Using Research to Help Companies Solve Operational Challenges: Technology and Operations at Michigan Ross
Technology and Operations is one of nine academic areas at Michigan Ross. The department focuses on enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of systems within businesses and organizations. TO faculty members analyze operational challenges to provide research-informed solutions, all while equipping students with the skills and tools to solve real-world challenges.
“Our faculty provides research insights that help business leaders come up with solutions for how to deliver their products and services more effectively. Our faculty and students help solve problems such as rising costs and limited access,” said Izak Duenyas, area chair and professor of technology and operations. “Better operations lead to better outcomes for everyone, and that’s how we help build a better world through business.”
Transforming operations and supporting student success
Duenyas leads the Michigan Ross TO area, which includes 31 faculty members and 19 PhD students. By applying expertise in operational efficiency and innovation, TO faculty researchers present ideas and concepts that can impact production processes, customer service, supply chain management, and other operations across industries, including education, pharmaceuticals, and technology.
“One thing that’s unique about our area is that we have faculty expertise in all kinds of industries,” says Duenyas. “Most people think of operations as factories. Our work does sometimes impact factory operations, but our faculty also focus on service industries and even education operations.”
The TO area maintains a close relationship with the Tauber Institute for Global Operations, an important hub for experiential learning and industry collaboration. Many TO faculty members serve as advisors who guide students through team consulting projects at sponsoring companies, where students gain real-world experience identifying opportunities for savings and efficiencies.
According to Duenyas, the TO faculty’s work in advising Tauber projects enriches the area’s teaching and research. Insights from Tauber projects often inspire new research questions and classroom case studies, ensuring that faculty stay up to date on the latest needs and innovations in business operations.
“Tauber projects often lead to research opportunities and shape the content we teach,” said Duenyas. “It’s a true win-win-win — for our faculty, our students, and our industry partners.”
Beyond Tauber, the TO faculty apply their expertise to deliver practical solutions for companies and government agencies to tackle pressing challenges. For example, Professor Ravi Anupindi co-chaired a National Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine study on supply chain issues related to infant formula shortages, providing policy recommendations to address critical issues during pandemic responses. In the technology sector, Professor Andrew Wu is working with Google to explore how artificial intelligence can improve educational environments and learning outcomes.
Collaborative practices shape research and community
According to Duenyas, the work the TO faculty does to improve organizational operations also applies to the TO area at Ross. This is evident in TO’s dual-advisor system for PhD students. Every PhD student selects two faculty advisors rather than one. This approach ensures that students learn from diverse viewpoints and encourages faculty to exchange ideas and support each other’s work.
“The dual-advisor system gives students a broader base of support and keeps us, as faculty, engaged with each other,” says Duenyas.
Faculty regularly collaborate on research projects, consult one another for fresh perspectives, and co-author papers. The area also hosts weekly seminars and sometimes invites faculty from other Ross academic areas and from units across the university, including industrial engineering. While this seminar series is primarily an internal event for faculty, PhD students attend to engage with current research and connect with visiting speakers.
“Collaboration is in everything we do,” said Duenyas. “Whether it’s our two-advisor model for PhD students or inviting colleagues to faculty seminars. It drives our research, enriches our teaching, and builds a stronger community within Ross and across the university.”
