The theory of operations management

Lectures: 2 sessions / week, 1.5 hours / session

Customer-Driven Operations

A number of companies are currently deriving significant competitive advantage from the customer focus of their operation systems; examples include Dell (personal computer) through its direct-to-consumer and assemble-to-order model, Zara (fashion retail) through product testing, forecasting and life-cycle management, and Amazon (e-retail) through its unique distribution system and web interface.

The purpose of this year's doctoral seminar in operations management is to review the quantitative models and theoretical tools underlying or describing some of the customer-driven operational practices of these and other cutting-edge companies. Accordingly, we will cover a wide range of both classical and very recent research papers illustrating the following topics:

Overall, this seminar should be a valuable opportunity to both learn about classical results and identify interesting current research opportunities.

Each class will consist of a paper presentation by a student, a group discussion about the paper and its general theme, and some remarks (possibly including theoretical complements) by the professor. We will maintain throughout an informal (luncheon) setting, with the goal of stimulating an active learning environment through open discussions. For the presenting student, the class will be followed by an individual coaching/debriefing session with the professor, specifically focusing on research presentation skills. Listeners are not allowed.

Don't show me this again

This is one of over 2,200 courses on OCW. Find materials for this course in the pages linked along the left.

MIT OpenCourseWare is a free & open publication of material from thousands of MIT courses, covering the entire MIT curriculum.

No enrollment or registration. Freely browse and use OCW materials at your own pace. There's no signup, and no start or end dates.

Knowledge is your reward. Use OCW to guide your own life-long learning, or to teach others. We don't offer credit or certification for using OCW.

Made for sharing. Download files for later. Send to friends and colleagues. Modify, remix, and reuse (just remember to cite OCW as the source.)

Learn more at Get Started with MIT OpenCourseWare