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. Greg Jones is running a manufacturing company that is experiencing a substanti

ID: 364371 • Letter: #

Question

. Greg Jones is running a manufacturing company that is experiencing a substantial backlog. Greg is considering three alternatives. The correct choice will depend on the level of future demand. The various decision alternatives and the profits under different levels of future demand are as follows: DECISION ALTERNATIVES STATES OF NATURE (Levels of future demand) High demand Medium demand Low demand Arrange for subcontracting $100,000 $100,000 $20,000 Begin overtime production $200,000 $120,000 -$40,000 Construct new facilities $400,000 $40,000 -$300,000

a. Which decision alternative should Greg select using the MAXIMAX approach? What is the corresponding profit? b. Which decision alternative should Greg select using the MAXIMIN approach? What is the corresponding profit? c. Which decision alternative should Greg select using the Laplace (or equally likely) approach? What is the corresponding profit?  

After consulting with the senior management at the company, Greg was able to estimate the probabilities for the three states of nature: P(high demand) = 0.40; P(medium demand) = 0.50; P(low demand) = 0.10. d. Construct a decision tree for this problem. e. If maximum expected monetary value (EMV) is used as the decision criterion, which decision alternative should Greg select? What is the corresponding expected profit? f. Compute the expected value of perfect information (EVPI) for Greg. g. If a sales forecasting firm claims to have the perfect information about the market demand and is offering its services for $71,500, would you advise Greg to accept the offer? Explain your reasoning

Explanation / Answer

Decision Table:

Profits under Different Demand Condition

High

Medium

Low

MAXIMAX

MAXIMIN

Laplace

Subcontracting

100000

100000

20000

100000

20000

74800

Overtime

200000

120000

-40000

200000

-40000

95200

New Facility

400000

40000

-300000

400000

-300000

47600

MAXIMAX approach (Optimistic Approach): Using this alternative decision maker chooses the course of action whose best possible payoff is better than the best gain of all other courses of action possible in given circumstances.

Decision: Go with New Facility

MAXIMIN approach (Pessimistic Approach): Using this alternative decision maker chooses the course of action whose best possible payoff is better than the worst gain of all other courses of action possible in given circumstances.

Decision: Go with Subcontracting

Laplace Approach (equally likely): Using this alternative decision maker chooses the course of action whose best possible payoff is better than the best gain of all other courses of action possible in given circumstances. Where all the course of the action has equal probability of occurring in given circumstances

Decision: Go with Overtime

Maximum Expected Monetary Value (EMV): Weightage average of the payoffs for a decision alternatives:

EMV = P1*Profit (High)+P2*Profit(Medium)+P3*Profit(Low)

Profits under Different Demand Condition

High

Medium

Low

EMV

Subcontracting

100000

100000

20000

92000

Overtime

200000

120000

-40000

136000

New Facility

400000

40000

-300000

150000

Probability

0.4

0.5

0.1

Expected Value of Perfect Information: It is the maximum amount you will be willing to pay for additional information about the state of nature before the decision is made:

Formula:

EVPI= EVwPI (Expected value with Perfect Information)-EVwoPI (Expected Value without Perfect Information)

EVwoPI= Maximum EMV

EVwPI= MAX(High)*P1+MAX(Medium)*P2+MAX(Low)*P3

Profits under Different Demand Condition

High

Medium

Low

EMV

EVwPI

EVPI

Subcontracting

100000

100000

20000

92000

222000

72000

Overtime

200000

120000

-40000

136000

New Facility

400000

40000

-300000

150000

Probability

0.4

0.5

0.1

EVPI= $72000

Yes Greg Should accept the deal as EVPI > 71500

Profits under Different Demand Condition

High

Medium

Low

MAXIMAX

MAXIMIN

Laplace

Subcontracting

100000

100000

20000

100000

20000

74800

Overtime

200000

120000

-40000

200000

-40000

95200

New Facility

400000

40000

-300000

400000

-300000

47600