An insightful guide to the use of statistics for solving key problems in modern-day business and industry This book has been awarded the Technometrics Ziegel Prize for the best book reviewed by the journal in 2010. Technometrics is a journal of statistics for the physical, chemical and engineering sciences, published jointly by the American Society for Quality and the American Statistical Association. Criteria for the award include that the book brings together in one volume a body of material previously only available in scattered research articles and having the potential to significantly improve practice in engineering and science. Highlighting the relevance of statistical methods in everyday applications, The Role of Statistics in Business and Industry bridges the gap between the tools of statistics and their use in today's business world. This one-of-a-kind resource encourages the proactive use of statistics in three well-organized and succinct parts: Setting the Stage provides an introduction to statistics, with a general overview of its uses in business and industry Manufactured Product Applications explains how statistical techniques assist in designing, building, improving, and ensuring the reliability of a wide variety of manufactured products such as appliances, plastic materials, aircraft engines, and locomotives Other Applications describe the role of statistics in pharmaceuticals, finance, and business services, as well as more specialized areas including the food, semiconductor, and communications industries This book is truly unique in that it first describes case studies and key business problems, and then shows how statistics is used to address them, while most literature on the topic does the reverse. This approach provides a comprehensive understanding of common issues and the most effective methods for their treatment. Each chapter concludes with general questions that allow the reader to test their understanding of the presented statistical concepts as well as technical questions that raise more complex issues. An extensive FTP site provides additional material, including solutions to some of the applications. With its accessible style and real-world examples, The Role of Statistics in Business and Industry is a valuable supplement for courses on applied statistics and statistical consulting at the upper-undergraduate and graduate levels. It is also an ideal resource for early-career statisticians and practitioners who would like to learn the value of applying statistics to their everyday work.

Inspired by the Encyclopedia of Statistical Sciences, Second Edition, this volume presents the tools and techniques that are essential for carrying out best practices in the modern business world The collection and analysis of quantitative data drives some of the most important conclusions that are drawn in today's business world, such as the preferences of a customer base, the quality of manufactured products, the marketing of products, and the availability of financial resources. As a result, it is essential for individuals working in this environment to have the knowledge and skills to interpret and use statistical techniques in various scenarios. Addressing this need, Methods and Applications of Statistics in Business, Finance, and Management Science serves as a single, one-of-a-kind resource that guides readers through the use of common statistical practices by presenting real-world applications from the fields of business, economics, finance, operations research, and management science. Uniting established literature with the latest research, this volume features classic articles from the acclaimed Encyclopedia of Statistical Sciences, Second Edition along with brand-new contributions written by today's leading academics and practitioners. The result is a compilation that explores classic methodology and new topics, including: Analytical methods for risk management Statistical modeling for online auctions Ranking and selection in mutual funds Uses of Black-Scholes formula in finance Data mining in prediction markets From auditing and marketing to stock market price indices and banking, the presented literature sheds light on the use of quantitative methods in research relating to common financial applications. In addition, the book supplies insight on common uses of statistical techniques such as Bayesian methods, optimization, simulation, forecasting, mathematical modeling, financial time series, and data mining in modern research. Providing a blend of traditional methodology and the latest research, Methods and Applications of Statistics in Business, Finance, and Management Science is an excellent reference for researchers, managers, consultants, and students in the fields of business, management science, operations research, supply chain management, mathematical finance, and economics who must understand statistical literature and carry out quantitative practices to make smart business decisions in their everyday work.

'Stats Means Business' is an introductory textbook aimed at Business Studies students who require guidance in the area of statistics. It minimizes technical language, provides clear definition of key terms, and gives emphasis to interpretation rather than technique. 'Stats Means Business' enables readers to: * appreciate the importance of statistical analysis in business * understand statistical techniques * develop judgment in the selection of appropriate statistical techniques * interpret the results of statistical analysis There is an overwhelming need for successful managers to be able to deal competently with numerical information and this text is developed with this in mind by providing worked examples and review questions which are rooted in viable business contexts. Each chapter includes guidance on using Excel and Minitab to produce the analysis described and explained in the chapter. The start of every chapter identifies aims and summarizes content and each is written in an accessible style. Model solutions are provided for three problems in each chapter and further solutions are available on a web site to accompany the book. The book is suitable for first year undergraduate courses, MBA Programmes and anyone who needs support and guidance in the area of statistics.

This is an introductory statistics textbook for business and management students which uses the innovative approach of 'statistical thinking'. Statistics courses are essential for business students but traditional teaching methods are often seen as difficult and are therefore unpopular; this book aims to offer a new and more appealing way of learning to this market. 'An Introduction to Statistical Analysis for Business and Industry' presents a new and innovative introduction to statistics which trains students directly to address problems which commonly arise in business and industry. Having read and worked through the book and its accompanying manual, students should have the essential skills necessary to apply statistical thinking in business and be able to: –recognise statistical variation in processes, –apply a statistical problem-solving strategy for process improvement, –select and apply appropriate methods of statistical analysis.

How statistical thinking and methodology can help you make crucial business decisions Straightforward and insightful, Statistical Thinking: Improving Business Performance, Second Edition, prepares you for business leadership by developing your capacity to apply statistical thinking to improve business processes. Unique and compelling, this book shows you how to derive actionable conclusions from data analysis, solve real problems, and improve real processes. Here, you'll discover how to implement statistical thinking and methodology in your work to improve business performance. Explores why statistical thinking is necessary and helpful Provides case studies that illustrate how to integrate several statistical tools into the decision-making process Facilitates and encourages an experiential learning environment to enable you to apply material to actual problems With an in-depth discussion of JMP® software, the new edition of this important book focuses on skills to improve business processes, including collecting data appropriate for a specified purpose, recognizing limitations in existing data, and understanding the limitations of statistical analyses.

Statistics for Business is meant as a textbook for students in business, computer science, bioengineering, environmental technology, and mathematics. In recent years, business statistics is used widely for decision making in business endeavours. It emphasizes statistical applications, statistical model building, and determining the manual solution methods. Special Features: This text is prepared based on "self-taught" method. For most of the methods, the required algorithm is clearly explained using flow-charting methodology. More than 200 solved problems provided. More than 175 end-of-chapter exercises with answers are provided. This allows teachers ample flexibility in adopting the textbook to their individual class plans. This textbook is meant to for beginners and advanced learners as a text in Statistics for Business or Applied Statistics for undergraduate and graduate students.

Statistical analysis is essential to business decision-making and management, but the underlying theory of data collection, organization and analysis is one of the most challenging topics for business students and practitioners. This user-friendly text and CD-ROM package will help you to develop strong skills in presenting and interpreting statistical information in a business or management environment. Based entirely on using Microsoft Excel rather than more complicated applications, it includes a clear guide to using Excel with the key functions employed in the book, a glossary of terms and equations, plus a section specifically for those readers who feel rusty in basic maths. Each chapter has worked examples and explanations to illustrate the use of statistics in real life scenarios, with databases for the worked examples, cases and answers on the accompanying CD-ROM.