This paper develops a robust, statistically significant, six independent variable multiple regression model that accounts for the relative success of English Premier League football clubs based on an array of twenty-four pitch actions collected during the 2007-2008 season (p<0.0000). Additionally, one-way ANOVA is used to identify those specific pitch actions that statistically separate the top 4 clubs from (1) the dozen clubs forming the middle of the pack and, (2) by a greater contrast, the bottom 4 clubs. Thirteen pitch actions yield statistically significant differences among these three tiers of clubs using this second method of analysis.
Three of the most celebrated football leagues in the world include the English Premier League (EPL), Italy's Serie A, and Spain's La Liga. To date, little football research has been conducted that attempts to determine why these leagues are so successful. What is it that the EPL, La Liga, and Serie A do that fosters such a high caliber of play, and what pitch factors, if any, either (1) contrast or (2) connect these prestigious leagues? The paucity of rigorous inquiry has not deterred popular speculation-common folklore has not waited for hard data. Experts rush to characterize the perceived performance characteristics of these leagues with little hesitation. And these assumptions have, to some degree, taken on a life of their own: football's answer to urban legend. This paper searches for key similarities and differences between these leagues that are bolstered by statistically significant findings as well as evidence to identify the key pitch factors that are associated with a team's ultimate success within its respective league.
The Opta Index is a prestigious performance measure used to assess English Premier League (EPL) football players. Although the Opta model is proprietary, the general structure uses a multiattribute collection of subjectively weighted pitch measures that either rewards or penalizes a player with a potential range of points based on the quality of his game performance. In addition, the specific set of measures used depends upon player position: forwards, midfielders, defenders, and goalkeepers each have their own unique set of measures even though there might be some overlap. Although the player's Opta Index is calculated for each game, it is the cumulative "grade card"-the final Opta Index calculated at the end of the thirty-eight game EPL season in May-that is of particular importance. The index, along with the large array of player pitch data, is commercially distributed to the EPL clubs and appears in a wide variety of television and print media outlets. This paper proposes an alternative to using the full set of Opta data by identifying those specific pitch actions that form a statistically significant retrodictive linear regression model for the 2007-2008 EPL season. Additionally, the importance of evaluating pitch actions historically assumed to be clearly pertinent measures-such as goals allowed per game for the goalkeeper-will be not only be appraised from a statistical viewpoint, but also from a practical perspective.
Abstract-Introducingthe nuances of inventory management systems to undergraduate business students can be a daunting task. Beyond the traditional focus of the selection of order quantity and reorder point lie more murky considerations such as the impact that stockout cost and supplier selection have on these key parameters, including profit. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how students can cultivate insights of business simulation settings through easy-to-run, downloadable Excel spreadsheet templates from within their Blackboard-driven course website beyond merely grinding out "answers." This paper shows not only how the simulation templates are employed but also how students can use them to self-correct problems they might encounter during the learning process, how to examine more subtle issues, and how the instructor can use online software to guide students in real time, regardless of the distance that may separate them. Further, while these interactions are taking place, a video software file can be made to memorialize the online learning and can be easily uploaded to the student for their later use should they wish to practice the process. A hypothetical case example of AT&T's management of the Apple iPhone inventory is used to illustrate the process.
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