Dummy Variables

 

post has two assignments

1:“Smart Cities” Latin America

Order Description

Consultant employed in the strategy and operations division of a consulting firm. The firm provides a broad range of consulting solutions to clients, and works across all major industries and sectors. The firm is constantly promoting thinking about key trends in business in the various sectors it serves. Because of your reputation for producing interesting but intellectually rigorous work which clients value, you have been asked to join a team charged with developing “viewpoints” for the firm. These viewpoints can then form the basis of discussions with clients, presentations at business meetings and conferences, and thought-pieces for the firm’s website.

The Smart Cities initiative

The firm’s thought leaders have observed the growing interest of the information technology providers, together with construction and infrastructure companies, in selling services around the concept of “Smart Cities” or “Intelligent Cities”.

At one of the firms recent “thoughtware labs” the leaders decided that “Smart Cities” has the potential to be presented to clients as a “solution set” – an agglomeration of a number of related services, which can be presented conceptually to clients as an single integrated whole, backed by a “menu” of individual solutions and services that can, however, be sold separately if necessary. That is, clients can either buy a big or small package of related solutions.

Your leaders are extremely excited by the long-term potential of this offer, the innovative nature of much of the technology involved, and the sheer scale of the opportunity.

Smart Cities

The growth of smart cities thinking reflects a number of technology breakthroughs coming together: the “internet of things”, where urban infrastructure can take on digital characteristics and generate data in use; advanced mathematical analytics that can model complex and apparently chaotic systems (such as urban transport, waste and water supplies, etc.); mobile technology & broadband wireless data transmission; the use of social media by city authorities and managers to communicate with the public, and the “big data” analytics which can potentially be generated from that; etc. The potential fort this smart cities infrastructure to interact with the rapidly evolving “connected car” and “autonomous vehicle” developments, is also noted.

Published examples of this service offer (such as a contract to manage transport in Birmingham in the UK) often emphasize the impact of new technologies, but Ferrovial Servicios, for example, emphasize an “integrated services model”:

“The intelligent cities concept means more than just sensors and technology. It’s a new model for managing municipal services which focuses on efficiency, improving quality for citizens, and seeking savings, where innovation and funding will redefine the relationship between the city, the citizen and business” (Servicios CEO, Santiago Olivares, https://www.ferrovial.com/en/Press-Room/Announcements)

This service offer has the potential to support a vision of typical savings for city governments of up to 20% of their budgets. So, for example, the 15 largest cities in Spain spend in excess of Eu 10bn, and the 20 largest cities in the UK in excess of Eu17bn annually.

Differentiating the “Smart Cities” solution set

The firm has decided to characterize their wider approach to Smart Cities with the tag line, “Smart Cities – the Interaction of Information, Infrastructure and Intelligence”. The leaders believe, however, that a more distinctive differentiation is also required in the marketplace.

The leaders note that most examples of Smart Cities in the press tend to concern initiatives in the developed western countries, where the focus is on managing existing large infrastructure for cost savings and efficiency (see the Ferrovial quote above).

The firm have long recognized the need to continue to look for good opportunities to diversify their revenue base into the fast growing economies of the emerging markets, from the large developed economies of China & India, through examples from the so-called “MINT” countries (Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria and Turkey), to other rapidly developing areas of Africa and Latin America. One of the few examples where efforts to build this kind of infrastructure have been portrayed in the popular media is the city of Rio De Janeiro, which invested in infrastructure technology, and a photogenic command-and-control centre in readiness for the recent FIFA World Cup, and Olympics.

The leaders would like you, therefore, to develop the “smart cities” offer concept in such a way that it might be attractive (and appropriate) to city authorities and managers in the fast-growing urban areas of the emerging economies. To provide some focus for your work, they would like you to consider the opportunities for Smart Cities solutions in Latin America.

The firm believe this viewpoint can lead to client discussions on an issue that should be of significant concern for senior city authorities, city managers, and politicians in Latin America, with the potential for on-going follow-on consulting work, and to build a continuing relationship with a variety of these customers.

Project Task – Developing a ViewPoint for Smart Cities in Latin America

Your current task is to develop a viewpoint to promote to clients called “Smart Cities: Emerging Cities™ – the potential in Latin America”.

You must prepare initial materials to support conversations with clients on the topic. Senior colleagues have noted that a viewpoint should be authoritative, by referring to key opinion formers (academic, business and social-political) and drawing on key data and support, as appropriate.

You have been told that you do not, as yet, have to prepare anything exhaustive or final. Rather you must make sure that what you prepare is likely to stimulate the interest of these clients in the issue. The specific deliverables you are required to submit for review are:

(1) The Pyramid powerpoint presentation, to include:
a. A “pyramid” storyboard diagram clearly laying out our firm’s viewpoint of the opportunities for clients of engaging with “Smart Cities: Emerging Cities™ – the potential in Latin America”
b. A pyramid-based PowerPoint slide pack (including supporting “notes pages”) supporting the viewpoint, that can be used by members of the firm in discussions and presentations with clients and at conferences. This pack must be limited to no more than 24 slides (to include all slides to be presented, such as title slides, agendas, etc. – but excluding appendix slides)

Appendix 1

Background Guidelines on the nature of a Viewpoint powerpoint in the case scenario

The use of “Viewpoints” in your firm

Your firm’s leaders recognize that it is sometimes difficult to differentiate consulting services in the strategic consulting marketplace. The firm’s market research repeatedly shows that clients value consultants who have “opinions” on issues that concern them – whether or not they agree with those opinions. As such, the firm is investing in developing a number of industry and sector viewpoints

A “viewpoint” is seen in your firm as informed material intended to provoke discussion with clients. It is not necessarily intended to lead directly to a sale, but should offer consultants an opportunity to open up a discussion about a client’s business and the strategic issues they face. It is these issues (which the client cares about and would like to solve), that provide the consultant with an opportunity to make a sale. As such, a viewpoint should ideally provoke a client in to wanting to discuss these issues further.

Your firm’s leaders have said that a good viewpoint should meet the following criteria:

• Have a clear point of view or expressed opinion, which is of potential interest to a typical client in an industry or sector
• Be likely to provoke further discussion (or have “hooks”)
• Have a clear, logical structure which supports that opinion
• Provide adequate evidence, used selectively in support of that structure
• Have supporting material which can be easily used by other consultants delivering the viewpoint

Pyramid storyboard diagram/ map requirements and guidance

This should be a one page diagram in the box style as practised in the U58080 / U51091 “pyramid” workshop presentation. Each box should contain a clear statement. There should be a clear introduction section, a main idea or main message (for example, a hypothesis or proposition for clients), and a “question and answer hierarchy” of “logical groupings” that provides support for that main message.

PowerPoint slide pack requirements and guidance

This should be comprise at least 18 slides (including title slides, etc.), and be no more than 24 slides long. The slide design should be branded (you may use branding developed in other projects), and due consideration given to making sure the slides are clear and readable for the audience situations they are intended for. Your firm’s leaders will expect your slides to be professional and use a mixture of bullet point lists, diagrams, images, and occasional text quotation.

“Notes pages” can be found on PowerPoint by clicking “View”, followed by “Notes pages”. This view shows the slide you are working on, and provides an area for speaker notes immediately below. You should prepare appropriate speaker notes (possibly as bullet points) to guide speakers using your slides. Such notes may cover:

• A short summary of key points to convey, and the storyline logic of the slide.
• Supplementary points that could (optionally) be made by a speaker.
• Useful anecdotes, examples, further evidence or data that a speaker could refer to, to support the points made on the slide.
• Hooks or questions that a speaker could use to provoke discussion or further thoughts with clients.
• If appropriate, links to other services that your firm may sell to support a client.
• Etc.

If appropriate, you may produce “appendix” slides, in an appendices section. These do not count for the slide limit on this assignment, but must be professionally presented in a way that they could be used by other members of your firm if they chose to present more detailed evidence supporting their argument.

For the purposes of the assignment, please add a “references” appendix to the slide pack as a separate section, giving you reference list in accordance with the required Harvard format. Important points of support or evidence on the face of the slides would normally have a name and date reference, consistent with the Harvard approach.

Appendix 2

Further guidance on the pyramid approach (checklist for creating a pyramid)

The assignment aims to get students to structure and support an informed (supported) opinion on an issue of potential interest to consulting clients, drawing principally on existing knowledge and research of that issue:

? You may need to do some additional research

? Your purpose is to persuade clients that your opinions are interesting and worth listening to:

?

The pyramid approach that follows emphasizes the connection between your supported opinion and the rigorous structure (the pyramid approach) to support its presentation. This is an assignment that focuses as much on the process as the content, and we will mark it accordingly. The suggested approach tries to be as exhaustive as possible, and we are aware that many of you set yourselves very high standards in your work. We look forward to marking some excellent assignments!
POSSIBLE APPROACH

1. Background / Context

? Understand the nature of a “viewpoint”: go on websites to view think-pieces, position papers (downloads often available).
? This viewpoint is designed to stimulate clients (plural, not singular) within a single sector – this is normal practice within these consulting firms.
? Review your group work for material you can use in this presentation etc.
? Do some general background research on the issues to check on major areas or issues you should consider. Review websites of other firms (including IT, and infrastructure companies) to see what they have produced for clients.
? Do not research in too much detail at this stage

2. Start-point: Construct your Pyramid Diagram / Map

The pyramid map is a one-page diagram that outlines the whole structure of your presentation – do it first based on what you expect your viewpoint to be!

Key principles:

? Start with the MAIN MESSAGE (your viewpoint/ opinion)
? The introduction (“SCQA” structure) should be constructed to establish your MAIN MESSAGE as the answer to the issue
? Support with a number of “why?”, “how?” questions, etc. (3 to 5 may be a good planning number)
? Extend the pyramid vertically, as appropriate, with further “why?”, “how?”, “how do you know?” questions – the key evidence and support that underpins your “whys” (in practice some of this may be presented through the notespage facility as if briefing a speaker)
? Remember to use simple, clear statements in each box
? Use the “MECE” (mutually exclusive, coherently exhaustive) principle horizontally to help you determine the statements in each box (try to make sure these are “parallel” – issues of the consistent level of each statement are relevant)
? “NEXT STEPS” section could be used to suggest typical services your firm has on offer that may be relevant to the issue, BUT a viewpoint would not normally get involved in discussing services and solutions in detail – the purpose is to stimulate a discussion which may lead to a sale.

3. Review your Pyramid

? Confirm the main message is clear and adequately supported by your “why?” questions, etc.
? Confirm the underlying support and research evidence is adequate but not excessive to your purpose.
o Evidence and support may include: research findings, authoritative opinion from experts (occasional quotations where relevant), a short discussion/ flow diagram/ matrix that supports the logic of a statement, a quantification of possible benefit, impact of issue, or improvement achievable, etc.
? Fill in gaps in your pyramid –you may need to research further or find better support/ evidence

4. Translate your Pyramid into Powerpoint slides (without notespages)

Some best practice issues:

? Use slide headers to tell the story (storyboard) derived from the pyramid. Use statements in headers which can tell the complete story in summary, without looking at the slide contents.
? Use “kickers” at the foot of slides (reveal boxes) which can help with transition of story to next page (where appropriate)
? Ensure some variety in your slide content style (bullets, diagrams, images, quotations, tables)
? Use agenda or signposting devices to help the reader/ speaker with navigation
? Make your statements and slides as clear and simple as possible

Remember, the pyramid diagram should be the key to understanding your slides for other presenters. The second source of help to them is your notes pages…

5. Complete the notes pages on your slides

Notes pages can be used for a variety of reasons (for example, to differentiate between detailed printed hand-out material and presentation slides, or to provide further insight for speakers). You are asked to produce notes pages for the latter purpose.

What you include may vary from slide to slide, and some slides may have nothing worth saying on the notespage. You must make the notespages clear and simple for quick assimilation by other speakers. Normally bullets or numbered points would suffice.

Points you may think about including are:

? Key points in the argument / discussion of the opinion that are worth making or re-iterating verbally
? Additional stories, anecdotes or evidence to use verbally in support of the viewpoint
? Any aspects where there might be differences within a sector which should be acknowledged by a speaker
? Acknowledgements of areas of possible disagreement from listeners, either with your opinion or with the evidence presented (effectively, you forearm speakers with the “why nots”), and suggestions for building a client-focussed discussion on these disagreements.
? Possible hooks that could open up further discussion later – uncertainties/ unknowns/ paradoxes to pose, requests for client experiences in relation to the problem, etc.
? Warning of “reveals” or animations on the slides, and how to use them
? Any theatrical devices – use of silence, questions to ask audience, cut-in video clips, role plays, or jokes
? Suggestions for short scene-setters, stories (before referring to the SCQA structure of the introduction) or final messages to give to clients

2: Dummy Variables

Order Description

Analyze multiple regression testing using dummy variables
• Analyze measures for multiple regression testing
• Construct research questions
• Evaluate assumptions of multiple regression testing
• Analyze assumptions of correlation and bivariate regression
• Analyze implications for social change.

Create a research question using the General Social Survey dataset that can be answered by multiple regression. Using the SPSS software, choose a categorical variable to dummy code as one of your predictor variables.
Estimate a multiple regression model that answers your research question. Post your response to the following:
1. What is your research question?
2. Interpret the coefficients for the model, specifically commenting on the dummy variable.
3. Run diagnostics for the regression model. Does the model meet all of the assumptions? Be sure and comment on what assumptions were not met and the possible implications. Is there any possible remedy for one the assumption violations?
Section B
1. Were all assumptions tested for?
2. Are there some violations that the model might be robust against? Why or why not?
3. Explain and provide any additional resources (i.e., web links, articles, etc.) to provide and addressing diagnostic issues.
Use the below References and more.
References
Wagner, W. E. (2016). Using IBM® SPSS® statistics for research methods and social science statistics (6th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Fox, J. (Ed.). (1991). Regression diagnostics. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases

Warner, R. M. (2012). Applied statistics from bivariate through multivariate techniques (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Applied Statistics From Bivariate Through Multivariate Techniques, 2nd Edition by Warner, R.M. Copyright 2012 by Sage College. Reprinted by permission of Sage College via the Copyright Clearance Center.

Laureate Education (Producer). (2016m). Regression diagnostics and model evaluation [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author
Laureate Education (Producer). (2016). Dummy variables [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Dummy Variables