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HISTORYHISTORY
During World War II, mathematicians,During World War II, mathematicians,
physicists, and other scientists joined togetherphysicists, and other scientists joined together
to solve military problems. The quantitativeto solve military problems. The quantitative
school of management is a result of theschool of management is a result of the
research conducted during World War IIresearch conducted during World War II
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DefinitionDefinition
The quantitative approach involves the use ofThe quantitative approach involves the use of
quantitative techniques to improve decisionquantitative techniques to improve decision
making. This approach has also been labeledmaking. This approach has also been labeled
operations research of management science.operations research of management science.
It includes applications of statistics,It includes applications of statistics,
optimization models, information models, andoptimization models, information models, and
computer simulationscomputer simulations
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BRANCHES OF QUANTITATIVEBRANCHES OF QUANTITATIVE
MANAGEMENTMANAGEMENT
management sciencemanagement science
operations managementoperations management
management information systemsmanagement information systems
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MANAGEMENT SCIENCEMANAGEMENT SCIENCE
The management science school emerged toThe management science school emerged to
treat the problems associated with globaltreat the problems associated with global
warfare. Today, this view encourageswarfare. Today, this view encourages
managers to use mathematics, statistics, andmanagers to use mathematics, statistics, and
other quantitative techniques to makeother quantitative techniques to make
management decisionsmanagement decisions
Managers use several science applicationsManagers use several science applications
• Mathematical forecastingMathematical forecasting
• Inventory modelingInventory modeling
• Queuing theoryQueuing theory
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Operations managementOperations management
It is the function or field of expertise that isIt is the function or field of expertise that is
primarily responsible for the production andprimarily responsible for the production and
delivery of an organization’s products anddelivery of an organization’s products and
services.services.
Operations management is a narrow branch ofOperations management is a narrow branch of
the quantitative approach to management.the quantitative approach to management.
It focuses on managing the process ofIt focuses on managing the process of
transforming materials, labor, and capital intotransforming materials, labor, and capital into
useful goods and/or servicesuseful goods and/or services
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Management information systemsManagement information systems
It is the name often given to the field ofIt is the name often given to the field of
management that focuses on designing andmanagement that focuses on designing and
implementing computer-based informationimplementing computer-based information
systems for use by managementsystems for use by management
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How Do Today’s Managers use theHow Do Today’s Managers use the
quantitative approach?quantitative approach?
The quantitative approach has contributed directly toThe quantitative approach has contributed directly to
management decision making in the areas of planningmanagement decision making in the areas of planning
and control.and control.
When managers make budgeting, scheduling, qualityWhen managers make budgeting, scheduling, quality
control, and similar decisions, they typically rely oncontrol, and similar decisions, they typically rely on
quantitative techniques.quantitative techniques.
The availability of sophisticated computer softwareThe availability of sophisticated computer software
programs to aid in developing models, equations, andprograms to aid in developing models, equations, and
formulas has made the use of quantitative techniquesformulas has made the use of quantitative techniques
somewhat less intimidating for managers, althoughsomewhat less intimidating for managers, although
they must still be able to interpret the results.they must still be able to interpret the results.