Which of the following is a major focus of operations research?

Operations research is fundamentally concerned with the application of analytical methods to help make better decisions and optimize complex processes. Inventory management is a significant focus within this discipline because it involves determining the optimal quantities of stock to hold, how to manage replenishment cycles, and how to minimize costs while meeting demand.

In inventory management, operations research methodologies such as linear programming, simulation, and queuing theory are employed to analyze various inventory policies and their implications on business performance. This focus allows organizations to efficiently manage supplies, reduce waste, and improve customer satisfaction through better stock management practices.

While data integration, performance analysis, and network security are important areas within information technology and management, they do not embody the core principles and objectives of operations research in the same comprehensive way as inventory management does. Each of those aspects may be enhanced by operational research techniques but does not directly represent the primary application of operations research methodologies as effectively as inventory management does.