IIM Kashipur

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Decision Modelling, Term II, Academic Year 2020-2021

Credit: 1

Syllabus [broadly modeled based on Mujtaba (2015)]

I. INSTRUCTORS DETAILS

Name: Prof. Kampan Mukherjee

Office: Academic Block (B1/6-AB)
Email: [email protected]

Name: Prof. Abhishek Srivastava

Office: Academic Block (Office: to be allotted)
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]

Name: Prof. Devendra Kumar Pathak

Office: Academic Block (C2/1)
Email: [email protected]

PS: If you have any question regarding how to get access to google classroom, please
contact at the given email ID’s for assistance. The preferred communication mode is
through email or prior appointment for discussion in the office. Sending messages on
WhatsApp and making phone calls are discouraged.

II. COURSE DESCRIPTION

In today's world, managing business requires conceptualization and understanding of

complex decision-making problems and demands skills in the usage of various quantitative
tools and techniques to solve and analyze these problems. Most of these problems are
affected by uncertainty, imprecision, and conflicting requirements/ environment. Therefore,
this course will equip students with the decision making tools and techniques applicable for
analyzing managerial decision problems and for arriving at appropriate solutions.

III. PREREQUISITES

None
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IV. COURSE COMPETENCIES (CC)/ LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Describe the generic parameters relevant to a decision-making problem. (CC1) (PLO
1a, 1b)
2. Formulate a decision-making problem into the corresponding linear programming or
integer programming model. (CC2) (PLO 1a, 1b)
3. Solve assignment, transportation, and transshipment problems. (CC3) (PLO 5b)
4. Differentiate between multi-objective and single-objective problems. (CC4) (PLO 1b)
5. Determine the structure of a waiting line model. (CC5) (PLO 1a)
6. Apply different quantitative tools and techniques applicable to analyze decision-
making problems. (CC6) (PLO 5b)

V. TEXTBOOKS (REQUIRED MATERIALS)

1. An Introduction to Management Science: Quantitative Approaches to Decision

Making by Anderson, Sweeney, Williams, and Martins. 2012. Cengage Learning. (13th
Edition)

RECOMMENDED MATERIALS
1. Introduction to Operations Research by Hillier, Lieberman, Nag, and Basu.
McGraw Hill. (9th Edition).

Additional study material might be distributed by the faculty and/or shared through Google
classroom.

VI. GRADING CRITERIA

As per MBA Manual

VII. COURSE ACTIVITIES TO MEET OBJECTIVES

For reading assignments and directions, please follow the course syllabus. The faculty
member will assign several cases or business problems for discussion and review.
Furthermore, the exercises may be completed in the class as well as assigned as take-home
assignments/projects to groups and individuals as applicable.
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Modules Complete Readings Learning Objectives

Session Detail
for all
sessions
Module I Session 1: Chapter 1 (IMS 1. Become familiar with the class
Introduction to Book, 2012) requirements (CC1)
Decision 2. Understand the generic parameters related
Modelling to a decision-making problem (CC1)
3. Identify the similarities and differences
among different kinds of decision-making
problem (CC1)
Module II

Session 2-7: Chapter 2-4 (IMS

Introduction to Book, 2012) 1. Describe decision variables, objective
Linear Case 1. Merton function, and constraints (CC1)
programming Truck Company 2. Formulate a linear programming problem
and its [HBSP] (CC2)
applications Case 2. Planning an 3. Develop the dual of a primal LP problem
Advertising (CC2)
Campaign [Book] 4. Understand the basic concept of
Case 3. Workforce transportation, assignment, and
Scheduling transshipment problems (CC1)
Session 8-10: Chapter 6 (IMS 5. Understand the concept of degeneracy
Transportation, Book, 2012) (CC1)
Assignment, Case 1 Bloomex 6. Solve assignment, transportation, and
and Logistics [HBSP] transshipment problems (CC3)
Transshipment Case 2. Distribution
Systems Design
[Book]
Module III

Session 11-13: Chapters 7 (IMS 1. Understand the basic concept of an

Introduction to Book, 2012) Integer Programming problem (CC1)
Integer Case 1. Johnson 2. Formulate an integer programming
Programming Supply Chain: problem (CC2)
and its Planning Coupon 3. Solve an integer programming problem
applications Promotions [HBSP] (CC2)
Case 2. Yeager
National Bank
[Book]
Case 3. Textbook
Publishing
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Module IV
Session 14-15: Chapters 14 (IMS 1. Understand the basic concept of MCDM
Goal Book, 2012) problems (CC1)
Programming Case 1. Raynebo, 2. Understand the concept of goal
and its Inc.: A Case for programming (CC1)
applications Aggregative 3. Differentiate between multi-objective and
Marketing Strategy single-objective problems (CC4)
[Journal Article]
Module V

Session 16-17: Chapters 13 (IMS 1. Understand the basic concept of Decision

Application of Book, 2012) tree analysis (CC1)
Decision Tree Case 1. Merck and 2. Understand the concept of Decision
Company: making with utilities (CC1)
Evaluating a Drug 3. Use of different techniques to analyze
Licensing decision-making problems under risk (CC6)
Opportunity
[HBSP]
Case 2. Property
Purchase Strategy
[Book]
Case 3. Lawsuit
Defense Strategy
[Book]
Module VI

Session 18: Chapter 11 (IMS 1. Understand the basic concept of a waiting

Waiting Line Book, 2012) line model (CC1)
Models Case 1. Regional 2. Determine the structure of a waiting line
Airlines [Book] model (CC5)
Case 2. Office 3. Solve the Single-channel waiting line
Equipment, Inc. model (CC6)
[Book]
Module Session 19-20: End term Project 1. Analyze a real-life decision-making
VII Group Project problem by using the course concepts
Presentation (CC2)
2. Use the discussed tools/ techniques to
solve the considered decision-making
problem (CC6)
3. Apply the concepts of multi-objective
decision-making problems (CC4)

Evaluation Components

Students will be evaluated based on assignment, group project, quizzes, mid-term exam,
and end-term exam. The weightage given to each of these components is listed as follows.

S. No. Component Weightage Duration of Nature of

(%) Examination Examination
(Open Book
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/Closed Book)
1 Individual Assignments 10% - Open Book
(take-home exam)
2 Quizzes (throughout the 10% Between 15-25 Closed Book
term) (n-1 quiz marks minutes
will be counted)

3 Mid-term Exam 30% 1.5 hour Closed Book

4 End-term Exam 30% 2 hour Closed Book

5 Group Project 20% - Presentation

Presentation

Assignment Summary and Grading Scale:

Assignments Points Delivery Due Date

Topics Method
Individual Assignments 10% Written End of Session
6, 9, 12, 15, 17
Group Project Presentation 20% PPTs and Session 19-20
Voice-over

The following directions are a general guide for assignments.

The course will be primarily taught through a combination of class discussions,

presentations, take-home exercises, and case studies. The class discussion will involve the
readings assigned for the class. Students are encouraged to actively participate in these
discussions.

Individual Assignments: Students will be given homework/ assignments after completion

of each topic, which you need to solve and submit before the given deadline. Details of
assignments will be discussed in the class.

Quizzes: A few quizzes will be given at random and without any announcement. Each
quiz will cover the material assigned for or discussed in that class. If you are late for class,
you will not receive extra time to complete the quiz. The missed quizzes shall not be made
up under any circumstances, and you will earn zero points. The overall score of the quizzes
will be based on N-1 scores. For example, if four quizzes will be conducted in a course, the
best three will be counted.
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Mid-term Exam: The exam covers all aspects of the assigned textbook readings, lectures,
and student-driven discussions through the comprehensive questions. This will be a timed
exam of 1.5 hour duration (one attempt). Review the lecture notes, discussion exercises and
topics, and the reading materials from the textbook.

End-term Exam: The exam covers all aspects of the assigned textbook readings, lectures,
and student-driven discussions through the comprehensive questions. This will be a timed
exam of two-hour duration (one attempt). Review the lecture notes, discussion exercises
and topics, and the reading materials from the textbook.

Group Project Presentation: As a part of the course, students are required to do a group
project (preferably six students in a group) applying some of the modeling techniques
learned during the course. This group project will provide an opportunity to utilize course
concepts and employ the discussed tools/ techniques to formulate and solve a real-life
decision-making problem. Moreover, each project team will make a presentation of their
work in the class. Each member must present an equitable share of the overall team
presentation.

• The presentation should cover the problem in hand, data, and information available and
the solution proposed.
• Each presentation will be of about 10 minutes with 7 minutes given to the group to
discuss the techniques used and highlight the key findings, and 3 minutes for open
discussion with the students.
• Students are supposed to email their PPTs to the corresponding faculty member before
Session 18.

The following is the indicative grade rubric for the group project.

Performance Basic Developing Proficient Accomplished Exemplary

Criteria (1 pt) (2 pts) (3 pts) (4 pts) (5 pts)
Relevance of Does not Considers a Considers a Provides Provides
the Considered focus on a rudimentary contemporary substantial fully-
Problem relevant problem problem content on a developed
(30%) problem current content on a
problem current
problem
Appropriate Does not Presents Offers Performs Performs
use of the implement rudimentary detailed concrete effective
discussed techniques analysis analysis and analysis and analysis and
Tools/ correctly findings offers concrete offers
Techniques, and specific adequate
findings (40%) value-creating value-creating
findings findings
Presentation Does not Presents Good Informative Informative
(30%) present accurately but presentation presentation presentation
properly significantly with effective with the best with the best
lacks in group group coordination coordination
coordination coordination among the among the
group group and
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effectively
answers all
the questions

VIII. POLICIES

General Academic Misconduct Policy of IIM Kashipur:

IIM Kashipur is strongly committed to a policy of honesty in academic affairs. Students are
expected to do their own academic work. Students are awarded degrees in recognition of
successful completion of academic coursework in their chosen fields of study. Each
student, therefore, is expected to earn his or her degree on the basis of individual personal
effort. Consequently, any form of cheating or plagiarism constitutes unacceptable academic
dishonesty. Such academic misconduct will not be tolerated at IIM Kashipur, and thus will
be penalized according to the seriousness of the infraction, in conformity with the
standards, rules, and procedures of the Institute. Accordingly, students are well advised to
keep in mind that suspension and expulsion from the Institute are among the sanctions that
may be imposed for violations of the Academic Misconduct Policy.

Definitions:
 Plagiarism, as defined by the Little, Brown Essential Handbook for Writers, 4th
edition, is “the presentation of someone else’s ideas or words as your own. Whether
deliberate or accidental, plagiarism is a serious and often punishable offense”
(Aaron, 2001).
 Deliberate plagiarism is “copying a sentence from a source and passing it off as
your own and, summarizing someone else’s ideas without acknowledging your
debt, or buying a term paper and handing it in as your own” (Aaron, 2001).
 Accidental plagiarism is “forgetting to place quotation marks around other writer’s
words, omitting a source citation because you’re not aware of the need for it, or
carelessly copying a source when you mean to paraphrase” (Aaron, 2001).

GUIDELINES:
The United States Naval Academy’s statement on academic plagiarism (USNA, 2004)
provides the following guidelines that will be implemented verbatim at IIM Kashipur.
1. Give credit where credit is due. Inevitably, you will use other people’s discoveries
and concepts. Build on them creatively. But do not compromise your honor by
failing to acknowledge clearly where your work ends and that of someone else
begins. (USNA, 2004).
2. Provide proper citation for everything taken from others. Such material includes
interpretations, ideas, wording, insights, factual discoveries, charts, tables, and
appendices that are not your own. Citations must guide the reader clearly and
explicitly to the sources used, whether published, unpublished, or electronic. Cite a
source each time you borrow from it. A single citation, concluding or followed by
extended borrowing, is inadequate and misleading. Indicate all use of another’s
words, even if they constitute only part of a sentence, with quotation marks and
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specific citations. Citations may be footnotes, endnotes, or parenthetical references.

(USNA, 2004).
3. Recognize the work of others, even if you are not borrowing their words. Theories,
interpretations, assessments, and judgments are all intellectual contributions made
by others and must be attributed to them. (USNA, 2004).
4. Paraphrase properly. Paraphrasing is a vehicle for conveying or explaining a
source’s ideas and requires a citation to the original source. A paraphrase captures
the source’s meaning and tone in your own words and sentence structure. In a
paraphrase, the words are yours, but the ideas are not. It should not be used to create
the impression of originality. (USNA, 2004).
5. Cite sources in all work submitted for credit. Your instructor may also require you
to identify the contributions of others in drafts you submit only for review. Ask
your instructor for his or her citation requirements and any discipline-specific
attribution practices. (USNA, 2004).
6. Be cautious when using web-based sources, including Internet sites and electronic
journals. There is a common misperception that information found on the Internet
does not need to be cited. Web-based information, even if anonymous, must be
appropriately cited. Do not cut and paste or otherwise take material from websites
without proper citation. (USNA, 2004).
7. Provide a citation when in doubt. Always err on the side of caution. (USNA, 2004).
8. Papers will be routinely submitted to www.turnitin.com for review.

Cheating by Plagiarism:
Plagiarism is a form of academic misconduct. IIM Kashipur views plagiarism as the
representation of another’s work, words, or ideas, statement of facts not generally known as
one’s own without the use of an academically recognized method of citation. Work
submitted at IIM Kashipur must be the original work of the student. Original work may
include the words and ideas of others, but the source of these words and ideas must be
indicated in a manner consistent with an academically recognized form, style, and citation
manual. Plagiarism subjects the student to penalties pursuant to the Academic Misconduct
Policy. Any student helping a student plagiarize is considered as guilty as the student
assisted.

Plagiarism involves using the words, information, insights, or ideas of another without
crediting that person through proper citation. Proper documentation is required for all
source material, as discussed in the individual course policy statement, which will be
provided and explained by each instructor during the first session of each course. It is your
responsibility to know the rules for proper citation – claiming ignorance of the proper
citation rules is not an excuse for cheating. One can avoid plagiarism by fully and openly
crediting all sources used.

In the absence of guidance from the instructor, reference “APA Style Manual” (standards
and rules to be followed when referencing source material).

Cheating on Examinations and Assignments:

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Academic misconduct consists of cheating of any kind with respect to examinations and
assignments as well as the unauthorized possession and/or use of exams, papers, and
materials. Cheating is defined and characterized by copying answers to examinations,
quizzes, presentations, and projects from a source not approved by the professor. This
includes but not limited to “crib” notes and “cheat” sheets, cell-phones, PDA’s, I-Pods, and
of course, collusion with your fellow student (neighbor). In addition the use of test banks,
computers, answer keys, stolen exams, and instructor’s manuals are expressly forbidden.
(USNA, 2004).

Cheating subjects the student to penalties pursuant to the Academic Misconduct Policy.
Cheating includes, but is not limited to, the following:
 The unauthorized submission of work previously presented in another course.
 Having someone else write a paper for the student; purchasing a paper from
someone or through the Internet.
 Participating in an arrangement whereby work, classroom activity, or an
examination is done by another person.
 Unauthorized collaboration on assignments or work to be presented.
 Arranging to have others take examinations or to do assignments.
 Obtaining examinations prior to administration.
 Communicating or exchanging test information with other students during an exam
or quiz.
 The manipulating of recorded grades or other class records in a grade book or on a
computer system or the falsifying of such information.
 Bribery.

Cheating in IIM Kashipur will not be tolerated.

Discipline for Academic Misconduct:

The professor/instructor has the authority to determine whether plagiarism or cheating has
occurred. She or he will take the appropriate action depending upon the nature of the
infraction.

Expulsion: Deliberate plagiarism is unethical and dishonorable! In cases of deliberate

plagiarism and cheating, the student is subject to immediate dismissal from the program. In
these cases, due process is afforded through the appeals process.

Failing Grade: Accidental plagiarism, or sloppy scholarship, is academically

unacceptable. In cases of accidental plagiarism, the professor/instructor has the authority to
issue a failing grade for the assignment or the course depending upon the severity of the
infraction. In these cases, the decision of the faculty member is final.

Disruption to Academic Process:

Disruption of the classroom or the teaching environment is unacceptable at IIM Kashipur
and is considered a form of punishable academic misconduct. This includes email or any
other form of communication. Disruption of the academic process includes act(s) or
word(s) by a student in a classroom or teaching environment that in the estimation of a
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faculty member deflects attention from the academic matters at hand. Examples of such
disruption encompass: noisy distractions; persistent, disrespectful, and/or abusive
interruptions; improper language, dress, and/or behavior; and actions that present a danger
to the health, safety, and/or well-being of a faculty member, student, staff member, or
guest. Disruption also includes tampering with, defacing, or stealing library or online
materials. Punishment for such disruption can range from a verbal reprimand by the faculty
member, to dismissal of the student from class with a grade of “F,” to suspension or
expulsion from the school.

References:
Aaron, J. (2001). The Little, Brown Compact Handbook. (4th ed.) Needham Heights, MA:
Pearson/Longman.
Mujtaba, B G. (2015), Nova Southeastern University, H. Wayne Huizenga School of
Business and Entrepreneurship, Course Outline on HRM4300 - Managing Workforce
Diversity, accessed through AACSB database [this course outline is prepared on the basis
of this source]
USNA, (2004). United States Naval Academy 9USNA) Statement on Academic Plagiarism.
May 4, 2004 Faculty Senate Meeting. Retrieved on February 21, 2008 from:
http://www.usna.edu/Library/Plagiarism/Plagiarism.html

IX. MEETING DATES AND LOCATION

When classes will be conducted in the campus: 30 minutes after each class session (on
average two sessions per week)

When classes will be conducted online: All doubts through Google classroom/ phone call/
email (to be specified by faculty clearly during the first session)

X. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Further Details on Course Assignments (If any)

Active student participation is required in all sessions
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IIM Kashipur
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Decision Modelling, Term II, Academic Year 2020-2021

Credit: 1

Evaluation of Assignment by Faculty

Assignment for Course: Decision Modelling

Submitted to: Name of the Faculty

Submitted by:
(Student’s name):

(Email address):
(Address):
(Work phone number):
(Home phone number):

Date of Submission:
Title of Assignment:

CERTIFICATION OF AUTHORSHIP: I certify that I am the author of this paper and that
any assistance I received in its preparation is fully acknowledged and disclosed in the
paper. I have also cited any sources from which I used data, ideas or words, either quoted
directly or paraphrased. I have added quotes whenever I used more than three consecutive
words from another writer. I also certify that this paper was prepared by me specifically for
this course.

Student’s Signature: ______________________________

Faculty Comment and Marks/Grade:

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Faculty Signature: