Business Decision Making & Investment Appraisal

This assignment analyzes the crucial role of decision-making in enhancing business performance. It utilizes statistical methods such as mean, median, and mode to analyze data effectively. Furthermore, it examines the application of investment appraisal techniques like Net Present Value (NPV) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) to evaluate project investment decisions. The assignment concludes by emphasizing the positive impact of technological innovations on business sales.

Business Decision Making

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
A) Formulating plan for collecting data.................................................................................1
B) Survey methodology and sampling frame.........................................................................2
C) Designing questionnaire....................................................................................................2
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
A) Summarising the data collected from survey....................................................................3
B) Analysing results of the survey.........................................................................................5
C) Measures of dispersion......................................................................................................5
D) Usage of quartiles, percentiles and the correlation coefficient.........................................6
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................7
A) Producing graphs to draw conclusions..............................................................................7
B) Creating trend lines for minimum three years...................................................................7
C) Poster presentation.............................................................................................................7
D) Formal report for publication............................................................................................7
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................9
A) Different systems serve the various levels of management..............................................9
B) Constructing network diagram and critical path.............................................................10
C) Capital investment appraisal techniques to take decision...............................................11
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................12
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13

INTRODUCTION
Business decision-making is required in order to perform tasks in effective way. Present report deals with analysing impact of
technological innovations and advancements on Queensgate Shopping Centre which is the biggest shopping mall situated in UK. From different
campuses of college, sample of students is taken to assess whether shopping habits of customers' affect sales of business or not. For
accomplishing this, plan for data collection is created, sampling frame is used and questionnaire is prepared. The results drawn are analysed with
the help of presentation of graphs. Network diagram and critical path are formulated. Investment appraisal techniques are calculated in order to
take decision whether to invest in project or not.
TASK 1
A) Formulating plan for collecting data
The collection of data is required to achieve so that information can be obtained in the best possible manner. This is needed in order to
carry out various perspectives of people so that information can be gathered and conclusions may be drawn in effective way. The data will be
gathered from the students of UK CBC to get desired results regarding the technological innovation and evolution of multichannel shopping
impacting on malls and high street shops in UK. For accomplishing this task, primary and secondary data will be collected by researcher so that
better and concrete conclusion can be drawn with regards to objective of survey. The primary data means that it is collected for the first time and
not previously taken by any scholar to conduct research. In relation to this, data will be gathered from students from all campuses by circulating
online questionnaires and duly asked them to fill the same and provide their opinions within stipulated time frame. In conducting research, 20
students will be taken as a sample and simple random sampling will be used (Yuniningsih, Widodo and Wajdi, 2017).
On the other hand, secondary data means that which is already gathered previously by researcher and is again being used by different
researcher for conducting research and draw results in the best possible manner. With regards to this, it is also known as second-hand data as the
same had been already collected and used for another research as well. This data will be collected from various publication, journals, articles,
books and as such, information can be gathered in effective way. Thus, this plan will help to get desired results within the shortest possible time
frame and research will be completed with much ease (Phelps and Wood, 2018).
B) Survey methodology and sampling frame
Survey methodology-
The survey methodology is the method to collect data in the best possible manner. This will help UK CBC to analyse the impact of
technological innovation on the malls and high street shops with much ease. In relation to this, online questionnaires will be used to collect
information in effective manner from students. It is useful and fast method to gather information and draw conclusion from the same. This will
be achieved by taking respective mail ids of the students from the administration department of campuses and as such, information will be
collected by issuing questionnaires on their mail ids. Thus, quick results can be obtained in effective manner (Zavadskas, Antucheviciene,
Turskis and Adeli, 2016).
Sampling frame-
The sampling frame is required so that information can be gathered within stipulated time and no extra costs are incurred by the
researcher. Moreover, simple random sampling method will be used as it is one of the easiest technique to generate information with much ease
by just taking sample of population which is representative of whole universe and as such, this method saves time of researcher to collect
information in the best possible manner. In relation to this, 20 students will be taken as a sample and result will be extracted. It is one of the
common method to collect data in effective manner which is not time-consuming as well and effective conclusions can be drawn with much ease
(Zeng, Chen and Li, 2016).
C) Designing questionnaire
Questionnaire
Demographic information
Age
Name
Q1 Do you agree technological innovation is helping mall to achieve objectives?
 Strongly Agree
 Agree
 Disagree
 Strongly Disagree
 Neutral
Q2 Do you think sales are injected because of innovative techniques implemented by
Queensgate Shopping Centre?
 Yes
 No
Q3 Do you agree that shopping habit is changing in relation to technological innovation by
mall?
 Strongly Agree
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 Agree
 Disagree
 Strongly Disagree
 Neutral
Q4 How often do you visit Queensgate Shopping Centre?
 Once in a week
 Frequently
 Once in a month
 Rarely
Q5 Where do you often go for the purpose of shopping?
 Local area market
 Showrooms
 Malls
 Multi-utility stores
Q6 Do you think shopping mall is one of the best place to purchase goods?
 Yes
 No
Q7 From the below elements, which factor induces you to buy items from Queensgate
Shopping Centre?
 Convenient location
 Large variety of goods
 Low costs
 Discount available
Q8 Do you agree that technological innovation influences your buying behaviour?
 Strongly Agree
 Agree
 Disagree
 Strongly Disagree
 Neutral
Q9 Kindly specify suggestions that can be implemented in mall and impart valuable
advices...........
TASK 2
A) Summarising the data collected from survey
The descriptive statistics such as mean, median and mode are effective way of analsying data in the best possible manner. Mean is the
average of data set in the study, while median is mid value of the same data. On the other hand, mode implies that value which frequently occurs
in the data set.
Number of respondents
Do you think sales are injected
because of innovative techniques
implemented by Queensgate
Shopping Centre?
Do you agree that shopping
habit is changing in relation to
technological innovation by
mall?
1 1 1
2 2 1
3 1 2
4 1 1
5 1 1
6 2 2
7 1 1
8 1 1
9 1 2
10 2 1
11 1 1
12 1 1
13 1 1
2

14 1 1
15 1 4
16 1 1
17 2 5
18 1 1
19 1 1
20 1 1
Mean 1.2 1.5
Median 1 1
Mode 1 1
Standard deviation
(STDEV) 0.41 1.1
B) Analysing results of the survey
Theme 1 – Sales are injected because of technological innovation
The above statistical techniques are quite effective to interpret data in the best possible manner. It can be carried out that value of mean is
1.2 which means that respondents believe that more quantum of sales may be effectively garnered by implementing innovative techniques and
as such, customers' purchases goods quite effectually. The shopping habits of the consumers changes because of impact by technology. On the
other hand, median is 1 which shows that half population believes that innovative techniques induces shopping habits and as such, sales are
maximized. While, mode is 1 as well which implies technology benefits firm in increasing profits (Tao and Hahn, 2016).
Theme 2 – Change in shopping habits of customers
The statistical results drawn shows that consumers in Queensgate Shopping Centre have neutral experiences regarding change in
shopping habits because of technological innovation by the mall. It can be analysed from the value of mean obtained is 1.5 which shows that
customers' experiences are overall neutral with regards to innovative techniques applied by mall. Moreover, it implies that students have positive
and negative views as well. On the other hand, median value is 1 which means that respondents are strongly agreed that technology induces them
to change shopping habits (Thirumalai and Senthilkumar, 2017). While, value of mode calculated is 1 which also shows that consumer habits
change quite effectually.
C) Measures of dispersion
The measures of dispersion are quite effective technique in assessing relationship between two variables with much ease. It is useful for
analysing impact of innovative techniques by Queensgate Shopping Centre and respondents' view can be effectively interpreted with the help of
measures of dispersion. It can be analysed that standard deviation calculated for theme 1 is 0.41 and for theme 2 is 1.1. This shows that in the
future mean value will deviate by 0.41. While, second theme provides standard deviation of 1.1 which implies that change in shopping habits
are more than sales level of mall as it can be assessed by views of respondents.
Particulars Theme 1 Theme 2
Standard deviation (STDEV) 0.41 1.1
D) Usage of quartiles, percentiles and the correlation coefficient
Calculation of percentile
Particulars Theme 1 Theme 2
Percentile
1 1 1
3

2 1 1
3 1 1.25
Calculation of quartile
Particulars Theme 1 Theme 2
Quartile
1 1 1
2 1 1
3 1 1.25
Calculation of correlation coefficient
Particulars Theme 1 Theme 2
Correlation coefficient 0.35 1
1 0.35
The above calculations are done regarding quartile, percentile and correlation coefficient. The quartile is effective technique as it equally
divides the data in three parts and results can be interpreted in the best possible manner. Quartile is calculated for two themes in effective way.
On the other hand, percentile is useful statistical method to compute and assess value in percentage form. It is calculated by taking percentage
such as 25, 50 and 75 to effectively interpret collected data with much ease (Tseng, Chiu and Liang, 2017). Apart from this, correlation
coefficient is computed as well which shows whether there are relations between two variables under study or not. In simpler words, how much
correlation exist between such variables. Furthermore, correlation is of two types such as positive and negative correlation. As the name
suggests, if correlation which is at near to 1 prevails, then it is said to be positive and perfect correlation between variables. While, negative
correlation exists when value falls less than zero. Moreover, negative correlation implies that if no correlation prevails and if one variable
increases, decrease will found in another variable. In the present study, correlation coefficient calculated is 0.35 which is low and it can be
concluded that these are independent variables and as a result, no correlation exists between them. Statistical tools are quite effective in
analysing data and draw conclusions.
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TASK 3
A) Producing graphs to draw conclusions
B) Creating trend lines for minimum three years
C) Poster presentation
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2017 2018 2019
0
50
100
150
200
250
90
150
200
Profit (Amount in £)
2017 2018 2019
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
600
700
850
Sales (Amount in £)
2017 2018 2019
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
600
700
850
f(x) = 125 x + 466.666666666667
Sales (Amount in £)
Linear (Sales (Amount in £))
2017 2018 2019
0
50
100
150
200
250
90
150
200
f(x) = 55 x + 36.6666666666667
Profit (Amount in £)
Linear (Profit (Amount in £))
Presenting and Reporting findingsTrend line on sales
 It can be interpreted from the trend line graph that business would be
able to inject sales.
 The firm will be get enhanced sales year by year as depicted by trend
line graph.
 It can be analyzed that sales are 600 in the financial year 2017.
 It is forecasted to be increased by 100 and quantum of sales will be 700
in 2018.
 It is clarified from the trend line equation which is positive as more of
the sales would be made in 2019 as well.
Trend line on profit
 It can be assessed from the trend line that Queensgate Shopping Centre
will be able to produce good profits in coming future years.
 This is evident from the fact that profits in 2017 was 90 which is
expected to maximize to 150 in the next year.
 Furthermore, in 2019, profits are likely to increase by high amount which
shows that firm will be benefited by implementation of more innovative
techniques.
 Thus, profits will be maximized because of enhanced sales. Hence,
profits would be raised up to a high extent.
Column Sales chart
 It can be analyzed from the column chart
on sales that sales were 600 in 2017 of
Queensgate Shopping Centre.
 The sales are forecasted to be increased by
700 in the financial year 2018 which is
quite good for the firm.
 Moreover, in 2019 year, sales are further
expected to be increase by 150 and mark
of 850 would be accomplished.
 The sales will maximize in future years
because of the implementation of
innovative techniques.
Column Profit chart
 It can be interpreted from the graph that profit is 90 in the financial year
2017 which will be increased by huge margin as interpreted by the sales
figures.
 The profit will be 150 in 2018 and expected to maximize to 200 mark as
depicted in the graph.
 This means that profit would be maximized up to a high extent of the
business.
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D) Formal report for publication
To
Retail Times Magazine, UK
Date: May 19, 2018
Introduction- The present report is taken with a view to analyse how technological
innovation is impacting multi-utility shops and malls in the best possible manner. Queensgate
Shopping Centre is taken as a specific sector and analysis is made from the survey taken of
students from all campuses to assess technological innovation whether useful in injecting sales
or not. Research methodology is being used to analyse impact of innovative techniques on mall
in effectual manner.
Research Methodology- This is important aspect in carrying out research with much
ease. The research is undertaken by collecting primary and secondary data to understand impact
of technology on sales of firm. In relation to this, primary data is collected by issuing online
questionnaires to the respondents. Moreover, simple random sampling method is used to take
analysis and perception of students which are taken as a sample from various campuses of UK
CBC. The plan is implemented by collecting secondary and primary data. The online
questionnaires distributed also saves time of researcher and better conclusions are drawn from
it.
Findings from research- The research is carried out and it can be analysed from the
research that Queensgate Shopping Centre is making good quantum of sales and profits are
maximized as well in the best possible manner. The reason behind increased sales is that
technological innovation has been implemented by the high end mall which has been beneficial
for the company. Moreover, the research also clarifies that because of innovative techniques,
future sales and profits will be increased up to a high extent. This is depicted by the trend line
graphs drawn. Moreover, consumer's shopping habits are changed and they purchase more
goods. This eventually increases sales of the firm and overall impact is seen on profits which
maximizes as well. Thus, it can be found that technological innovation is required in mall so
that future sales can be increased up too much extent.
Conclusion- Hereby it can be concluded that operations of the business is directly
enhanced because of technological advancement. It can be analysed that sales of mall are
expected to be increased in the future as depicted by the trend line equation in the best possible
manner. It is required innovative techniques should be implemented so that sales can be injected
as customers' prefer such innovation in purchasing goods in effectual manner.
TASK 4
A) Different systems serve the various levels of management
There are various management information processing tools that aids to the management of company and as such, better and enhanced
decisions can be made. The tools are described below-
1. Transaction processing systems (TPS)-
The TPS is effective processing tool which is helpful in collecting and gathering information of consumers by the business in the best
possible manner. This is required in order to collect customers' data in effectual manner. Customer database can be maintained with the help of
this tool. Apart from data collection, the same can be modified and retrieved with much ease. Queensgate Shopping Centre can maintain
database of its customers and as such, information can be used for taking better and enhanced decisions. Moreover, if the management is keen to
initiate control upon expenses and as such, business can effectively control upon expenses because of such tool (Longhurst, Gough, Clayton and
Ball, 2017).
2. Management information systems (MIS)-
MIS is another useful system of information processing as it is used for gathering of information in effectual way. MIS uses computer
and intelligent devices and gadgets to carry out data. This will be helpful for Queensgate Shopping Centre as it will be able to collect
information in effective way so that operational tasks can be handled in the best possible way. Overall performance can be enhanced with the
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help of maintaining information and as such, enhanced decisions may be taken. Hence, firm will be benefited by using MIS and good profits will
be achieved by the company quite effectually.
3. Decision support systems (DSS)-
The DSS information processing tool help to resolve complex problems which cannot be resolved by any other problem-solving tool.
Middle level of management can take structured decision so that problem can be resolved. In relation to this, Queensgate Shopping Centre can
easily feed data in such system and carry out better solutions in effective manner. Moreover, this will help company to resolve complex issues
and decision can be made (Neal, 2018).
B) Constructing network diagram and critical path
The various paths are as follows-
1+ 4 + 5 +7 + 9 + 10 = Activities
8 + 6 + 4 + 4 + 8 + 1 = 31 weeks is critical path which will be taken to complete project.
C) Capital investment appraisal techniques to take decision
Year Total cash flows Present value of
discounting factor @ 10
Discounted Cash Flow
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Illustration 1: Network diagram

%
0
1 8000 0.909 7272
2 10000 0.826 8260
3 5000 0.751 3755
4 5000 0.683 3415
22702
Initial outlay 15000
NPV 7702
Year Total cash flows
0 -15000
1 8000
2 10000
3 5000
4 5000
34.77%
The investment appraisal techniques such as NPV, IRR are important to carry out whether investment should be made in particular
project or not (Net present value. 2017 ). It can be interpreted that NPV is 7702 which is good and business will achieve good returns in the
future. On the other hand, IRR is 34.77 % which shows that rate of internal return by project will be accomplished. Thus, it can be said that
business should invest in project as IRR and NPV both are higher.
CONCLUSION
Hereby it can be concluded that decision-making in business plays crucial role so that overall performance may be enhanced. The
statistical techniques such as mean, median and mode are useful for analysing whole data set in effectual manner. On the other hand, business is
benefited by implementing investment appraisal techniques in order to take decision relating to invest in the new project or not. Thus, it can be
implied that technological innovations help firm to achieve more sales.
REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Longhurst, J., Gough, G., Clayton, W. and Ball, T., 2017. Incorporating the sustainable development goals into institutional business decision
making UWE Bristol.
Neal, J., 2018. Decision-making. In The Role of Advisory Committees in Biomedical Education and Workforce Development: Emerging
Research and Opportunities (pp. 44-67). IGI Global.
Phelps, N. A. and Wood, A. M., 2018. The business of location: site selection consultants and the mobilisation of knowledge in the location
decision. Journal of Economic Geography.
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Tao, Q. S. and Hahn, K., 2016. Self-Construals, Types of Social Media Usage, and Consumer Decision-Making Styles--A Study of Young Asian
Americans.
Thirumalai, C. and Senthilkumar, M., 2017, February. An Assessment Framework of Intuitionistic Fuzzy Network for C2B Decision Making.
In Electronics and Communication Systems (ICECS), 2017 4th International Conference on (pp. 164-167). IEEE.
Tseng, M. L., Chiu, A. S. and Liang, D., 2017. Sustainable consumption and production in business decision-making models.
Yuniningsih, Y., Widodo, S. and Wajdi, M.B.N., 2017. An analysis of Decision Making in the Stock Investment. Economic: Journal of
Economic and Islamic Law. 8(2). pp.122-128.
Zavadskas, E. K., Antucheviciene, J., Turskis, Z. and Adeli, H., 2016. Hybrid multiple-criteria decision-making methods: A review of
applications in engineering. Scientia Iranica. Transaction A, Civil Engineering. 23(1). p.1.
Zeng, S., Chen, J. and Li, X., 2016. A hybrid method for Pythagorean fuzzy multiple-criteria decision making. International Journal of
Information Technology & Decision Making. 15(02). pp.403-422.
Online
Net present value, 2017 [Online] Available through: < http://www.mathsisfun.som/money/net-present-value.html >
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