Business Intelligence and Decision Making

This assignment delves into the crucial role of business intelligence (BI) in supporting effective strategic investment decision-making within organizations. It examines how BI capabilities, decision environments, and ethical considerations influence investment choices. Students will analyze theoretical frameworks like strong structuration theory and practical examples to understand how BI informs strategic investment decisions.

Business Decision
Making
1

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
1.1 Plan or schedule for collecting data from the students of UKCBC.......................................3
1.2 Survey methodology along with the sampling methods........................................................4
1.3 Questionnaire for data collection process..............................................................................5
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
a) Summary on collected data......................................................................................................6
b) Data interpretation...................................................................................................................7
c) Data estimation using dispersion.............................................................................................8
d) Quartiles, percentile and correlation........................................................................................8
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................9
a) Data interpretation...................................................................................................................9
b) Trend line method..................................................................................................................12
c) Power point presentation on findings....................................................................................14
d) Report on organization's performance...................................................................................14
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................14
a) Information processing tools.................................................................................................14
b) Project plan/ activity and critical path method......................................................................15
c) Investment appraisal techniques............................................................................................18
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................19
REFERENCE.................................................................................................................................20
2

INTRODUCTION
Business decision making is a process for planning and forecasting further activities to be
implemented for organization's effectiveness. It is helpful for making decisions and preparing
strategies for adequate allocation of resources and fund as well presenting actual performance of
entity. The present report is based on understanding decision making tool for UKCBC to analyze
college's quality services and students' satisfaction level. It is regarding to recognize different
campuses and courses to prepare report for Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) that is coming in
few next few months. Various data collection methods and sampling frame for questionnaire is
to be described. In addition to this, measurement and estimations on data collection including
mean, median, mode, dispersion is to be expressed that affects decision making process for
UKCBC. However, attractive presentation on students' views and organization's performance can
be presented through this assignment. Including this, several information processing tools are to
introduced for transferring and communicating information for decision making process. Besides
this, investment appraisal techniques involving net present value, internal rate of return kinds of
terms can be presented that is essential to select appropriate project for further investment. Thus,
learners are able to understand different aspects and significance of decision making process for
operating business activities in future time through this report.
TASK 1
1.1 Plan or schedule for collecting data from the students of UKCBC
Data are the basic source of the research which plays role of raw material for the scholar
in order to analyses about the research problem and determine solution about it. Due to such
reasons data collection is one of the highly important aspects in which different sources and
types are to be used. At the present case study, performance of the UKCBC college reduces due
to declining number of students. For identifying causes and accountable factors for declining the
college performance ion London current research is to be arranged and conducted. When talking
about the data then there are basically two types of data like primary and secondary (Popovič
and et.al., 2012). Those information which are gathered by researcher at the first time are called
primary data whereas already published and analyzed data are when gathered then considered as
secondary data. To collect primary data different sources are available like interviews,
3

questionnaire, group discussion etc. On the other side sources of secondary data collection are
such as publications, articles, journals, books, annual report of college, newspapers etc.
In the current case, primary data will be collected by the scholar because it provides
reliable and appropriate information about the problems. The source which will be used for
gather primary data is questionnaire in which different questions will frame after considering the
problem of UKCBC. The questionnaire will be framed and then distributed among the students
which helps to determine their views regarding to the college performance (Craft, 2013). The
reason for selecting the particular primary data source is that scholar able to interact with
students and assess facts and figures regarding the current problem of UKCBC college. On the
basis of the collected data from students the researcher make analysis about the accountable
factors and then frame strategy to attract higher number of students towards it.
1.2 Survey methodology along with the sampling methods
In order to conduct survey about the research problem then different methods are
available there which helps to scholar for analyse in effectual manner. At the current study,
online survey methodology will be used by the investigator in which farmed questionnaire will
be distributed using the online and internet. For this social media sites as well as direct email
system will be used for distributing and sending the questionnaire which takes very less time.
Apart from this, feedback are also taken from students using the same method like online ( Isik,
Jones and Sidorova, 2013).
Moreover, in the college there is huge number of students are available and among whole
questionnaire cannot distributed. For reducing such problem sample data are taken where some
students are selected and then questionnaire will be provided in them. For sampling there are
simple random, cluster, convenience, stratified etc. methods are available which supports to
determine the sample data in appropriate ways. In the current study of UKCBC college research
use simple random sampling method in which any type of the frameworks and parameters are
not there. Randomly the students are selected and then questionnaire are to be provide between
them at the current research. Further, through this method sample of 40 students is to be taken
among whole available within UKCBC college (Mulley and et. al., 2013).
4

1.3 Questionnaire for data collection process
Researcher prepares questionnaire consists of a list of questions to selected 40 students
from different campuses of UKCBC. It is to identify college entity's performance and students'
satisfaction level regarding quality services of organization. In this regard, prepared
questionnaire can be presented as:-
Name:
Class year:
Section:
Q.1 Are you satisfied with facilities provided by UKCBC?
 Yes
 No
Q.2 How about college faculties' behavior with each students?
 Treats equal with all students
 Satisfied with all faculties' staff
 Neutral
 Inefficient
Q. 3 In your opinion, which of the following services of organization is attractive at most?
 Teaching services
 Friendly and positive environment
 Additional activities for overall development of students
Q.4 According to you, is all campuses' students satisfied with facilities provided by college
entity?
 Yes
 No
Q. 5 In your opinion, is there enough books and sources of study material within college
library?
 Yes
 No
5

Q. 6 How about college entity's activities for physical and mental development of each student?
 Effective and friendly
 Satisfied
 Ineffective
 Unsatisfied
Q. 7 Comment on overall facilities provided by college.
 Satisfied
 Effective
 Unsatisfied
Q. 8 Do you agree with the statement that organization almost satisfy its each student.
 Agree
 Strongly agree
 Disagree
 Strongly disagree.
TASK 2
a) Summary on collected data
There are different kinds of estimations created on collected data with different
respondents. However, estimations on all views are generated including mean, median and mode
can be expressed as:- Mean:- It is estimations for evaluating average of all information. However, all results
are sum up and further divided with number of variables presented in all collected data
(Mackie, Worsley and Eliasson, 2014). Therefore, proper estimation is created through
mean process. In this regard, all data are used to find the outcome as well proper
estimation. Median:- The overall collected data are spited into two parts that is quite easy to
calculate. In addition to this, median value is considers as certain for specific value in the
overall values of the series (Harris and et.al., 2016). Even if, data is incomplete in case of
fixed series, median can be determined as appropriate within all variables.
 Mode:- It is related to selecting data as used in frequency. In this regard, data used more
and more times are selected as appropriate estimation and selecting adequate value for
6

further decision making and planning regarding UKCBC (Martinsuo, 2013). It is simple
and popular manner for estimating proper information. Thus, mode is one of the great
method for data interpretation and selecting best solution for further operations.
b) Data interpretation
Mean 65.025
Median 67.5
Mode 40
STDEV 17.8476278679
Correlation 0.1185855353
Q1 48
Q2 68
Q3 79
Mean:- Average of total 40 students' view is 65 that presents the organization's satisfied
position and effective quality services to create positive environment. However, on average,
efficient and satisfied response is gained through this process that proceed to make further
innovations to improve facilities provided by UKCBC. In this regard, it is presented that almost
students are satisfied with college performance including teaching and additional activities. On
behalf of this, further ideas are generated for better quality services as well satisfying students at
higher level.
Median:- This value is determined through splitting all variables into two parts.
Therefore, the mid value for 40 students is 67.5 that presents effective quality services of
median. However, overall rating for college entity's students' get satisfied effectively. It is
interrelated with further activities and making decisions that impacts on satisfaction level of
students as well its sustainability. However, median is considers as mid value that presents on
average mid value of total variables. Thus, as per this estimation, it is recognized that UKCBC
satisfies its students effectively that proceed to make decisions as well presenting proper
performance of organization.
Mode:- Most frequently used data is considered as mode that is known as data estimation
for identifying UKCBC quality services. The most frequent outcome from the total rating is
gained as 40. Students expressed their views regarding satisfaction level for college entity's
performance to make decisions for further years.
7

c) Data estimation using dispersion
Dispersion also terms as standard deviation that presents segmentation of all collected
into different parts. It is of different kinds including finance, statistical, price and so on.
However, gained outcome is divided into different forms that affects college entity's performance
and variances in different views of UKCBC students. In this regard, dispersion among all
students is achieved that proceed to bridge the gap and also identifying different views of
students (Chiou and Wang, 2016). As per the given scenario, it is recognized that standard
deviation between students' different views is 17.84 which is quite normal as well also leads to
fulfill the gap. Including this, it is related to creating estimation on collected data to interpreted
the difference. Thus, estimating dispersion is essential to analyze variances of students' views on
college entity's performance effectively. It is determined through following formula as:-
Here, Sum of (Fx/F)= mean of the variable.
Therefore, variances is indicated among different students' views is 17.84 that proceed to
create innovations for satisfying them at higher level.
d) Quartiles, percentile and correlation
Quartiles/ percentile:- The overall collected data is segmented into quarters as for 25%,
50% and 75%. However, total outcome is divided into three parts refers as Q1, Q2 and Q3. In
this regard, these values are measured as 48, 68 and 79 regarding all students' views respectively.
However, 25% of total collected data is 48, 50% is of 68 as well 75% of the overall value is 79
that is effective. Thus, all gathered information are divided into three parts effectively.
Correlation:- It is a data collection method that identifies relationship between two
substances. For this process system, relationship between students' views and number of students
who applies for admission is created. In this regard, it is analyzed that an ideal correlation value
is 1 that is effective for any organization. However, in the given scenario, students' views and
8

number of admissions are linked as 0.11 that is positive but not so effective for entity's
effectiveness. Thus, it is needed for organization to create link between two substances for
further decisions making and identifying actual performance of organization.
TASK 3
a) Data interpretation
Thematic analysis
Theme 1: Students satisfied with facilities of UKCBC
Yes 35
No 5
Interpretation:- At first, researcher asks about satisfaction level of students of UKCBC
quality services. For the response, 35 students expresses positive reviews and proper satisfaction.
It is recognized that students are attracted towards teaching, different books and study materials
in the library, friendly and positive environment of entity etc. However, there are several factors
that maintain good reputation of organization for long time periodicity. Including this, several
tools are identified that enhances efficiencies and effectiveness of entity. In addition to this,
remaining 5 out of 40 are not satisfied with services provided by organization because of
9
Yes No
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
Column C

disputes and they think like all faculties do not focus on each student. Therefore, it is necessary
for organization to concentrate on this determinant to get 100% satisfaction from each and every
student of the entity.
Theme 2: The most attractive quality services of college entity
Teaching services 12
Friendly and positive environment 15
Additional activities for overall development of students 13
Interpretation:- Through this research process, researcher asks about most attractive
facility of UKCBC to focusing on strongly as well maintaining its good reputation. However, it
is interpreted that the most attractive thing to pull students is college's friendly and positive
environment. In this regard, 15 out of 40 students present their positive views on organization's
effectiveness. Including this, it is recognized that UKCBC also provides extra curriculum
activities for students' physical as well mental development. In accordance to this, 13
respondents present their positive views on additional activities provided by college entity.
Moreover, for analyzing teaching services of organization, it is recognized that 12 respondents
are attracted towards this facilities that improves education system and different learning skills.
10
Teaching services
Friendly and positive environment
Additional activities for overall development of students
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
Column C

However, it is gained through this research that UKCBC provides attractive services to maintain
students' views for future time effectively.
Theme 3: Activities organized for physical and mental development of students
Effective and friendly 15
Satisfied 20
Ineffective 3
Unsatisfied 2
Interpretation:- There are different activities provided by UKCBC to maintain attraction
of students towards its facilities. It is interpreted that 50% students are satisfied with extra
activities and different tools for long time period sustainability. However, organization mostly
remains helpful to satisfy all its students regarding college's performance. In accordance to this,
it influences large number of admissions and good reputation of college entity at high level.
Including this, it is also identified that organization provides development programs as well that
leads to improve its effectiveness and maintaining its sustainability for long time period.
Theme 4: College faculties behavior with each student
Treats equal with all students 20
11
Effective and friendly Satisfied Ineffective Unsatisfied
0
5
10
15
20
25

Satisfied with all faculties' staff 12
Neutral 5
Inefficient 3
Interpretation:- Through this research question, researcher asks students' views on
college faculties' behavior. It is identified that all faculties from all campuses of UKCBC
behaves nicely with each student. In accordance to this, it is gained that 50% respondents are
satisfied with faculties of the organization. It is recognized that mostly all students are satisfied
with teaching services and education system. Including this, it is also analyzed that environment
of the college entity is quite positive and friendly that affects further sustainability of
organization at high level.
b) Trend line method
12
Treats equal with all students
Satisfied with all faculties' staff
Neutral
Inefficient
0
5
10
15
20
25

Interpretation:- Students of UKCBC attract at most with faculties behavior that affects
environment of the college entity. However, positive views are gained in effective manner for
maintaining long term sustainability of organization. In this regard, different tools and practices
can be applied for improving efficiencies and better quality services to increasing number of
students for admission and making presenting good quality of organization to gain maximum
level of satisfaction from students of the college entity efficiently.
13
Treats equal with all students
Satisfied with all faculties' staff
Neutral
Inefficient
0
5
10
15
20
25
20
12
5
3
f(x) = -5.8x + 24.5

c) Power point presentation on findings
d) Report on organization's performance
To
Quality Assurance Agency (QAA)
The project is related to projecting for analyzing students' views on UKCBC
performance. However, different opinions are gained that identifies college entity's services and
satisfaction level regarding all facilities. In this regard, it has been analyzed that organization
provides proper satisfactory services as well environment of the entity is quite friendly where
faculties behave good with all students from different campuses of the college. For conducting
survey, analyst prepares a questionnaire consists of a list of different questions regarding
college performance. Further, he asks questions to 40 students from several campuses for
identifying actual satisfaction level of students. Therefore, positive image of entity is gained at
most. However, all data are interpreted effectively. In accordance to this, various tools and
elements are identified for improving quality services of organization effectively. However, it is
recognized that almost all students are satisfied with facilities provided by UKCBC. In this
regard, for identifying sources of study materials and all factors of the organization's facilities
including teaching, environment, books and study material is quite attractive that shows
effective performance of organization. In addition to this, it is interpreted that students are
satisfied with services of college entity that is effective in future time to sustain its good
reputation. Besides this, various tools and techniques are achieved through this data collection
and interpretation that proceed to make decisions for further years. Apart from this, by
recognizing all factors of college entity and students' views, several tools are gained for
implementation as well improving its quality services to maintain effective goodwill for long
time period.
TASK 4
a) Information processing tools
Within the company and UKCBC college there are several types of information and data
are needed in the adequate manner which helps to them for take effectual decisions of business
14

(UKCBC, 2016). There are different tools available which are supportive to determine
information are described as below:
Decision support system (DSS): In the business different kinds of problems as well as
complex situations come into consideration. In order to resolve the complex and typical business
conditions decision support system is highly helpful (Welborn, Lester and Parnell, 2015). Apart
from this, when the stakeholders going to make decision towards the firm then also it is
supportive up to the greater extent. Moreover, with the firm when there are two or more options
are available to adopt at the workplace then in DSS helps to identify benefits of the options along
with providing ranking. Hence, it can be said it is supportive for the management in order to
resolving business complexities.
Management information system (MIS): It is information processing tool used by
middle level managers of different departments as marketing, sales, research and development,
production and operation. However, all of these employees transfer information to each other
and coordinates for business operations. In this regard, different kinds of data are exchanged
through email, telephone, face to face conversion, reports and so on (Simmons, 2014). Thus,
management information system is useful for exchanging data among different departments of
organization for decision making process regarding its effectiveness and growth in future time.
Transfer processing system (TPS):- This information system is used for lower level
employees that gets information through notice board and communicating data with upper level
workers. Including this, these are valuable for getting guidelines and providing support to all
employees and managers of the entity. Thus, TPS is related with transferring and communicating
data with all workers and decision makers of the organization (Burke, 2013).
b) Project plan/ activity and critical path method
Decision maker of UKCBC plans the process to be implemented for proper projecting
that includes all activities for planning procedure. However, project plan for conducting event
related to analyzing students' views on facilities of organization provided by college entity.
Therefore, project planning can be understood as:-
Plan Activity Estimated cost to be
incurred
Time frame
15

Conducting research Research is conducted
through preparing
questionnaire and
asking questions to all
students of UKCBC.
200 2-3 weeks
Data collection and
interpretation
By conducting
research, different
views are obtained that
presents actual
performance of college
entity and students'
satisfaction.
150 1 week
Preparing plan and
decision making
process
After identifying
students' satisfaction
level and UKCBC
performance, plans
including forecasting
and decision making is
created for further
years. Including this,
all steps to be followed
on for projection are
made in this process.
200 1-2 weeks
Organizing action
plans
Prepared action plan is
organized in this
process involving
quality materials and
different tools
500-600 5-7 weeks
16

adequately.
Implementation of
action plans
Activities of projection
are developed that
identifies all factors of
projection.
400-600 2 weeks
Performance
evaluation
In this process,
decision maker
evaluates all
performers
performances critically
that also involves
errors and problems
occur in proctoring.
Therefore, all
activities can be
managed efficiently as
well project plan can
be succeed.
200 1 week
Variance analyzing
and planning for
recovery
It is a process for
analyzing the
difference between
actual and standard
performance so that
proper projection can
be done.
50 ½ week
Getting feedback from
each worker who
involved in
After getting
succession, feedback
from each employee is
20 1 week
17

implementing
projection
gained positively as
well negatively so
project can be succeed
adequately.
Preparing report Through achieving
success and getting all
reviews from all
workers of the project
team, decision maker
prepares report that
evolved all activities
from start to end of the
projection.
50 1-2 weeks
18

19

c) Investment appraisal techniques
There are different kinds of investment appraisal techniques used for choosing best
project. However, for selecting adequate project and comparing between the two, following
investment appraisal tools are used just as:-
 Net Present Value (NPV):- It is an investment appraisal technique that presents actual
value of project (Power, Sharda and Burstein, 2015). Therefore, for investment related to
UKCBC survey, following NPV is evaluated as:-
Table 1Calculation of NPV
Initial investment 15000
20

Cash flow (1st year) 8000 0.90909091 7272.72727
Cash flow (2nd year) 10000 0.82644628 8264.46281
Cash flow (3rd year) 5000 0.7513148 3756.574
Cash flow (4th year) 5000 0.68301346 3415.06728
22708.8314
NPV 7708.83136
Interpretation
Net present value is the one of the most important project evaluation method that is used
to evaluate the project in better manner. Under this calculation simply from the present value of
cash flows expenses are subtracted and in this way present value is computed. It can be observed
that net present value of the project is 7708 which is positive and high which means that project
is viable for the firm. It can be said that firm must make investment in the mentioned project.
There are some merits and demerits of the project evaluation method for the business firm. It
must be noted that in the net present value method discount rate is used to compute present value
of the cash flows. Main demerit of this method is that in case of NPV it is very difficult to do
calculation of cash flows. It can be said that there are both merits and demerits of the mentioned
method.
 Internal Rate of Return (IRR):- It is tool for estimating return on investment
(Zsambok and Klein, 2014). In this regard, return on inventing fund is forecast that can
be expressed as:-
Initial investment -15000
Cash flow (1st year) 8000
Cash flow (2nd year) 10000
Cash flow (3rd year) 5000
Cash flow (4th year) 5000
IRR 34.77%
Interpretation:- Initial investment at first time is 15000. However, cash flows for next 4
years are 8000, 10000, 5000 and 5000. On the basis of this data, proper internal rate on return is
calculated. However, internal rate of return for UKCBC is 34.77% which is effective for
21

organization as well adequate refund can be gained efficiently. Therefore, proper return on this
investment of 15000 can be gained by processing for further 4 years.
CONCLUSION
The present report is concluded that business decision making is effective for preparing
planning and forecasting for future activities. In this regard, different tools for conducting
research to analyze students' views on UKCBC performance. However, various tools for data
interpretation and further planning is understood through this assignment that proceed to invest
adequate fund. Including this, several investment appraisal techniques including NPV, IRR are
described. Moreover, project activities for succession and tools regarding decision making is
presented for decision making process. Along with this, all results as students' views are
expressed in proper graphical representation to recognize organization's performance. Thus,
significance of business decision making is understood through this report for effectiveness of
the college entity.
22

REFERENCE
Books and Journals
Burke, R., 2013. Project management: planning and control techniques. New Jersey, USA.
Chiou, C.C. and Wang, Y.M., 2016. The Comparative Effect of Computer-Assisted
Collaborative and Individual Concept Mapping on Enhancing Business Statistics
Learning Achievement: The Role of Students’ Cognitive Style. Abstract of Business
Strategy and Social Sciences. 5(6). pp. 98-120.
Craft, J.L., 2013. A review of the empirical ethical decision-making literature: 2004–2011.
Journal of Business Ethics. 117(2). pp. 221-259.
Harris, E.P. And et. al., 2016. Theorising strategic investment decision-making using strong
structuration theory. Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal. 29(7). pp. 1177-
1203.
Isik, Ö., Jones, M.C. and Sidorova, A., 2013. Business intelligence success: The roles of BI
capabilities and decision environments. Information & Management. 50(1). pp. 13-23.
Mackie, P., Worsley, T. and Eliasson, J., 2014. Transport appraisal revisited. Research in
Transportation Economics. 47(6). pp. 3-18.
Martinsuo, M., 2013. Project portfolio management in practice and in context. International
Journal of Project Management. 31(6), pp. 794-803.
Mulley, C. and et. al., 2013. Valuing active travel: Including the health benefits of sustainable
transport in transportation appraisal frameworks. Research in Transportation Business &
Management. 7(8). pp. 27-34.
Popovič, A. and et. al., 2012. Towards business intelligence systems success: Effects of maturity
and culture on analytical decision making. Decision Support Systems. 54(1). pp. 729-739.
Power, D.J., Sharda, R. and Burstein, F., 2015. Decision support systems. John Wiley & Sons,
Ltd.
Simmons, G.R., 2014. Business Statistics: A comparison of student performance in three
learning modes. Journal of Education for Business. 89(4), pp. 186-195.
Welborn, C.A., Lester, D. and Parnell, J., 2015. Using ACT Subscores to Identify At Risk
Students in Business Statistics and Principles of Management Courses. Journal of
Education for Business. 90(6), pp. 328-334.
23

Zsambok, C.E. and Klein, G., 2014. Naturalistic decision making. Psychology Press.
Online
UKCBC. 2016. [online]. Available through: <www.ukcbc.co.uk.in>. [Accessed on 31st May,
2017].
24