Quantitative Methods For Management

This book focuses on the use of quantitative methods for both business and management, helping readers understand the most relevant quantitative methods for managerial decision-making. Pursuing a highly practical approach, the book reduces the theoretical information to a minimum, so as to give full prominence to the analysis of real business problems. Each chapter includes a brief theoretical explanation, followed by a real-life managerial case that needs to be solved, which is accompanied by a corresponding Microsoft Excel® dataset. The practical cases and exercises are solved using Excel, and for each problem, the authors provide an Excel file with the complete solution and corresponding calculations, which can be downloaded easily from the book’s website. Further, in an appendix, readers can find solutions to the same problems, but using the R statistical language. The book represents a valuable reference guide for postgraduate, MBA and executive education students, as it offers a hands-on, practical approach to learning quantitative methods in a managerial context. It will also be of interest to managers looking for a practical and straightforward way to learn about quantitative methods and improve their decision-making processes.

An accessible introduction to the essential quantitative methods for making valuable business decisions Quantitative methods-research techniques used to analyze quantitative data-enable professionals to organize and understand numbers and, in turn, to make good decisions. Quantitative Methods: An Introduction for Business Management presents the application of quantitative mathematical modeling to decision making in a business management context and emphasizes not only the role of data in drawing conclusions, but also the pitfalls of undiscerning reliance of software packages that implement standard statistical procedures. With hands-on applications and explanations that are accessible to readers at various levels, the book successfully outlines the necessary tools to make smart and successful business decisions. Progressing from beginner to more advanced material at an easy-to-follow pace, the author utilizes motivating examples throughout to aid readers interested in decision making and also provides critical remarks, intuitive traps, and counterexamples when appropriate. The book begins with a discussion of motivations and foundations related to the topic, with introductory presentations of concepts from calculus to linear algebra. Next, the core ideas of quantitative methods are presented in chapters that explore introductory topics in probability, descriptive and inferential statistics, linear regression, and a discussion of time series that includes both classical topics and more challenging models. The author also discusses linear programming models and decision making under risk as well as less standard topics in the field such as game theory and Bayesian statistics. Finally, the book concludes with a focus on selected tools from multivariate statistics, including advanced regression models and data reduction methods such as principal component analysis, factor analysis, and cluster analysis. The book promotes the importance of an analytical approach, particularly when dealing with a complex system where multiple individuals are involved and have conflicting incentives. A related website features Microsoft Excel® workbooks and MATLAB® scripts to illustrate concepts as well as additional exercises with solutions. Quantitative Methods is an excellent book for courses on the topic at the graduate level. The book also serves as an authoritative reference and self-study guide for financial and business professionals, as well as readers looking to reinforce their analytical skills.

Thoroughly revised and updated for Excel®, this second edition of Quantitative Methods in Health Care Management offers a comprehensive introduction to quantitative methods and techniques for the student or new administrator. Its broad range of practical methods and analysis spans operational, tactical, and strategic decisions. Users will find techniques for forecasting, decision-making, facility location, facility layout, reengineering, staffing, scheduling, productivity, resource allocation, supply chain and inventory management, quality control, project management, queuing models for capacity, and simulation. The book's step-by-step approach, use of Excel, and downloadable Excel templates make the text highly practical. Praise for the Second Edition "The second edition of Dr. Ozcan's textbook is comprehensive and well-written with useful illustrative examples that give students and health care professionals a perfect toolkit for quantitative decision making in health care on the road for the twenty-first century. The text helps to explain the complex health care management problems and offer support for decision makers in this field." Marion Rauner, associate professor, School of Business, Economics, and Statistics, University of Vienna. "Quantitative Methods in Health Care Administration, Second Edition covers a broad set of necessary and important topics. It is a valuable text that is easy to teach and learn from." David Belson, professor, Department of Industrial Engineering, Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California.

The new edition of this highly successful and popular textbook is a comprehensive, easy-to-follow guide to using and interpreting all the quantitative techniques that students will encounter in their later business and financial careers; from fundamental principles through to more advanced applications. Topics are explained in a clear, friendly step-by-step style, accompanied by examples, exercises and activities, making the text ideal for self-tuition or for the student with no experience or confidence in working with numbers. This highly successful learning-by-doing approach, coupled with the book's clear structure, will enable even the most maths-phobic student to understand these essential mathematical skills. Comprehensive in both its scope of coverage and the range of abilities it caters for, this remains a core textbook for undergraduate students of business, management and finance, for whom Quantitative Methods modules will be a key component. It will also appeal to those on related MBA and postgraduate courses. New to this Edition: - Business Modelling 'Moving on...' feature with integrated web and book activities to promote student engagement with the application of mathematical techniques in real-life workplaces - Extensive revamp of two Statistics chapters based on student and lecturer feedback - Crucial updated practical guides to using Excel and SPSS - Integrated companion website resources helps relate theory to real world examples

Due to the lack of mathematical sophistication of business students, the management science is difficult for both students and professors. Quantitative Methods for Management, 3e attempts to reduce these difficulties by providing a student-oriented approach to the material, with more emphasis on application (how it works) and problem recognition (when it works) and less on derivation (why it works).

Quantitative Methods in Supply Chain Management presents some of the most important methods and tools available for modeling and solving problems arising in the context of supply chain management. In the context of this book, “solving problems” usually means designing efficient algorithms for obtaining high-quality solutions. The first chapter is an extensive optimization review covering continuous unconstrained and constrained linear and nonlinear optimization algorithms, as well as dynamic programming and discrete optimization exact methods and heuristics. The second chapter presents time-series forecasting methods together with prediction market techniques for demand forecasting of new products and services. The third chapter details models and algorithms for planning and scheduling with an emphasis on production planning and personnel scheduling. The fourth chapter presents deterministic and stochastic models for inventory control with a detailed analysis on periodic review systems and algorithmic development for optimal control of such systems. The fifth chapter discusses models and algorithms for location/allocation problems arising in supply chain management, and transportation problems arising in distribution management in particular, such as the vehicle routing problem and others. The sixth and final chapter presents a short list of new trends in supply chain management with a discussion of the related challenges that each new trend might bring along in the immediate to near future. Overall, Quantitative Methods in Supply Chain Management may be of particular interest to students and researchers in the fields of supply chain management, operations management, operations research, industrial engineering, and computer science.

This concise and accessible textbook covers all of the key quantitative methods needed to solve everyday business problems. Les Oakshott’s clear and friendly writing style guides students from basic statistics, through to advanced topics, such as hypothesis testing and time series, as well as operational research techniques such as linear programming and inventory management. Step-by-step instructions and accompanying activities will help students to practice and gain confidence in carrying out techniques. The book’s coverage is fully grounded within the real world of business. Real-life case studies open every chapter and numerous examples throughout demonstrate why quantitative techniques are needed for a business to be successful. An ideal textbook for undergraduate students of business, management and finance, it is also widely used by MBA students and postgraduates.

Quantitative Methods for the Project Manager is for professional project managers who need to know how to make everyday use of numerical analysis. It combines theory and practices and is designed to be easily applied.

Quantitative Methods for Business: The A-Z of QM will enable readers to: *Appreciate the significance of quantitative methods for businesses and the study of business *Understand and apply a wide range of quantitative techniques *Select appropriate quantitative techniques for data analysis, problem solving and decision making *Interpret and communicate the results of quantitative analysis