VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF COMMERCE AND FINANCE
MBA PROGRAM

MBA 8515: DECISION TECHNOLOGY FOR BUSINESS APPLICATION

FALL 2004

Dr. Matthew J. Liberatore
Office: 3072 Bartley Hall
Office Phone No.: (610) 519-4390
Fax Phone No.: (610) 519-5015
E-mail address: matthew.liberatore@villanova.edu
Homepage: http://www.homepage.villanova.edu/matthew.liberatore
WEB CT Homepage: http://webct.villanova.edu

Class schedule: Mondays 6:00 p.m. - 8:45 p.m.
Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., Mondays 5:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. and by appointment

Click Here for Printable and MS Word Version of Syllabus
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SYLLABUS

OBJECTIVES:          

1.                  Understand the key theoretical concepts underpinning mathematical programming, the analytic hierarchy process, decision trees, and simulation.

2.                  Understand the development, application, and interpretation of computer-based decision support models for capital budgeting, portfolio analysis, financial risk analysis, supply chain management, technology and vendor selection, employee evaluation, multi-stage decision making, and business process analysis and redesign.

3.                  Learn how to become an “intelligent consumer” of computer-based decision support models.

4.                  Learn how to become an “active modeler” capable of developing computer-based decision support models based on mathematical programming, the analytic hierarchy process, and simulation.

5.                  Understand the issues related to successful implementation of computer-based decision support models.

METHOD OF INSTRUCTION:

            PowerPoint presentations facilitate discussion of the assigned topics.  The use of modeling software supports the presentation of the material.  This class emphasizes the practical application of the theory and methods presented.  Students complete assigned readings, homework quizzes and other assignments, a group project, and participate in exercises and discussions.

            The instructors for this course (Liberatore and Nydick) have prepared a series of videos that cover all course topics. These videos can be streamed from the web (through Web CT) or downloaded for later viewing. The videos can be accessed at different bandwidths.  In addition, the videos are available as a 5-CD set.

            The Web CT courseware enables students to access course materials, complete assignments, quizzes, and exams, and communicate and collaborate with students and the instructor via a web browser. The chat rooms in Web CT can be used to facilitate project group meetings. 

COURSE MODULES:

            This course consists of an introduction and three modules.  The introduction discusses the role of decision technology in supporting value-based decision-making for organizations and provides an overview of the modeling approaches used in this course.   

1.  Mathematical Programming

Use of mathematical models to assist in resource allocation decisions.  Topics include linear, integer, and non-linear programming.  Applications include: diet planning; job, production, and employee scheduling; transportation and traveling salesperson problems; fixed charge problem; capital budgeting; product mix; non-linear retail space allocation planning; and Markowitz financial portfolio analysis. 

2. Simulation  

Analysis of complex systems where one or more variables or relationships are probabilistic.  Applications include waiting line or queuing systems under various conditions; financial analysis; and process redesign. 

3.  Decision Analysis

A review of classical decision analysis including utility theory and a detailed discussion of the analytic hierarchy process.  Applications include: problems of prioritizing alternatives and resource planning, such as product, project, and job selection; employee evaluation systems; facility location; vendor selection; and transport mode/carrier selection. The development of decision trees for multi-stage decision making will be addressed.

Ethical and legal issues will be integrated within each of the three modules.

PROJECT:

Students form teams to complete the term project.  Teams consist of up to four students, each of whom receives the same grade.  The goal of the project is to successfully implement one or more of the methodologies discussed in class to an actual problem in a business organization.  Each team submits a written report with supporting analysis, makes a class presentation, completes a peer assessment, and conducts a critique of another group’s project draft.  It is strongly recommended that each project report include a letter from a sponsoring company manager who has reviewed and briefly commented on the project’s analysis and results. 

QUIZZES AND ARTICLE PRESENTATION:

A series of quizzes available on WebCT are assigned throughout the semester. Completing the quizzes is an important component of the learning process. The lowest two quiz grades will be dropped, and the remaining grades averaged to form the quiz grade.

During the course of the semester groups of up to two students will be asked to make one short (5-10 minute) presentation to the class. This presentation will be based on an article describing an application of decision technology. Students will select an article from a list prepared by the instructor. A written presentation summary and a copy of the PowerPoint charts are due at the start of the class when the presentation is scheduled. I will assign a grade based on the quality of the presentation. All students will be asked to read the presented articles (available as pdf files) and participate in the discussion.

ATTENDANCE:

Students are expected to be present and prepared for every class. Assigned materials should be read prior to coming to class.

SUBMISSION POLICY FOR LATE ASSIGNMENTS:

One letter grade will be deducted from quiz and exam grades for each day late. 

MAKEUP EXAMINATION POLICY:

There will be no makeup examinations given.  Points associated with a missed exam will be added to a comprehensive final examination.  

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY: The Code of Academic Integrity of Villanova University addresses cheating, fabrication of submitted work, plagiarism, handing in work completed for another course without the instructor’s approval, and other forms of dishonesty.  For the first offense, a student who violates the Code of Villanova University will receive 0 points for the assignment.  The violation will be reported by the instructor to the Dean’s office and recorded in the student’s file.  In addition, the student will be expected to complete an education program.  For the second offense, the student will be dismissed from the University and the reason noted on the student’s official transcript.

DISABILITY STATEMENT: It is the policy of Villanova to make reasonable academic accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.  If you are a person with a disability please contact me after class or during office hours and make arrangements to register with the Learning Support Office by contacting 610-519-5636 or nancy.mott@villanova.edu as soon as possible.  Registration is needed in order to receive accommodations.