Oda Bultum University
College of Business and Economics
Department of Management
Academic Year:
Semester: 1
Class Year: 4
Programmed: Management
Course Title: Operations Research
Course Code: MGMT 4132
Credit hours: 4
Pre-requisite: Mathematics for Management
Status of the course: Core
1. Course Description
Problems solving and decision making are vital skills in all areas of management. Operations
research as discipline devoted to the solution of management problem using a scientific
approach. The problem is viewed as the focal point of analysis, and quantitative model are
the vehicles by which solutions are obtained. This course introduces several quantitative
concepts and computational tools used by managers to determine solutions to complex
problems and thereby selecting the best solution. It provides an introduction to the concepts
and methods of decision science, which involves application of mathematical modeling and
analysis to management problems. You will gain an understanding of modeling and rational
approaches to decision making and their contribution to organizational effectiveness.
Analysis and communication are emphasis by using real world applications and cases. Topics
include this course are linear programming, network models, projects scheduling, and
queuing models, applied to tactical and strategic business decisions in functional areas and
interfaces among the areas. Implementation using existing software packages of decision
models to solve various managerial problems in an integrated part of this course.
2. Course Objective:
Up on completing this course, you should be able to:
Develop analytical skills in structuring and analysis (scientific method) of business decision
problems which characterized the field of operation research or management science.
Develop awareness of the complementary nature of the rational and behavioral approaches to
decision making and planning and sharpen your ability to structure problems and to perform
logical analysis.
Use selected software to generate computer solutions of the models.
Learn, through case studies, the applications of operation research or management science to
find solutions to real life business problems including those in global environment.
Demonstrate skills in communicating the analysis and results of business decision problems
and to work as a member of a team.
Use the knowledge gained from this course to continuing life-long learning in decision
technologies to aid business decision making and planning.
3. Course Outline
UNIT ONE: INTRODUCTION TO OPERATIONS RESEARCH
1.1 The History of Operations Research
1.2 Nature and significance of operations research
1.3 Features of Operations Research
1.4 Model and modelling in Operations Research
UNIT TWO: LINEAR PROGRAMMING
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Structure of Linear Programming Model
2.3 Application Area of LP
2.4 Graphical Solutions of LPP
2.5 Special Case in LPP
2.6 The Simplex Method
2.7 Some complication and their Resolution
2.7.1. Unrestricted variables
2.7.2. Tie for leaving and entering variables
2.8 Duality in LPP
2.9 Sensitivity Analysis
UNIT THREE: TRANSPORTATION AND ASSIGNMENT PROBLEMS
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Methods for Finding Initial Solution
3.3 Test for Optimality
3.4 Variation in Transportation
3.4.1. Unbalanced supply and demand
3.4.2. Degeneracy
3.4.3. Alternate optimal solution
3.4.4. Prohibited transportation routes
3.5 Maximization Transportation problems
3.6 Solution method for Assignment problem
3.7 Special case in Assignment Problems
UNIT FOUR: DECISION THEORY
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Types of Decision-Making Environment
3.3 Decision making under Uncertainty
3.4 Decision making Under Risk
3.5 Decision making Under Certainty
3.6 Decision Making with Utilities
UNIT FIVE: NETWORK MODELS
5.1 General network concepts
5.2 Networking algorithms
5.3 Basic Difference Between PERT and CPM
5.4 PERT/CPM Network Components and precedence Relationship
UNIT SIX: GAME THEORY
6.1 Introduction
UNIT SIX: GAME THEORY
6.2 Introduction
6.3 Two-person Zero-Sum Game
6.4 Pure Strategies: Game with Saddle Point
6.5 Mixed Strategies: Game without Saddle Point
6.6 The Rule of Dominance
UNIT SEVEN: QUEUING ANALYSIS
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Queuing system
7.3 Queuing system performance measures
7.4 Queuing model
PRE-REQUISITE COURSE: MATHEMATICS FOR MANAGEMENT
Mode of Delivery and Course Documents:
Class times will include lectures, discussions, exercises and group work. Slides (if any) and notes cover related
chapter subjects.
Assessment techniques:
Continuous assessment (50%)
Final examination (50%)
Responsibility and Academic Integrity:
Students have responsibility to themselves (attendance, in-class participation, expected to solve and write up your
own assignment and to credit all sources of materials and collaborates to the formulation of a solution). Students are
expected to exert a significant amount of effort on their own, and to keep up with the lectures.
References
Anderson, Sweeney, and Williams. Management Science, 8th ed. West Pub.co.
M.P.Gupta R.B. Khanna, Quantitative Techniques for Decision Making, New Delhi, 2004
Turban and Meredith, management Science,6th ed. IRWIN
Render and Stain, Quantitative Analysis for Management, 6th ed. Allyn and Cacon
Bernard W. Taylor, Introduction to Management Science, 9th ed. New Jersey, 2007
6.7 Two-person Zero-Sum Game
6.8 Pure Strategies: Game with Saddle Point
6.9 Mixed Strategies: Game without Saddle Point
6.10 The Rule of Dominance
UNIT SEVEN: QUEUING ANALYSIS
7.5 Introduction
7.6 Queuing system
7.7 Queuing system performance measures
7.8 Queuing model
PRE-REQUISITE COURSE: MATHEMATICS FOR MANAGEMENT
Mode of Delivery and Course Documents:
Class times will include lectures, discussions, exercises and group work. Slides
(if any) and notes cover related chapter subjects.
Assessment techniques:
Continuous assessment (50%)
Final examination (50%)
Responsibility and Academic Integrity:
Students have responsibility to themselves (attendance, in-class participation,
expected to solve and write up your own assignment and to credit all sources
of materials and collaborates to the formulation of a solution). Students are
expected to exert a significant amount of effort on their own, and to keep up
with the lectures.
References
Anderson, Sweeney, and Williams. Management Science, 8th ed. West Pub.co.
M.P.Gupta R.B. Khanna, Quantitative Techniques for Decision Making, New Delhi, 2004
Turban and Meredith, management Science,6th ed. IRWIN
Render and Stain, Quantitative Analysis for Management, 6th ed. Allyn and Cacon
Bernard W. Taylor, Introduction to Management Science, 9th ed. New Jersey, 2007
