ABSTRACT
This case uses panel data and a simple regression model to forecast future sales. Students are required to: access, download, and manipulate data; use statistical software commands to generate a future sales forecast; and interpret the reasonableness of the model’s output for a chosen company. The objectives for completing this case are that students will (1) produce a dataset from an external resource, (2) employ correct syntax when using statistical software, (3) manipulate a dataset, (4) predict a future event using a regression model, (5) analyze output from the model’s prediction, and (6) summarize findings using written communication. The case can be assigned in any graduate or undergraduate course where sales forecasts could be discussed/used (e.g., financial statement analysis, budgeting, data analytics concepts, etc.). Student responses indicate these learning objectives were met, and most students reacted positively to the case.
Data Availability: A dataset of real company financial data is provided that was created from publicly available XBRL data if students do not have access to data sources cited in the text.
