TOM RESEARCH

Research at the Chair of Technology & Operations Management (TOM) is focused on bridging between academia and industry.

We span three key areas: Supply Chain Strategy, Supply Chain Finance, and Technology Management and Entrepreneurship.

SUPPLY CHAIN STRATEGY

This research stream explicitly targets quantitative analysis of key decision-making tradeoffs at the intersection of supply chain management (SCM) and channel management, SCM and product portfolio management as well as SCM and corporate sustainability programs. It includes the optimization of a company's manufacturing footprint and the placement of inventory in different sales channels. While predominately focused on identifying key decision variables and quantifying the potential for supply chain optimization, we also engage in scenario planning and the discussion of managerial implications. Field-based case studies complement the quantitative models, exemplify practical approaches and facilitate the transfer into the teaching offering.


TOM Publications in Supply Chain Strategy

SUPPLY CHAIN FINANCE

This research stream focuses on the interrelation of operational and financial performance measures as well as the importance of supply chain finance, broadly defined. We apply mathematical modelling and computer simulation to study the role of working capital management in supply chains. We analyse and quantify the impact of varying payment terms, the differences in the cost of capital and the effect of supply disruptions on supply chain networks. At the same time, we use database analysis and practitioner surveys to study the use of trade credit and the implementation of supply chain finance solutions in practice across different sectors.


TOM Publications in Supply Chain Finance 

TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

In this research stream we examine technology management and entrepreneurship from both a theoretical as well as from a practical perspective. We study de-facto standardization processes using mathematical models for the adoption dynamics of networked technologies. While not a new phenomena as such, we incorporated a consumer choice model and explicitly take into account the role converters. 

We also progressed a book project on entrepreneurship entitled "Nurturing Science-based Ventures: An International Case Perspective"; were we present case studies of more than 30 businesses in scientific fields such as biotechnology, biomedicine, high-tech engineering and information technology.


TOM Publications in Technology Management and Entrepreneurship