Solution of linear programming problems as method of formation of administrative and economic knowledge of sports specialists
The paper concerns the main problems and contradictions identified basing on the generalized analysis of the contemporary labor market in the field of physical culture and sport. It describes the characteristic features of different approaches to the solution of the problem of modernization and optimization of the system of training of managerial staff by means of implementation of information technologies in higher educational institutions of physical culture. We have established imperfection of the straightforward positioning of informatization of the training process as the use of software features in order to simplify the calculations. We have analyzed the peculiarities of professional activity of a sports manager in respect of the functional aspect and problems he solves when performing his administrative duties. We have also considered the problems of managerial decision making that could be solved by the method of linear programming, and compared them with the issues emerging in the field of sports management. The paper presents the methods for reducing unbalanced economic problems to balanced ones. It unlocks the potential of the software package MS Excel to solve economic problems of managerial decision making by means of the linear programming method. There are examples of economic problems, which mathematical models are based on the algorithm, defined by the method of linear programming: transportation problem, cost minimization/profit maximization problem, scheduling problem, diet problem, athlete recruitment problem, souvenir problem. Also, the hypothesis on the effectiveness of use of linear programming problems, solved using the software package MS Excel as a means of formation of administrative and economic knowledge of specialists in sports management, has been suggested.