often contributes to extra meetings, unnecessary disagreements within and between functional areas, and poor decision making. This situation can affect the quality and timing of decisions, and ultimately, the organization's profitability and market share.This paper quantitatively relates the customer's evaluation (perception) of service quality directly to the activities and performance criteria of the service delivery process for a credit card processing center. Basic statistical analyses and a recursive path analysis model define the relationships between marketing‐ and operations‐based service quality information. The idea of a “service quality process map” is introduced. A service quality process map relates a flowchart of the service delivery process to the customer's perception of service using the power of multivariate data analysis. Management insights gained from an analysis of marketing (external) and operations (internal) measures of service quality performance can be used to allocate resources wisely. The objective is to gain the most improvement in the customer's perception of service for the least cost. Service quality with this type of evaluation capability can be used to gain competitive advantage in the marketplace.
On the Creation of Acceptable Conjoint Analysis Experimental Designs
Authors: Steckel Joel H. , DeSarbo Wayne S. , Mahajan Vijay 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTConjoint analysis studies typically utilize orthogonal fractional factorial experimental designs to construct a set of hypothetical stimuli. Occasionally, these designs include environmentally correlated attributes that can lead to stimulus profiles that are not representative of the subject's environment. To date, no one has proposed a remedy well‐grounded in statistical theory. This note presents a new methodology utilizing combinatorial optimization procedures for creating modified fractional factorial designs that are as “orthogonal” as possible, which do not contain nonrepresentative stimulus profiles.
An Evaluation of Tour Scheduling Heuristics with Differences in Employee Productivity and Cost
Authors: Li Cheng , Robinson E. Powell , Mabert Vincent A. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTThis study focuses on the manpower tour scheduling problem using data from a lockbox system of a commercial bank. The lockbox system uses employees who differ in productivity, hourly cost, number of available working hours per week, and days‐off constraints. These specific problem characteristics require a more general problem formulation and solution procedure for the manpower tour scheduling problem than addressed in previous research. Four heuristic methods for solving the problem (three developed here and a simple round‐up procedure) are tested on a set of forty problems. The results of this study show the effort to develop sophisticated heuristic methods for this class of problems is well justified.
Theoretical Distributions of Optima for Univariate Discrimination of Random Data*
Authors: Yarnold Paul R. , Soltysik Robert C. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTOptimal linear discriminant models maximize percentage accuracy for dichotomous classifications, but are rarely used because a theoretical framework that allows one to make valid statements about the statistical significance of the outcomes of such analyses does not exist. This paper describes an analytic solution for the theoretical distribution of optimal values for univariate optimal linear discriminant analysis, under the assumption that the data are random and continuous. We also present the theoretical distribution for sample sizes up to N= 30. The discovery of a statistical framework for evaluating the performance of optimal discriminant models should greatly increase their use by scientists in all disciplines.
A Generalization of Wendell's Tolerance Approach to Sensitivity Analysis in Linear Programming
Authors: Wondolowski Frank R. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTA criticism of linear programming has been that the data which are available in practice are too inexact and unreliable for linear programming to properly work. Managers are therefore concerned with how much actual values may differ from the estimates that were used in the model before the results become irrelevant. Sensitivity analysis emerged to help deal with the uncertainties inherent in the linear programming model. However, the ranges calculated are generally valid only when a single coefficient is varied. An extension of sensitivity analysis, the 100 Percent Rule, allows the simultaneous variation of more than one element in a vector, but does not permit the independent variation of the elements. A tolerance approach to sensitivity analysis enables the consideration of simultaneous and independent change of more than one coefficient. However, the ranges developed are unnecessarily restricted and may be reduced in width to zero when primal or dual degeneracy exists. This paper presents an extension of the tolerance approach which reduces the limitations of both the traditional and tolerance approaches to sensitivity analysis.
Optimal Purchase and Transportation Cost Lot Sizing for a Single Item
Authors: Russell Randolph M. , Krajewski Lee J. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTA review of the literature indicates that the traditional approach for evaluating quantity discount offerings for purchased items has not adequately considered the effect that transportation costs may have on the optimal order quantity; despite the general fact that purchased materials must bear transportation charges.The transportation cost structure for less‐than‐truckload (LTL) shipments reflects sizable reductions in freight rates when the shipment size exceeds one of the nominal rate breakpoints. However, the shipper must also be aware of the opportunity to reduce total freight costs by artificially inflating the actual shipping weight to the next rate breakpoint, in order that a lower marginal tariff is achieved for the entire shipment. Such over‐declared shipments result in an effective freight rate schedule that is characterized by constant fixed charge segments in addition to the nominal marginal rates. Over‐declared shipments are economical when the shipment volume is less than the rate breakpoint, but greater than a cost indifference point between the two adjacent marginal rates.This paper presents a simple analytical procedure for finding the order quantity that minimizes total purchase costs which reflect both transportation economies and quantity discounts. After first solving for the series of indifference points that apply to a particular freight rate schedule, a total purchase cost expression is presented that properly accounts for the actual transportation cost structure. The optimal purchase order quantity will be one of the four following possibilities: (1) the valid economic order quantity (EOQ), QC; (2) a purchase price breakpoint in excess of QC; (3) a transportation rate breakpoint in excess of QC; and (4) a modified EOQ which provides an over‐declared shipment in excess of QC. Finally, an algorithm which systematically explores these four possibilities is presented and illustrated with a numerical example.
Review of Empirical Studies in Multiobjective Mathematical Programming: Subject Reflection of Nonlinear Utility and Learning
Authors: Olson David L. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTMultiple objective programming provides a means of aiding decision makers facing complex decisions where trade‐offs among conflicting objectives must be reconciled. Interactive multiobjective programming provides a means for decision makers to learn what these trade‐offs involve, while the mathematical program generates solutions that seek improvement of the implied utility of the decision maker. A variety of multiobjective programming techniques have been presented in the multicriteria decision‐making literature. This study reviews published studies with human subjects where some of these techniques were applied. While all of the techniques have the ability to support decision makers under conditions of multiple objectives, a number of features in applying these systems have been tested by these studies. A general evolution of techniques is traced, starting with methods relying upon linear combinations of value, to more recent methods capable of reflecting nonlinear trade‐offs of value. Support of nonlinear utility and enhancing decision‐maker learning are considered.
Linking Product Planning and Process Design Decisions
Authors: Kim Jay S. , Ritzman Larry P. , Benton W. C. , Snyder David L. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTManufacturing strategy reflects the goals of the business strategy and directs the manufacturing function in achieving them. In this study, we focus on two decision areas with crucial implications for manufacturing strategy: product planning and process design. Using mathematical programming models as a research tool, we test several conjectures in the manufacturing strategy literature regarding linkages between the two decisions.Our results show that a close integration between these decisions helps control the product offerings, stabilize process requirements, improve process technology choices, and increase net cash flows over time. Using the concept of environmental clusters, we found that a close linkage is more critical when the environment is more complex, less uncertain, and tighter. Based on these findings, we present some managerial implications and suggestions for future research.
Evaluating and Refining Expert Critiquing Systems: A Methodology*
Authors: Silverman Barry G. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTExpert critiquing systems are a rapidly growing class of intelligent decision support systems that apply artificial intelligence techniques to criticize a user's proposed solution to a problem. Critic programs now exist in the medical, engineering, programming, knowledge acquisition, word processing, and other domains.Critic refinement is a nontrivial activity that, even when done well, consumes a sizable fraction of the complete effort to build and deploy a critiquing system. To ease that effort, it is important to adopt a rigorous approach that allows one to reproducibly measure the degree of success of the current critic version and to predict which refinements will improve the critic further. The current article presents one such approach with actual case studies that illustrate its usage and elaborate selected aspects of the refinement process.
A Hierarchical Production Planning and Scheduling Model
Authors: Bowers Melissa R. , Jarvis James P. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTA hierarchical production planning and scheduling system is developed that integrates planning decisions into a unified and consistent framework. A three‐tiered approach is used to address long‐term inventory control, short‐term production planning, and daily scheduling tasks. A product grouping scheme introduces uniformity into the solution process and simplifies overall model complexity. Results of the model implementation are reported.
A Comparison of Reorder Point and Material Requirements Planning Inventory Control Logic*
Authors: Jacobs F. Robert , Whybark D. Clay 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTThis paper reports the results of simulation experiments that compared the inventory efficiency (i.e., the customer service level provided by a given level of inventory) for two different inventory policies. One of these policies uses time‐phased information on future demands like that found in material requirements planning (MRP) systems, while the other (the reorder point or ROP policy) relies on forecasts implicitly based on average past demands. After establishing that the MRP policies dominate for reasonable conditions, the uncertainty of the forecasts was manipulated until the policy preference was reversed. It requires a very perverse relationship between the forecast and actual demand before ROP beats MRP on inventory efficiency.
Risk Attitude, Ambiguity Intolerance and Decision Making: An Exploratory Investigation*
Authors: Ghosh Dipankar , Ray Manash R. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTAlthough recent research has identified attitudes towards ambiguity and risk to be important determinants of choice behavior [8] [18], no prior work jointly assessed the roles of both attitudes. We conducted a laboratory experiment using a real decision scenario and conducted exploratory analyses of the relationship between attitudes towards risk and ambiguity and the decision taken by the subjects. The results support the prediction that attitudes towards both risk and ambiguity affect choice behavior. Our exploratory analyses indicate interesting avenues for future research, including an examination of the decision process itself.
Interactive Multiple Objective Decision Support for Sales Force Sizing and Deployment*
Authors: Stam Antonie , Joachimsthaler Erich A. , Gardiner Lorraine R. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTAn interactive decision aid is introduced for the deployment of two sales resources: salespeople and sales support staff. The aid consists of a normative sales resource allocation model with five objectives and an interactive multiple objective programming solution procedure. The specific decision problem addressed involves the assignment of salespeople and sales support people to customer accounts and the allocation of the time they spend on these accounts. The authors contribute to the existing sales resource modeling literature by dealing with the deployment of two sales resources and interactively solving this problem with respect to five short‐run and long‐run objectives of the firm. This approach differs from existing sales force modeling efforts in which the solution is found noninteractively by optimizing a single sales resource model with respect to a single objective, often short‐run sales. An application of the decision aid to the deployment problem of an industrial sales force manager is presented. Furthermore, useful extensions of the basic sales resource allocation model are discussed.
A Rejoinder to Forman on AHP, with Emphasis on the Requirements of Composite Ratio Scales*
Authors: Schoner Bertram , Wedley William C. , Choo Eng Ung 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTIn an earlier paper [11], the problems of rank reversals and invalid composite priorities in AHP were addressed by modifications to the AHP procedure. That solution was subsequently criticized [5]. In this paper, we rebut these criticisms, and we show how rank reversals in AHP can arise merely from the process of normalizing local priorities.
On Comparing Alternative Advertising Policies of Pulsation*
Authors: Mesak Hani I. , Darrat Ali F. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTIn this paper, five alternative advertising policies that belong to the advertising pulsation class are compared analytically for linear and concave response functions using a modified version of the Vidale‐Wolfe model. The results of the research show that (1) For both linear and concave response functions, advertising pulsing/maintenance policy dominates advertising pulsing policy but is dominated by the Uniform Advertising Policy. For convex response functions, the order of dominance is reversed. (2) For linear response functions, uniform advertising policy dominates the impulse advertising policy but is dominated by the chattering advertising policy. (3) For concave response functions, uniform advertising policy dominates both the impulse advertising policy and the chattering advertising policy. (4) For convex response functions, chattering advertising policy dominates both the advertising pulsing policy and the impulse advertising policy.The Vidale‐Wolfe model is estimated using the well‐known Lydia Pinkham data. Optimality analysis shows that the company was overadvertising about half of the time studied. Overadvertising seems to have produced appreciable gain in sales and created significant barriers to competitive entry at a little cost in terms of foregone profits.
Assigning Students to Groups: A Multi‐Criteria Decision Support System Approach*
Authors: Weitz Rob R. , Jelassi M. Tawfik 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTMCADSS is a multi‐criteria allocation decision support system for assisting in the task of allocating students to groups. Based on multiple criteria, MCADSS's goal is to maximize the diversity of members within groups, while minimizing the average differences between groups. The project may be viewed from several perspectives: as a multi‐criteria decision‐making problem, as a “reverse'’clustering problem, or as a personnel assignment problem. The system is currently being used to allocate M.B.A. students into sections and study teams at The European Institute of Business Administration (INSEAD). This paper describes the rationale for MCADSS, design criteria, system methodology, and application results. It also suggests how this approach could be used for further applications.
The Interpretation of Coefficients in Models with Qualitative Dependent Variables*
Authors: LeClere Marc J. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTA substantial body of empirical accounting, finance, management, and marketing research utilizes single equation models with discrete dependent variables. Generally, the interpretation of the coefficients of the exogenous variables is limited to the sign and relative magnitude. This paper presents three methods of interpreting the coefficients in these models. The first method interprets the coefficients as marginal probabilities and the second method interprets the coefficients as elasticities of probability. The third method utilizes sensitivity analysis and examines the effect of hypothetical changes in exogenous variables on the probability of choice. This paper applies these methods to a published research study.
The Individually Responsible and Rational Decision Approach to Economic Lot Sizes for One Vendor and Many Purchasers: A Comment*
Authors: Goyal S. K. , Srinivasan G. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTJoglekar and Tharthare [6] presented an alternate approach for minimizing total inventory carrying and ordering costs of a vendor and the purchaser(s). This approach permits the vendor and the purchaser(s) to rationally select their operating policies. Joglekar and Tharthare claimed that their approach is more economical than the joint lot‐size approach. In this note we identify some conceptual issues in their approach and demonstrate the superiority of the joint lot‐size approach with the help of an example.
A Learning Curve Analysis of Expert System Use*
Authors: Fedorowicz Jane , Oz Effy , Berger Paul D. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTIn this article, we study how an expert system affects novice problem solving in a financial risk analysis domain. We demonstrate that novice performance is improved after exposure to an expert system. Further, we show that novice performance continues to improve when the system is withdrawn. By comparing learning curves for people with exposure to those without, we can assess how much the system has benefitted its users. We demonstrate a quantitative methodology to measure the increment of learning due to the use of an information technology. We also explore the issue of how expertise is transferred from the system to the user.