Application of Statistical Techniques and Investment Appraisal

The assignment provides an overview of statistical techniques used for effective results, as well as investment appraisal methods for assessing new project acceptance. It includes references to relevant books, journals, and online resources. The primary data collection section is also provided with specific questions (Q.1-Q.8) and answers.

Business Decision Making

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
A) Producing plan for data collection....................................................................................1
B) Outlining survey methodology and sampling frame.........................................................2
C) Producing questionnaire....................................................................................................2
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................4
A) Summarisation of collected data.......................................................................................4
B) Analysing survey results from respondents.......................................................................6
C) Measures of dispersion......................................................................................................6
D) Computation of percentiles, quartiles, and correlation coefficient...................................7
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................8
A) Producing graphical representation of data.......................................................................8
B) Preparing trend line graph.................................................................................................9
C) Presentation of poster .......................................................................................................9
D) Formal report to Retail Times Magazine..........................................................................9
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................10
A) Outlining information processing tools for decision-making.........................................10
B) Producing critical path and network diagram..................................................................11
C) Implementing investment appraisal method regarding acceptance of project................12
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................14
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................15

INTRODUCTION
Business decision-making is useful for any company in achieving good returns yielding
project and further increasing operational activities in business. Present report deals with
Queensgate Shopping Centre which is a mall of UK and impact of technological innovation is
used whether it increases sales of firm or not and change is initiated in consumer's shopping
habits or not. Statistical analysis is made and results are interpreted thereof. Data analysis is
made through garnering responses from questionnaires.
In addressing this, plan for collecting data is made along with sampling techniques and
respondents are used for making out primary data. Furthermore, statistical techniques such as
mean, median, mode, standard deviation are used. Capital appraisal techniques will be used for
evaluating project and making recommendations about the same. Investment methods such as
IRR, NPV are made in relevance to cost of capital of 10 %. Moreover, information processing
tools are carried out so as to attain benefits and take well-structured decisions. Trend analysis is
produced by taking past figures. Hence, decision-making in business plays vital role.
TASK 1
A) Producing plan for data collection
Data is integral part of conducting research in that way by which constructive conclusion
can be drawn. For attaining valuable information, gathering data is essentially required. Present
report is meant for data collection from consumers in order to ascertain whether technological
up-gradation lays foundation with reference to sales. In simple words, impact of sales revenue on
high-end malls prevails or not. It can be effectively attained by conducting proper research so as
to find out whether increment in revenue is achieved with the help of innovative technology.
Queensgate Shopping Centre which is high-end mall in UK is taken for research purpose. The
data will be collected from customers for ascertaining research objective in a better way (Peng
and et.al, 2016).
Primary data and secondary data will be gathered for data collection so as to undertake
research in effective way. These are as follows-
Primary data collection
1

It means that new data is collected which is used firstly by scholar and no previous usage
is made. It can be called as fresh piece of information accumulated for the underlying purpose. It
is used for attaining research in effective manner so that conclusion can be accomplished. For
achieving this, 20 respondents are chosen for the purpose and will be given questionnaire to be
filled up by them and responses will be attained in a timely manner. It is essentially required so
that business may be able to attain whether technological advancement leads to increase on sales
or not. Furthermore, this would be helpful for carrying out results in effectual manner.
Secondary data collection
Plan for secondary data is that researcher will use already collected information that has
been used previously by other scholar. Such information can be accumulated from articles,
books, journals, magazines etc. Hence, plan for data collection would be achieved through
primary and secondary data. This data will be collected and information will be synchronised in
a better way for making out conclusive research. The data analysis is required so that concrete
results may be accomplished.
B) Outlining survey methodology and sampling frame
Survey methodology-
Methods are to be implemented so that desired data can be collected in the best possible
manner. It will provide helpful information to scholar by which aim and objectives of research
can be accomplished quite effectually. In present study, online questionnaires would be provided
to respondents so as to gather information in effective way. With regards to this, students of
UKCBC are taken and for issuing questionnaires to them, respective mail ids will be needed.
From administration department, such information would be gathered and questionnaires will be
mailed to students (Sekaran and Bougie, 2016). Hence, quick and better results will be achieved.
By presenting survey methodology, adequate results would be accomplished to analyse impact of
technological innovation on the sales of mall.
Sampling frame-
Generally, large data is available in the universe which cannot be used for conducting
research by taking all of information. To overcome this, sampling is considered as a better
option. Sample is taken which is a representative of total population. It helps scholar to get quick
results in a better way. Main advantage of using sampling frame is that additional expenditures
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are alleviated up to a high extent. In simple words, it is an economical method used for research
and attains desired results with ease (Kahraman, Onar and Oztaysi, 2015). Simple random
sampling method is used to identify and interpret results. In relation to this, 20 students are taken
as a sample for directing research towards accomplishment of objectives.
C) Producing questionnaire
Questionnaire
Demographic information
Name
Age
Gender
Q1. As per your opinion, do you think innovation helps in achieving objectives of mall?
 Yes
 No
Q2. Do you agree that innovative techniques instantly impact sales in a positive way of
Queensgate Shopping Centre?
 Strongly agree
 Agree
 Disagree
 Strongly disagree
Q3. Do you agree with the fact that consumers shopping habits are largely induced by
technological innovation?
 Strongly agree
 Agree
 Disagree
 Strongly disagree
3

Q4. From the following places, which do you mostly prefer for shopping?
 Local Market
 Malls
 Showrooms
 Others
Q5. Do you think that post-implementation of innovative techniques, services of Queensgate
Shopping Centre have been improved?
 Yes
 No
Q6. Which among the following factor influences you to buy products from Queensgate
Shopping Centre?
 Cost
 Discounts
 Fast delivery
 After sales services
Q7. Do you like high-end malls for purchasing items?
 Yes
 No
Q8. Do you think that customer's shopping habit changes due to innovation?
 Strongly agree
 Agree
 Disagree
 Strongly disagree
Q9. Would like to consider your valuable suggestions for initiating more improvement in
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products and services.........
TASK 2
A) Summarisation of collected data
Refer appendix 1
Respondents
Do you agree that innovative
techniques instantly impact sales
in a positive way of Queensgate
Shopping Centre?
Do you agree with the fact that
consumers shopping habits are largely
induced by technological innovation?
1 1 1
2 1 1
3 1 1
4 1 1
5 2 3
6 1 1
7 1 1
8 1 1
9 1 1
10 2 1
11 1 1
12 1 1
13 1 2
5

14 2 1
15 1 2
16 1 1
17 2 1
18 1 1
19 1 1
20 1 2
Mean 1.2 1.25
Median 1 1
Mode 1 1
Standard
deviation 0.41 0.55
B) Analysing survey results from respondents
The two themes can be listed below-
Theme 2- Impact on sales through technological innovation
Statistical techniques are useful in carrying out research in effective manner. The usage
of mean, median and mode helps to attain better insight about the preferences of population. All
these techniques are helpful in making out useful analysis of data in the best possible way. Value
of mean is 1.2 which clearly signifies that sales revenue can be increased with the help of
successful implementation several new techniques. It induces customers to buy goods and
eventually, sales are maximised. Median and mode both are 1 which means that technological
advancement has direct impact on sales of mall.
Theme 3- Shopping habits influenced by innovative techniques
6

Next theme which can be evaluated from above questionnaire that shopping habits are
influenced with the help of technological changes or not. In relation to this, mean calculated is
1.25 which has mixed responses from customers. On the other hand, median value is arrived at 1
signifying that nearly around half of population is influenced by such changes. Mode is 1
implying that customer's shopping habits undergoes change because of technological innovation
in Queensgate Shopping Centre. Hence, all responses from people provides that shopping habits
are changed in a better way because of new advancement of technology.
C) Measures of dispersion
Particulars Theme 1 Theme 2
Standard deviation 0.41 0.55
It is one of the best statistical methods for analysing relationship among variables in the
best possible way. Measures of dispersion signify relationship between two variables, which can
be used to assess study with much ease (Thirumalai and Senthilkumar, 2017). In relation to this,
standard deviation of Theme 1 is 0.41 while Theme 2 is 0.55. This implies that mean would
deviate in the future by 0.41.
Moreover, Theme 2 has more standard deviation in comparison to another theme. In
simple words, shopping habits change is more than impact of sales revenue in the high-end mall.
D) Computation of percentiles, quartiles and correlation coefficient
Calculation of Percentile
Particulars Theme 1 Theme 2
Percentile
1 1 1
2 1 1
3 1 1
7

Calculation of Quartile
Particulars Theme 1 Theme 2
Quartile
1 1 1
2 1 1
3 1 1
Calculation of Correlation Coefficient
Particulars Theme 1 Theme 2
Correlation coefficient 0.23 1
1 0.23
The statistical analysis has been conducted with reference to the responses received from
online questionnaire issued to respondents. Three main methods of statistics such as percentile,
quartile and correlation coefficient are being calculated for analysing responses regarding themes
in an effective way.
Quartile is calculated, which divides the data in three equal elements and perfect results
can be accomplished with ease. This eases off data analysis. On the other side, percentile is
computed by taking usually three bases such as percentage on basis of 25, 50 and 75in three
different elements to effectively attaining interpretation of data.
While, correlation coefficient is another meaningful statistical technique used to carry out
analysis with regards to correlation prevails between variables or not in the best possible manner.
Generally, there are two main types of correlation such as positive and negative one. As the
name suggests that, if relationship between variables is 1 then positive correlation is found.
Apart from this, if value is less than 1 then negative one prevails among variables. This
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method is quite useful in analysing results of two variables. In above statistics, correlation
coefficient is 0.23, which implies that correlation does not exist between them. Furthermore, it
means that independent variables are there having no correlation (Garrido, Verbeke and Bravo,
2018). Hence, all methods help to analyse data quite effectually and drawn conclusion.
TASK 3
A) Producing graphical representation of data
Theme 1: Innovation helps in achieving objectives of mall
Particulars Respondents % of respondents
Yes 15 75%
No 5 25%
Total 20 100%
As per your opinion, do you think
innovation helps in achieving
objectives of mall? (% of
respondents) As per your opinion, do
you think innovation helps
in achieving objectives of
mall? (% of respondents)
Interpretation- It can be analysed from the above chart that 75 % of respondents believe that
innovation helps in accomplishing objectives of malls.
Theme 2: Innovative techniques places positive impact on the sales of Queensgate Shopping
Centre
9

Do you agree that innovative
techniques instantly impact sales in a
positive way of Queensgate Shopping
Centre? Do you agree that
innovative techniques
instantly impact sales in a
positive way of
Queensgate Shopping
Centre?
Interpretation- It can be analysed that positive impact can be seen on sales of Queensgate
Shopping Centre. This is evident from the chart that majority of respondents have given answer
in favour of the same.
Theme 3: Technological innovation has an impact on the shopping habits of customers
Do you agree with the fact that
consumers shopping habits are
largely induced by technological
innovation? Do you agree with the fact
that consumers shopping
habits are largely induced
by technological
innovation?
Interpretation- Above chart shows that majority of respondents believes that technological
innovation has impact on consumer shopping habits.
Theme 4: Malls are highly preferred by the customers for shopping
Views of respondents % of respondents
Local Market 3 15%
10

Malls 10 50%
Showrooms 4 20%
Others 3 15%
Total 20 100%
% of respondents
% of respondents
Interpretation- Chart shows that people prefer to shop from malls which are the main reason of
sales of company in effective manner. While, showrooms comes at second place followed by
local market and others.
Theme 5: post-implementation of innovative techniques, services of Queensgate Shopping
Centre have been improved
Particulars Respondents % of respondents
Yes 14 70%
No 6 30%
Total 20 100%
11

% of respondents
% of respondents
Interpretation- It can be analysed that services have been improved up to a high extent of
shopping mall after implementation of innovative techniques.
Theme 6: Cost and discounts are the main factor which influence customers to buy products
from Queensgate Shopping Centre
Particulars Respondents % of respondents
Cost 7 35%
Discounts 6 30%
Fast delivery 4 20%
After sales services 3 15%
Total 20 100%
12

% of respondents
% of respondents
Interpretation- The chart shows that costs and discounts are basic factors influencing customers
to buy products and sales are increased of shopping mall.
Theme 7: Customerslike high-end malls for purchasing items
Particulars Respondents % of respondents
Yes 16 80%
No 4 20%
Total 20 100%
% of respondents
% of respondents
13

Interpretation- Above chart shows that high end malls influence customers to buy products in the
best possible manner. As majority of respondents have replied the same.
Theme 8: customer's shopping habit changes due to innovation
Particulars Respondents % of respondents
Strongly agree 9 45%
Agree 7 35%
Disagree 2 10%
Strongly disagree 2 10%
Total 20 100%
% of respondents
% of respondents
Interpretation- It can be analysed that shopping habits of customers changes post implementation
of innovative techniques because respondents strongly agrees with the fact.
B) Preparing trend line graph
Trend line on sales
 It can be interpreted that sales will be maximized up to a high extent. It is evident from
the fact that trend line shows that in 2017, sales were 500.
 Figure was further increased to 700 in next financial year. It is forecasted that 920 will be
achieved by firm in effective way
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2017; Sales
(Amount in £);
500
2018; Sales
(Amount in £);
700
2019; Sales
(Amount in £);
920
f(x) = 210 x + 286.67
R² = 0.999244712990937
Sales (Amount in £)
Linear (Sales (Amount in £))
Trend line on profit
 Trend line graphs are useful in analyzing whether in future firm would attain good
quantum of profits or not.
 It can be assessed that profits were 100 in 2017. It maximized to 160 in 2017 and trend
line shows that profits will be maximized in next year as well.
 It will reach to 210 which is incredible for mall.
2017; Profit
(Amount in £);
100
2018; Profit
(Amount in £);
160
2019; Profit
(Amount in £);
210
f(x) = 55 x + 46.67
R² = 0.997252747252747
Profit (Amount in £)
Linear (Profit (Amount in £))
C) Presentation of poster
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16
Presenting and Reporting Findings
Theme 1: Innovation helps in achieving objectives of mall
Yes No
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80% 75%
25%
Theme 2: Innovative techniques places positive impact on the
sales of Queensgate Shopping Centre
Strongly Agree Agree
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
80%
20%
Theme 3: Technological innovation has an impact on the
shopping habits of customers
Strongly
agree Agree Disagree
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
80%
15%
5%
Theme 4: Malls are highly preferred by the customers for
shopping
Local
Market
Malls Showrooms Others
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
15%
50%
20%
15%
Theme 5: post-implementation of innovative techniques, services of
Queensgate Shopping Centre have been improved
Yes No
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
70%
30%
Theme 6: Cost and discounts are the main factor
which influence customers to buy products from
Queensgate Shopping Centre
Cost Discounts Fast
delivery After sales
services
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
35%
30%
20%
15%
Theme 7: Customerslike high-end malls for purchasing
items
Yes No
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
80%
20%
Theme 8: customer's shopping habit changes due to
innovation
Strongly
agree Agree Disagree Strongly
disagree
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
45%
35%
10% 10%
Trend line on profit
2017 2018 2019
0
50
100
150
200
250
100
160
210
f(x) = 55 x + 46.6666666666667
Profit (Amount in
£)
Linear (Profit
(Amount in £))
Trend line on sales: It can be interpreted that sales will be
maximized up to a high extent. It is evident from the fact that
trend line shows that in 2017, sales were 500.Figure was further
increased to 700 in next financial year. It is forecasted that 920
will be achieved by firm in effective way
2017 2018 2019
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1000
500
700
920
f(x) = 210 x + 286.666666666667
Sales (Amount in £)
Linear (Sales (Amount
in £))
Discussion of primary data
Statistical techniques are useful in carrying out research in effective manner. The
usage of mean, median and mode helps to attain better insight about the preferences of
population. All these techniques are helpful in making out useful analysis of data in the best
possible way. Value of mean is 1.2 which clearly signifies that sales revenue can be increased
with the help of successful implementation several new techniques. It induces customers to
buy goods and eventually, sales are maximised. Median and mode both are 1 which means
that technological advancement has direct impact on sales of mall.
Next theme which can be evaluated from above questionnaire that shopping habits are
influenced with the help of technological changes or not. In relation to this, mean calculated is
1.25 which has mixed responses from customers. On the other hand, median value is arrived
at 1 signifying that nearly around half of population is influenced by such changes. Mode is 1
implying that customer's shopping habits undergoes change because of technological
innovation in Queensgate Shopping Centre. Hence, all responses from people provides that
shopping habits are changed in a better way because of new advancement of technology.

D) Formal report to Retail Times Magazine
To
Retail Times Magazine, UK
Date: July 23, 2018
Introduction- Technological innovation is important to inject sales in effective manner.
Present report deals with the fact that whether innovation impacts over sales of high-end malls
or not. Queensgate Shopping Centre is taken and survey is taken from the respondents to find
out effect on sales of business.
Research Methodology- Research should bes carrying out in that way by which
objectives can be met in the best possible manner. In accomplishing this, primary and secondary
data both are carried out so that desired data can be accumulated. Primary research is taken with
the help of issuing online questionnaires to respondents and asked to fill the same and duly mail
it. On the other hand, secondary data is gathered from books, articles, magazines so as to attain
desired information. Simple Random Sampling is used and 20 respondents are chosen to
effectively conduct research and carry out goals with ease.
Findings from research- The findings of this research are fruitful in the hands of
Queensgate Shopping Centre with respect to overall performance. It is evident from the fact that
sales are increasing up to great heights. Moreover, profits are maximising. This is possible
because of technological advancement by business to accomplish goals in effectual way.
Furthermore, it is also provided by trend line graphs of profits and sales that firm's performance
would be increased in the future course of action. Furthermore, it will be able to garner good
amount of sales and eventually profits would be achieved.
Conclusion- From the above findings, it can be concluded that technological innovation
plays crucial role for the company to achieve profits in effective manner. Moreover, it can be
analysed that Queensgate Shopping Centre is able to garner higher profits and trends will be
continued in future as depicted by trend line. Hence, business would be profitable in
forthcoming years.
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TASK 4
A) Outlining information processing tools for decision-making
Transaction Processing Systems (TPS)-
The information processing tools are required for making decisions in effectual manner.
It means that database of customers can be maintained in a better way by management of
Queensgate Shopping Centre to gather and analyse information. With regards to this, data can be
modified and if lost then the same can be retrieved. This will be helpful for management to take
enhanced decisions by effectively analysing desired information. Moreover, it will be fruitful for
management to reduce costs (Zeng, Chen and Li, 2016).
Decision Support Systems (DSS)-
There are various problems that are required to be resolved in that way by which firm
may overcome shortcomings with ease and initiate healthy operational activities. On the other
hand, several problems are also there which cannot be instantly resolved. For accomplishing this,
DSS is used so that business may be able to collect information and as such, problems can be
solved in a better manner. It is a useful information-processing tool used to resolve complex
business issues and Queensgate Shopping Centre can implement it and gain benefits quite
effectually. Usually, it is used by middle-level management to take proper decisions and attain
efficiency.
Management Information Systems (MIS)-
MIS is useful information processing tool, which is used to effectively attain clarity and
efficiency in the best possible manner (Wu and Seidmann, 2018). In relation to this, MIS is
utilised for collecting data with the help of computers. Furthermore, it also uses intelligent
devices to gather information in effective way. Management of Queensgate Shopping Centre will
be able to garner profits as desired information would be utilised and transparency could be
observed. Furthermore, with the help of MIS, business will be able to attain efficiency as higher
profits can be achieved with regards to information and then take relevant decisions, thereby
increasing sales of firm and overall performance.
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B) Producing critical path and network diagram
Illustration 1: Network diagram
There are various paths in the above network diagram. Following calculated activity is
the longest path which is known as critical path-
1+ 4 + 5 +7 + 9 + 10
Hence, 8 + 6 + 4 + 4 + 8 + 1 = 31 weeks would be required for project accomplishment.
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C) Implementing investment appraisal method regarding acceptance of project
20

Investment appraisal techniques are quite important for the purpose whether to accept
project or not. The methods such as NPV and IRR are crucial in assessing attractiveness of
project in the best possible manner. This provides way to firm whether investment should be
made or it should be dropped.
NPV is difference between cash inflows and outflows so as to find attractiveness of
project in effective way. It is widely used technique as it considers time value of money (What is
Net Present Value (NPV)? 2018). It can be interpreted from the above calculation that NPV is
calculated and amount is 7702, which is positive and should be accepted by business.
The initial investment is 15000 and cash flows obtained are 22702. This implies that firm
will be able to attain good quantum of returns in the future. On the other hand, IRR is computed
that shows how much returns will be generated in business from investment to pay to creditors.
IRR is 34.77 % which is higher and positive shows that firm will be able to achieve good returns
as IRR is positive. Hence, project should be accepted for attaining effective return on investment.
CONCLUSION
Hereby, it can be concluded that business decision-making is crucial task so that better
returns may be generated with ease. Queensgate Shopping Centre has been performing well and
it is being forecasted that it will continue to achieve more sales and eventually profits will be
maximised up to great heights.
Furthermore, statistical techniques applied are effective for attaining desired results in an
understandable manner. On the other hand, investment appraisal methods are useful in assessing
regarding acceptance of new project. It helped to make perfect analysis so that better returns
could be garnered by investing in higher return yielding project. Furthermore, critical path and
network diagram is useful tool for taking analyse when project would be completed.
21

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Garrido, F., Verbeke, W. and Bravo, C., 2018. A Robust profit measure for binary classification
model evaluation. Expert Systems with Applications. 92. pp.154-160.
Kahraman, C., Onar, S. C. and Oztaysi, B., 2015. Fuzzy multicriteria decision-making: a
literature review. International Journal of Computational Intelligence Systems. 8(4).
pp.637-666.
Peng, J. J and et.al, 2016. Simplified neutrosophic sets and their applications in multi-criteria
group decision-making problems. International journal of systems science. 47(10).
pp.2342-2358.
Sekaran, U. and Bougie, R., 2016. Research methods for business: A skill building approach.
John Wiley & Sons.
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.
Wu, T. and Seidmann, A., 2018. Can irrelevant benchmark information help when making
business decisions under uncertainty? An empirical investigation of the newsvendor
game. Decision Support Systems.
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
What is Net Present Value (NPV)?. 2018 [Online] Available Through:
https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/knowledge/valuation/net-present-value-npv/
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