Robert Armacost | University of Central Florida (original) (raw)

Papers by Robert Armacost

... report is Interim Report Volume 9 for the Cost and Operational Effectiveness Analysis for Ice... more ... report is Interim Report Volume 9 for the Cost and Operational Effectiveness Analysis for Ice Patrol Mission Analysis Study. ... The older the data, the more one has to avoid providing specific iceberg positions. ... Codes Survey of Iceberg Sensing by Satellite Imagery Page 1 (a| J / or ...

ISAHP proceedings, Aug 1, 1996

AHP permits evaluation of a decision maker's consistency by computing a consistency index that is... more AHP permits evaluation of a decision maker's consistency by computing a consistency index that is compared with a consistency index computed from random pairwise comparisons. If the resulting (consistency) ratio is less than 0.1, the comparisons are generally said to be consistent. In applying AHP to group decisions combined using the geometric mean, a similar approach is used where the consistency index for the group is compared with the random index for an individual. This comparison may be misleading. In this research, we develop mean random consistency indices for groups of decision makers for possible use in computing group consistency ratios. Specifically, we present the preliminary results of a simulation study, where the mean group random indices (MGRIs) were computed for randomly generated comparison matrices that were combined via the geometric mean. This paper shows that as the group size increases, the values of the MGRIs decrease exponentially.

Engineering management journal, Dec 1, 1998

... Read by researchers in: 100% Computer and Information Science. The project scheduling problem... more ... Read by researchers in: 100% Computer and Information Science. The project scheduling problem domain is an important research and applications area of engineering management. Recently introduced project scheduling software such as Risk+, Risk for Project,... ...

Mathematical Programming, Dec 1, 1974

A method for sensitivity analysis in nonlinear programming has recently been developed using the ... more A method for sensitivity analysis in nonlinear programming has recently been developed using the sequential unconstrained minimization technique. It is applied here to perform sensitivity analyses on four example problems to demonstrate the computational feasibility and characteristics of the approach. The sensitivity analysis is conducted along the minimizing trajectory for each problem. The convergence characteristics of the first partial derivatives of the variables and objective function with respect to the parameters in the sensitivity analysis are illustrated.

Decision Sciences, Nov 12, 1991

ABSTRACT Certain business practices include legal but ethically questionable activities. Surveys ... more ABSTRACT Certain business practices include legal but ethically questionable activities. Surveys intended to determine the nature and extent of such activities must employ questioning methods which mitigate the inherent threat of sensitive questions and account for social desirability effects. This study uses a national mail survey of chief executive officers (CEOs) of manufacturing firms to compare the performance of direct questioning, scenario, and randomized response methods for estimating the prevalence of several sensitive business practices. The direct questioning and scenario versions used self-reporting (individual-based) questions, as well as the CEO's perceptions of the extent to which others engage in questionable activities (other-based). In general, the estimates of the prevalence of selected questionable activities were lowest when the individual-based direct questioning was used and highest when other-based (either direct questioning or scenario) methods were used. The individual- based scenario and randomized response estimates represented intermediate estimates. Suggested guidelines for using the three methods for eliciting sensitive information are discussed.

This document is disseminated under the sponsorship of the Department of Transportation in the in... more This document is disseminated under the sponsorship of the Department of Transportation in the interest of information exchange. The United States Government assumes no liability for its contents or use thereof. The United States Government does not endorse products or manufacturers. Trade or manufacturers' names appear herein solely because they are considered essential to the object of this report. The contents of this report reflect the views of the Coast Guard Research and Development Center. This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation.

Wirh a traditional approach to grading, (I grade is assigned Jor a particular evaluation instrume... more Wirh a traditional approach to grading, (I grade is assigned Jor a particular evaluation instrument (e.g., quiz. homework assignment. test. project, presentation.) In many cases. the material is reviewed/ollowing the grodingnnd the sfudent presumably learns from his or her mistakes. Despite the assumed improved knowledge. the student's grade still represents what he or she "knew" at the time oJ the evaluotion. This paper describes a concepf termed "mastery-based grading" that is intended to actively use the grading system to improve learning. In mastery-based grading. students may re-fake examinafions as often as they desire in an attempt to improve their grades-ideally, until rhey have -d fhe nmterial. The paper reports the results oJ the use oJ the method in fwo oflerings of an undergraduate operations research course. We challeriges and benefits of using this approach are discussed and suggestions ofleered Jar using the approach in other e,rgineering courses. Index Ternis - Mastery-based grading. course evaluations, learning strategies.

Page 1. Report NO. CG-D-19-95 COST AND OPERATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS FOR SELECTED INTERNATIO... more Page 1. Report NO. CG-D-19-95 COST AND OPERATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS FOR SELECTED INTERNATIONAL ICE PATROL MISSION ALTERNATIVES Robert L. Armacost рхвташтои statement к Approved tei ...

In a large metropolitan research university, multiple enrollment models are required to fulfill t... more In a large metropolitan research university, multiple enrollment models are required to fulfill the needs of the many constituents and planning horizons. In addition, the method of predicting enrollment in a growth environment differs from that of universities in .a stable environment.

The School counselor, 1990

Abstract : This paper reviews several recently developed sensitivity analysis results for a gener... more Abstract : This paper reviews several recently developed sensitivity analysis results for a general class of parametric nonlinear programming problems and develops formulas for calculating the sensitivity measures, i.e., the partial derivatives of a Kuhn-Tucker triple and the optimal value function, using an augmented Lagrangian. The theory, developed in the general case in terms of the ordinary Lagrangian and extended to allow the utilization of traditional penalty functions, is applied. Recently obtained results (using a different manner of proof) are shown to follow immediately using the present approach. Furthermore, the relationship of the calculations to those involving the usual Lagrangian are made explicit, hence all the results obtained previously in terms of the usual Lagrangian are immediately applicable. (Author)

European Journal of Operational Research, Sep 1, 1994

ABSTRACT

Business & Society, Aug 1, 1995

A national survey of CEOs of manufacturing firms was conducted to identify factors explaining CEO... more A national survey of CEOs of manufacturing firms was conducted to identify factors explaining CEOs' intentions to engage in two questionable business practices: soliciting a competitor's technological secrets and making payments to foreign government officials to secure business. Drawing on research in corporate misconduct, ethical decision making, and strategic management, the authors analyzed ethical intentions by looking at hostile environmental conditions, opportunity-rich situations, and/or personal characteristics. Based on responses to scenarios, their findings suggest that the ethical intentions of CEOs may be more affected by the decision maker's predisposition than by environmental pressures or organizational/situational characteristics.

Journal of Business Research, Aug 1, 1989

Bank decision makers depend on being able to identify and understand customer preferences in orde... more Bank decision makers depend on being able to identify and understand customer preferences in order to decide what programs and services the bank should offer. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) provides bank managers with the ability to integrate the multiattribute preferences of consumers using a hierarchical model to determine the bank's relative position in the marketplace. The suitability of AHP in examining bank selection by consumers for managerial decision making is demonstrated using an empirical analysis in a major metropolitan area. Implications of the findings of this analysis for strategic planning in the areas of marketing mix and organizational characteristics of a bank are explored. Suggestions for application of AHP to other areas of financial services management are included.

An integer program is formulated to create the programs of study for several student scenarios. S... more An integer program is formulated to create the programs of study for several student scenarios. SAS/OR is used to minimize the objective function of time to graduation subject to a set of assignment and policy constraints. The program is written with SAS 9.3.1 SP3 in Windows XP. The intended audience is familiar with Base SAS but new to the procedures available in SAS/OR.

A study was conducted to evaluate inequalities in salary for all regular faculty, administrative,... more A study was conducted to evaluate inequalities in salary for all regular faculty, administrative, and staff employees with respect to gender and ethnicity at a major metropolitan research university. In all, there were 648 minorities in the study and 1,443 women. Three approaches were used to test for inequalities: (1) a multiple regression analysis; (2) a General Linear Model approach; and (3) a 10% deviation flag. The study reviewed the methods used, why they were used, and the process used to synthesize the results. The paper also highlights the difficulties in developing appropriate criteria for assessing salary equity and treating issues of "practical" significance as compared with "statistical" significance. The goal of the study was to determine if there were any causes of concern relating to salary equity in regard to gender and ethnicity. A second reason was to begin establishing a procedure for the ongoing analysis of salary equity. Findings show no cause for concern for 9-month faculty, but do show inequalities for administrative and staff categories. No in-depth statistical analysis of causes for these differences was possible. (SLD) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document.

In this paper we present a new heuristic algorithm to minimize the makes pan for scheduling jobs ... more In this paper we present a new heuristic algorithm to minimize the makes pan for scheduling jobs on unrelated parallel machines with machine eligibility restrictions (Rm I M 1 I C max). To the best of our knowledge, the problem has not been addressed previously in the literature. The multi-phase heuristic algorithm incorporates new concepts from the multi-depot vehicle routing in the constructive heuristic. A computational study includes problems with two or four machines, up to 105 jobs, and three levels of a machine selection parameter. The heuristic algorithm solution values are compared to optimal solution values. The results show that the heuristic algorithm can yield solutions within a few percent of the optimal solutions with performance improving as the number of jobs to be scheduled increases.

IEEE Journal of Oceanic Engineering, Jul 1, 1977