Optimisation approaches and challenges of personnel deployment for movie exhibitors

Abstract

ABSTRACT Movie exhibitors are faced with a challenging environment due to a trend of declining numbers of moviegoers in Germany. In the short term, they must therefore focus on the maximisation of concession profits with efficient personnel deployment to compensate for the declining box office gross. This paper attempts to create a more efficient personnel deployment plan in comparison to the status quo and to improve the decision-making basis of movie exhibitors regarding their personnel deployment. The data set on which this paper is based comprises selected figures of a German multiplex cinema over a period of 15 months. This includes the daily moviegoers and the corresponding work hours of the personnel. Based on these figures, the productivity per work hour is analysed to determine how the personnel deployment is calculated depending on the forecasted number of moviegoers. An analysis of variance is prepared to establish how profits at the concession can be maximised with an efficient personnel deployment. This paper presents a profit-maximising deployment of checkout and concession personnel depending on the forecasted number of moviegoers, which provides the possibility of reacting to a deviating number of moviegoers at short notice.