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Full-Text Articles in Business

The Role Of Options In Portfolio Management - Some Key Issues, Peter H. Ritchken, Gregory B. Getts, Harvey M. Salkin Apr 1984

The Role Of Options In Portfolio Management - Some Key Issues, Peter H. Ritchken, Gregory B. Getts, Harvey M. Salkin

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

A review of stock and index option pricing models, their possible misuses and limitations, and their role in portfolio management under various assumptions. A discussion of how these models may be used in conjunction with the Capital Asset Pricing Model for measuring risk and reward of optioned portfolios is also included.


Scheduling And Sequencing Algorithms, Hamilton Emmons Mar 1984

Scheduling And Sequencing Algorithms, Hamilton Emmons

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

Scheduling involves the allocation of resources over time to perform tasks and is a crucial aspect of managerial decision-making. While heuristic scheduling rules are commonly used, their effectiveness and potential alternatives are often not well understood. This memorandum explores job shop scheduling, a critical component of short-term decision-making in industrial production, and its broader applicability to sectors such as healthcare, education, and logistics. Job shop scheduling addresses detailed operations following aggregate planning, employing practical dispatching heuristics to manage dynamic, complex environments. The Shortest Processing Time (SPT) rule is highly effective for minimizing work-in-progress but may delay some orders significantly. For …


Duality, Finite Improvement And Efficiently Solved Problems, J. Franco, Daniel Solow, Hamilton Emmons Jan 1984

Duality, Finite Improvement And Efficiently Solved Problems, J. Franco, Daniel Solow, Hamilton Emmons

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

We generalize the concept of duality, known for Linear Programming, to other optimization problems and introduce finite improvement algorithms as a class of algorithms which includes the simplex method. The concept of finite improvement is interesting because such algorithms can work on non-convex problems such as the Linear Complementarity problem. Our goal is to find the relationship between finite improvement, duality and optimization problems which can be considered tractable. The study of these concepts naturally includes consideration of complementary problems (CO-NP) and data-independent and data-dependent neighborhoods. We find that the class of optimization problems with duals is the same as …


Optimum Advertising, Risk Behavior And Stochastic Dynamic Sales Response, Charles S. Tapiero Oct 1983

Optimum Advertising, Risk Behavior And Stochastic Dynamic Sales Response, Charles S. Tapiero

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

This paper provides a stochastic (diffusion) sales response model to advertising. Using this model, optimum advertising policies are found by solution of a stochastic control problem with reflection boundaries. Analytical and numerical (computer generated) results are obtained, and interpreted to yield greater insights on the stochastic effects of advertising and the sales process on firms' profitability.


A Holistic View Of Product Quality Assurance And Corporate Productivity, Arnold Reisman, Barbara Walker Oct 1983

A Holistic View Of Product Quality Assurance And Corporate Productivity, Arnold Reisman, Barbara Walker

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

This paper reviews the many facets of management's responsibility to assure quality of product and to enhance corporate productivity. In a systematic way, the paper shows the similarities and interdependencies between most if not all issues involving quality assurance and productivity at all levels of corporate management and in most of its functional areas.


Scheduling Stochastic Jobs With Due Dates On Parallel Machines, Hamilton Emmons, Michael Pinedo Sep 1983

Scheduling Stochastic Jobs With Due Dates On Parallel Machines, Hamilton Emmons, Michael Pinedo

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

Jobs with random processing times, random due dates, and weights are to be scheduled on parallel machines so as to minimize the expected total weight of tardy jobs. Under various assumptions, optimal policies are presented both for static lists and dynamic schedules, preemptive and nonpremptive. The effect of processing time variability is also investigated.


Optimization Methods In Hierarchical Holographic Modeling, Jacob Thadathil Aug 1983

Optimization Methods In Hierarchical Holographic Modeling, Jacob Thadathil

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

In this study the mathematical formulation of the hierarchical holographic modeling and solution methodology are explored. The hierarchical multiobjective optimization (HMO) methods that have been developed so far are useful mostly for the analysis of large scale systems which are controlled and managed by one planning group only. However, there does exist cases in the real world where the complex system is analyzed, planned and controlled by a multiple of constituencies, each with distinct and overlapping goals and perspectives. One decade ago, a modeling scheme termed as hierarchical overlapping coordination (HOC) scheme was introduced as a means of coordinating the …


Principles For Evaluating And Selection Of Alternative Systems, Chung-Ung Lee May 1983

Principles For Evaluating And Selection Of Alternative Systems, Chung-Ung Lee

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

The Multi Attribute Decision Making (MADM) problem arises in the selection of the most appropriate alternative from a set of very complex alternatives, such as, plans, projects, actions, tactics, strategies, products, etc. MADM methods are based on the multi-dimensionality of decision attributes. The significant advantage of the MADM method is that they avoid the rather arbitrary transformation of decision attribute values into unique monetary units. Moreover, these methods are capable of taking into account intangible attributes. But MADM methods may suffer from the degree of uncertainty, both in decision attribute values and in the weighting vector. The existence of many …


Functional Approximation Approach To Multistate Control Problems, Prasert Shusang May 1983

Functional Approximation Approach To Multistate Control Problems, Prasert Shusang

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

An iterative method for solving multistate dynamic control problems is presented. The algorithm differs from most decomposition methods currently used in the deterministic optimization of control systems. The method is described as a functional approximation of the recursive equation in dynamic programming. The basic concept is directly dependent on the Sensitivity Theorem in nonlinear programming. The method, referred to as Functional Approximation approach to multistate Control Problem (FACP) is shown to be efficient in case study for operation of multireservoir system. It results in a marked reduction in computer storage and thus directly increases the power of multistate dynamic programming …


A Network Method In The Management Of Innovative Start-Ups, Burton V. Dean Apr 1983

A Network Method In The Management Of Innovative Start-Ups, Burton V. Dean

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

This study develops, tests, and evaluates a generic network-based method for use in the management of innovative start-ups. The major tasks accomplished in each start-up, including organizational, legal and accounting, financial, R&D, market research, manufacturing, and marketing were identified. For each major task, the significant activities, precedence relations, decisions nodes, alternative choices of action, and feedback loops were identified. The Q-GERT approach is used to model the innovative management process, involving probabilistic elements and decision processes. A computer program for Q-GERT simulation has been developed and applied to analyze different scenarios. In addition, computer outputs are obtained of such parameters …


Project Management Game - Implementation And Evaluation, Burton V. Dean Apr 1983

Project Management Game - Implementation And Evaluation, Burton V. Dean

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

The current version of the project management game has been implemented in a variety of instructional and operational situations. Current evaluations are presented and analyzed. Particular impacts in regards to both operational effectiveness and management training are discussed. A complete description of the game in its present form is presented.


A Long-Range Planning Model For Branch Bank Development, Sedrak Chitariance Jan 1983

A Long-Range Planning Model For Branch Bank Development, Sedrak Chitariance

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

This dissertation concerns itself with development of a long-range planning model to assist commercial banks and other financial institutions in their efforts to expand or contract their retail outlet networks. A bank retail outlet is defined as either a full-service branch or an Automated Teller Machine (ATM). Market share equations have been developed for different types of retail deposits (services) in terms of the number of retail outlets present within a given geographical area, called a market. These market share equations are then incorporated into a mathematical optimization framework. Criterion function in the mathematical model to be maximized is the …


A Multi-Item Multi-Component Two Echelon Model For Reusable Items In A Health Care Setting, Boudjelal Boukaabar Jan 1983

A Multi-Item Multi-Component Two Echelon Model For Reusable Items In A Health Care Setting, Boudjelal Boukaabar

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

Inventory systems in a health care setting include a multitude of items that are finitely reusable. Examples of such items are linen, glassware, silverware, patient gowns, towels, and, in general, all surgical implements that can be sterilized. Because the economic life of such items is rather long, they represent an investment which cannot be used elsewhere. In addition, the processing of these items might be very costly due to the required investment in the processing equipment and its maintenance, the labor and energy costs, and the high interest cost. As these costs have skyrocketed during the '70s, the cost of …


A Strategic Planning Model For Bank Retail Outlet Development, Sedrak Chitariance, Arnold Reisman Jan 1983

A Strategic Planning Model For Bank Retail Outlet Development, Sedrak Chitariance, Arnold Reisman

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

This paper presents a strategic planning model designed to help commercial banks and financial institutions optimize their retail outlet networks, including full-service branches and ATMs. The model incorporates market share equations based on the distribution of retail outlets across geographical areas, referred to as markets, and integrates these equations into a mathematical optimization framework. The primary objective is to maximize overall retail profit by determining the optimal number of branches and ATMs to open or close during a defined planning horizon. Budget constraints and other optional features influence the model's structure, providing flexibility in variable selection and constraint application. This …


Quality Control And Servicing : A Decision Framework, Charles S. Tapiero, Hau L. Lee Jan 1983

Quality Control And Servicing : A Decision Framework, Charles S. Tapiero, Hau L. Lee

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

It has been widely recognized that quality control and the repair services provided by a firm are important strategic tools for the sales of the firm's product. This paper considers the relationship between these two important decision variables of the firm: quality control and service capacities. For both the cases of degenerate and non-degenerate probability distributions of defective items, analytical results for the determination of optimal quality control inspection policy and optimum service capacities are obtained. The sufficient conditions derived provide a powerful means to determine the optimal strategies under different scenarios. For the non-degenerate case, bounds for the optimal …


A Finite Improvement Algorithm For The Linear Complementarity Problem, Konstantinos Paparrizos Jan 1983

A Finite Improvement Algorithm For The Linear Complementarity Problem, Konstantinos Paparrizos

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

This research is concerned with the development of a computationally efficient improvement algorithm for the linear complementarity problem (LCP). Our approach to finding a solution to the LCP is to solve the equivalent constrained optimization problem (COP) of maximizing the sum of the minimum of each complementary pair of variables subject to the constraints that each such minimum is nonpositive. An optimal solution with objective function value of zero yields a solution of the LCP. The algorithm, descent in nature, is similar to the simplex method in the sense that it moves between basic points of an associated system of …


Workforce Scheduling With Cyclic Requirements And Constraints On Days Off, Weekends Off And Workstretch, Hamilton Emmons Nov 1982

Workforce Scheduling With Cyclic Requirements And Constraints On Days Off, Weekends Off And Workstretch, Hamilton Emmons

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

For a seven-day workweek with cyclic demand requiring D workers on weekdays and E workers on weekend days, we provide a formula to calculate the minimal workforce necessary to meet these requirements while ensuring each worker receives two off-days per week. This includes the flexibility for workers to have A out of B weekends off, for any A and B (A is equal to or lesser than B). Additionally, we present an algorithm to generate a feasible schedule that ensures all work stretches are between two and four days, except when a worker receives two consecutive weekends off, in which …


Issues In Retail Banking: A Survey Study, Sedrak Chitariance, Arnold Reisman Oct 1982

Issues In Retail Banking: A Survey Study, Sedrak Chitariance, Arnold Reisman

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

A nationwide survey of U.S. commercial banks was conducted to assist the authors in developing a long-range planning model for bank retail outlet expansion and/or contraction. The model relates to both full-service branches and Automated Teller Machines (ATMs). The survey questions were categorized in four groups: (1) Bank size and branching activities. (2) Analysis of branch development. (3) Future of retail outlets. (4) Market share for deposits and its relation to retail outlets. The results of this survey, particularly issues concerning the future of retail outlets and of market share, are being incorporated in building a mathematical model for retail …


R&D Portfolio Selection, Gregory Richard Madey Sep 1982

R&D Portfolio Selection, Gregory Richard Madey

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

This is a proposal for an applied thesis research project in the area of R&D management. The environment of the problem that will be modeled is within Goodyear Aerospace Corporation at the division level. The decision problem is one of determining an optimum portfolio of projects focusing on new business development. The major funding categories are Research & Development (R&D) and Bid & Proposal (B&P). The problem involves selecting projects from a large group of proposed projects and then determining what level to fund them at. Goals or objectives of this process include achieving a prescribed ROI and sales growth …


Portfolio Management Techniques For The Selection Of Stock/Option Positions, Robin Scott Symes Aug 1982

Portfolio Management Techniques For The Selection Of Stock/Option Positions, Robin Scott Symes

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

Stock options are distinguished from more conventional investment vehicles by the contingent claim status of the option and the dependence of the value of the option on the value of a related common stock. As a result of these properties, portfolios which include options behave differently from diversified equity portfolios consisting of common stocks alone. The behavior of portfolios which include options is the primary focus of this research. Assuming that risk-averse investors maximize utility by minimizing risk at every level of expected return, a technique for constructing stock/option portfolios is devised. If option prices conform to the equilibrium values …


Distribution System Design: A Problem-Solving Approach, Mohammed Ali Chowdhury Hakim Aug 1982

Distribution System Design: A Problem-Solving Approach, Mohammed Ali Chowdhury Hakim

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

This paper presents a methodology for designing an effective two-echelon multicommodity distribution network. Addressing key logistics issues, such as warehouse location and product distribution, the model integrates cost and service trade-offs, regional warehousing practices, and shipment alternatives. Unlike previous models, this approach offers comprehensive problem representation and accurate cost structure, enhancing solution quality and flexibility. Using a linear programming (LP) approach, it generates solutions within 3% of the optimum for all tested cases. Comparative evaluation against existing models highlights its superior problem representation, computational efficiency, and analytical versatility. The study emphasizes the importance of a global consideration of design alternatives …


Development And Implementation Of A Large Scale Linear Programming Code, Taher Esshaghi-Bayat Aug 1982

Development And Implementation Of A Large Scale Linear Programming Code, Taher Esshaghi-Bayat

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

The objective of this research is to develop a computationally efficient computer code for solving large linear programming (LP) problems up to size (100 x 400). This program can handle upper and lower bounds on variables without affecting the size of the constraint set. The value of nonbasic variables can be initiated at a prespecified value other than its lower or upper bound by using the concept of superbasic variables. Multiple problems can also be run in one compilation. This program uses additional features to improve computational efficiency and to allow the solution of large-scale problems. These features include: 1) …


On Mean Variance Option Pricing Models, Peter H. Ritchken, Robin Scott Symes, Harvey M. Salkin Jul 1982

On Mean Variance Option Pricing Models, Peter H. Ritchken, Robin Scott Symes, Harvey M. Salkin

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

The purpose of this note is to develop a mean variance pricing model for options which are traded in a lognormal security market. The mean variance pricing model derived corrects formulation errors in a finite period pricing model developed by Lee, Rao and Auchmuty [5]. The behavior of these new prices is compared to the behavior of Black-Scholes prices [3].


Manpower Needs Forecasts For The Health Services Of The United States Of Mexico, Arnold Reisman, Lilia I. Duran, Carlos Pucheu Regis Jun 1982

Manpower Needs Forecasts For The Health Services Of The United States Of Mexico, Arnold Reisman, Lilia I. Duran, Carlos Pucheu Regis

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

The Republic of Mexico is in the process of review and reorganization of its health care delivery systems. Planning for the reorganization requires a manpower needs forecast under various delivery scenarios in each of 27 prioritized health problem areas. This paper discusses the 1987 and 1992 manpower needs forecasts in one of the 27 health priorities, e.g., the mental health services field. A panel representing national leadership from all relevant provider professions (psychiatry, psychology, social work, etc.) working in the public and private provider and academic institutions was used to reach a consensus via the Delphi process on each of …


Expected Values And The Variance Covariance Structure Of Returns For Portfolios Containing Options, Peter H. Ritchken, Robin Scott Symes, Harvey M. Salkin Jun 1982

Expected Values And The Variance Covariance Structure Of Returns For Portfolios Containing Options, Peter H. Ritchken, Robin Scott Symes, Harvey M. Salkin

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

The purpose of this article is to develop expressions for the mean vector and the variance-covariance matrix of returns for portfolios containing options when it is assumed that prices follow geometric Brownian Motion. Given these expressions it is possible to employ a conventional expected value-variance approach to portfolios containing options. The expressions developed also enable a beta value to be calculated for a call option which is to be held over an arbitrary time period. Computation of market risk expressions for partially hedged portfolios held over arbitrary time periods is possible.


A Computerized Branch And Bound Algorithm For Solving The Assembly Line Balancing Problem, Sanjeev Karande May 1982

A Computerized Branch And Bound Algorithm For Solving The Assembly Line Balancing Problem, Sanjeev Karande

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

The objective of this research is to develop a portable computer program to compute an optimal solution for single model deterministic assembly line balancing problems via a branch and bound algorithm. The branch and bound procedure will employ the good heuristic solutions for "pruning" the resulting decision trees. Such pruning should make normally inefficient branch and bound methods both practical and efficient for a high proportion of assembly line balancing problems.


A Regionalized Goal Oriented Model For Dynamic Analysis Of World Trade, Bidhu Bhusan Mohanty May 1982

A Regionalized Goal Oriented Model For Dynamic Analysis Of World Trade, Bidhu Bhusan Mohanty

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

In the present day world, the national economies are interdependent. A world trade model, designed as a two-level hierarchical system, has been developed to be used as a tool to analyze this mutual interdependence and to aid in the formulation of long-term economic policies. For practical reasons, the world has been divided into a number of regions and the goods to be traded into categories. The world market has been represented by a world pool, and each region is assumed to exchange the goods with the pool only. To determine the volume of trade, the model uses the principle of …


R&D System Planning And Technology Transfer Methods In An Industrialized Developing Country, Woo-Young Lee May 1982

R&D System Planning And Technology Transfer Methods In An Industrialized Developing Country, Woo-Young Lee

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

This thesis provides a framework in R&D system management consisting of computer-based analytical models for use in technology transfer and R&D planning of a developing country's military weapons systems development. The models involve integer nonlinear programming (INLP) and interactive goal programming (IGP) approaches. Also, the thesis utilizes: (1) A component sharing R&D network to identify probabilistic interdependencies among systems components and technical approaches. (2) A weapon effectiveness indices/weighted unit value (WEI/WUV) method to evaluate potential benefits of weapons systems, if funded. (3) Network planning techniques to assess probabilities of technical success and to integrate technology forecasting, technology catch-up, and time-cost …


The Association Of Individual Characteristics With Success And Failure Of U.S. Army Recruiters, Frederick David Coleman Apr 1982

The Association Of Individual Characteristics With Success And Failure Of U.S. Army Recruiters, Frederick David Coleman

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

This study addresses the relationships between individual biographical/demographic characteristics and the prediction of success and failure of U.S. Army Recruiters. The quantitative process employed is discriminant analysis. Ten variables are studied to determine their relative importance in the classification of potential Recruiters as being successful for at least three years. Civilian education is found to be the most important and time-in-service (the number of years served in the Army) the least important. The results are formulated into a Success Prediction Algorithm (SPA), which can be included as part of the Recruiter selection process. SPA can provide an indication of an …


Rural Industrialization - An Analysis Of Characteristics And An Approach To The Selection Of Industrial Plants For Kibbutz Settlements In Israel, Dan Yaron, A. Cooper, D. Golan, Arnold Reisman Feb 1982

Rural Industrialization - An Analysis Of Characteristics And An Approach To The Selection Of Industrial Plants For Kibbutz Settlements In Israel, Dan Yaron, A. Cooper, D. Golan, Arnold Reisman

Research Reports from the Department of Operations

The decline of agriculture's relative share in national economies and the associated rural-to-urban migration present critical challenges for developing countries. Excessive urbanization and the economic weakening of rural areas have prompted policies aimed at diversifying rural employment through industrialization. This paper develops and empirically applies a methodology for selecting industrial plants suited to rural communities, with a specific focus on collective rural settlements (kibbutzim) in Israel. The analysis highlights unique factors influencing rural industrialization in Israel, including the dispersion of the population, resource limitations, and the socioeconomic dynamics of kibbutzim. Advantages such as technological interest, higher education aspirations, and community …