UGC NET MBA Unit-8

Statistics for Management, Operations, and Operations Research

PART 1: STATISTICS FOR MANAGEMENT


1. Concept and Scope

Statistics is both a science and an art of collecting, classifying, presenting, analyzing, and interpreting numerical data to aid rational decision-making under uncertainty.

It provides quantitative foundations for managerial functions such as planning, control, and forecasting.

Branches of Statistics

  1. Descriptive Statistics – summarizing data through tables, charts, and averages.

  2. Inferential Statistics – drawing conclusions about populations from samples using probability theory.

Role of Statistics in Management

  • Marketing: Market surveys, consumer behaviour analysis.

  • Finance: Portfolio risk analysis, stock price movements.

  • Production: Quality control, forecasting demand.

  • HR: Wage analysis, performance evaluation.

  • Operations: Scheduling, process optimization.


2. Data and Its Types

A. Based on Source

  • Primary Data: Collected first-hand for a specific study (surveys, interviews).

  • Secondary Data: Collected earlier for another purpose (reports, journals, databases).

B. Based on Nature

  • Qualitative (Attribute): Categorical (e.g., gender, brand preference).

  • Quantitative (Variable): Numeric (e.g., income, profit).

C. Based on Measurement Scale

Scale Meaning Example
Nominal Classification only Gender, religion
Ordinal Rank order Satisfaction level
Interval Equal intervals, no true zero Temperature (°C)
Ratio True zero and intervals Sales, weight

🟩 3. MEASURES OF CENTRAL TENDENCY

Central tendency expresses the “typical” or “representative” value of a dataset.


A. Arithmetic Mean

Xˉ=XN

For grouped data:

Xˉ=fXf

Merits: Simple, algebraically tractable.
Limitations: Affected by extreme values.


B. Median

The middle value when data are arranged in order.

Median=L+(N2CF)f×h

  • Less affected by outliers.

  • Appropriate for skewed data.


C. Mode

Most frequent value.
For grouped data:

Mode=L+(f1f0)(2f1f0f2)×h

Used for qualitative data like brand or color preference.


D. Relationship among Mean, Median, and Mode

Mode=3(Median)2(Mean)

Useful for estimating one measure from the other two.


🟩 4. MEASURES OF DISPERSION

Dispersion measures how values deviate from the average — indicating consistency or risk.


Measure Formula Interpretation
Range Max − Min Simple measure of spread
Quartile Deviation (Q.D.) (Q₃ − Q₁) / 2 Dispersion of middle 50%
Mean Deviation (M.D.) (\frac{\sum X – \bar{X}
Variance (σ²) (XXˉ)2N
Fundamental for inferential statistics
Standard Deviation (σ) √Variance Most widely used measure
Coefficient of Variation (CV) σXˉ×100 Compare variability between datasets

Example:
Dataset A: Mean = 50, SD = 10 → CV = 20%
Dataset B: Mean = 80, SD = 16 → CV = 20%
→ Both have equal relative variability.


🟩 5. PROBABILITY AND PROBABILITY DISTRIBUTIONS


A. Concept of Probability

Probability quantifies the likelihood of occurrence of an event.

P(A)=Favourable outcomesTotal outcomes

Range: 0 ≤ P(A) ≤ 1

  • P(A) = 1: Certain event

  • P(A) = 0: Impossible event


B. Rules of Probability

  1. Addition Rule:
    If A and B are mutually exclusive,

    P(AB)=P(A)+P(B)

  2. Multiplication Rule:
    For independent events,

    P(AB)=P(A)×P(B)

  3. Conditional Probability:

    P(AB)=P(AB)P(B)


C. Probability Distributions

(1) Binomial Distribution

Discrete distribution used for number of successes in n independent trials.

P(X=x)=(nx)px(1p)nx

  • Mean = np

  • Variance = np(1−p)

Example: Probability of 3 defective bulbs out of 10 when defect rate = 0.1.


(2) Poisson Distribution

For rare events (e.g., accidents per day).

P(X=x)=emmxx!

  • Mean = Variance = m

Used when n → large, p → small, and np = constant.


(3) Normal Distribution

Continuous, bell-shaped curve.

f(x)=1σ2πe(xμ)22σ2

Properties:

  • Symmetrical about mean.

  • 68.26% within ±1σ, 95.45% within ±2σ, 99.73% within ±3σ.
    Used in hypothesis testing and control charts.


(4) Exponential Distribution

Used to model time between events (e.g., waiting time).

f(x)=λeλx,x0

Mean = 1/λ
Variance = 1/λ²


🟩 6. DATA COLLECTION AND QUESTIONNAIRE DESIGN


Data Collection

  • Primary: Through direct observation, survey, or experimentation.

  • Secondary: Government reports, journals, internet sources.

Questionnaire Design

  1. Define objectives

  2. Select information to collect

  3. Choose question type:

    • Open-ended (qualitative insights)

    • Closed-ended (quantitative analysis)

  4. Logical sequencing (easy → complex)

  5. Pilot testing and revision

Common Mistakes: Ambiguous wording, double-barreled questions, poor scaling.


🟩 7. SAMPLING THEORY


A. Basic Concepts

  • Population (Universe): Entire group under study

  • Sample: Representative subset

  • Sampling Unit: Element from which data is collected

B. Steps in Sampling Process

  1. Define population

  2. Select sampling frame

  3. Decide sample size

  4. Choose technique

  5. Collect and analyze


C. Probability Sampling Techniques

Method Description When to Use
Simple Random Equal chance for each unit

Small, homogeneous population

Systematic Every kth item selected Sequential data
Stratified

Population divided into strata, then random sample

Heterogeneous population
Cluster

Dividing into clusters, sampling entire cluster

Wide geographical dispersion

D. Non-Probability Sampling Techniques

Method Description
Convenience Easy to reach sample (quick but biased)
Judgmental

Based on researcher’s expertise

Quota

Fixed proportion from categories

Snowball Existing respondents recruit new ones

🟩 8. HYPOTHESIS TESTING


A. Key Definitions

  • Parameter: Numerical summary of population (μ, σ²).

  • Statistic: Calculated from sample (x̄, s²).

Goal: Use sample data to infer about population.


B. Hypothesis Types

  • Null Hypothesis (H₀): No significant difference.

  • Alternative Hypothesis (H₁): Significant difference exists.

Errors:

  • Type I (α): Rejecting true H₀

  • Type II (β): Accepting false H₀


C. Testing Steps

  1. Formulate H₀ and H₁

  2. Choose significance level (α = 0.05 or 0.01)

  3. Choose appropriate test statistic (Z, t, F, χ²)

  4. Compute test statistic

  5. Compare with critical value

  6. Draw conclusion


D. Parametric Tests

Test Application Condition
Z-Test Large samples, known σ n > 30
t-Test Small samples, unknown σ n < 30
F-Test Compare variances Ratio test
Paired t-Test Before–after comparison Related samples

E. Non-Parametric Test

Chi-Square (χ²) Test:

χ2=(OE)2E

Used for testing independence or goodness of fit.

Example: Relationship between gender and brand preference.


🟩 9. CORRELATION AND REGRESSION


A. Correlation

Measures strength and direction of linear relationship.

Karl Pearson’s Coefficient (r):

r=Σ(XXˉ)(YYˉ)Σ(XXˉ)2Σ(YYˉ)2

Range: -1 to +1
r = +1 → Perfect positive
r = -1 → Perfect negative


B. Rank Correlation (Spearman’s ρ)

ρ=16ΣD2n(n21)

Used when data are ordinal (ranks).


C. Regression Analysis

Used to predict value of dependent variable (Y) from independent variable (X).

Simple Linear Regression:

Y=a+bX

where
b=Σ(XXˉ)(YYˉ)Σ(XXˉ)2

Multiple Regression:
Y=a+b1X1+b2X2+...+bnXn


🟩 10. OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT


A. Concept

Operations Management deals with conversion of inputs (materials, labour, capital, information) into outputs (goods/services) efficiently.


B. Functions

  • Product design & process selection

  • Plant layout and facility location

  • Capacity planning

  • Scheduling and inventory control

  • Maintenance and quality management


C. Objectives

  1. Improve productivity

  2. Optimize resources

  3. Ensure quality and timely delivery

  4. Minimize cost


🟩 11. FACILITY LOCATION AND LAYOUT


Facility Location

The strategic decision of choosing where to situate production or service facilities.

Quantitative Methods:

  • Centre of Gravity Method: minimizes transport cost

  • Break-even Analysis: compares fixed and variable cost by site


Plant Layout

Arrangement of machines, departments, or work areas.

Type Features Example
Product Layout Line flow, high volume Automobile plant
Process Layout Functional grouping Hospitals
Fixed Position

Product remains stationary

Shipbuilding
Cellular Layout Hybrid for efficiency Electronics plant

🟩 12. ENTERPRISE RESOURCE PLANNING (ERP)


A. Concept

ERP integrates core business functions through a central database.

ERP Modules:

  1. Finance

  2. HR

  3. Production

  4. SCM

  5. CRM


B. ERP Implementation Steps

  1. Project planning

  2. Requirement analysis

  3. System design & customization

  4. Data migration

  5. Training

  6. Testing & Go-live

Benefits: Integration, transparency, faster reporting.
Challenges: High cost, change resistance, data migration errors.


🟩 13. PRODUCTION SCHEDULING AND CONTROL


A. Loading: Assigning jobs to machines.

B. Scheduling: Determining when and in what sequence jobs are processed.

C. Sequencing: Prioritizing jobs (rules: FCFS, SPT, EDD).

D. Monitoring: Tracking progress, revising schedules.


🟩 14. QUALITY MANAGEMENT


A. Quality Concepts

Quality = fitness for purpose.
Quality management ensures that output meets customer expectations.


B. Statistical Quality Control (SQC)

Uses control charts (mean, range, p-chart, c-chart) to monitor process variation.


C. Total Quality Management (TQM)

An organization-wide philosophy emphasizing continuous improvement and customer satisfaction.

Principles:

  1. Customer orientation

  2. Continuous improvement (Kaizen)

  3. Employee involvement

  4. Scientific decision-making


D. Quality Tools

  • Control Charts

  • Fishbone Diagram (Ishikawa)

  • Pareto Analysis (80/20 Rule)

  • Check Sheets, Histograms, Scatter Diagrams


E. Kaizen

Continuous small improvements involving all employees.

F. Benchmarking

Comparing performance with best-in-class organizations.

G. Six Sigma

A disciplined methodology targeting defect reduction to 3.4 defects per million opportunities (DPMO).
Focuses on DMAIC cycle – Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control.

H. ISO 9000 Series

Global quality management system standards (documentation, process control, auditing).


🟩 15. OPERATIONS RESEARCH (OR)


Definition

Operations Research applies scientific and mathematical models to managerial decision-making for optimization of limited resources.


Applications:

  • Production scheduling

  • Inventory control

  • Transportation and distribution

  • Network planning

  • Queuing and service design


A. Transportation Problem

Objective: Minimize total cost of shipping goods.

Z=i=1mj=1nCijXij

Methods:

  1. Initial solution → North-West Corner, Least Cost, Vogel’s Approximation (VAM).

  2. Optimality test → MODI method.


B. Queuing Theory

Studies waiting line systems.

Parameters:
λ = Arrival rate, μ = Service rate
System utilization: ρ = λ / μ
Objective → minimize waiting cost + service cost.


C. Decision Theory

Used when decisions must be made under risk or uncertainty.

Criteria:

  • Maximax (optimistic)

  • Maximin (pessimistic)

  • Minimax regret (Savage)

  • Expected monetary value (probabilistic)


D. PERT / CPM (Project Scheduling)

Technique Time Estimate Nature
PERT Probabilistic (a, m, b) Uncertain projects
CPM Deterministic Routine projects

PERT Expected Time:

te=a+4m+b6

Variance =(ba6)2

Critical Path: Longest path through network; determines project duration.
Slack Time: LSTEST → available delay time.

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