ERIC Number: EJ1403855
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: EISSN-1532-0545
Engaging Students in Optimization Modeling: Gaining Business Disruption Insights
Julie Ann Stuart Williams; Randall Reid; Philip E. Billings; Natalie C. Belford
INFORMS Transactions on Education, v24 n1 p85-94 2023
How can students prepare for potential business disruptions? The approach shown in this paper uses optimization modeling with parametric sensitivity analysis and further broadens the search for insights with structural sensitivity analysis in a series of contextual exercises. The exercises prompt students to identify critical resources for business impact analysis by extending production planning to include scenario analyses and contingency considerations. During virtual office hours, one participant described the exercises in terms of a "mystery" to solve. For an open-ended contingency planning question, some participants even proposed new product design decisions. Upon conclusion of the study, 25 of the 28 participants recommended the exercises for future semesters.
Descriptors: Business Administration Education, Models, Operations Research, Undergraduate Students, Planning, Learning Activities, Small Businesses, Student Attitudes, College Instruction
Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS). 5521 Research Park Drive Suite 200, Catonsville, Maryland 21228. Tel: 800-446-3676; Tel: 443-757-3500; Fax: 443-757-3515; e-mail: informs@informs.org; Web site: https://pubsonline.informs.org/journal/ited
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A