Journal Citation Analysis and Summary

This assignment requires you to analyze a provided list of journal citations and create concise summaries for each. The journals cover diverse topics such as managerial decision-making, quantitative research methods, survey techniques, investment appraisal, and consumer behavior. The analysis should highlight key themes, methodologies, and contributions within each field.

BUSINESS DECISION
MAKING

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................1
TASK 1......................................................................................................................................1
AC 1.1 Collection of primary and secondary data............................................................1
AC 1.2 Survey methodology and sampling frame for data collection..............................1
AC 1.3 Designing a questionnaire....................................................................................2
TASK 2......................................................................................................................................4
AC 2.1 Cumulative frequency of the table.......................................................................4
AC 2.1, 2.3 Lower quartile, upper quartile, mean, mode and median..............................4
AC 2.3 Value of semi inter-quartile range........................................................................5
AC 2.4, 2.2 Analysis of the results...................................................................................6
AC 2.3 Calculation of standard deviation and range........................................................7
TASK 3......................................................................................................................................8
AC 3.1 Graphical representation.......................................................................................8
AC 3.2 Creating trend line for forecasting......................................................................10
AC 3.3 Preparation of business presentation..................................................................12
AC 3.4 Formal business report.......................................................................................12
TASK 4....................................................................................................................................12
AC 4.1 Appropriate information processing tool...........................................................12
AC 4.2 Prepare a project plan for an activity to determine critical path........................13
TASK 5 ...................................................................................................................................14
AC 4.3 Using financial tool for decision-making...........................................................14
CONCLUSION........................................................................................................................16
REFERENCES.........................................................................................................................17

INTRODUCTION
Decision-making process plays a vital role in the organization success. Every business
organization has to take variety of decisions in the organization such as for making business
expansion and introducing new product in the market. The process refers to collecting
necessary information and uses them as a decision-making tool. There are two sources
available to the organization for collecting data that are primary and secondary sources.
However, various statistical as well as financial tools are applied to make data analysis. The
given project reports will discuss the need of decision-making process in the context of
World Wide Tobacco (WWT). The report will helps us to make market analysis for the
product E-ciggerate.
TASK 1
AC 1.1 Collection of primary and secondary data
Primary data: This kind of data are collected by investigator themselves for collecting
some specific information. It can be collected by survey methodology, interview and
observation method. The method helps to satisfy specific requirements of researcher. Both
the quantitative and qualitative data can be collected by such method (Davies and Hughes,
2014). As per the scenario, primary data will be collected for WWT through using survey
methodology and sampling technique.
Secondary data: This kind of data already has been collected by the other individuals
for their own purpose. The benefit of collecting secondary data is it is less expensive and
takes lower the time period as the information is readily available to them. It can be collected
by previous researcher studies, available statistical data, government reports, web searches
and historical business data (Pettigrew, 2014). It mainly helps to collect quantitative type of
information. In context to the given business scenario, secondary data sources has been
collected by published sources of Imperial tobacco group.
AC 1.2 Survey methodology and sampling frame for data collection
Survey methodology: It is the most important technique that provides reliable and
prominent information to the researcher. According to the scenario, Marketing Supreme Plc
has to set their target market for conducting survey. In this report, questionnaire method will
be used for gathering information that will help to satisfy the researcher specific requirements
(Fowler, 2013). In this regard, Marketing Supreme Plc has to design a questionnaire that
provides information regarding to different demographic factors such as range of ages,
genders and purchasing power of the consumers. Moreover, the method helps to determine
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consumer’s consumption and buying patterns and their preferences (Solomon and et. al.,
2014). The benefit of the method is that it provides accurate information and filled by the
respondents hence, helps to eliminate any bias. Furthermore, web questionnaire can be
designed and can be filled through sending e-mail helps to collect information at a wider
space. Another benefit of the method is that it takes very less time to fill up.
Sampling frame: Along with the survey methodology, sampling frame can also be
used. Studying the universe or all the population seems to be very difficult task for the
business. Therefore, the method says that universe can be studied by identifying the
information related to a representative sample. The sampling frame tells that Marketing
Supreme Plc has to decide an appropriate size of sample and it should be representative to
whole universe. Sample can be selected by various methods such as random sampling and
non random sampling techniques. Under the random sampling techniques, all the units of the
population have an equal chance or probability of inclusion in sample (Molenberghs, n.d.).
However, under the non random sampling technique, sample can be constructed using any
basis hence, it is relatively convenient for the researcher. According to the scenario, sample
of 60 customers has been taken by random sampling method. All the consumers are using E-
cigarettes product to a great extent. The reason for using the method is that sampling error
can be determined hence provides more reliable and authentic information to the business.
AC 1.3 designing a questionnaire
Name:________________
Age: __________________
Gender_____________________
E-mail id____________________
Contact no.____________________
1. Which kind of tobacco products you often used to prefer?
 Cigerattes and cigar
 Smokeless tobacco products
 Nicotine products (Patch, gum, inhaler)
 E-Cigarette
 Any other (Please specify)___________
2. What is your monthly salary?
 Less than 10000£
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 10000£ to 20000£
 More than 20000£
3. How much amount you often used to spend on the product E-Cigarattes per month?
 Less than 200£
 Between 200£ to 300£
 More than 300£
4. How often do you consume E-cigarettes in a Week?
 Daily basis
 Twice in a week
 Thrice in a week
 Any other (please specify)
5. How much quantity of E-Cigattes you often used to consume per day?
 Please specify_____________
6. How much time do you spent per day in a shop?
 Half an hour
 30 to 60 minutes
 More than 60 minutes
7. From which of the following places you often used to buy tobacco products?
 Specialized shops
 Super market
 Any other place (Please specify)____________
8. With Whom do you often use E-Cigarette products?
 With Family
 With friends
 With the group
 Alone
9. Does the E-Cigarette product satisfy your current smoke requirements?
 Yes
 No
10. Do you think that the prices of E-Cigarette are under your purchasing power?
 Yes
 No
11. Will you intend to buy the product in Future?
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 Yes
 No
TASK 2
AC 2.1 Cumulative frequency of the table
Age group Mid Value Population (F) Cumulative frequency (CF)
0-10 5 9 9
10-20 15 8 17
20-30 25 7 24
30-40 35 7 31
40-50 45 7 38
50-60 55 7 45
60-70 65 5 50
70-80 75 3 53
80-100 90 1 54
54
AC 2.1, 2.3 Lower quartile, upper quartile, mean, mode and median
Age group Mid Value Population (F)
Cumulative
frequency FX
0-10 5 9 9 45
10-20 15 8 17 120
20-30 25 7 24 175
30-40 35 7 31 245
40-50 45 7 38 315
50-60 55 7 45 385
60-70 65 5 50 325
70-80 75 3 53 225
80-100 90 1 54 90
54 1925
Mean: It represent the average value of the series. As per the scenario, mean of the
series will be 35.64, calculated as under:
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Mean = 1925/54 = 35.64
Median: It indicate the middle value of the given data series (Bazerman and Moore,
2012). The median for the present business scenario is computed as under:
Median = Lower limit + (N/2-C)/F*class interval
= 30 + [(54/2) – 24/7]*10
= 30 + (27-24)/7*10
= 30 + 30/7 = 34.28
Mode: It indicates the value that occurs most frequently in the given data series
(Groves and Couper, 2012). It can be calculated using the following formula:
Mode = Lower limit +
= 0 + [(9-0)/ (2*9-0-8)]*10
= 0 + (9/11)*10
= 8.18
Lower quartile: It is the measure of dispersion of the series. Lower quartile (Q1)
represents 25 percentage of the values of the given data series. As per the scenario, the given
data series has a lower quartile of
Q1 = Lower limit + [(N/4 – C)/F] * I
= 10 + [(54/4 – 9)/8] * 10
= 15.625
Upper Quartile = It represent 75 percent of the values of the data series, denoted as
Q3. The upper quartile for the present business scenario can be computed as under:
Q3 = Lower limit + [3*N/4 – C)/F] *I
= 50 + [(3*54/4 – 38)/7*10
= 50 + [(40.5 – 38)/7] * 10
= 50 + 25/7
= 53.57
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AC 2.3 Value of semi inter-quartile range
Semi-Interquartile range: The average of the difference between upper quartile and
lower quartile is known as semi-Interquartile range (Zikmund and et. al., 2012). It measures
the variability between the quartiles.
Semi inters quartile range = (Upper quartile – lower quartile/2)
= (53.57 – 15.625)/2
= 18.9725
AC 2.4, 2.2 Analysis of the results
Quartile and percentile: Both the statistical tools are used to determine the spreaders
of the data series. Quartile indicates the one fourth values of the series, denoted as Q1, Q2,
Q3 and Q4. However, percentile indicates the number of items that prevails under the given
percentage of observation (Triantaphyllou, 2013). For instance, 25 and 75 percentile indicate
the values that come under the range of 25 and 75 percentages. However, median, Q3 and
50th percentile are equal hence; indicate 50 percentages of values of the series. As per the
scenario, Q1 and 25th percentile is 15.625 and Q4 and 75th percentile is 53.57.
Correlation coefficient: The direction and degree of relationship between two
variables can be determined by correlation coefficient (Chapman, 2012). It measures the level
of dependencies between two variables on each other. Positive correlation indicate that both
the variables are related in positive direction hence, increase in one variable lead to increase
another variable and vice versa. However, negative correlation indicates that decrease in one
variable lead to increase other series. Another, zero value of correlation coefficient implies
that variables are unrelated to each other. In relation to the given scenario, correltion
coefficient for the Imperial tobacco group sales and profits is determined as under:
Year Revenue Profits
2005 3000 250
2006 3025 275
2007 3500 325
2008 4000 370
2009 4500 425
2010 5000 460
2011 5200 485
2012 5255 500
2013 5340 525
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2014 5500 550
Revenue Profits
Revenue 1
Profits 0.993435 1
Thus, the correlation coefficient of 0.99 indicates that both the Imperial group sales
and profits are directly related to each other. Raising the sales lead to increase the profits and
vice versa.
AC 2.3 Calculation of standard deviation and range
Age group Mid Value Population (F) Mid value^2 M.V.^2*f
0-10 5 9 25 225
10-20 15 8 225 1800
20-30 25 7 625 4375
30-40 35 7 1225 8575
40-50 45 7 2025 14175
50-60 55 7 3025 21175
60-70 65 5 4225 21125
70-80 75 3 5625 16875
80-90 90 1 8100 8100
54 25100 96425
Standard deviation: It is a significant measurement of dispersion and scatter of the
series (Weygandt and et. al., 2014). It is the square root of variance of the series considered
as a best tool for dispersion measurement. In context to given scenario, the standard deviation
can be calculated as under:
Standard deviation =
= square root of (96425/54) – (35.64^2)
= Square root of (1785.65 – 1270.65)
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= Sq. root of 515
= 22.69
Range: The difference between greatest and lowest value is known as range of the
series (Hahs-Vaughn and Lomax, 2013). The range for given data series can be calculated as
under:
Range = Highest class interval – lowest class interval
= 100 – 0
= 100
TASK 3
AC 3.1 Graphical representation
There are various types of graphs available to the business such as pie chart, bar chart
and line chart. As per the scenario, the sales and profits of the last ten years for Imperial
group are as follows:
Year Revenue Cost profit
2005 3000 2750 250
2006 3025 2750 275
2007 3500 3175 325
2008 4000 3630 370
2009 4500 4075 425
2010 5000 4540 460
2011 5200 4715 485
2012 5255 4755 500
2013 5340 4815 525
2014 5500 4950 550
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Histogram: It is a graphical representation of variable data. As per the scenario, the
histogram for sales, profits and cost is prepared in context to Imperial group as under:
Bin Frequency Cumulative %
3000 1 10.00%
3833.333333 2 30.00%
4666.666667 2 50.00%
More 5 100.00%
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
3000 3025
3500
4000
4500
5000 5200 5255 5340 5500
2750 2750
3175
3630
4075
4540 4715 4755 4815 4950
250 275 325 370 425 460 485 500 525 550

Bin Frequency Cumulative %
250 1 10.00%
350 2 30.00%
450 2 50.00%
More 5 100.00%
Bin Frequency Cumulative %
2750 2 20.00%
3483.333333 1 30.00%
4216.666667 2 50.00%
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More 5 100.00%
AC 3.2 Creating trend line for forecasting
Trend line: It is greatly used in the businesses to predict future on the basis of
historical data (Jacob and et. al., 2015). The trend line for the given revenues and profits of
Imperial Tobacco group are presenting here:
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The trend line predicted that in the future period, all the elements sales, profits and
cost shows an increasing trend for the business. Thus, it can be interpreted that in upcoming
period, Imperial tobacco group will perform better due to higher sales and profits.
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AC 3.3 Preparation of business presentation
The presentation has been prepared through making sales, cost and profits data
analysis for Imperial tobacco group. It is enclosed in PPT.
AC 3.4 Formal business report
To
The Director
Marketing Supreme Plc
Through analysis the revenues of Imperial Tobacco Group, it can be reported to the
directors that E-Cigarette product sales shows an inclining trend. Thus, it can be interpreted
that business is earning larger the profitability through selling the products in the market.
Thus, there is a positive relationship existed between the sales and profits. Moreover, the
cost also shows an increasing trend implies that along with the sales and profits, business
cost is also get increasing over the period. In addition to it, the trend line predicts that there
is a greater chance of increase the sales in upcoming period. Therefore, it can be said that
business will earn greater the profits in the future period due to rises in sales.
TASK 4
AC 4.1 Appropriate information processing tool
Management information system is a best information processing tool that records all
the company data in a computerized database. Managers can acquire all the information at
any point of time through using MIS. It provides updated and timely information hence, helps
to take efficient business decisions (Britten and et. al., 2014). Furthermore, it helps to manage
inventory in the business as it provides information related to business inventory, its cost and
sales. Therefore, through regular monitoring the inventory, business will be able to maintain
effective inventory balance and manage it in an effective way. In addition to it, MIS helps to
monitor marketing operations through determining the product performance through sales.
Moreover, the management information system provides full data security to the business
(Bryman and Bell, 2015). Thus, it helps to increase efficiency of the decision-making.
Furthermore, it provides information related to the market changes. Thus, through using this
information system, decisions can be made quickly.
AC 4.2 Prepare a project plan for an activity to determine critical path
As per the scenario, Gantt chart and network diagram is prepared for renovating a
block of flats. It helps to determine the time duration required to complete the project.
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Activity Duration in weeks
Predecessor
activity
A
replace windows in
lounges' 5
B Rewire 4
C
replaster walls of
lounges 2 A
D Fit flights in lounges 1 B
E Decorate bedrooms 5 B
F Install plumbing 5 B
G Decorate lounges' 4 C, D
H Decorate kitchens 3 F
I Decorate Bathrooms 2 F
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On the basis of above graph, it can be identified that activity B, F and H comes under
the critical path. Thus, the project will take 4 + 5+ 3 = 12 weeks to complete the project on
time. Thus, for completing the project on time business managers has to set standards and
meet deadlines efficiently. Furthermore, through reviewing and monitoring the activities on a
regular basis, business will be able to complete the project within decided time duration.
TASK 5
AC 4.3 Using financial tool for decision-making
Pay back period: The time period required to get back the initial cash outflow of
40000 and 50000 under both the automated process of Fitz and Naushaba, is known as pay
back period. The selection criteria according to this method is that the project that has lower
the payback period should be preferred by the company as it takes lower the time period.
Net present value: The difference between the discounted cash inflow and outflow is
known as net present value (Upton and et. al., 2015). As per the scenario, the cash flows are
discounted using a discount rate of 14%. The selection criteria according to this method is
that the investment proposal that has positive or greater the net present value should be
preferred by the company. The reason behind that is it will provide greater the yield to the
business.
IRR: It is the rate at which total of discounted cash inflow and outflow will be equal
(Götze, Northcott and Schuster, 2015). In other words, net present value of both the process
will be zero.
Year Cash flow Cumulative Discounted Discounted
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cash flow value @ 14% cash flow
0 -40000 -40000 1 -40000
1 16000 -24000 0.8771929825
14035.0877192
982
2 16000 -8000 0.7694675285
12311.4804555
248
3 16000 8000 0.6749715162
10799.5442592
323
4 12000 20000 0.5920802774
7104.96332844
23
IRR = 9.70% NPV = 4251.07
Payback period = 2Year + (8000/16000*12)
= 2 year 6 months
Year Cash flow
Cumulative
cash flow
Discounted
value @ 14%
Discounted
cash flow
0 -50000 -50000 1 -50000
1 17000 -33000 0.8771929825
14912.2807017
544
2 17000 -16000 0.7694675285
13080.9479839
951
3 17000 1000 0.6749715162
11474.5157754
343
4 17000 18000 0.5920802774
10065.3647152
932
IRR = 13.54% NPV = -466.89
Payback period = 2Year + (16000/17000*12)
= 2 Year 11 months
Recommendation: on the basis of above computation, it can be suggested that the firm
should make invest in the Fitz process. The reason behind the selection is it provides positive
net present value amounted to 4251.07. It is the best method as it considers the time value of
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money through using a discount factor. Moreover, it will take lower the payback period of 2
year 6 months as compare to the other project. It indicates that Fitz project will take lower the
time period to get back its initial investment of 40000. However, the internal rate of return of
Naushaba project is higher but it gives negative yield hence, firm should not make invest in
this process.
CONCLUSION
Thus, on the basis of above project report, it can be concluded that statistical and
financial tool gains significant importance for decision-making process. The report concluded
that E-Cigarette products are greatly used by the consumers because in order to eliminate
their health consequences. Furthermore, trend line is prepared for forecasting the future
performance of the product. It concluded that the sales and profits of E-cigarette products will
increase in upcoming period. In addition to it, critical path and network diagram helps the
firms to complete the project on time.
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