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Operations, strategy and governance

Our research explores how businesses, government and non-profit organisations adapt and innovate in response to complex political, economic, ecological and social challenges. 

With a particular emphasis on sustainability and resilience, our operations researchers have demonstrable expertise in production and service operations, supply-chain management and analytics, and process improvement. 

Our approach to strategy focuses on contemporary business history, the strategic management of complex projects, digital platform innovation, and the global strategic challenges inherent in “wicked problems.”

Together, our commitment to sustainability is evident in our work on eco-efficient manufacturing, circularity in supply chains and supply networks, diffusion of best practices, digital technologies for just and equitable organisational learning and performance outcomes, and resilient agrifood and health systems.

Research interests

Strategy: strategy-making in firms, government organisations, and non-profit organisations; technology and innovation strategy; business and economic history; project studies; sustainable business models; taxation and regulation in the global business environment

Operations: digitization; improving healthcare service delivery quality; performance and complexity management; process improvement and process optimisation; supply chain resilience and sustainability; servitisation; circular economy; data-driven operations; operations-AI interface; business model innovation

Research highlights

• Business, nature and value 
• Centre for Contemporary Business History and Society
• Management capacity and capability in healthcare: What difference does it make?

See more research projects and read about our interdisciplinary research vision

Group leadership

  • Dr James Cave, Head of Group
  • Dr Kevin Tennent, Research Seminar Coordinator (Strategy)
  • Professor Jeff Jia, Research Seminar Coordinator (Operations)

Thought leadership in operations, strategy and governance 

Engagement

Our research is often conducted in collaboration with industry partners across various sectors, including manufacturing, service, healthcare, agribusiness, defence, semiconductor, sports, and creative industries.

Editorial role holders
  • Enterprise & Society: Dr Shane Hamilton, Associate Editor
  • Essays in Economic & Business History: Professor Simon Mollan, Editor in Chief; Dr Chris Corker, Associate Editor
  • Frontiers of Management History (book series at Emerald): Dr Kevin Tennent, Series Editor
  • International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management: Professor. Luisa Huatuco, Co-Editor-in-Chief
  • International Journal of Operations and Production Management: Professor Melanie Kreye, Associate Editor
  • Journal of Management History: Dr Kevin Tennent, Associate Editor
  • Journal of Management Studies: Professor Beatrice D’Ippolito, Associate Editor

Textbooks and publications

Members of the Operations, strategy and governance group have produced key textbooks adopted at universities worldwide, including:

Our researchers have published highly cited articles in the top-ranked journals in our core fields as well as monographs with leading scholarly presses. We are particularly known for our work in strategic management, operations management, supply chain analysis, business history, and related fields including critical management studies, innovation studies, and project management. A full list of our publications is available in the York Research Database.

Publications
Read our latest publications on the York Research Database.
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