Demand forecasting by temporal aggregation: Using optimal or multiple aggregation levels?

Nikolaos Kourentzes*, Bahman Rostami-Tabar, Devon K. Barrow

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Recent advances have demonstrated the benefits of temporal aggregation for demand forecasting, including increased accuracy, improved stock control and reduced modelling uncertainty. With temporal aggregation a series is transformed, strengthening or attenuating different elements and thereby enabling better identification of the time series structure. Two different schools of thought have emerged. The first focuses on identifying a single optimal temporal aggregation level at which a forecasting model maximises its accuracy. In contrast, the second approach fits multiple models at multiple levels, each capable of capturing different features of the data. Both approaches have their merits, but so far they have been investigated in isolation. We compare and contrast them from a theoretical and an empirical perspective, discussing the merits of each, comparing the realised accuracy gains under different experimental setups, as well as the implications for business practice. We provide suggestions when to use each for maximising demand forecasting gains.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-9
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Business Research
Volume78
Early online date28 Apr 2017
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Sept 2017

Keywords

  • Demand planning
  • Exponential smoothing
  • Forecasting
  • MAPA
  • Model selection
  • Temporal aggregation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Marketing

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Demand forecasting by temporal aggregation: Using optimal or multiple aggregation levels?'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this