Engaging Students in Optimization Modeling: Gaining Business Disruption Insights

Julie Ann Stuart Williams (), Randall Reid (), Philip E. Billings () and Natalie C. Belford ()
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Julie Ann Stuart Williams: Department of Business Administration, University of West Florida, Pensacola, Florida 32514
Randall Reid: Department of Business Administration, University of West Florida, Pensacola, Florida 32514
Philip E. Billings: Digital Innovation Center of Excellence, FedEx Services, Collierville, Tennessee 38017
Natalie C. Belford: Department of Business Administration, University of West Florida, Pensacola, Florida 32514

INFORMS Transactions on Education, 2023, vol. 24, issue 1, 85-94

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: developing analytics skills; developing critical thinking skills; online learning; teaching management science; teaching optimization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:inm:orited:v:24:y:2023:i:1:p:85-94

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