Decision Theory and Decision Trees

C h a p t e r

19

“The one word that makes a good manager – decisiveness.” – Iacocca, Lee

Decision Theory and Decision Trees Learning Objectives After studying this chapter, you should be able to • understand the steps of decision-making process. • make decision under various decision-making environments. • determine the expected value of perfect information, expect opportunity loss and expected monetary value associated with any decision. • revise probability estimates using Bayesian analysis. • construct decision trees for making decision. • understand the importance of utility theory in decision making.

19.1 INTRODUCTION The success or failure that an individual or organization experiences, depends to a large extent, on the ability of making acceptable decisions on time. To arrive at such a decision, a decision-maker needs to enumerate feasible and viable courses of action (alternatives or strategies), the projection of consequences associated with each course of action, and a measure of effectiveness (or an objective) to identify the best course of action. Decision theory is both descriptive and prescriptive business modeling approach to classify the degree of knowledge and compare expected outcomes due to several courses of action. The degree of knowledge is divided into four categories: complete knowledge (i.e. certainty), ignorance, risk and uncertainty as shown in Fig. 19.1. Irrespective of the type of decision model, following essential components are common to all:

Decision alternatives  There is a finite number of decision alternatives available to the decision maker at each point in time when a decision is made. The number and type of such alternatives may depend on the previous decisions made and their outcomes. Decision alternatives may be described numerically, such as stocking 100 units of a particular item, or non-numerically, such as conducting a market survey to know the likely demand of an item.

States of nature  A state of nature is an event or scenario that is not under the control of

decision makers. For instance, it may be the state of economy (e.g. inflation), a weather condition, a political development, etc.

Figure 19.1 Zones of Decision Making

Decision analysis: It is an analytical approach of comparing decision alternatives in terms of expected outcomes.

678     Chapter 19 The states of nature may be identified through Scenario Analysis where a section of people are interviewed – stakeholders, long-time managers, etc., to understand states of nature that may have serious impact on a decision. The states of nature are mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive with respect to any decision problem. The states of nature may be described numerically such as, demand of 100 units of an item or non-numerically such as, employees strike, etc.

Payoff  It is a numerical value (outcome) obtained due to the application of each possible combination of decision alternatives and states of nature. The payoff values are always conditional values because of unknown states of nature. The payoff values are measured within a specified period (e.g. within one year, month, etc.) called the decision horizon. The payoffs in most decisions are monetary. Payoffs resulting from each possible combination of decision alternatives and states of natures are displayed in a matrix (also called payoff matrix) form as shown in Table 19.1.

States of nature: They are outcomes due to random factors that effect the payoff of from decision alternatives.

Table 19.1  General Form of Payoff Matrix

Courses of Action (Alternatives) S1

S2

. . .

Sn

N1 N2

p1 p11 p2 p21

p12 p22

. . . . . .

p1n p2n

M Nm

M pm

M M pm2 . . . pmn



States of Nature

Probability

M pm1

19.2 STEPS of DECISION-Making Process The decision-making process involves the following steps: 1. Identify and define the problem. 2. List all possible future events (not under the control of decision-maker) that are likely to occur. 3. Identify all the courses of action available to the decision-maker. 4. Express the payoffs (pij) resulting from each combination of course of action and state of nature. 5. Apply an appropriate decision theory model to select the best course of action from the given list on the basis of a criterion (measure of effectiveness) to get optimal (desired) payoff. Payoff: It is the quantitative measure of the outcome from each pair of decision alternative and a state of nature.

Example 19.1:  A firm manufactures three types of products. The fixed and variable costs are given below: Fixed Cost (`) Variable Cost per Unit (`) Product A : 25,000 12 Product B : 35,000  9 Product C : 53,000  7

The likely demand (units) of the products is given below:

Poor demand :   3,000 Moderate demand :   7,000 High demand : 11,000

If the sale price of each type of product is `25, then prepare the payoff matrix. Solution:  Let D1, D2 and D3 be the poor, moderate and high demand, respectively. The payoff is determined as: Payoff = Sales revenue – Cost

Decision Theory and Decision Trees     679

The calculations for payoff (in ’000 `) for each pair of alternative demand (course of action) and the types of product (state of nature) are shown below: D1 A = 3 × 25 – 25 – 3 × 12 = 14 D2 A = 7 × 25 – 25 – 7 × 12 = 66 D2 B = 7 × 25 – 35 – 7 × 19 = 77 D1 B = 3 × 25 – 35 – 3 × 19 = 13 D1 C = 3 × 25 – 53 – 3 × 17 = 1 D2 C = 7 × 25 – 53 – 7 × 17 = 73 D3 A = 11 × 25 – 25 – 11 × 12 = 118 D3 B = 11 × 25 – 35 – 11 × 19 = 141 D3 C = 11 × 25 – 53 – 11 × 17 = 145 The payoff values are shown in Table 19.2. Table 19.2 Payoff

Product Type

Alternative Demand (in ’000 `)

D1

A B C

D2

D3

14 66 118 13 77 141  1 73 145

19.3  TYPES OF DECISION-MAKING ENVIRONMENTS To arrive at an optimal decision it is essential to have an exhaustive list of decisionalternatives, knowledge of decision environment, and use of appropriate quantitative approach for decision-making. In this section three types of decision-making environments: certainty, uncertainty, and risk, have been discussed. The knowledge of these environments helps in choosing the quantitative approach for decision-making.

Decision Making Under Certainty In this decision-making environment, decision-maker has complete knowledge (perfect information) of outcome due to each decision-alternative (course of action). In such a case he would select a decision alternative that yields the maximum return (payoff) under known state of nature. For example, the decision to invest in National Saving Certificate, Indira Vikas Patra, Public Provident Fund, etc., is where complete information about the future return due and the principal at maturity is know.

Decision Making Under Risk In this decision-environment, decision-maker does not have perfect knowledge about possible outcome of every decision alternative. It may be due to more than one states of nature. In a such a case he makes an assumption of the probability for occurrence of particular state of nature.

Decision Making Under Uncertainty In this decision environment, decision-maker is unable to specify the probability for occurrence of particular state of nature. However, this is not the case of decision-making under ignorance, because the possible states of nature are known. Thus, decisions under uncertainty are taken even with less information than decisions under risk. For example, the probability that Mr X will be the prime minister of the country 15 years from now is not known.

19.4  DECISION-MAKING UNDER UNCERTAINTY When probability of any outcome can not be quantified, the decision-maker must arrive at a decision only on the actual conditional payoff values, keeping in view the criterion of

Decision Making Under Certainty: It is an environment in which future outcomes or states of nature are known.

680     Chapter 19 effectiveness (policy). The following criteria of decision-making under uncertainty have been discussed in this section.

(i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v)

Optimism (Maximax or Minimin) criterion Pessimism (Maximin or Minimax) criterion Equal probabilities (Laplace) criterion Coefficient of optimism (Hurwiez) criterion Regret (salvage) criterion

19.4.1  Optimism (Maximax or Minimin) Criterion In this criterion the decision-maker ensures that he should not miss the opportunity to achieve the largest possible profit (maximax) or the lowest possible cost (minimin). Thus, he selects the decision alternative that represents the maximum of the maxima (or minimum of the minima) payoffs (consequences or outcomes). The working method is summarized as follows: Decision Making Under Risk: It is an environment in which the probability of outcomes or states of nature can be quantified.

(a) Locate the maximum (or minimum) payoff values corresponding to each decision alternative. (b) Select a decision alternative with best payoff value (maximum for profit and minimum for cost). Since in this criterion the decision-maker selects an decision-alternative with largest (or lowest) possible payoff value, it is also called an optimistic decision criterion.

19.4.2  Pessimism (Maximin or Minimax) Criterion In this criterion the decision-maker ensures that he would earn no less (or pay no more) than some specified amount. Thus, he selects the decision alternative that represents the maximum of the minima (or minimum of the minima in case of loss) payoff in case of profits. The working method is summarized as follows: (a) Locate the minimum (or maximum in case of profit) payoff value in case of loss (or cost) data corresponding to each decision alternative. (b) Select a decision alternative with the best payoff value (maximum for profit and mimimum for loss or cost). Since in this criterion the decision-maker is conservative about the future and always anticipates the worst possible outcome (minimum for profit and maximum for cost or loss), it is called a pessimistic decision criterion. This criterion is also known as Wald’s criterion.

19.4.3 Equal Probabilities (Laplace) Criterion Decision Making Under Uncertainty: It is an environment in which the probability of outcomes or states of nature can not be quantified.

Since the probabilities of states of nature are not known, it is assumed that all states of nature will occur with equal probability, i.e. each state of nature is assigned an equal probability. As states of nature are mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive, so the probability of each of these must be: 1/(number of states of nature). The working method is summarized as follows: (a) Assign equal probability value to each state of nature by using the formula: 1 ÷ (number of states of nature). (b) Compute the expected (or average) payoff for each alternative (course of action) by adding all the payoffs and dividing by the number of possible states of nature, or by applying the formula:    (probability of state of nature j) × (payoff value for the combination of alternative i  and state of nature j.)   (c) Select the best expected payoff value (maximum for profit and minimum for cost). This criterion is also known as the criterion of insufficient reason. This is because except in a few cases, some information of the likelihood of occurrence of states of nature is available.

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19.4.4 Coefficient of Optimism (Hurwicz) Criterion This criterion suggests that a decision-maker should be neither completely optimistic nor pessimistic and, therefore, must display a mixture of both. Hurwicz, who suggested this criterion, introduced the idea of a coefficient of optimism (denoted by a) to measure the decision-maker’s degree of optimism. This coefficient lies between 0 and 1, where 0 represents a complete pessimistic attitude about the future and 1 a complete optimistic attitude about the future. Thus, if a is the coefficient of optimism, then (1 – a) will represent the coefficient of pessimism. The Hurwicz approach suggests that the decision-maker must select an alternative that maximizes H(Criterion of realism) = a(Maximum in column) + (1 – a )(Minimum in column) The working method is summarized as follows: (a) Decide the coefficient of optimism a (alpha) and then coefficient of pessimism (1 – a). (b) For each decision alternative select the largest and lowest payoff value and multiply these with a and (1 – a) values, respectively. Then calculate the weighted average, H by using above formula. (c) Select an alternative with best weighted average payoff value.

19.4.5 Regret (Savage) Criterion This criterion is also known as opportunity loss decision criterion or minimax regret decision criterion because decision-maker regrets for choosing wrong decision alternative resulting in an opportunity loss of payoff. Thus, he always intends to minimize this regret. The working method is summarized as follows: (a) from the given payoff matrix, develop an opportunity-loss (or regret) matrix as follows: (i) Find the best payoff corresponding to each state of nature (ii) Subtract all other payoff values in that row from this value. (b) For each decision alternative identify the worst (or maximum regret) payoff value. Record this value in the new row. (c) Select a decision alternative resulting in a smallest anticipated opportunity-loss value. Example 19.2: A food products’ company is contemplating the introduction of a revolutionary new product with new packaging or replacing the existing product at much higher price (S1). It may even make a moderate change in the composition of the existing product, with a new packaging at a small increase in price (S2), or may mall a small change in the composition of the existing product, backing it with the word ‘New’ and a negligible increase in price (S3). The three possible states of nature or events are: (i) high increase in sales (N1), (ii) no change in sales (N2) and (iii) decrease in sales (N3). the marketing department of the company worked out the payoffs in terms of yearly net profits for each of the strategies of three events (expected sales). This is represented in the following table:

States of Nature

Strategies N1

N2

N3



S1 S2

7,00,000 3,00,000 1,50,000 5,00,000 4,50,000    0



S3

3,00,000 3,00,000 3,00,000

Which strategy should the concerned executive choose on the basis of (a) Maximin criterion (c) Minimax regret criterion

(b) Maximax criterion (d) Laplace criterion?

Regret Criterion: It attempts to minimize the maximum opportunity loss.

682     Chapter 19 Solution:  The payoff matrix is rewritten as follows: (a)  Maximin Criterion

States of Nature S1



Strategies S2

s3

N1 7,00,000 5,00,000 3,00,000 N2 3,00,000 4,50,000 3,00,000 N3 1,50,000 0,,00000 3,00,000



Column (minimum)

1,50,000

3,00,000 ← Maximin Payoff

0,,00000

The maximum of column minima is 3,00,000. Hence, the company should adopt strategy S3. (b)  Maximax Criterion

States of Nature S1



Strategies S2

s3



N1 7,00,000 5,00,000 3,00,000



N2 3,00,000 4,50,000 3,00,000



N3

1,50,000        0

3,00,000

Column (maximum) 7,00,000 5,00,000 3,00,000 ↑__ Maximax Payoff

The maximum of column maxima is 7,00,000. Hence, the company should adopt strategy S1. (c)  Minimax Regret Criterion Opportunity loss table is shown below:

States of Nature S1



Strategies S2

s3

N1 7,00,000 – 7,00,000 7,00,000 – 5,00,000 7,00,000 – 3,00,000   = 0         = 2,00,000   = 4,00,000 N2 4,50,000 – 3,00,000 4,50,000 – 4,50,000 4,50,000 – 3,00,000   = 1,50,000   = 0         = 1,50,000 N3 3,00,000 – 1,50,000 3,00,000 – 0 3,00,000 – 3,00,000   = 1,50,000   = 3,00,000   = 0       Column (maximum)     1,50,000    3,00,000    4,00,000                ↑__ Minimax Regret

Hence the company should adopt minimum opportunity loss strategy, S1. (d)  Laplace Criterion  Assuming that each state of nature has a probability 1/3 of occurrence. Thus,

Strategy    Expected Return (`)



S1

(7,00,000 + 3,00,000 + 1,50,000)/3 = 3,83,333.33 ←  Largest Payoff



S2

(5,00,000 + 4,50,000 + 0)/3



S3

(3,00,000 + 3,00,000 + 3,00,000)/3 = 3,00,000

= 3,16,666.66 

Since the largest expected return is from strategy S1, the executive must select strategy S1. Example 19.3:  A manufacturer manufactures a product, of which the principal ingredient is a chemical X. At the moment, the manufacturer spends `1,000 per year on supply of X, but there is a possibility that the price may soon increase to four times its present figure because of a worldwide shortage of the chemical. There is another chemical Y, which the manufacturer could use in conjunction with a third chemical Z, in order to give

Decision Theory and Decision Trees     683

the same effect as chemical X. Chemicals Y and Z would together cost the manufacturer `3,000 per year, but their prices are unlikely to rise. What action should the manufacturer take? Apply the maximin and minimax criteria for decision-making and give two sets of solutions. If the coefficient of optimism is 0.4, then find the course of action that minimizes the cost. Solution:  The data of the problem is summarized in the following table (negative figures in the table represents profit).

  States of Nature          Courses of Action



S1 (use Y and Z )

S2(use X )

  N1 (Price of X increases)

– 3,000

– 4,000

  N2 (Price of X does not increase)

– 3,000

– 1,000

(a)  Maximin Criterion

States of Nature      

Courses of Action

S1

S2

N1

– 3,000

– 4,000

N2

– 3,000

– 1,000

Column (minimum)    

– 3,000 ↑ Maximin Payoff

– 4,000

   Maximum of column minima = –3,000. Hence, the manufacturer should adopt action S1. (b)  Minimax (or opportunity loss) Criterion

States of Nature             Courses of Action S1



S2

N1

– 3,000 – (– 3,000) = 0

– 3,000 – (– 4,000) = 1,000

N2

– 1,000 – (– 3,000) = 2,000

– 1,000 – (– 1,000) = 0



– 2,000

– 1,000 ← Minimax Payoff

Maximum opportunity

Hence, manufacturer should adopt minimum opportunity loss course of action S2. (c) Hurwicz Criterion  Given the coefficient of optimism equal to 0.4, the coefficient of pessimism will be 1 – 0.4 = 0.6. Then according to Hurwicz, select course of action that optimizes (maximum for profit and minimum for cost) the payoff value H = a (Best payoff) + (1 – a) (Worst payoff) = a (Maximum in column) + (1 – a) (Minimum in column)

Course of Action

S1 S2

Best Payoff

Worst Payoff

H

– 3,000 – 1,000

– 3,000 – 4,000

– 3,000 – 2,800

Since course of action S2 has the least cost (maximum profit) = 0.4(1,000) + 0.6(4,000) = `2,800, the manufacturer should adopt this. Example 19.4:  An investor is given the following investment alternatives and percentage rates of return. States of Nature (Market Conditions)

Low Medium High

Regular shares   7 Risky shares –10 Property –12

10 12 18

15 25 30

684     Chapter 19 Over the past 300 days, 150 days have been medium market conditions and 60 days have had high market increases. On the basis of these data, state the optimum investment strategy for the investment. [Nagpur Univ., MBA, 2000] Solution:  According to the given information, the probabilities of low, medium and high market conditions would be 90/300 or 0.30, 150/300 or 0.50 and 60/300 or 0.20, respectively. The expected pay-offs for each of the alternatives are shown below:

Market Conditions

Probability

Regular Shares

Strategy Risky Shares

Property

Low 0.30 – 0.07 × 0.30 0.10 × 0.30 0.15 × 0.30 Medium 0.50 – 0.10 × 0.50 0.12 × 0.50 0.25 × 0.50 High 0.20 – 0.12 × 0.20 0.18 × 0.20 0.30 × 0.20 Expected Return 0.136 0.126 0.230

Since the expected return of 23 per cent is the highest for property, the investor should invest in this alternative.

 

C o n c e p t u a l Q u e s t i o n s 19A

1. Discuss the difference between decision-making under certainty, under uncertainty and under risk.

4. What is a scientific decision-making process? Discuss the role of the statistical method in such a process.

2. What techniques are used to solve decision-making problems under uncertainty? Which technique results in an optimistic decision? Which technique results in a pessimistic decision?

5. Give an example of a good decision that you made, which resulted in a bad outcome. Also give an example of a good decision that you made and that had a good outcome. Why was each decision good or bad?

3. Explain the various quantitative methods that are useful for decision-making under uncertainty.

    S e l f - p r a c t i c e P r o b l e m s 19A 19.1. The following matrix gives the payoff (in `) of different strategies (alternatives) S1, S2 and S3 against conditions (events) N1, N2, N3 and N4.

        Anticipated First Year Profit (’000 `) Product Line Product Acceptance Full Partial Minimal

      



State of Nature 

Strategy

N1 



4,000 – 100 6,000 18,000 20,000 5,000 400 0 20,000 15,000 – 2,000 1,000

S1 S2 S3

N2 

N3 

N4 

Indicate the decision taken under the following approaches: (i) Pessimistic, (ii) Optimistic, (iii) Equal probability, (iv) Regret, (v) Hurwicz criterion, the degree of optimism being 0.7. 19.2. In a toy manufacturing company, suppose the product acceptance probabilities are not known but the following data is known:

Good    8    70 50 Fair   50    45 40 Poor – 25 – 10   0

Determine the optimal decision under each of the following decision criteria and show how you arrived at it: (a) Maximax, (b) Maximin, (c) Equal likelihood and (d) Minimax regret? 19.3. The following is a payoff (in rupees) table for three strategies and two states of nature:

Strategy       State of Nature 



N1

N2

S1 40 60 S2 10 – 20 S3 – 40 150

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Select a strategy using each of the following decision criteria: (a) Maximax, (b) Minimax regret, (c) Maximin, (d) Minimum risk, assuming equiprobable states. 19.4. Mr Sethi has `10,000 to invest in one of three options: A, B or C. The return on his investment depends on whether the economy experiences inflation, recession, or no change at all. The possible returns under each economic condition are given below: Strategy

Inflation

State of Nature Recession

No Change

A 2,000 1,200 1,500 B 3,000  800 1,000 C 2,500 1,000 1,800

What should he decide, using the pessimistic criterion, optimistic criterion, equally likely criterion and regret criterion? 19.5. A manufacturer’s representative has been offered a new product line. If he accepts the new line he can handle it in one of the two ways. The best way according to the manufacturer would be to set a separate sales force to exclusively handle the new line. This would involve an initial investment of `1,00,000

in the office, office equipment and the hiring and training of the salesmen. On the other hand, if the new line is handled by the existing sales force, using the existing facilities, the initial investment would only be `30,000, principally for training his present salesmen.    The new product sells for `250. The representative normally receives 20 per cent of the sales price on each unit sold, of which 10 per cent is paid as commission to handle the new product. The manufacturer offers to pay 60 per cent of the sale price of each unit sold to the representative, if the representative sets up a separate sales organization. Otherwise the normal 20 per cent will be paid. In either case the salesman gets a 10 per cent commission. Based on the size of the territory and their experience with other products, the representative estimates the following probabilities for annual sales of the new product: Sales (in units) : 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 Probability : 0.10 0.15 0.40 0.30 0.05 (a) Set up a regret table. (b) Find the expected regret of each course of action. (c) Which course of action would have been best under the maximin criterion?

    H i n t s a n d A n s w e r s 19.1. (i) S2, (ii)  S2 or S3, (iii)  S3, (iv)  S1, (v)  S2 19.2. (a) Full, (b) Minimal, (c) Full or partial, (d) Partial 19.3. (a) S3; `150 (b) S3; `80 (c) S1; `40 (d) S3; `55 19.4. Choose A: `120, Choose B: `300, Choose C: `176.6, Choose C: `50 19.5. Let S1 = install new sales facilities

Therefore, payoff function corresponding to S1 and S2 would be S1 = –1,00,000 + 250 × {(30 – 10)/100} × a = –1,00,000 + 50a S2 = –30,000 + 250 × {(20 – 10)/100} × a = – 30,000 + 25a Equating the two, we get – 1,00,000 + 50a

S2 = continue with existing sales facilities.

= – 30,000 + 25a or a = 2,800.

19.5  DECISION-MAKING UNDER RISK In this decision-making environment, decision-maker has sufficient information to assign probability to the likely occurrence of each outcome (state of nature). Knowing the probability distribution of outcomes (states of nature), the decision-maker needs to select a course of action resulting a largest expected (average) payoff value. The expected payoff is the sum of all possible weighted payoffs resulting from choosing a decision alternative. The widely used criterion for evaluating decision alternatives (courses of action) under risk is the Expected Monetary Value (EMV) or Expected Utility.

19.5.1 Expected Monetary Value (EMV) The expected monetary value (EMV) for a given course of action is obtained by adding payoff values multiplied by the probabilities associated with each state of nature. Mathematically, EMV is stated as follows: m

EMV (Course of action, Sj) = Σ pij pi i =1

Expected Monetary Value: It is obtained by adding payoffs for each course of action, multiplied by the probabilities associated with each state of nature.

686     Chapter 19 where m = number of possible states of nature pi = probability of occurrence of state of nature, Ni pij = payoff associated with state of nature Ni and course of action, Sj

Procedure 1. Construct a payoff matrix listing all possible courses of action and states of nature. Enter the conditional payoff values associated with each possible combination of course of action and state of nature along with the probabilities of the occurrence of each state of nature. 2. Calculate the EMV for each course of action by multiplying the conditional payoffs by the associated probabilities and adding these weighted values for each course of action. 3. Select the course of action that yields the optimal EMV. Example 19.5:  Mr X flies quite often from town A to town B. He can use the airport bus which costs `25 but if he takes it, there is a 0.08 chance that he will miss the flight.The stay in a hotel costs `270 with a 0.96 chance of being on time for the flight. For `350 he can use a taxi which will make 99 per cent chance of being on time for the flight. If Mr X catches the plane on time, he will conclude a business transaction that will produce a profit of `10,000, otherwise he will lose it. Which mode of transport should Mr X use? Answer on the basis of the EMV criterion. Solution:  Computation of EMV associated with various courses of action is shown in Table 19.3. Table 19.3  Calculations of EMV Courses of Action States of Bus Stay in Hotel Nature Cost Prob. Expected Cost Prob. Expected Cost

Taxi

Prob. Expected Value Value Value Catches 10,000 – 25 0.92 9,177 10,000 – 270 0.96 9,340.80 10,000 – 350 0.99 9,553.50 the flight = 9,975 = 9,730 = 9,650 Miss the flight – 25 0.08 – 2.0 – 270  0.04 – 10.80 – 350 0.01 – 3.50 Expected monetary 9,175 9,330 9,550 value (EMV)

Since EMV associated with course of action ‘Taxi’ is largest (= `9,550), it is the logical alternative. Example 19.6:  The manager of a flower shop promises its customers delivery within four hours on all flower orders. All flowers are purchased on the previous day and delivered to Parker by 8.00 am the next morning. The daily demand for roses is as follows. Dozens of roses : 70 80 90 100 Probability : 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.3 The manager purchases roses for `10 per dozen and sells them for `30. All unsold roses are donated to a local hospital. How many dozens of roses should Parker order each evening to maximize its profits? What is the optimum expected profit? [Delhi Univ., MBA, Dec. 2004]  Solution:  The quantity of roses to be purchased per day is considered as ‘course of action’ and the daily demand of the roses is considered as a ‘state of nature’ because demand is uncertain with known probability. From the data, it is clear that the flower shop must not purchase less than 7 or more than 10 dozen roses, per day. Also each dozen roses sold within a day yields a profit of `(30 – 10) = `20 and otherwise it is a loss of `10. Thus

Marginal profit (MP) = Selling price – Cost = 30 – 10 = `20 Marginal loss (ML)  = Loss on unsold roses = `10

Decision Theory and Decision Trees     687

Using the information given in the problem, the various conditional profit (payoff) values for each combination of decision alternatives and state of nature are given by Conditional profit = MP × Roses sold – ML × Roses not sold if D ≥ S  20 D, =  20 D − 10(S − D) = 30 D − 10S, if D < S where  D = number of roses sold within a day and S = number of roses stocked. The resulting conditional profit values and corresponding expected payoffs are computed in Table 19.4. Table 19.4  Conditional Profit Value (Payoffs) States of Probability Nature (Demand

Conditional Profit (`) due to Courses of Action (Purchase per Day)

Expected Payoff (`) due to Courses of Action (Purchase per Day)

per Day) 70 80 90 100 70 80 90 100 (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (1)×(2) (1)×(3) (1)×(4) (1)×(5)  70  80  90 100

0.1 0.2 0.4 0.3

140 140 140 140

130 160 160 160

120 150 180 180

110  14  13  12  11 140  28  32  30  28 170  56  64  72  68 200  42  48  54  60

  Expected monetary value (EMV)

140

157

168 167

Since the highest EMV of `168 corresponds to the course of action 90, the flower shop should purchase nine dozen roses everyday. Example 19.7:  A retailer purchases cherries every morning at `50 a case and sells them for `80 a case. Any case that remains unsold at the end of the day can be disposed of the next day at a salvage value of `20 per case (thereafter they have no value). Past sales have ranged from 15 to 18 cases per day. The following is the record of sales for the past 120 days. Cases sold : 15 16 17 18 Number of days : 12 24 48 36 Find out how many cases should the retailer purchase per day in order to maximize [Delhi Univ., MCom, 2000; Ajmer Univ., MBA, 2003] his profit.  Solution:  Let Ni (i = 1, 2, 3, 4) be the possible states of nature (daily likely demand) and Sj( j = 1, 2, 3,  4) be all possible courses of action (number of cases of cherries to be purchased). Marginal profit (MP) = Selling price – Cost = `(80 – 50) = `30 Marginal loss (ML) = Loss on unsold cases = `(50 – 20) = `30 The conditional profit (payoff) values for each combination of decision alternatives and state of nature are given by Conditional profit = MP × Cases sold – ML × Cases unsold = (80 – 50) (Cases sold) – (50 –20) (Cases unsold) if S ≤ N 30S =  (80 − 50)S − 30(N − S) = 60S − 30N if S
688     Chapter 19 The resulting conditional profit values and corresponding expected payoffs are computed in Table 19.5. Table 19.5  Conditional Profit Value (Payoffs) States of Probability Conditional Profit (`) due to Expected Payoff (`) due to Nature Courses of Action Courses of Action (Demand (Purchase per Day) (Purchase per Day) per Week) 15 16 17 18 15 16 17 18 (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (1)×(2) (1)×(3) (1)×(4) (1)×(5) 15 16 17 18

0.1 450 420 390 360  45  42  39  36 0.2 450 480 450 420  90  96  90  84 0.4 450 480 510 480 180 192 204 192 0.3 450 480 510 540 135 144 153 162

Expected monetary value (EMV)

450

474

486 474

Since the highest EMV of `486 corresponds to the course of action 17, the retailer must purchase 17 cases of cherries every morning. Example 19.8:  The probability of demand for hiring cars on any day in a given city is as follows: No. of cars demanded : 0 1 2 3 4 Probability : 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.2 Cars have a fixed cost of `90 each day to keep the daily hire charges (variable costs of running) `200. If the car-hire company owns 4 cars, what is its daily expectation? If the company is about to go into business and currently has no car, how many cars should it buy? Solution:  Given that `90 is the fixed cost and `200 is variable cost. The payoff values with 4 cars at the disposal of decision-maker are calculated as under: No. of cars demanded : 0 1 2 3 4 Payoff : 0 – 90 × 4 200 – 90 × 4 400 – 90 × 4 600 – 90 × 4 800 – 90 × 4 (with 4 cars) = – 360 = – 160 = 40 = 240 = 440 Thus, the daily expectation is obtained by multiplying the payoff values with the given corresponding probabilities of demand: Daily Expectation = (– 360)(0.1) + (– 160)(0.2) + (40)(0.3) + (240)(0.2) + (440)(0.2) = `80 The conditional payoffs and expected payoffs for each course of action are shown in Tables 19.6 and 19.7. Table 19.6  Conditional Payoff Values Demand of Probability Conditional Payoff (`) due to Decision to Purchase Cars Cars (Course of Action)

0 1 2 3 4

0 0.1 0 – 90 – 180 – 270 – 360 1 0.2 0 110 20 – 70 – 160 2 0.3 0 110 220 130 40 3 0.2 0 110 220 330 240 4 0.2 0 110 220 330 440

Decision Theory and Decision Trees     689

Table 19.7  Expected Payoffs and EMV Demand of Probability Conditional Payoff (`) due to Decision to Purchase Cars Cars (Course of Action)

0

1

0 1 2 3 4

0 0 0 0 0

– 9 – 18 – 27 – 36 22 4 – 14 – 32 33 66 39 12 22 44 66 48 22 44 66 88

0

90

0.1 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.2

EMV

2

3

4

140 130 80

Since the EMV of `140 for the course of action 2 is the highest, the company should buy 2 cars.

19.5.2 Expected Opportunity Loss (EOL) Expected opportunity loss (EOL), also called expected value of regret, is an alternative decision criterion for decision making under risk. The EOL is defined as the difference between the highest profit (or payoff) and the actual profit due to choosing a particular course of action in a particular state of nature. Hence, EOL is the amount of payoff that is lost by not choosing a course of action resulting to the minimum payoff in a particular state of nature. A course of action resulting to the minimum EOL is preferred. Mathematically, EOL is stated as follows. m

EOL (State of nature, Ni) = Σ lij pi i =1

where lij = opportunity loss due to state of nature, Ni and course of action, Sj pi = probability of occurrence of state of nature, Ni

Procedure 1. Prepare a conditional payoff values matrix for each combination of course of action and state of nature along with the associated probabilities. 2. For each state of nature calculate the conditional opportunity loss (COL) values by subtracting each payoff from the maximum payoff. 3. Calculate the EOL for each course of action by multiplying the probability of each state of nature with the COL value and then adding the values. 4. Select a course of action for which the EOL is minimum. Example 19.9: A company manufactures goods for a market in which the technology of the product is changing rapidly. The research and development department has produced a new product that appears to have potential for commercial exploitation. A further `60,000 is required for development testing. The company has 100 customers and each customer might purchase, at the most, one unit of the product. Market research suggests that a selling price of `6,000 for each unit, with total variable costs of manufacturing and selling estimate as `2,000 for each unit. From previous experience, it has been possible to derive a probability distribution relating to the proportion of customers who will buy the product as follows: Proportion of customers : 0.04 0.08 0.12 0.16 0.20 Probability : 0.10 0.10 0.20 0.40 0.20 Determine the expected opportunity losses, given no other information than that stated above, and state whether or not the company should develop the product. Solution:  If p is the proportion of customers who purchase the new product, the company’s conditional profit is: (6,000 – 2,000) × 100 p – 60,000 = `(4,00,000 p – 60,000).

690     Chapter 19 Let Ni(i = 1, 2, ..., 5) be the possible states of nature, i.e. proportion of the customers who will buy the new product and S1(develop the product) and S2(do not develop the product) be the two courses of action. The conditional profit values (payoffs) for each pair of Nis and Sjs are shown in Table 19.8. Table 19.8  Conditional Profit Values (Payoffs) Proportion of Conditional Profit = `(4,00,000 p – 60,000) Customers Course of Action         (State of Nature) S1 S2 (Develop) (Do not Develop)

0.04 – 44,000 0.08 – 28,000 0.12 – 12,000 0.16 4,000 0.20 20,000

0 0 0 0 0

Opportunity loss values are shown in Table 19.9. Table 19.9  Opportunity Loss Values Proportion of Probability   Conditional Profit (`) Customers S2 S1 (State of Nature) 0.04 0.08 0.12 0.16 0.20

0.1 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.2

– 44,000 – 28,000 – 12,000 4,000 20,000

0 0 0 0 0

Opportunity Loss (`) S1 44,000 28,000 12,000 0 0

S2 0 0 0 4,000 20,000

Using the given estimates of probabilities associated with each state of nature, the expected opportunity loss (EOL) for each course of action is given below: EOL (S1) = 0.1(44,000) + 0.1(28,000) + 0.2(12,000) + 0.4(0) + 0.2(0) = `9,600 EOL (S2) = 0.1(0) + 0.1(0) + 0.2(0) + 0.4(4,000) + 0.2(20,000) = `5,600 Since the company seeks to minimize the expected opportunity loss, the company should select course of action S2(do not develop the product) with minimum EOL.

19.5.3 Expected Value of Perfect Information (EVPI) Expected Value of Perfect Information: It is an average (or expected) value of an additional information if it were of any worth.

If decision-makers can get perfect (complete and accurate) information about the occurrence of various states of nature, then choosing a course of action that yields the desired payoff in the presence of any state of nature is easy. The EMV or EOL criterion helps the decision-maker to select a particular course of action that optimizes the expected payoff, without any additional information. Expected value of perfect information (EVPI) represents the maximum amount of money required to pay for getting additional information about the occurrence of various states of nature before arriving to a decision. Mathematically, it is stated as: EVPI = (Expected profit with perfect information) – (Expected profit without perfect information) m

∑ pi max( pij ) – EMV* = i =1

where

j

pij = best payoff when action, Sj is taken in the presence of state of nature, Ni

pi = probability of state of nature, Ni EMV* = maximum expected monetary value

Decision Theory and Decision Trees     691

Example 19.10:  A company needs to increase its production beyond its existing capacity. It has narrowed down on two alternatives in order to increase the production capacity: (a) expansion, at a cost of `8 million, or (b) modernization at a cost of `5 million. Both approaches would require the same amount of time for implementation. Management believes that over the required payback period, demand will either be high or moderate. Since high demand is considered to be somewhat less likely than moderate demand, the probability of high demand has been set at 0.35. If the demand is high, expansion would gross an estimated additional `12 million but modernization would only gross an additional `6 million, due to lower maximum production capability. On the other hand, if the demand is moderate, the comparable figures would be `7 million for expansion and `5 million for modernization. (a) Calculate the conditional profit in relation to various action-and-outcome combinations and states of nature. (b) If the company wishes to maximize its expected monetary value (EMV), should it modernize or expand? (c) Calculate the EVPI. (d) Construct the conditional opportunity loss table and also calculate EOL.   [Delhi Univ, MBA, 2004] Solution:  (a) States of nature: High demand and Moderate demand, and Courses of action: expand and Modernize. Since probability of high demand is estimated at 0.35, the probability of moderate demand must be (1 – 0.35) = 0.65. The calculations for conditional profit values are shown in Table 19.10. Table 19.10  Conditional Profit Table

Conditional Profit (million `) due to Course of Action

State of Nature (Demand)

Expand (S1) Modernize (S2)

High demand (N1) Moderate demand (N2)

12 – 8 =   4  7 – 8 = – 1

6–5=1 5–5=0

(b) The payoff table (Table 19.10) can be rewritten as follows along with the given probabilities of states of nature. Table 19.11  Payoff Table

State of Nature Probability Conditional Profit (million `) (Demand) Due to Course of Action

Expand Modernize

High demand Moderate demand

0.35   4 0.65 – 1

1 0

The calculation of EMV for each course of action S1 and S2 is given below: EMV(S1) = 0.35(4) + 0.65(– 1) = `0.75 million EMV(S2) = 0.35(1) + 0.65(0) = `0.35 million Since EMV (S1) = 0.75 million is maximum, the company must choose course of action S1(expand). (c)  To calculate EVPI, first calculate EPPI by choosing optimal course of action for each state of nature. Multiply conditional profit associated with each course of action by the given probability to get weighted profit, and then add these weights as shown in Table 19.12.

EVPI: It provides an instant way to check whether getting any additional information might be worthwhile.

692     Chapter 19 Table 19.12 State of Nature Probability (Demand)

Optimal Course of Action



Profit from Optimal Course of Action (` million) Conditional Profit

Weighted Profit

4 0

4 × 0.35 = 1.40 0 × 0.65 = 0 



EPPI = 1.40

High demand Moderate demand

0.35 0.65

S1 S2

If optimal EMV* = `0.75 million corresponding to the course of action S1, then EVPI = EPPI – EMV(S1) = 1.40 – 0.75 = `0.65 million. In other words, to get perfect information on demand pattern (high or moderate), company should consider paying up to `0.65 million. (d)  The opportunity loss values are shown in Table 19.13. Table 19.13 State of Nature Probability Conditional Profit (Demand) (`million) Due to Course of Action S1

S2

Conditional Opportunity Loss (`million) Due to Course of Action S1

S2

High demand (N1) 0.35   4 1 0 3 Moderate demand (N2) 0.65 –  1 0 1 0

Since probabilities associated with each state of nature, P(N1) = 0.35, and P(N2) = 0.65, the expected opportunity losses for the two courses of action are: EOL(S1) = 0.35(0) + 0.65(1) = `0.65 million EOL(S2) = 0.35(3) + 0.65(0) = `1.05 million Since the expected opportunity loss, EOL (S1) = `0.65 million minimum, decisionmaker must select course of action S1, so as to have smallest expected opportunity loss. Example 19.11: A certain piece of equipment has to be purchased for a construction project at a remote location. This equipment contains an expensive part that is subject to random failure. Spares of this part can be purchased at the same time the equipment is purchased. Their unit cost is `1,500 and they have no scrap value. If the part fails on the job and no spare is available, the part will have to be manufactured on a special order basis. If this is required, the total cost including down time of the equipment, is estimated at `9,000 for each such occurrence. Based on previous experience with similar parts, the following probability estimates of the number of failures expected over the duration of the project are provided below: Failure : 0 1 2 Probability : 0.80 0.15 0.05 (a) Determine optimal EMV* and optimal number of spares to purchase initially. (b) Based on opportunity losses, determine the optimal course of action and optimal value of EOL. (c) Determine the expected profit with perfect information and expected value of perfect information. Solution:  (a) Let N1(no failure), N2(one failure) and N3(two failures) be the possible states of nature (i.e. number of parts failures or number of spares required). Similarly, let S1(no spare purchased), S2(one spare purchased) and S3(two spares purchased) be the possible courses of action.

Decision Theory and Decision Trees     693

The conditional costs for each pair of course of action and state of nature is shown in Table 19.14. Table 19.14 State of Nature (Spare Required)

Course of Action Purchase Emergency Total Conditional (Number of Spare Purchased) Cost (`) Cost (`) Cost (`)

0   N1  0  0 1   N2  1  1  2  N3  2  2

0 1 2 0 1 2 0 1 2

0 0 0 1,500 0 1,500 3,000 0 3,000 0 9,000 9,000 1,500 0 1,500 3,000 0 3,000 0 18,000 18,000 1,500 9,000 10,500 3,000 0 3,000

Using the conditional costs and the probabilities of states of nature, the expected monetary value can be calculated for each of three states of nature as shown in Table 19.15. Table 19.15  Expected Monetary Value State of Nature Probability Conditional Cost Due to (Space Required) Course of Action

Weighted Cost Due to Course of Action

S1 S2 S3 S1 S2 S3 N1 0.80 0 1,500 3,000 0.80 (0) = 0 N2 0.15 9,000 1,500 3,000 0.15 (9,000) = 1,350 N3 0.05 18,000 10,500 3,000 0.05 (18,000) = 900

1,200 2,400



EMV = 2,250

225

450

525

150

1,950

3,000

Since weighted cost = `1,950 is lowest due to course of action, S2, it should be chosen. If the EMV is expressed in terms of profit, then EMV* = EMV(S2) = – `1,950. Hence, the optimal number of spares to be purchased initially should be one. (b)  The calculations for conditional opportunity loss (COL) to determine EOL are shown in Table 19.16. Table 19.16  Conditional Opportunity Loss (COL) State of Nature Conditional Cost Due to Conditional Opportunity Loss Due to (Space Required) Course of Action           Course of Action N1 N2 N3

S1

S2

S3

S1

0 1,500 3,000 0 9,000 1,500 3,000  7,500 18,000 10,500 3,000 15,000

S2 1,500 0 7,500

S3 3,000 1,500 0

Since we are dealing with conditional costs rather than conditional profits, the lower value for each state of nature shall be considered for calculating opportunity losses. The calculations for expected opportunity loss are shown in Table 19.17.

694     Chapter 19 Table 19.17  Expected Opportunity Loss (EOL)

State of Nature

Probability Conditional Opportunity (Space Required) Loss (Cost) Due to Course of Action

Weighted Opportunity Loss (Cost) Due to Course of Action

S1 S2 S3 S1 S2 S3 N1 0.80 0 1,500 3,000 0.80(0) 1,200 2,400 =0 N2 0.15 7,500 0 1,500 0.15 (7,500) 0 225 = 1,125 N3 0.05 15,000 7,500 0 0.05 (15,000) 375 0 = 750

EMV = 1,875

1,575 2,625

Since minimum, EOL* = EOL(S2) = `1,575, therefore adopt course of action S2 and purchase one spare. (c) The expected profit with perfect information (EPPI) can be determined by selecting the optimal course of action for each state of nature, multiplying its conditional values by the corresponding probability and then adding these products. The EPPI calculations are shown in Table 19.18. Table 19.18

Probability Optimal Course        Cost of Optimal Course of Action (`) States of of Action Nature Conditional Weighted (Space Cost Opportunity Loss Required) (Minimum Value)



N1 0.80 N2 0.15 N2 0.05

S1 S2 S3

   0 1,500 3,000

0.80(0) = 0 0.15 (1,500) = 225 0.05 (3,000) = 150



Total = 375

Thus expected profit with perfect information is, EPPI = `375. Expected value of perfect information then is: EVPI = EPPI – EMV* = – 375 – (– 1,950) = `1,575. It may be observed that, EVPI = EOL* = `1,575 Example 19.12: XYZ Company manufactures parts for passenger cars and sells them in lots of 10,000 parts each. The company has a policy of inspecting each lot before it is actually shipped to the retailer. Five inspection categories, established for quality control, represent the percentage of defective items contained in each lot. These are given in the following table. The daily inspection chart for past 100 inspections shows the following rating or breakdown inspection: Due to this the management is considering two possible courses of action: (a) S1 :  Shut down the entire plant operations and thoroughly inspect each machine. Rating

Excellent (A) Good (B) Acceptable (C) Fair (D) Poor (E)

Proportion of Defective Items 0.02 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20



Frequency 25 30 20 20  5 Total = 100

(b) S2 : Continue production as it now exists but offer the customer a refund for defective items that are discovered and subsequently returned.

Decision Theory and Decision Trees     695

The first alternative will cost `600 while the second alternative will cost the company `1 for each defective item that is returned. What is the optimum decision for the company? Find the EVPI. Solution:  Calculations of inspection and refund cost are shown in Table 19.19. Table 19.19  Inspection and Refund Cost Rating

Defective Probability       Cost       Opportunity Loss Rate Inspect Refund Inspect Refund

A B C D E

0.02 0.25 600 200 400 0 0.05 0.30 600 500 100 0 0.10 0.20 600 1,000 0 400 0.15 0.20 600 1,500 0 900 0.20 0.05 600 2,000 0 1,400



1.00

600*

670

EOL = 170*

240

The cost of refund is calculated as follows: For lot A : 10,000 × 0.02 × 1.00 = `200 Similarly, the cost of refund for other lots is calculated. Expected cost of refund is: 200 × 0.25 + 500 × 0.30 + . . . + 2,000 × 0.05 = `670 Expected cost of inspection is: 600 × 0.25 + 600 × 0.30 + . . . + 600 × 0.05 = `600 Since the cost of refund is more than the cost of inspection, the plant should be shut down for inspection. Also, EVPI = EOL of inspection = `170. Example 19.13:  A toy manufacturer is considering a project of manufacturing a dancing doll with three different movement designs. The doll will be sold at an average of `10. The first movement design using ‘gears and levels’ will provide the lowest tooling and set up cost of `1,00,000 and `5 per unit of variable cost. A second design with spring action will have a fixed cost of `1,60,000 and variable cost of `4 per unit. Yet another design with weights and pulleys will have a fixed cost of `3,00,000 and variable cost `3 per unit. The demand events that can occur for the doll and the probability of their occurrence is given below: Demand (units) Probability Light demand   25,000 0.10 Moderate demand 1,00,000 0.70 Heavy demand 1,50,000 0.20

(a) Construct a payoff table for the above project. (b) Which is the optimum design? (c) How much can the decision-maker afford to pay in order to obtain perfect information about the demand? Solution:  The calculations for EMV are shown in Table 19.20.   Payoff = (Demand × Selling price) – (Fixed cost + Demand × Variable cost) = Revenue – Total variable cost – Fixed cost Table 19.20  EMV and Payoff Values States of Probability Conditional Payoff (`) Due to Expected Payoff (`) Due to Nature Courses of Action Courses of Action (Demand) (Choice of Movements) Gears and Levels

Spring Action

Weights Gears and and Pulleys Levels

Spring Action

Weights and Pulleys

Light 0.10   25,000 – 10,000 – 1,25,000     2,500  – 1,000 – 12,500 Moderate 0.70 4,00,000 4,40,000 4,00,000 2,80,000 3,08,000 2,80,000 Heavy 0.20 6,50,000 7,40,000 7,50,000 1,30,000 1,48,000 1,50,000          

 EMV 4,12,500

4,55,000 4,17,500

696     Chapter 19 Since EMV is largest for spring action, it is the one that must be selected. Table 19.21  Expected Payoff with Perfect Information States of Probability Courses of Action Nature Gears and Spring Weights (Demand) Levels Action and Pulleys   Light   Moderate   Heavy

0.10 0.70 0.20

  25,000 4,00,000 6,50,000

– 10,000 4,40,000 7,40,000

Maximum Payoff

Maximum Payoff × Probability

– 1,25,000    25,000 4,00,000 4,40,000 7,50,000 7,50,000

2,500 3,08,000 1,50,000



Total = 4,60,500

The maximum amount of money that the decision-maker would be willing to pay in order to obtain perfect information regarding demand for the doll will be EVPI = Expected payoff with perfect information – Expected payoff under uncertainty (EMV) = 4,60,500 – 4,55,000 = `5,500 Example 19.14:  A TV dealer finds that the cost of holding a TV in stock for a week is ` 50. Customers who cannot obtain new TV sets immediately tend to go to other dealers and he estimates that for every customer who cannot get immediate delivery he loses an average of `. 200. For one particular model of TV the probabilities of demand of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 TV sets in a week are 0.05, 0.10, 0.20, 0.30, 0.20 and 0.15, respectively. (a) How many televisions per week should the dealer order? Assume that there is no time lag between ordering and delivery. (b) Compute EVPI. (c) The dealer is thinking of spending on a small market survey to obtain additional information regarding the demand levels. How much should he be willing to spend on such a survey. [Delhi Univ., MBA, 2000] Solution:  If D denotes the demand and S the number of televisions stored (ordered), then the conditional cost values are computed and are shown in Table 19.22. 50S + 200 ( D − S ) , when D ≥ S Cost function =  50 D + 50 ( S − D ) , when D < S



Table 19.22  Expected Cost



State of Nature Probability   Conditional Cost (`) (Demand) Course of Action (Stock)

0 1 2 3 4 5

0 1 2 3 4 5

   

0.05    0   50 100 150 200 250 0.10  200   50 100 150 200 250 0.20   400 250 100 150 200 250 0.30   600 450 300 150 200 250 0.20   800 650 500 350 200 250 0.15 1000 850 700 550 400 250 Expected Cost =   590

450

330

250

230 250

Decision Theory and Decision Trees     697

Table 19.23  Expected Payoff with perfect Information State of Nature Probability Minimum Cost Expected Cost for (Demand) for Perfect Information Perfect Information (1) (2) (3) = (1) × (2)

0 0.05 1 0.10 2 0.20 3 0.30 4 0.20 5 0.15

0 50 100 150 200 250



0 5 20 45 40 37.5 ECPI = 147.5

EVPI = Conditional Cost – ECPI = 230 – 147.5 = `82.5. The pay-off for EMV is shown in Table 19.24 Table 19.24  Computation of EMV



State of Nature Probability    Conditioinal Payoff (Demand)   Course of Action (Stock)





0 1 2 3 4 5



0 0 0 0 0 0

0 1 2 3 4 5

0.05 0.10 0.20 0.30 0.20 0.15

     EMV = 0

– 50 – 100 – 150 ­– 200 – 250 150 100 50 0 – 50 150 300 250 200 150 150 300 450 400 350 150 300 450 600 550 150 300 450 600 750 140

260

340

360 340

Table 19.25  Computation of EPPI State of Nature Probability (Demand) (1)

Payoff for Perfect Information (2)

0 0.05 1 0.10 2 0.20 3 0.30 4 0.20 5 0.15

Expected Payoff for Perfect Information (3) = (1) × (2)

0 150 300 450 600 750



0 15 60 135 120 112.5 442.5

The expected value of perfect information is given by

EVPI = EPPI – EMV* = 442.5 – 360 = `82.5.

(c)  On the basis of the given data, the dealer should not be willing to spend more than `82.5 for the market survey. Example 19.15: XYZ company is considering issuing 1,00,000 shares to raise capital needed for expansion. It is estimated that if the issues were made now, it would be fully taken up at a price of `30 per share. However, the company is facing two crucial situations, both of which may influence the share price in the near future, namely:

(i) A wage dispute with tool room operators which could lead to a strike and have an adverse effect on the share price. (ii) The possibility of a substantial contract with a large company overseas which would increase the share price.

The four possible outcomes and their expected effect on the company’s share prices are:

698     Chapter 19 E1 : No strike and contract obtained–share price rises to `34. E2 : Strike and contract obtained–share price stays at `30. E3 : No strike and contract lost–share price raises to `32. E4 : Strike and contract lost–share price falls to `16. Management has identified three possible strategies that the company could adopt, namely A1 : Issue 1,00,000 shares now A2 : Issue 1,00,000 shares only after the outcomes of (i) and (ii) are known A3 : Issue 5,00,000 shares now and 50,000 shares after the outcomes of (i) and (ii) are known. (a) Determine the maximax solution. What alternative criterion might be used? (b) It has been estimated that the probability of a strike is 55 per cent and that there is a 65 per cent chance of getting the contract, these probabilities being independent. Determine the optimum policy for the company using the criterion of maximizing expected pay-off. (c) Determine the expected value of perfect information for the company. Solution:  The payoff values are shown in Table 19.26 Table 19.26  Conditional Payoff States of Probability Nature

Conditional Payoff (`lakh) Alternative Strategy

Conditional Loss (`lakh) Alternative Strategy



A1 A2 A3 A1 A2 A3

E1 E2 E3 E4

30 30 30 30

34 30 32 16

30

34   31



(1 – 0.55) × 0.65 = 0.2925 0.55 × 0.65 = 0.3575 (1 – 0.55)(1 – 0.65) = 0.1575 0.55 × (1 – 0.65) = 0.1925         Expected Values

0.5 × 30 + 0.5 × 34 = 31 0.5 × 30 + 0.5 × 30 = 30 0.5 × 30 + 0.5 × 32 = 30.5 0.5 × 30 + 0.5 × 16 = 23

4 0 2 0

0 0 0 14

3 0 1.5 7

A strategy with highest minimum (maximin) payoff (i.e. 30) is A1 and a strategy with highest (maximax) pay-off (i.e. 34) is A2. Since highest pay-off of `30 lakh is obtained corresponding to strategy A1, the company should adopt strategy A1. (c)  Calculations for expected value of the perfect information are shown in Table 19.27. Table 19.27  EVPI State of Nature Maximum Pay-off Probability Expected Pay-off with Perfect Information

E1 E2 E3 E4

34 0.2925 9.94 30 0.3575 10.72 32 0.1575 5.04 16 0.1925 5.78

31.48

Hence, expected value of perfect information is : 31.48 – 30 = `1,48,000. Example 19.16:  A vegetable seller buys tomatoes for `45 a box and sells them for `80 per box. If the box is not sold on the first selling day, it is worth `15 as salvage. The past records indicate that demand is normally distriubuted, with a mean of 30 boxes daily and a standard deviation of 9 boxes. How many boxes should he stock? Solution:  The probability of selling at least one additional unit (box) to justify the stocking of additional unit is given by

Decision Theory and Decision Trees     699

p=

(45 − 15) IL 30 = = = 0.462 (80 − 45) + (45 − 15) IP + IL 65

where Incremental loss (IL) = Cost price – Salvage price Incremental profit (IP) = Selling price – Cost price This implies that the vegetable seller must be 46.2 per cent sure of selling at least one additional unit before he should pay to stock an additional unit. The vegetable seller should stock additional boxes until point A is reached. If more units are stocked, then the probability will fall below 0.462. The point A is at 0.1 standard deviation to the right of the mean = 30. Since the standard deviation of the distribution of past demand is 9 boxes, point A can be located as follows: Point A = Mean + Standard deviation = 30 + 0.1 × 9 = 30.1 31 boxes Hence, the fruit seller should stock 31 boxes. Example 19.17: A stall at a certain railway station sells for `1.50 paise a copy of daily newspaper for which it pays `1.20. Unsold papers are returned for a refund of `0.95 a copy. Daily sales and corresponding probabilities are as follows :

Daily sales : 500 600 700 Probability : 0.5 0.3 0.2

(a) How many copies should it order each day to get maximum expected profit? (b) If unsold copies cannot be returned and are useless, what should be the optimal order each day? Use increment analysis. Solution:  Given that, Incremental profit (IP) = `(1.50 – 1.20) = `0.30 Incremental loss (IL) = `(1.20 – 0.95) = `0.25 The probability (p) of selling at least one additional copy of the newspaper to justify keeping that additional copy of newspaper is: IL 0.25 = = 0.45. p = IP + IL 0.30 + 0.25 Thus to justify the ordering of an additional copy, there must be at least 0.45 cumulative probability of selling that copy. Cumulative probabilities are computed below: Daily sales : 500 600 700 Probability : 0.50 0.30 0.20 Comulative   probability : 1.00 0.50 0.20 Hence, the optimal order size is 600 copies. (b) If unsold copies are non-refundable, then

p =

IL 1.20 1.20 = = = 0.80 IP + IL 0.30 + 1.20 1.50

Hence, optimal order size is, 500 copies. Example 19.18:  The demand pattern of the cakes made in a bakery is as follows: No. of cakes demanded : 0 1 2 3 4 5 Probability : 0.05 0.10 0.25 0.30 0.20 0.10 If the preparation cost is `30 per unit and selling price is `40 per unit, how many cakes should the baker bake for maximizing his profit? Solution:  Given that incremental cost (IC) to prepare a cake is `30 per unit and incremental price (IP) to sell a cake is `40 per unit. The cumulative probability (p) of selling at least an additional unit of cake to justify the stocking of that additional unit of cake is given by p =

IC 30 = = 0.428 IC + IP 30 + 40

Fig. 19.2

700     Chapter 19 The cumulative probabilities of greater than type are computed as shown in Table 19.28. Table 19.28

Demand Probability Cumulative Probability (No. of Cakes) P(Demand = k) P(Demand ≥ k)



0 0.05 1 0.10 2 0.25 3 0.30 4 0.20 5 0.10

1.00 0.95 0.85 0.60 ← 0.30 0.10

Since p(demand ≥ k) that exceeds the critical ratio, p = 0.428 is k = 3 units of cake, the optimal decision is to prepare only 3 cakes.

19.6  POSTERIOR PROBABILITIES AND BAYESIAN ANALYSIS

Posterior Probabilities: They are the revised probabilities of the states of nature obtained after conducting a test to improve the prior probabilities of respective nature.

An initial probability statement to evaluate expected payoff is called a prior probability distribution, but if the probability statement has been revised due to additional information, then such a probability statement is called a posterior probability distribution. In this section we will discuss the method of computing posterior probabilities, given prior probabilities using Bayes’ theorem. The analysis of problems using posterior probabilities with new expected payoffs and additional information, is called prior-posterior analysis.

Baye’s Theorem Statement Let A1, A2, ..., An be mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive outcomes. Their probabilities P(A1), P(A2), ..., P(An) are known. There is an experimental outcome B for which the conditional probabilities P(B | A1), P(B | A2), ..., P(B | An) are also known. Given the information that outcome B has occurred, the revised conditional probabilities of outcomes Ai, i.e. P(Ai | B), i = 1, 2, ..., n are determined by using the following relationship: = P(A i |B)

P(A i and B) P(A i ∩ B) P(A i )P(B| A i ) = = P(B) P(B) P(B)

n

where  P( B) = ∑ P( Ai ) P( B| Ai ) i =1

Baye’s Decision Rule: It uses the prior probabilities to determine the expected payoff for each decision alternatives and then chooses the one with the largest expected payoff.

Since each joint probability can be expressed as the product of a known marginal (prior) and conditional probability, i.e., P(Ai ∩ B) = P(Ai) × P(B |Ai) Example 19.19: A company is considering to introduce a new product to its existing product range. It has defined two levels of sales as ‘high’ and ‘low’ on which it wants to base its decision and has estimated the changes that each market level will occur, together with their costs and consequent profits or losses. This information is summarized below:

States of Nature Probability      Courses of Action

Market the Product Do not Market the (`’000) Product (`’000)

High sales Low sales

0.3 150 0.7  – 40 

0 0

The company’s marketing manager suggests that a market research survey may be undertaken to provide further information on which the company should base its decision. Based on the company’s past experience with a certain market research organization, the marketing manager assesses its ability to give good information in the light of subsequent actual sales achievements. This information is given below:

Decision Theory and Decision Trees     701



Market Research        Actual Sales



(Survey outcome)

Market ‘high’

Market ‘low’



‘High’ sales forecast Indecisive survey report ‘Low’ sales forecast

0.5 0.3 0.2

0.1 0.4 0.1

The market research survey costs `20,000, state whether or not there is a case for employing the market research organization. [Delhi Univ., MBA, 2000] Solution:  The expected monetary value (EMV) for each course of action is shown in Table 19.29. Table 19.29  Expected Profit Prior       Courses of Action        Expected Profit (’000 `)

States of Nature

Probability

High sales (N1) Low sales (N2)

Market

Do not Market

0.3  150 0.7 – 40

Market

Do not Market

0   45    0 0 – 28    0

                      EMV

= 17

= 0 

With no additional information, the company should choose course of action ‘market the product’. However, if the company had the perfect information about the ‘low sales’, then company would not go ahead with the decision because expected value would be (–) `28,000. Thus, the value of perfect information is the expected value of low sales. Let outcomes of the research survey be: high sales (S1), indecisive report (S2) and low sales (S3) and states of nature be: high market (N1) and low market (N2). The calculations for prior probabilities of forecast are shown in Table 19.30. Table 19.30  Sales Prediction

Outcome         Sales Prediction High Market (N1)

Low Market (N2)

High sales (S1) P(S1 | N1) = 0.5 Indecisive report (S2) P(S2 | N1) = 0.3 Low sales (S3) P(S3 | N1) = 0.2

P(S1 | N2) = 0.1 P(S2 | N2) = 0.4 P(S3 | N2) = 0.5



With additional information, the company can now revise the prior probabilities of outcomes to get posterior probabilities. The calculations of the revised probabilities, given the sales forecast are shown in Table 19.31. Table 19.31  Revised Probabilities States of Nature Prior Conditional Joint Probability Probability Probability P(Si ∩ Ni) = P(Ni) P(Si | Ni) P(Ni) P(Si | Ni) High sales (N1) 0.3 P(S1 | N1) = 0.5 P(S2 | N1) = 0.3 P(S3 | N1) = 0.2

0.15 – –

– 0.09 –

– – 0.06

0.7 P(S1 | N2) = 0.1 Low sales (N2) P(S2 | N2) = 0.4 P(S3 | N2) = 0.5

0.07 – –

– 0.28 –

– – 0.35

Marginal Probability

0.22 0.37 0.41

702     Chapter 19 The posterior probabilities of actual sales, given the sales forecast, are: Outcome (Si)

Probability States of Nature P(Si) (Ni)

Posterior Probability P(Ni | Si) = P(Ni ∩ Si)/P(Si)

S1 0.22 N1 N2

0.15/0.22 = 0.681 0.07/0.22 = 0.318

S2 0.37 N1 N2

0.09/0.37 = 0.243 0.28/0.37 = 0.756

S3 0.41 N1 N2

0.06/0.41 = 0.146 0.35/0.41 = 0.853

Given the additional information, the revised probabilities to calculate net expected value with respect to each outcome are shown in Table 19.32. Table 19.32  Sales Forecast   Sales Forecast States of Nature

Revised      High     Indecisive     Low Conditional Profit (`) Prob. EV (`) Prob. EV (`) Prob. EV (`)

High sales 130 0.681 88.53 0.243 31.59 0.146 18.98 Low sales – 60  0.318 –19.08 0.756 – 45.36 0.853 – 51.18 Expected value of sales forecast 69.45 – 13.77 – 32.20 Probability of occurrence 0.22 0.37 0.41 Net expected value (Expected value × Probability) 15.279 – 5.095 13.202

    C o n c e p t u a l Q u e s t i o n s 19B 6. Given the complete set of outcomes in a certain situation, how is the EMV determined for a specific course of action? Explain in your own words. 7. Explain the difference between expected opportunity loss and expected value of perfect information. 8. Indicate the difference between decision-making under risk, and uncertainty, in statistical decision theory.

9. Briefly explain ‘expected value of perfect information’ with examples. 10. Describe a business situation where a decision-maker faces a decision under uncertainty and where a decision based on maximizing the expected monetary value cannot be made. How do you think the decisionmaker should make the required decision?

    S e l f - p r a c t i c e P r o b l e m s 19B 19.6. You are given the following payoffs of three acts A1, A2 and A3 and the events E1, E2, E3. States of Nature A 1



Three Acts A3

A3

E1 25 – 10 – 125 E2 400 440 400 E3 650 740 750

The probabilities of the states of nature are 0.1, 0.7 and 0.2, respectively. Calculate and tabulate the EMV and conclude which would prove to be the best course of action.

19.7. The management of a company is faced with the problem of choosing one of three products that it wants to manufacture. The potential demand for each product may turn out to be good, moderate or poor. The probabilities for each of the states of nature were estimated as follows. Product

Good

Nature of Demand Moderate

Poor

X 0.70 0.20 0.10 Y 0.50 0.30 0.20 Z 0.40 0.50 0.10

Decision Theory and Decision Trees     703

The estimated profit or loss in rupees under the three states may be taken as: Product

Good

Moderate

Poor



X Y

30,000 20,000 10,000 60,000 30,000 20,000



Z

40,000

10,000

– 15,000  

Prepare the expected value table, and advise the management about the choice of product. 19.8. The marketing staff of a certain industrial organization has submitted the following payoff table (giving profits in million rupees), concerning a certain proposal depending upon the rate of technology advance. Technological         Decision Advance Accept Reject

Much    2 Little    5 None (–) 1

3 2 4

The probabilities are 0.2, 0.5 and 0.3 for Much, Little and None technological advance respectively. What decision should be taken? 19.9. A physician purchases a particular vaccine on Monday each week. The vaccine must be used within the following week, otherwise it becomes worthless. The vaccine costs `2 per dose and the physician charges `4 per dose. In the past 50 weeks, the physician has administered the vaccine in the following quantities: Doses per week : 20 25 40 60 Number of weeks :  5

15

25  5

Determine how many doses the physician should buy every week. 19.10. A grocery with a bakery department is faced with the problem of deciding how many cakes it should buy in order to meet the day’s demand. the grocer prefers not to sell day-old goods in competition with fresh products; leftover cakes are, therefore, a complete loss. On the other hand, if a customer desires a cake and all of them have been sold, the disappointed customer will buy from elsewhere and the sales will be lost. The grocer has, therefore, collected information on the past sales on a selected 100-day period as shown in table below: Sales per Day

25 26 27 28

No. of Days

Probability

10 30 50 10

0.10 0.30 0.50 0.10

Construct the payoff table and the opportunity loss table. What is the optimal number of cakes that should be bought each day? Also find and interpret EVPI (Expected Value of Perfect Information). One cake costs `0.80 and sells for `1.

19.11. A producer of boats has estimated the following distribution of demand for a particular kind of boat: No. demanded : 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Probability

: 0.14 0.27 0.27 0.18 0.09 0.04 0.01

Each boat costs him `7,000 and he sells them for `10,000 each. Boats left unsold at the end of the season must be disposed of for `6,000 each. How many boats should be in stock so as to maximize his expected profit? 19.12. A small industry from the past data has found that the cost of making an item is `25, the item’s selling price is `30 if it is sold within a week. It can also be disposed of at `20 per item at the end of the week: Weekly sales : < 3 4 5 6 7 ≥ 8 No. of weeks : 0 10 20 40 30 0 Find the optimum number of items per week the industry should produce. 19.13. A firm makes pastries which it sells at `8 per dozen in special boxes containing one dozen each. The direct cost of pastries for the firm is `4.50 per dozen. At the end of the week the stale pastries are sold off for a lower price of `3.50 per dozen. The overhead expenses attributable to pastry production are `1.25 per dozen. Fresh pastries are sold in special boxes which cost 50 paise each and the stale pastries are sold wrapped in ordinary paper. The probability distribution of demand per week is as under: Demand (in dozen) : 0 1 2 3 4 5 Probability

: 0.01 0.14 0.2 0.5 0.1 0.05

Find the optimal production level of pastries per week. 19.14. The local football club wants your advice on the number of programmes that should be printed for each game. The cost of printing and production of programmes for each game, as quoted by the local printer, is `1,000 plus 4 paise per copy. Advertising revenue which has been agreed for the season is `800 for each game. Programmes are sold for 15 paise each. A review of sales during the previous seasons indicates that the following pattern is expected to be repeated during the coming season of 50 games: Number of Programmes Sold

Number of Games

10,000   5 20,000 20 30,000 15 40,000 10

Programmes not sold at the game are sold as waste paper to a paper manufacturer at one paise per copy. Assuming that the four options listed are the only possibilities

(a) prepare a payoff table



(b) determine the number of programmes that would provide the largest profit, if a constant

704     Chapter 19 number of programmes were to be printed for each game

(c) calculate the profit that would arise from a perfect forecast of the number of programmes which would be sold at each game.

19.15. The probability distribution of monthly sales of an item is as follows:

Monthly sales (units)

Probabilities



0 1 2 3 4 5 6

0.01 0.06 0.25 0.30 0.22 0.10 0.06

The cost of carrying inventory (unsold during the month) is `30, per unit, per month, and the cost of unit shortage is `70. Determine the optimum stock to minimize expected cost. 19.16. A modern home appliances dealer finds that the cost of holding a mini cooking range in stock for a month is `200 (insurance, minor deterioration, interest on borrowed capital, etc.). Customers who cannot obtain a cooking range immediately tend to go to other dealers and he estimates that for every customer who cannot get immediate delivery, he loses an average of `500. The probabilities of a demand of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 mini cooking ranges in a month are 0.05, 0.10, 0.20, 0.30, 0.20, and 0.15, respectively. Determine the optimal stock level of cooking ranges. Also find the EVPI. [Delhi Univ., MBA, 2000] 19.17. A company manufacturing large electrical equipment is anticipating the possibility of a total or a partial copper strike in the near future. It is attempting to decide whether to stockpile a large amount of copper at an additional cost of `50,000; stockpile a small amount costing an additional `20,000; or to stockpile no additional copper at all. The stockpiling costs, consisting of excess storage, holding and handling costs and so forth, are over and above the actual material costs. If there is a partial strike, the company estimates that an additional cost of `50,000 for delayed orders will be incurred if there is no stockpile at all. If a total strike occurs, the cost of delayed orders is estimated at `1,00,000 if there is only a small stockpile, and `2,00,000 if there is no stockpile. The company estimates the probability of a total strike as 0.1 and that of a partial strike as 0.3. (a) Develop a conditional cost table showing the cost of all outcomes and course of action combi­nations. (b) Determine the preferred course of action and its cost. What is EPPI? (c) Develop a conditional opportunity loss table. (d) Without calculating the EOL, find the EVPI.

19.18. A well-known departmental store advertises female fashion garments from time to time in the Sunday press. Only one garment is advertised on each occasion. The management’s experience in garments in the price range `30–40 leads the management to assess the statistical probability of demand at various levels, after each advertisement, as follows: Demand After Advertising After Advertising in One in Two (No. of garments) Newspaper Newspapers

30 40 50 60 70

0.10 0.25 0.40 0.25 0.00

0.00 0.15 0.35 0.40 0.10

The next garment to be advertised at `35 will cost `15 to make and can be disposed of to the trade, if unsold, for `10. The store’s advertising agents will charge `37.50 for an artwork and blockmaking for the advertisement and each newspaper will charge `50 for the insertion of the advertisement. You are required to: (a) Calculate how many garments to the nearest 10 should be purchased by the store in order to maximize the expected gross profit, after advertising in: (i) one newspaper, (ii) two newspapers. (b) Calculate the amount, if any, of the expected net profit after advertising: (i) in one newspaper, (ii) two newspapers. 19.19. A car manufacturer uses a special control device in each car that he produces. Two alternative methods can be used to detect and avoid a faulty device. Under the first method, each device is tested before it is installed. The cost of this method is `2 per test. Alternatively, the control device can be installed without being tested, and a faulty device can be detected and rendered after the car has been assembled, at a cost of `20 per faulty device.    Regardless of which method is used, faulty devices cannot be repaired and must be discarded.   A manufacturer purchases the control devices in batches of 10,000. Based on past experience, he estimates the proportion of defective components and the associated probability to be:

Proportion of Faulty Devices

Probability

0.08 0.20 0.12 0.70 0.16 0.10

(a) Which inspection method should the manufacturer adopt? (b) What is the expected value of perfect information (EVPI)?

Decision Theory and Decision Trees     705

  H i n t s a n d A n s w e r s 19.6. EMV(Ai) = 412.5, EMV(Ai) = 455, EMV(A3) = 417.5 19.7. EMV(X) = 26, EMV(Y) = 43, EMV(Z) = 19.5; Company should manufacture product Y. 19.8. EMV (accept) = 2.6, EMV(reject) = 2.8; reject. 19.9. Conditional profit value = MP × units sold – ML × units unsold = ; D≥S (4 − 2) D 2D = − − − = − (4 2) D 2( S D ) 4 D 2 S ; D
EMV* = EMV (Purchase 40 dozen) = `54.

19.10. Conditional profit value = MP × cake sold – ML × cake not sold = (1 – 0.80) × cake sold – 0.80 × cake not sold ; D≥S 0.20 D = 0.20 D 0.80 ( S D ) ; D
where D is the number of units demanded and S is the number of units stocked EMV* = `5 ; EOL* = 0.22 (stock 26 units of cake) 19.11. Conditional profit value = MP × boats sold – ML × boats unsold = (10,000 – 7,000) boats sold – (7,000 – 6,000) boats unsold ; D≥S 300 D = − − = − 3,000 D 1,000 ( S D ) 4,000 D 1,000 S ; D
19.14. (a) Conditional profit = Sales revenue – Cost = {0.15D + 800 + (P – D) × 0.101} – (1,000 + 0.04P) 0.14 D − 0.03 P − 20 ; D < P = ; D≥P 0.11 D − 200 where P is the number of programmes printed and D is the demand for programmes. (b) largest expected profit = `2,260 accrues for P = 30,000 copies per game (c) In case of perfect forecast, the expected profit is: 900 × 0.1 + 2,000 × 0.4 + 3,100 × 0.3 + 4,200 × 0.2 = `2,660. EVPI = `2,660 – `2,260 = `400 70 ( D − S) ; D ≥ S 19.15. Cost function =  200 (S − D) ; D < S where D = monthly demand (or sales); S = number of units purchased    Since the expected cost of `46 is minimum for course of action 4, the optimum stock to minimize the cost is 4 units per month. 500 ( D − S) ; D ≥ S 19.16. Cost function =  200 (S − D) ; D < S Since the expected cost of `315 is minimum for course of action 4, the optimum stock to minimize the cost is 4 cooking ranges. 19.17. (b) small stockpile ; `30,000 – `11,000 ; (d) `19,000 19.18. Marginal profit (MP) = `(35 – 15) = `20 Marginal loss (ML) = `(15 – 10) = `5 Conditional payoff = MP × garments sold – ML × garments unsold (a) EMV (S1) = `600;  EMV (S2) = `775; EMV (S3) = `887.5; EMV (S4) = `900;  EMV (S5) = `850 Max. EMV is corresponding to course of action S4, i.e. purchase 60 garments. (b) EMV(S2) = `800;  EMV (S3) = `962.5, EMV (S4) = `1,037.5;  EMV (S5) = `1,012.5. Max. EMV is corresponding to course of action S4, i.e. purchase 60 garments. 19.19. (a) First alternative, `20,000 (b) EVPI = Expected cost under uncertainty – Expected cost with perfect information = 20,000 – (16,000 × 0.2 + 20,000 × 0.7 + 20,000 × 0.1) = 20,000 – 19,200 = `800 per batch.

706     Chapter 19

19.7  DECISION TREE ANALYSIS Decision-making problems discussed earlier were limited to arrive at a decision over a fixed period of time. That is, payoffs, states of nature, courses of action and probabilities associated with the occurrence of states of nature were not subject to change. However, situations may arise when a decision-maker needs to revise his previous decisions due to availability of additional information. Thus he intends to make a sequence of interrelated decisions over several future periods. Such a situation is called a sequential or multiperiod decision process. For example, in the process of marketing a new product, a company usually first go for ‘Test Marketing’ and other alternative courses of action might be either ‘Intensive Testing’ or ‘Gradual Testing’. Given the various possible consequences – good, fair, or poor, the company may be required to decide between redesigning the product, an aggressive advertising campaign or complete withdrawal of product, etc. Based on this decision there might be an outcome that leads to another decision and so on. Fig. 19.2 Decision Tree

R S

A3 Chance branch A4

R

P (State of nature)

Chance node

S

R Q (State of nature) Decision branch A1 (Course of action)

S

A3

R

A4

S

Decision node

R S

A3

A2 (Course of action)

R

A4 P

S

R Q

S

A3

A4

R S

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

Stage 4

Decision Theory and Decision Trees     707

A decision tree analysis involves the construction of a diagram that shows, at a glance, when decisions are expected to be made – in what sequence, their possible outcomes, and the corresponding payoffs. A decision tree consists of nodes, branches, probability estimates, and payoffs. There are two types of nodes: • Decision (or act) node: A decision node is represented by a square and represents a point of time where a decision-maker must select one alternative course of action among the available. The courses of action are shown as branches or arcs emerging out of decision node. • Chance (or event) node:  Each course of action may result in a chance node. The chance node is represented by a circle and indicates a point of time where the decision-maker will discover the response to his decision. Branches emerge from and connect various nodes and represent either decisions or states of nature. There are two types of branches: • Decision branch: It is the branch leading away from a decision node and represents a course of action that can be chosen at a decision point. • Chance branch: It is the branch leading away from a chance node and represents the state of nature of a set of chance events. The assumed probabilities of the states of nature are written alongside their respective chance branch. • Terminal branch: Any branch that makes the end of the decision tree (not followed by either a decision or chance node), is called a terminal branch. A terminal branch can represent either a course of action. The terminal points of a decision tree are supposed to be mutually exclusive points so that exactly one course of action will be chosen. The payoff can be positive (i.e. revenue or sales) or negative (i.e. expenditure or cost) and it can be associated either with decision or chance branches. An illustration of a decision tree is shown in Fig. 19.2. It is possible for a decision tree to be deterministic or probabilistic. It can also further be divided in terms of stages – into single stage (a decision under condition of certainty) and multistage (a sequence of decisions). The optimal sequence of decisions in a tree is found by starting at the right-hand side and rolling backwards. At each node, an expected return is calculated (called position value). If the node is a chance node, then the position value is calculated as the sum of the products of the probabilities or the branches emanating from the chance node and their respective position values. If the node is a decision node, then the expected return is calculated for each of its branches and the highest return is selected. This procedure continues until the initial node is reached. The position values for this node corresponds to the maximum expected return obtainable from the decision sequence. Remark:  Decision Trees versus Probability Trees  Decision trees are basically an extension of probability trees. However, there are several basic differences:



(i) The decision tree utilizes the concept of ‘rollback’ to solve a problem. This means that it starts at the right-hand terminus with the highest expected value of the tree and works back to the current or beginning decision point in order to determine the decision or decisions that should be made. It is the multiplicity of decision points that make the rollback process necessary. (ii) The probability tree is primarily concerned with calculating the probabilities, whereas the decision tree utilizes probability factors as a means of arriving at a final answer. (iii) The most important feature of the decision tree, is that it takes time differences of future earnings into account. At any stage of the decision tree, it may be necessary to weigh differences in immediate cost or revenue against differences in value at the next stage.

Decision Tree: It is the graphical display of the progression of decision and random events.

708     Chapter 19 Example 19.20: You are given the following estimates concerning a Research and Development pro­gramme: Decision Di

Probability of Decision Outcome Di Given Research R Number P(Di | R )

Probability of Payoff Value Outcome xi Given Di of Outcome, xi P(xi|Di) (`’000)

Develop 0.5 1 0.6 600 2 0.3 – 100 Do not develop 0.5

3 1 2 3

0.1 0.0 0.0 1.0

0 600 – 100 0

Construct and evaluate the decision tree diagram for the above data. Show your workings for evaluation. Fig. 19.3 Decision Tree

Solution:  The decision tree of the given problem along with necessary calculations is shown in Fig. 19.3. Probability

P ( x 1 | D 1) = 0.6

D1, Develop (0.5)

P ( x 2 | D 1) = 0.3

1

Payoff (in ’000 `)

Expected Payoff (in ’000 `)

3

0.5 × 0.6 = 0.3

600

0.3 × 600 = 180

4

0.5 × 0.3 = 0.15

–100

0.15 × – 100 = –15

5

0.5 × 0.1 = 0.05

0

0

P ( x 3 | D 1) = 0.1

165

0

P ( x 1 | D 2) = 0

D2, Do not develop (0.5)

2

P ( x 2 | D 2) = 0

P ( x 3 | D 2) = 1.0

6

0.5 × 0

600

0

7

0.5 × 0

–100

0

8

0.5 × 1.0

0

0 0

Example 19.21:  A glass factory that specializes in crystal is developing a substantial backlog and for this the firm’s management is considering three courses of action: To arrange for subcontracting (S1), to begin overtime production (S2), and to construct new facilities (S3). The correct choice depends largely upon the future demand, which may be low, medium, or high. By consensus, management ranks the respective probabilities as 0.10, 0.50 and 0.40. A cost analysis reveals the effect upon the profits. This is shown in the table below:

Demand

Probability

Course of Action

S1 S2 S3 (Subcontracting) (Begin Overtime) (Construct Facilities) Low (L) Medium (M) High (H)

0.10 0.50 0.40

10 50 50

– 20 60 100

– 150 20 200

Decision Theory and Decision Trees     709

Show this decision situation in the form of a decision tree and indicate the most preferred decision and its corresponding expected value. Solution:  A decision tree that represents possible courses of action and states of nature is shown in Fig. 19.4. In order to analyze the tree, we start working backwards from the end branches. The most preferred decision at the decision node 0 is found by calculating the expected value of each decision branch and selecting the path (course of action) that has the highest value. Expected Payoff 10) = 0. L, ( p M, (p = 0.50)

1 EMV = 46

S1

:S

c ub

on

tr a

c ti

H, ( p

ng

S 2 : Begin overtime

2 EMV = 68

:C

on

= 01 (in ’000 `)

5

0.50 × 50

= 25

6

0.40 × 50

= 20 46

0

3

0.10 × 10

= 0 .4 0)

10 = 0. L, ( p

S

4

)

M, (p = 0.50) H, ( p

7

0.10 × –20 = – 02

8

0.50 × 60

9

0.40 × 100 = 40

= 30

= 0 .4 0)

68 str

uc

tf

ac

il i

t ie

s

L, ( p

3 EMV = 75

0) = 0 .1

M, (p = 0.50) H, ( p

10

0.10 × –150 = –15

11

0.50 × 20

12

0.40 × 200 = 80

= 10

= 0 .4 0)

75

Since node 3 has the highest EMV, therefore, the decision at node 0 will be to choose the course of actin S3, i.e. construct new facilities. Example 19.22:  A businessman has two independent investment portfolios A and B, available to him, but he lacks the capital to undertake both of them simultaneously. He can either choose A first and then stop, or if A is not successful, then take, B or vice versa. The probability of success of A is 0.6, while for B it is 0.4. Both investment schemes require an initial capital outlay of `10,000 and both return nothing if the venture proves to be unsuccessful. Successful completion of A will return `20,000 (over cost) and successful completion of B will return `24,000 (over cost). Draw a decision tree in order to determine [Delhi Univ., MBA, 2000, AMIE, 2006] the best strategy. Solution:  The decision tree based on the given information is shown in Fig. 19.5. The evaluation of each chance node and decision is given in Table 19.33.

Fig. 19.4 Decision Tree

710     Chapter 19 Table 19.33  Evaluation of Decision and Chance Nodes

Decision Point Outcome Probability Conditional Value D3 (i) Accept A Success Failure

0.6 0.4

20,000 –10,000

                          (ii) Stop — — — D2 (i) Accept B Success Failure

0.4 0.6

24,000 –10,000

                          (ii) Stop — — — D1 (i) Accept A

Success Failure

0.6 0.4

Expected Value (`) 12,000 – 4,000 8,000 0 9,600 – 6,000 3,600 0

20,000 + 3,600 = 23,600 –10,000

14,160 – 4,000

                          (ii) Accept B Success 0.4 24,000 + 8,000 = 32,000 Failure 0.6 –10,000

10,160 12,800 – 6,000

                          6,800 (iii) Do nothing — — —               0 Fig. 19.5 Decision Tree

Stop `0

`3,600 s es cc 6 ) u S 0. ( 00 0,0 `2

EMV = 10,160 1

A

cc

ep

tA

Fa

Do nothing

D1

i lu

re

(0

D2

Ac

.4

ce

pt

B

cc

ep

0.6 × – 10,000 = – 6000

Su 00 0 c (0 c e s .4 s )

10

0.6 × 20,000 = 12,000

11

0.4 × – 10,000 = – 4,000

7 – `10,000

EMV = 8,000

Failure (0.4) D3 `8,000

3,600

`0

pt A

e Acc

4,

0.6 × –10,000 = – 6,000

6

`20,000

`2

9

0.4 × – 10,000 = – 4000

Success (0.6) 2

0.4 × 24,000 = 9,600

5

||

EMV = 6,800

8

4

|| – `10,000

tB

`24,000 – `10,000 Failure (0.6)

– `10,000

)

Success (0.4)

EMV = 3,600

Failure (0.6) A

Expected Payoff

3

8,000

||

`0

12

0

Stop

Since the EMV = `10,160 at node D1 is highest, therefore the best strategy is to accept course of action A first and if A is successful, then accept B.

Decision Theory and Decision Trees     711

Example 19.23:  The Oil India Corporation (OIC) is wondering whether to go for an offshore oil drilling contract that is to be awarded in Bombay High. If OIC bid, value would be `600 million with a 65 per cent chance of gaining the contract. The OIC may set up a new drilling operation or move the already existing operation, which has already proved successful for a new site. The probability of success and expected returns are as follows:

Outcome       New Drilling Operation        Existing Operation

Probability Expected Revenue Probability Expected Revenue (`million) (`million) Success 0.75 800 0.85 700 Failure 0.25 200 0.15 350

If the Corporation do not bid or lose the contract, they can use `600 million to modernize their operation. This would result in a return of either 5 per cent or 8 per cent on the sum invested with probabilities 0.45 and 0.55. (Assume that all costs and revenue have been discounted to present value.) (a) Construct a decision tree for the problem showing clearly the courses of action. (b) By applying an appropriate decision criterion recommend whether or not the Oil India Corporation should bid the contract. [Delhi Univ. MBA, AMIE, 2001, 2005] Solution:  The decision tree based on the given information is shown in Fig. 19.6. The Figure 19.6 evaluation of each chance node and decision node is given in Table 19.34. Decision Tree Expected Payoff (in ` million) 5% return (0.45) 6

600 × 0.05 × 0.45 = 13.5

7

600 × 0.08 × 0.55 = 26.4

8

800 × 0.75 = 600

9

200 × 0.25 = 50

10

700 × 0.85 = 595

11

350 × 0.15 = 52.5

12

600 × 0.45 × 0.05 = 13.5

13

600 × 0.55 × 0.08 = 26.4

EMV = 39.9 8% return (0.55)

Success (0.75)

M

od

ern

ize

1

ng drilli New ration ope

D1

3 EMV = 650

Success (0.65)

Bid

Failure (0.25)

D2

`650 2

Success (0.85) Existing operation

EMV = 436.46

4 EMV = 647.5 Failure (0.15)

Failure (0.35) 5% return (0.45)

`39.9 D3

Modernize

5 EMV = 39.9

8% return (0.55)

712     Chapter 19 Table 19.34  Evaluation of Decision and Chance Nodes

Decision Point Outcome Probability Conditional Value D3 (i) Modernize

5% return 8% return

0.45 0.55

600 × 0.05 = 30 600 × 0.08 = 48

Expected Value (`) 30 × 45 = 13.5 48 × 0.55 = 26.4



39.9

D2 (i) Undertake new Success 0.75 800 drilling operation Failure 0.25 200

600 50 650

(ii) Move existing operation

595 52.5

Success Failure

0.85 0.15

700 350

D1 (i) Modernize

5% return 8% return

0.45 0.55

600 × 0.05 = 30 600 × 0.08 = 48

647.5

30 × 0.45 = 13.5 48 × 0.55 = 26.4

(ii) Bid Success 0.65 650 Failure 0.35 39.9

39.9 422.50 13.96



436.46

Since EMV, `436.46 at event node 2 is highest, therefore the best decision at decision node D1 is to decide for bid and if successful establish a new drilling operation. Example 19.24:  A large steel manufacturing company has three options with regard to production: (i) produce commercially (ii) build pilot plant (iii) stop producing steel. The management has estimated that their pilot plant, if built, has 0.8 chance of high yield and 0.2 chance of low yield. If the pilot plant does show a hight yield, management assigns a probability of 0.75 that the commercial plant will also have a high yield. If the pilot plant shows a low yield, there is only a 0.1 chance that the commercial plant will show a high yield. Finally, management’s best assessment of the yield on a commercial-size plant without building a pilot plant first has a 0.6 chance of high yield. A pilot plant will cost `3,00,000. The profits earned under high and low yield conditions are `1,20,00,000 and – `12,00,000 respectively. Find the optimum decision for the company. [Punjab Tech Univ., BE, 2006]  Solution:  A decision tree representing possible courses of action and states of nature are shown in Fig. 19.7. In order to analyse the tree, we proceed backward from the end branches

Figure 19.7

`1,20,00,000

6

h

ig

H

ly

al rci

me

e

uc

od Pr

m Co

Low 0.4

2

`12,00,000

uce Prod ially rc e m com

EMV = 67,20,000 igh

H

ld

yie

D2

1

`0

Lo

0.8

EMV = 1,20,000

High (0.75) `1,20,00,000

3

Low (0.25) – `12,00,000

Stop

EMV = 87,00,000 w uce `3,00,000 yie Prod ially ld rc e m 0.2 EMV com Sto = 69,36,000 p D3 Stop

Build Pilot Plant D1

0.

`0 4

High (0.1) `1,20,00,000 Low (0.9) – `12,00,000

`0

Decision Theory and Decision Trees     713

EMV (Node 3) = 0.75 × 1,20,00,000 – 0.25 × 12,00,000 EMV (Node D2) = `87,00,000 = `87,00,000 EMV (Node 4) = 0.1 × 1,20,00,000 – 0.9 × 12,00,000 EMV (Node D3) = 1,20,000. = 12,00,000 – 10,80,000 = `1,20,000. EMV (Node 1) = 0.8 × 87,00,000 – 0.2 × 1,20,000 EMV (Node D1) = `69,36,000 = 69,36,000 – 3,00,000 EMV (Node 2) = 0.6 × 1,20,00,000 – 0.4 × 12,00,000 = `66,36,000. = 72,00,000 – 4,800,000 = `67,20,000 Since at decision node D1 the production cost of `67,20,000, associated with course of action – Build pilot plant is least, the company should build pilot plant. Example 19.25:  A businessman has an option of selling a product in domestic market or in export market. The available relevant data are given below.

Items

Export Market

Domestic Market

Probability of selling 0.6 1.0 Probability of keeping delivery schedule 0.8 0.9 Penalty of not meeting delivery schedule (`.) 50,000 10,000 Selling price (`.) 9,00,000 8,00,000 Cost of third party inspection (`.) 30,000 Nil Probability of collection of sale amount 0.9 0.9

If the product is not sold in export market, it can always be sold in domestic market. There are no other implications like interest and time. (a) Draw the decision tree using the data given above. (b) Should the businessman go for selling the product in the export market? Justify your answer. Solution: (i) The decision tree representing possible curses of action and states of nature is shown in Fig. 19.8. The revenue generated from the stage of product in export market is equal to the selling price minus inspection cost (i.e. `30,000). The tree is analyzed by moving backward from the end branches. EMV (Node 9) = `0.9 × 8,00,000 EMV (Node 10) = `7,20,000. = 0.9 × 8,00,000 = `7,20,000. EMV (Node 7) = `0.9 × 8,70,000 – 0.1 × 30,000 EMV (Node 8) = `7,80,000. = `7,80,000. EMV (Node 4) = 0.9 × 7,20,000 + 0.1 × 7,10,000 EMV (Node 3) = `7,19,000. = 0.8 × 7,80,000 + 0.2 × 7,30,000 = `7,70,000. EMV (Node 5) = 0.9 × 8,00,000 = `72,20,000. EMV (Node 6) = 7,20,00. EMV (Node 1) = 0.6 × 7,70,000 + 0.4 × 7,19,000 EMV (Node 2) = `7,49,600. = 0.9 × 7,20,000 + 0.1 × 7,10,000 = `7,19,000. EMV (Node D1) = Max. {7,49,600; 7,19,000} = `7,49,600. Hence, the businessman should go for selling the product in the export market.

714     Chapter 19 Fig. 19.8 nt ou Am No 7 t

`0

t no t o or D xp E .8 0

Collected 0.9 Collected 0.1

` 8,70,000

– ` 30,000

3

2

rt po Ex

0.

1 EMV = 7,49,600

t

n ou Am No 8 t EMV = 7,20,000

– ` 50,000

Export

nt

u mo

A

`0

t no t o or D xp E .9 0

Collected 0.9 Collected 0.1 Collected 0.9

` 8,70,000

– ` 30,000

` 8,00,000

No

9

t

EMV = 7,20,000

Collected 0.1

– `0

4

Ex

nt

u mo

rt

EMV = 0 . 7,19,000 1

po

D1 EMV = 7,49,600

A

– ` 10,000 Do not Export

nt

`0

t no rt o D xpo E 0.9

A

No 5 t EMV = 7,20,000

Ex

2 EMV = 0 . 7,19,000 1

u mo

po

nt

rt

u mo

– ` 10,000

A 6

Collected 0.9 Collected 0.1 Collected 0.9

10

Collected 0.9

` 8,00,000

No

t

EMV = 7,20,000

Collected 0.1

– `0

` 8,00,000

– `0

` 8,00,000

No

t EMV = 7,20,000

Collected 0.1

– `0

  S e l f - p r a c t i c e P r o b l e m s 19C 19.20. Raman Industries ltd. has a new product that they expect has great potential. At the moment they have two courses of action open to them: To test market (S1) and to drop product (S2).    If they test it, it will cost them `50,000. The response could be either positive or negative, with probabilities 0.70 and 0.30, respectively. If it is positive, they could either market it with full effort or drop the product. If they market with full scale, then the result might be low, medium, or high demand and the respective net payoffs would be – `1,00,000, `1,00,000 or `5,00,000. These outcomes have probabilities of 0.25, 0.55 and 0.20, respectively. If the result of the test marketing is negative they would decide to drop the product. If, at

any point, they drop the product there is a net gain of `25,000 from the sale of scrap. All financial values have been discounted to the present. Draw a decision tree for the problem and indicate the most preferred decision. 19.21. A manufacturing company has just developed a new product. On the basis of past experience, a product such as this would either be successful, with an expected gross return of `1,00,000, or unsuccessful, with an expected gross return of `20,000. Similar products manufactured by the company have a record of being successful about 50 per cent of the time. The production and marketing costs of the new product are expected to be `50,000.

Decision Theory and Decision Trees     715

   The company is considering whether to market this new product or to drop it. Before making its decision, a test marketing effort can be conducted at a cost of `10,000. Based on past experience, test marketing results have been favourable about 70 per cent of the time. Furthermore, products favourably tested have been successful 80 per cent of the time. However, when the test marketing result has been unfavourable, the product has only been successful 30 per cent of the time. What course of action should the company pursue? 19.22. XYZ Company manufactures guaranteed tennis balls. At present, approximately 10 per cent of the tennis balls are defective. A defective ball leaving the factory costs the company Re 0.50 to honour its guarantee. Assume that all defective balls are returned. At a cost of Re 0.10 per ball, the company can conduct a test that always correctly identifies both good and bad tennis balls. (a) Draw a decision tree and determine the optimal course of action and its expected cost. (b) At what test cost should the company be indifferent to testing? 19.23. The Ore Mining Company is attempting to decide whether or not a certain piece of land should be purchased. The land costs `3,00,000. If there are commercial ore deposits on the land, the estimated value of property is `5,00,000. If no ore deposits exist, however, the property value is estimated at `2,00,000. Before purchasing the land, the property can be cored at a cost of `20,000. The coring will indicate if conditions are favourable or unfavourable for ore mining. If the coring report is favourable the probability of recoverable ore deposits on the land is 0.8. However, if the coring report is unfavourable then probability is only 0.2. Prior to obtaining any coring information, the management estimates that the odds of ore being present on the land is 50–50. Management has also received coring reports on pieces of land similar to the ore in question and found that 60 per cent of the coring reports were favourable.    Construct a decision tree and determine whether the company should purchase the land, decline to purchase it, or take a coring test before making its decision. Specify the optimal course of action and EMV. 19.24.  XYZ company, dealing with a newly invented telephone device, is faced with the problem of selecting out of the following available courses of action:

(i) manufacture the device itself; or (ii) be paid on a royalty basis by another manufacturer; or (iii) sell the rights for its invention for a lump sum.

The profit (in ’000s `) that can be expected in each case and the probabilities associated with the level of sales are shown in the following table:

Outcome Probab- Manufacture Royalties Sell All ility Itself Rights High sales 0.1   75 Medium sales 0.3   25 Low sales 0.6 – 10

35 20 10

15 15 15

Represent the company’s problem in the form of a decision tree. Further redraw the decision tree by introducing the following additional information: (a) If it manufactures itself, and the sales are medium or high, then the company has the opportunity of developing a new version of its telephone;    (b) From past experience the company estimates that there is a 50 per cent chance of successful development, (c) The cost of development is `15 and returns after deduction of development cost are `30 and `10 for high and medium sales, respectively. 19.25. An oil drilling company is considering the purchase of mineral rights on a property of `100 lakh. The price includes tests to indicate whether the property has type A geological formation or type B geological formation. The company will be unable to tell the type of geological formation until the purchase is made. It is known, however, that 40 per cent of the land in this area has type A formation and 60 per cent type B formation. If the company decides to drill on the land it will cost `200 lakh. If the company does drill it may hit an oil well, gas well or a dry hole. Drilling experience indicates that the probability of striking an oil well is 0.4 on type a and 0.1 on type B formation. Probability of hitting gas is 0.2 on type A and 0.3 on type B formation. The estimated discounted cash value from an oil well is `1,000 lakh and from a gas well is `500 lakh. This includes everything except cost of mineral rights and cost of drilling. Use the decision-tree approach and recommend whether the company should purchase the mineral rights? 19.26. The Sensual Cosmetic Co. has developed a new perfume which management feels has a tremendous potential. It not only interacts with the wearer’s body chemistry to create a unique fragrance but is also especially long lasting. A total of `10 lakh has already been spent on its development. Two marketing plans have been devised:    (a) The first plan follows the company’s usual policy of giving small samples of the new products when other items in the company’s product lines are purchased and placing advertisements in women’s magazines. The plan would cost `5 lakh and it is believed that it might result in a high, moderate or low market response with probability of 0.2, 0.5 and 0.3, respectively. The net profit excluding development and promotion costs in these cases would be `20 lakh, `10 lakh and `1 lakh, respectively. If it later appears that the market response is going to be low it would

716     Chapter 19 be possible to launch a TV advt. campaign. This would cost another `7.5 lakh. It would change the market response to high or moderate as previously described but with probability of 0.5 each. (b) The second marketing plan is much more aggressive than the first. The emphasis would be heavily upon TV advertising. The total cost of this plan would be `15 lakh, but the market response would be either excellent or good, with probabilities of 0.4 and 0.6, respectively. The profit excluding development and promotion costs would be `30 lakh and `25 lakh for the two outcomes. Advise on the sequence of strategy to be followed by the company. 19.27. The investment staff of TNC Bank is considering four investment proposals for a client: shares, bonds, real estate and saving certificates. These investments will be held for one year. The past data regarding the four proposals are given below: Shares:  There is a 25 per cent chance that shares will decline by 10 per cent, a 30 per cent chance that they will remain stable and a 45 per cent chance that they will increase in value by 15 per cent. Also the shares under consideration do not pay any dividends. Bonds:  These bonds stand a 40 per cent chance of increase in value by 5 per cent and 60 per cent chance of remaining stable and yield 12 per cent. Real Estate:  This proposal has a 20 per cent chance of increasing 30 per cent in value, a 25 per cent chance of increasing 20 per cent in value, a 40 per

cent chance of increasing 10 per cent in value, a 10 per cent chance of remaining stable and a 5 per cent chance of losing 5 per cent of its value. Savings Certificates:  These certificates yield 8.5 per cent with certainty. Use a decision tree to structure the alternatives to the investment staff, and using the expected value criterion, choose the alternative with the highest expected value. 19.28. A company has developed a new product in its R&D laboratory. The company has the option of setting up production facility to market this product straightaway. If the product is successful, then over the three years expected product life, the returns will be `120 lakh with a probability of 0.70. If the market does not respond favourably, then the returns will be only `15 lakh, with a probability of 0.30.   The company is considering whether it should testmarket this product by building a small pilot plant. The chance that the test market will yield favourable response is 0.80. If the test market gives a favourable response, then the chance of successful total market improves to 0.85.   If the test market give a poor response, then the chance of success in the total market is only 0.30.   As before, the returns from a successful market would be `120 lakh and from an unsuccessful market only `15 lakh. The installation cost to production is `40 lakh and the cost of test-marketing the pilot plant is `5 lakh. Using decision-tree analysis, draw a decision tree diagram, carry out necessary analysis to determine the optimal decisions. [Delhi Univ., MBA, 2002]

  H i n t s a n d A n s w e r s 19.20. The company should test market rather than drop the product. If test market result is positive, the company should market the product otherwise drop the product. 19.21. Test market should be followed; EMV = `13,800 19.22. (a)  Do not test, Re 0.05; (b) Re 0.05 19.23. Test: If favourable – purchase; If not – do not purchase; `64,000

19.24. Royalties; IMV = `15.5 If p is the probability of high sale, then

(i) manufacture itself when p > 0.24 (ii) paid on royalty basis when 0.07 < p < 0.24 (iii) sell all rights for lump sum when p < 0.071

Decision Theory and Decision Trees     717

19.25.  Decision Point Outcome Probability Conditional Value D3 (i) Drill

Oil well Dry hole Gas

Expected Value (`)

0.1 1,000 0.6    0 0.3  500

100 0 150

250 Less: Cost  200 (ii) Do not drill

50 0

Total  50 (i) Drill D2

Oil well Dry hole Gas

0.4 1,000 0.4    0 0.2  500

400 0 100

500 Less: Cost 200

(ii) Do not drill

300 0

Total  300 D1

(i) Type A formation

0.4

300

120



(ii) Type B formation

0.6   50

30

150 Less: Cost   100 Total  50 The company should purchase the mineral rights. 19.26. Aggressive Plan.

  C h a p t e r C o n c e p t s Q u i z True or False 1. [T] [F] A course of action that may be chosen by a decision maker is called an alternative.

6. [T] [F] The expected monetary value criterion is used for decision making under risk.

2. [T] [F] In decision theory probabilities are not associated with states of nature.

7. [T] [F] Minimax regret decision making criterion uses an opportunity loss table.

3. [T] [F] The minimum expected opportunity loss criterion will always result in the same decision as minimum regret.

8. [T] [F] Maximum EMV is paid for getting perfect information.

4. [T] [F] In Hurwicz describes making the coefficient of realism describes the degree of optimism. 5. [T] [F] Hurwicz criterion of decision making always result in the highest long-run average payoff.

9. [T] [F] The difference between the highest the lowest EMV is said to be EVPI. 10. [T] [F] The minimum expected opportunity loss is equal to the minimum regret.

Multiple Choice 11. A type of decision-making environment is (a)  certainty (b) uncertainty (c)  risk (d) all of the above

(b) selecting optimal decision in sequential manner (c) analysis of information that is available (d) all of the above

12. Decision theory is concerned with (a) methods of arriving at an optimal decision

13. Which of the following criterion is not used for decision-making under uncertainty?

718     Chapter 19 (a) maximin (b) maximax (c)  minimax (d) minimize expected loss 14. Which of the following criterion is not applicable to decision-making under risk? (a) maximize expected return (b) maximize return (c) minimize expect regret (d) knowledge of likelihood occurrence of each state of nature.



information is called (a) expected value of perfect information (b) expected marginal loss (c) expected opportunity loss (d) none of the above

20.

The concept of utility is used to (a) measure the utility of money (b) take into account aversion of risk (c) both (a) and (b) (d) none of the above

15. The minimum expected opportunity loss (EOL) is (a) equal to EVPI (b) minimum regret (c)  equal to EMV (d) both (a) and (b)

21. The expected value of perfect information is equal to (a) EPPI – Min (EMV) (b) EPPI + Max (EMV) (c) Max. (EOL) (d) None of the above

16. The expected value of perfect information (EVPI) is (a) equal to expected regret of the optimal decision under risk (b) the utility of additional information (c) maximum expected opportunity loss (d) none of the above

22. Essential characteristics of a decision model are (a) states of nature (b) decision alternatives (c) payoff (d) all of the above

17. The value of the coefficient of optimism (a) is needed while using the criterion of (a) equally likely (b) maximin (c) realism (d) minimax 18. The decision-maker’s knowledge and experience may influence the decision-making process when using the criterion of (a) maximax (b) minimax regret (c) realism (d) maximin 19. The difference between the expected profit under conditions of risk and the expected profit with perfect

23. While using Hurwiez criterion, the coefficient of realism (a) (a) represents the degree of optimism (b) represents the degree of pessimisms (c) is the probability of a state of nature (d) none of the above 24. The probability of selling at least an additional unit of an item to justify the stocking of that unit is given by (a) p < IC/(IC + IP) (b) p > IC/(IC + IP) (c) p = IC/(IC + IP) (d) p = IP/(IC + IP) 25. The decision-making criterion that should be used to achieve maximum long-term payoff is (a) EOL (b) EMV (c) Hurwicz (d) Maximax

Concepts quiz answers 1. T

2. F

3. F

4. T

5. F

6. T

7. T

8. F

9. F

10. F 19. (a)

11. (d) 20. (c)

12. (d) 21. (a)

13. (d) 22. (d)

14. (b) 23. (a)

15. (d) 24. (c)

16. (a) 25. (b)

17. (c)

18. (c)

   C a s e S t u d i e s Case 19.1:  Oil India Corporation The corporation has recently got leasehold drilling rights on a large area in the western part of the country. No seismic coverage is available and to conduct a detailed survey `3 million is required. If oil is struck, a large reserve may result in a net profit of `30 million, whereas a smaller marginal reserve may result in a net profit of `18 million. The cost of drilling a wildcast well is `7 million. Seismic is thought to be quite reliable in this area. Uncertainty pertains to whether or not a structure exists. The company assesses a probability that the test producing good, fair or bad result is 0.40, 0.30 and 0.30,

respectively. On the basis of past drilling records and experiences indicating the probabilities of striking oil in large reserve, smaller marginal reserve or dry hole, even in the presence of good, fair and bad reading of seismic study are as under: Seismic Study Large Reserve Good Fair Bad

Probability of Yield

0.50 0.30 0.10

Exploratory group has exploration strategies:

Marginal Reserve 0.25 0.30 0.20

suggested

Dry Hole 0.25 0.40 0.70

two

possible

Decision Theory and Decision Trees     719

(a) Drill at once on the basis of present geologic interpolation and extrapolation (b) Conduct a seismic study and defer drilling till seismic data is reviewed As a member of strategic group of the company evaluate the two strategies suggested by the exploratory group.

Case 19.2:  Moola Farms Mr. Moola, the owner of Moola Farms is attempting to decide which of three crops he should plant on his 100 acre farm. The profit from each crop is strongly dependent on the rainfall during the growing season. He has categorized the amount of the rainfall as substantial, moderate or light. He estimates his profit for each crop as shown in the table below:

Rainfall



Crop A

Estimated Profit (`) Crop B

Crop C

Substantial 7,000 2,500 4,000 Moderate 3,500 3,500 4,000 Light 1,000 4,000 3,000

Based on the weather in previous seasons and the current projection for the coming season, he estimates the probability of substantial rainfall as 0.2, that of moderate rainfall as 0.3, and that of light rainfall as 0.5. Furthermore, services of forecasters could be employed to provide a detailed survey of current rainfall prospects as shown in the table.

Rainfall



Crop A

Estimated Profit (`) Crop B

Crop C

Substantial 0.70 0.25 0.05 Moderate 0.30 0.60 0.10 Light 0.10 0.20 0.70

You in the capacity of Block Advisor to farmers are expected to suggest (a) Which crop should Mr. Moola plant based on existing data.

(b) Whether it would be economical for the farmer to hire the services of a forecaster. If yes, then how will the result affects the decision process.

Case 19.3:  Matrix India Matrix India, a company in FMCG sector is planning to launch a new product that can be initially introduced in Western India or in the whole country. If the product is introduced only in Western India, the investment outlay will be `12 million. After two years, company can evaluate the project to determine whether it should cover the whole country. For such an expansion it will have to incur an additional investment of `10 million. To introduce the product in the whole country right in the beginning would involve an outlay of `20 million. The product, in any case, will have a life of 5 years, after which the plant will have zero net value. If the product is introduced only in Western India, demand would be high or low with the probabilities of 0.8 and 0.2, respectively and annual cash inflow of `4 million and `2.5 million, respectively. If the product is introduced in the whole country, right at the beginning the demand would be high or low with the probabilities of 0.6 and 0.4, respectively and annual cash inflows of `8 million and `5 million, respectively. Based on the observed demand in Western India, if the product is introduced in the entire country the following probabilities would exist for high and low demand on an all India basis. Western India         Whole Country High demand Low demand

High Demand

Low Demand

0.90 0.40

0.10 0.60

The hurdle rate applicable to this project is 12 per cent. Advise Matrix India on the investment policy it should follow. Support your advice with appropriate reasoning.