Browsing by Subject "Management games"
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Item A comparison of individual versus group decision making under uncertainty utilizing a simulated management game(Texas Tech University, 1976-08) Muhs, William FrederickNot availableItem A decision simulation exercise in business cycles and forecasting(1964-08) Slayback, Harry BakerNot AvailableItem A statistical analysis of the use of a business game(Texas Tech University, 1964-05) Rees, Richard W.Not availableItem Causal modeling as a basis for the design of an intelligent business problem formulation system(Texas Tech University, 1986-05) Paradice, David BryanPast research has shown that humans demonstrate many biases when they attempt to formulate the structure of a problem. These biases can be very detrimental to actually solving the problem at hand. In some cases, the problem formulation process may be so biased that the wrong problem is formulated entirely. Prior research has demonstrated that the process of building a model of the problem situation is beneficial to problem solution. Model construction in the domain of business problems is a very complex task, however, due to the large number of potentially relevant variables, the dynamic characteristics of business organizations, and the temporal nature of relationships in the problem domain. Much of the prior research in management information systems has assumed that any problem formulation involved has generated a correct formulation. This research explores a computer-based methodology aimed at assisting a manager in producing a correct formulation of his problem environment. A prototype system has been developed that allows a user (1) to access an organizational database of information, (2) to hypothesize and test relationships between items in the database, (3) to store relationships for use at a later session, (4) construct model based on these stored relationships, and (5) give advice regarding ways of manipulating variables in order to achieve goals. Furthermore, a rudimentary process for automatic discovery of relationships has been installed in the system. The prototype was evaluated by comparing its ability to determine relationships in the database with human subjects from a prior study. Since the database used was generated by a management simulation game, it was possible to determine the "true" relationships in the database by examining the program code for the game. The system and the student subjects agreed on approximately seventy per cent of the relationships identified. Of the remaining thirty per cent, the student subjects were correct one-third of the time, the system was correct one-third of the time, and the remainder were vaguely specified making it impossible to determine exactly which was "correct." The limitations of the methodology used herein is discussed, as well as areas for future research.Item Public employee retirement system reports: a study of user information processing ability(Texas Tech University, 1986-05) Willits, Stephen DImproved accounting reports should result when standards setters are provided with evidence regarding the ability of public employee retirement system (PERS) financial report users to (1) interpret reported pension information, and (2) Impound actuarial data. Accordingly, this study was conducted to gain insight into the decision making process(es) of PERS financial report users and preparers. A field experiment employing a simulated decision making situation was used to gather data. Respondents made judgments about a fictitious PERS and then completed two exercises that (1) measured their knowledge of the effects of actuarial methods and assumptions on reported data, and (2) tested their ability to properly consider these effects when comparing the funding of the fictitious PERS to that of other pension plans. Two general research questions were addressed: (1) does the benefit-liability measure used for PERS financial reporting and/or the amount of supplemental disclosure affect users' perceptions of the PERS financial condition, and (2) do users of PERS financial statements understand the effects that actuarial assumptions have on the reported benefit-liability measure? Analysis of the responses produced these findings: (1) respondents appeared to be functionally fixated on the reported funding status of the PERS and did not properly consider the underlying factors that affect this status; (2) a significant percentage of respondents understood the effects of the assumed rates of (a) salary increase and (b) return on plan assets on reported pension obligations, but did not recognize the effects of the actuarial cost methods presented; (3) mean responses were not affected by the presence of 10-year trend data; however, the inclusion of 10-year data did result in improved judgment consensus; (4) fixation on the reported funding status of the fictitious PERS was not limited to those respondents that had limited actuarial knowledge, but was found in all respondent groups; and (5) demographic characteristics had only a limited effect on respondent's decision models. These findings indicate (1) that communication between PERS financial report users and preparers needs Improvement, and (2) that financial report users have difficulty incorporating actuarial Information in their judgments. Accordingly, standards setters should standardize PERS reporting practices and/or seek ways to improve PERS disclosures.Item Selected effects of creativity and risk taking on business game behavior: an experimental investigation(Texas Tech University, 1973-05) Ewing, Stephen,Not available