This concise volume covers nonparametric statistics topics that most are most likely to be seen and used from a practical decision support perspective. While many degree programs require a course in parametric statistics, these methods are often inadequate for real-world decision making in business environments. Much of the data collected today by business executives (for example, customer satisfaction opinions) requires nonparametric statistics for valid analysis, and this book provides the reader with a set of tools that can be used to validly analyze all data, regardless of type. Through numerous examples and exercises, this book explains why nonparametric statistics will lead to better decisions and how they are used to reach a decision, with a wide array of business applications. Online resources include exercise data, spreadsheets, and solutions.

This book presents recent advancements in research, a review of new methods and techniques, and applications in decision support systems (DSS) with Machine Learning and Probabilistic Graphical Models, which are very effective techniques in gaining knowledge from Big Data and in interpreting decisions. It explores Bayesian network learning, Control Chart, Reinforcement Learning for multicriteria DSS, Anomaly Detection in Smart Manufacturing with Federated Learning, DSS in healthcare, DSS for supply chain management, etc. Researchers and practitioners alike will benefit from this book to enhance the understanding of machine learning, Probabilistic Graphical Models, and their uses in DSS in the context of decision making with uncertainty. The real-world case studies in various fields with guidance and recommendations for the practical applications of these studies are introduced in each chapter.

Management of logistics distribution networks is a challenging task. Decision-makers rely on logistics assistance systems that recommend actions to optimise the networks. These systems can be based on simheuristics to benefit from metaheuristics in exploring possible solutions and on simulation for modelling the networks. This book presents three approaches to recommend promising solutions to optimise the networks with fewer simulation runs. The first approach utilises information from the network to guide the search of metaheuristics. In this approach, domain-specific information is defined and assigned to actions. The metaheuristic algorithm utilises this domain-specific information to find more-promising solutions. The second approach is reducing the number of possible solutions by grouping actions with respect to their domain-specific attributes. Here, the smaller solution space decreases the number of required simulation runs. The last approach looks for equivalent solutions that cause the same changes in the network. This approach aims to skip unnecessary evaluations and, thus, simulation effort.

Praise for the first edition: “This book would be especially good for the shelf of anyone who already knows nonparametrics, but wants a reference for how to apply those techniques in R.” -The American Statistician This thoroughly updated and expanded second edition of Nonparametric Statistical Methods Using R covers traditional nonparametric methods and rank-based analyses. Two new chapters covering multivariate analyses and big data have been added. Core classical nonparametrics chapters on one- and two-sample problems have been expanded to include discussions on ties as well as power and sample size determination. Common machine learning topics --- including k-nearest neighbors and trees --- have also been included in this new edition. Key Features: Covers a wide range of models including location, linear regression, ANOVA-type, mixed models for cluster correlated data, nonlinear, and GEE-type. Includes robust methods for linear model analyses, big data, time-to-event analyses, timeseries, and multivariate. Numerous examples illustrate the methods and their computation. R packages are available for computation and datasets. Contains two completely new chapters on big data and multivariate analysis. The book is suitable for advanced undergraduate and graduate students in statistics and data science, and students of other majors with a solid background in statistical methods including regression and ANOVA. It will also be of use to researchers working with nonparametric and rank-based methods in practice.

This open access book empirically analyses the competences (input), moderators (process), and disclosure (output) of board chair succession practices for publicly listed organisations in Switzerland. As primus inter pares (Latin for first among equals), the chair of the board of directors holds a unique organisational position. For fulfilling the non-transferable duties pursuant to Article 716a revCO, it is essential that the chair is a person who has rational economic and socio-emotional skills. To date, however, it is unclear how organisations structure the search for a chairperson. On the one hand, this ambiguity arises from a legal perspective, as succession-related formal regulations (hard law) or best-governance principles (soft law) are rare and often lack specificity, and, on the other hand, from a business perspective, as there is a lack of sufficient attention and diligence. Previous research on board governance has primarily focused on the dyadic relationship between board composition and organisational performance (board effectiveness research). However, as board succession is a dynamic process, the research focus should go beyond a pure output/performance paradigm.

Clinical Decision Support and Beyond: Progress and Opportunities in Knowledge-Enhanced Health and Healthcare, now in its third edition, discusses the underpinnings of effective, reliable, and easy-to-use clinical decision support systems at the point of care as a productive way of managing the flood of data, knowledge, and misinformation when providing patient care. Incorporating CDS into electronic health record systems has been underway for decades; however its complexities, costs, and user resistance have lagged its potential. Thus it is of utmost importance to understand the process in detail, to take full advantage of its capabilities. The book expands and updates the content of the previous edition, and discusses topics such as integration of CDS into workflow, context-driven anticipation of needs for CDS, new forms of CDS derived from data analytics, precision medicine, population health, integration of personal monitoring, and patient-facing CDS. In addition, it discusses population health management, public health CDS and CDS to help reduce health disparities. It is a valuable resource for clinicians, practitioners, students and members of medical and biomedical fields who are interested to learn more about the potential of clinical decision support to improve health and wellness and the quality of health care. Presents an overview and details of the current state of the art and usefulness of clinical decision support, and how to utilize these capabilities Explores the technological underpinnings for developing, managing, and sharing knowledge resources and deploying them as CDS or for other uses Discusses the current drivers and opportunities that are expanding the prospects for use of knowledge to enhance health and healthcare

This book shows how graph theory and matrix approach, and fuzzy multiple attribute decision making methods can be used in manufacturing. It proposes a methodology that will make decision making in the manufacturing environment structured and systematic. The book uses case studies to present the applications of decision making methods in real manufacturing situations.

The safe and reliable performance of many systems with which we interact daily has been achieved through the analysis and management of risk. From complex infrastructures to consumer durables, from engineering systems and technologies used in transportation, health, energy, chemical, oil, gas, aerospace, maritime, defence and other sectors, the management of risk during design, manufacture, operation and decommissioning is vital. Methods and models to support risk-informed decision-making are well established but are continually challenged by technology innovations, increasing interdependencies, and changes in societal expectations. Risk, Reliability and Safety contains papers describing innovations in theory and practice contributed to the scientific programme of the European Safety and Reliability conference (ESREL 2016), held at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland (25—29 September 2016). Authors include scientists, academics, practitioners, regulators and other key individuals with expertise and experience relevant to specific areas. Papers include domain specific applications as well as general modelling methods. Papers cover evaluation of contemporary solutions, exploration of future challenges, and exposition of concepts, methods and processes. Topics include human factors, occupational health and safety, dynamic and systems reliability modelling, maintenance optimisation, uncertainty analysis, resilience assessment, risk and crisis management.

This is a book about making choices based on the evaluation of alternatives. The outcomes of choices are often worse than people expect. This book discusses the major problems in evaluating courses of action and examines the political contexts in which decisions are made. The subject matter of this book is at the crossroads of policy and research methodology. How can information derived from empirical research benefit a policy-maker or decision maker, and how should this information be incorporated in the decision-making process?