Use of contextual and model-based information in adjusting promotional forecasts

Sroginis, Anna and Fildes, Robert and Kourentzes, Nikolaos (2023) Use of contextual and model-based information in adjusting promotional forecasts. European Journal of Operational Research, 307 (3). pp. 1177-1191. ISSN 0377-2217

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Abstract

Despite improvements in statistical forecasting, human judgment remains fundamental to business forecasting and demand planning. Typically, forecasters do not rely solely on statistical forecasts; they also adjust forecasts according to their knowledge, experience, and information that is not available to statistical models. However, we have limited understanding of the adjustment mechanisms employed, particularly how people use additional information (e.g., special events and promotions, weather, holidays) and under which conditions this is beneficial. Using a multi-method approach, we first analyse a UK retailer case study exploring its operations and the forecasting process. The case study provides a contextual setting for the laboratory experiments that simulate a typical supply chain forecasting process. In the experimental study, we provide past sales, statistical forecasts (using baseline and promotional models) and qualitative information about past and future promotional periods. We include contextual information, with and without predictive value, that allows us to investigate whether forecasters can filter such information correctly. We find that when adjusting, forecasters tend to focus on model-based anchors, such as the last promotional uplift and the current statistical forecast, ignoring past baseline promotional values and additional information about previous promotions. The impact of contextual statements for the forecasting period depends on the type of statistical predictions provided: when a promotional forecasting model is presented, people tend to misinterpret the provided information and over-adjust, harming accuracy.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
European Journal of Operational Research
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/2600/2611
Subjects:
?? information systems and managementmanagement science and operations researchmodeling and simulationgeneral computer scienceindustrial and manufacturing engineeringmodelling and simulationmanagement science and operations researchinformation systems and ma ??
ID Code:
178479
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
01 Nov 2022 12:10
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
15 Jul 2024 23:14