Ph.D. Operations and Supply Chain Management

Healthcare represents one of the largest and fastest-growing sectors of the global economy, creating unprecedented challenges and opportunities for operational innovation. Our faculty are international leaders in transforming healthcare delivery through advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, and optimization methods. From revolutionizing care coordination and scheduling in hospitals to pioneering personalized medicine approaches and telehealth systems, INFO faculty address critical problems that directly impact patient outcomes and healthcare accessibility. Students in this area gain expertise in applying cutting-edge data science and operations research methods to solve some of society’s most pressing healthcare challenges.

In an era of global supply chain disruptions and rapid technological change, our faculty are at the forefront of reimagining how organizations design, manage, and optimize their operations. From advanced sourcing strategies and production planning to inventory optimization and logistics networks, INFO scholars tackle the fundamental challenges facing modern enterprises. Our research spans traditional manufacturing, emerging industries, and service sectors, with faculty expertise in supply chain integration, buyer-supplier relationships, and the application of artificial intelligence to complex operational decisions. Students develop the analytical toolkit to become thought leaders in operations management.

The retail landscape is experiencing transformational change driven by e-commerce, omnichannel strategies, and platform economies. Our faculty are pioneering research on the operational challenges facing modern retailers and service providers, from managing the explosive growth in consumer returns—now approaching $1 trillion annually—to optimizing store operations and designing resilient service systems. With expertise spanning econometric analysis, business analytics, and platform strategy, INFO scholars are shaping how retailers leverage data and technology to create competitive advantage. Students gain insights into the unique operational dynamics of retail and service industries that drive consumer experiences.

Addressing the twin imperatives of environmental sustainability and humanitarian response, our faculty lead international efforts in designing operations that create positive social impact. INFO scholars are at the forefront of circular economy research, pioneering closed-loop supply chains and remanufacturing systems that reduce waste and environmental footprint. Simultaneously, our experts in humanitarian logistics develop life-saving strategies for disaster preparedness and response, working on problems from natural disaster mitigation to operational resilience in developing markets. Students pursuing this area contribute to solving critical global challenges while advancing the science of socially responsible operations.

Artificial intelligence and data analytics are fundamentally transforming how organizations make operational decisions. The INFO department has assembled exceptional strength in this emerging area, with faculty expertise spanning machine learning, deep learning, generative AI, and advanced optimization methods. Our scholars develop and apply cutting-edge AI techniques to complex operational problems—from predictive analytics and sequential decision-making algorithms to human-AI collaboration and large language models. Research in this area bridges computer science, operations research, and management science, positioning students at the intersection of technology and strategic decision-making in an AI-driven world.

Traditional operations models assume rational decision-makers, but real-world decisions are shaped by human judgment, cognitive biases, and organizational dynamics. INFO faculty are world-renowned experts in behavioral operations, using experimental methods and system dynamics modeling to understand the true drivers of operational performance. Our scholars investigate how cultural factors, behavioral biases, and decision structures influence outcomes across supply chains, retail systems, and service operations. This research combines rigorous econometric analysis with innovative experimental designs, revealing insights that challenge conventional wisdom and reshape operational practice. Students develop sophisticated skills in understanding not just what happens in operations, but why.

As digital transformation reshapes every industry, the strategic management of information systems has never been more critical. Our faculty examine the full spectrum of IS challenges facing modern organizations—from cybersecurity threats and IT governance to the design of digital platforms and the ethics of AI deployment. INFO scholars investigate how information systems create societal impact, studying platform economies, digital transformation strategies, and the quality and management of data in increasingly complex socio-technical systems. With expertise in e-commerce, open source software, and human-centered information design, our research addresses both technical and organizational dimensions of the digital enterprise. Students gain the knowledge to lead organizations through the digital age.