Assistant Professor of Operations Management

(On leave 2007-2008)

Professor Parker has an overall interest in the management and operation of production and inventory in multi-echelon systems. Specifically, he focuses on the role of capacity and manufacturing technology in supply chains. He is also interested in non-cooperative and competitive behavior in supply chains, and especially in the resulting effects upon capital investment choices. Finally, he explores issues in the healthcare field, encompassing both operational and clinical problems, to be addressed with quantitative analytical models.

Achievements and Awards
Invited Presenter, Kellogg Operations Workshop, 2004

Meritorious Service Award Recipient for Operations Research, 2001

Richter Fund Fellowship, 1996, 1999

George and Marion Plossl Fellow for the best Doctoral Dissertation Proposal (American Production and Inventory Control Society), Honorable mention, 1998

Gerald and Lillian Dykstra Fellowship for Teaching and Academic Excellence, 1997

Doctoral Fellowship, University of Michigan, 1998

Doctoral Student Research Grant, 1998

Selected Book Chapters
"Flexible Automation" (with K.E. Stecke), in P. Swamidass, ed., Encyclopedia of Production and Manufacturing Management, Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2000

"Cells and Flexible Automation: History and Synergistic Application" (with K.E. Stecke), in N. Suresh and J. Kay, eds., Group Technology & Cellular Manufacturing: A State-of-the-Art Synthesis of Research and Practice, Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1998

Selected Articles
"Optimal Policies for a Capacitated Two-Echelon Inventory System" (with R. Kapuscinski), Operations Research, Vol. 52, No. 5, 739-755, 2004

"Manufacturing Flexibility: Measures and Relationships" (with A. Wirth), European Journal of Operational Research, Vol. 118, No. 3, 429-449, 1999

Working Papers
"Managing a Non-Cooperative Supply Chain with Limited Capacity" (with R. Kapuscinski)

"Fundamental Properties of the Bullwhip Phenomenon" (with R. Kapuscinski)

"The Role of Flexible Technology in Entry Deterrence" (with R. Kapuscinski)

"Competing for Shelf Space under a Buyback Contract"

"Biopsy Strategies in Prostate Cancer Diagnosis" (with J. Colberg, A. Ha, and A. Swersey)

"Partial Backlogging in an Inventory Duopoly"

"Consumer Behavior in Inventory Management" (with T. Olsen)

Education
PhD University of Michigan, 2001
MSE University of Michigan, 1997
M.Mgt. University of Melbourne, 1993
BE University of Melbourne, 1990

Related Links

Rodney Parker's website