Marketing Papers
Document Type
Technical Report
Date of this Version
8-2015
Publication Source
Journal of Business Research
Volume
68
Issue
8
Start Page
1678
Last Page
1685
DOI
10.1016/j.jbusres.2015.03.026
Abstract
This article introduces this JBR Special Issue on simple versus complex methods in forecasting. Simplicity in forecasting requires that (1) method, (2) representation of cumulative knowledge, (3) relationships in models, and (4) relationships among models, forecasts, and decisions are all sufficiently uncomplicated as to be easily understood by decision-makers. Our review of studies comparing simple and complex methods – including those in this special issue – found 97 comparisons in 32 papers. None of the papers provide a balance of evidence that complexity improves forecast accuracy. Complexity increases forecast error by 27 percent on average in the 25 papers with quantitative comparisons. The finding is consistent with prior research to identify valid forecasting methods: all 22 previously identified evidence-based forecasting procedures are simple. Nevertheless, complexity remains popular among researchers, forecasters, and clients. Some evidence suggests that the popularity of complexity may be due to incentives: (1) researchers are rewarded for publishing in highly ranked journals, which favor complexity; (2) forecasters can use complex methods to provide forecasts that support decision-makers' plans; and (3) forecasters' clients may be reassured by the incomprehensability. Clients who prefer accuracy should accept forecasts only from simple evidence-based procedures. They can rate the simplicity of forecasters' procedures using the questionnaire at simple-forecasting.com.
Copyright/Permission Statement
Originally published in the Journal of Business Research © 2015 Elsevier
This is a pre-publication version. The final version is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2015.03.026
Keywords
analytics, big data, decision-making, decomposition, econometrics, Occam's razor
Recommended Citation
Green, K. C., & Armstrong, J. S. (2015). Simple Versus Complex Forecasting: The Evidence. Journal of Business Research, 68 (8), 1678-1685. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2015.03.026
Embargo Date
9-1-2018
Included in
Business Administration, Management, and Operations Commons, Business Analytics Commons, Business Intelligence Commons, Cognitive Psychology Commons, Econometrics Commons, Marketing Commons
Date Posted: 15 June 2018
This document has been peer reviewed.