About
OIM research focuses on the challenges of running a modern organisation, its supply chain and the political, environmental, societal, technical, economic and legal environment.
The research we undertake is both rigorous and relevant, and we work with leading organisations, both in the public and private sector. Recent examples include:
- Jaguar Land Rover
- Chiltern Railways
- United Nations
- AstraZeneca
- BAE Systems
- Health and Safety Executive (UK)
- Fire and Rescue Service
- Birmingham Children’s Hospital
- Department for Education
- Baxi
- Higgs & Sons Solicitors
- SigmaPro
- Brintons Carpets
- Caterpillar
- M.A.N Trucks
- Rolls-Royce Aerospace
- Various water utility companies.
Our research also involves many smaller and medium-sized companies, particularly in the areas of carbon reduction, cyber-security, circular economy and advanced services.
The OIM Department currently hosts four research centres: the Advanced Services Group (ASG), the Centre for Research into Safety and Security (CRISIS), the Circular Economy and Advanced Sustainability (CEAS) Centre, and the Cyber Security Innovation Centre. OIM plans to launch more research centres.
OIM provides research supervision for MPhil, PhD and DBA students. Topics include, but are not limited, to the following:
- Humanitarian logistics
- Carbon reduction and energy reduction
- Crises and disaster management
- Quality and lean six sigma management
- Productivity and efficiency improvement
- IT and IS adoption
- New product and technology development
- Cybersecurity
- Gamification and serious games
- Advanced service development for manufacturing
- Circular, green and sustainable economy
- Internet-of-things and industry 4.0
- Best practices in supply chain, procurement and operations
- Project management
- International operations and logistics
- Social media and web analytics
OIM embraces all research paradigms and uses mixed methods when required. We use a variety of research methods in our research such as case study, action research, and ethnography. We use deductive, inductive and abductive thinking to generate new knowledge.
Techniques commonly used include quantitative (e.g. multi-criteria decision analysis, data envelopment analysis, analytical hierarchy process, statistical analyses, structural equation modelling, simulation) and qualitative analyses (e.g. grounded theory, case narrative, soft systems analysis, and content analysis).
OIMs approach to research delivers rigorous, relevant and impactful research. We work with large and small companies in the public, private and voluntary sector. We have particular expertise in automotive, food, energy, construction, public utilities and health sectors. Our research has local relevance with global reach and significance.
If you would like to become a research student in any of the above topics, or related topics, then please contact us.
Teaching Groups
- Business Analytics Group
The Business Analytics Group have made important contributions to methodologies in business analytics. Several of our team serve in editorial capacities in some of the most prestigious journals in their field, including the European Journal of Operational Research and the Journal of the Operational Research Society. The Business Analytics (BA) Group also runs the annual conference of the International Society of Data Envelopment Analysis. Applied work has included collaboration with OFWAT (regulator of water companies), HEFCE (funding higher education in England), the Department for Communities, local government and numerous consultancy companies.
- Operations Management Group
The Operations Management (OM) Group’s research focuses on the practical challenges and opportunities organisations face when they want to improve their operations function, end-to-end value stream and supply chain. Both private and public sectors have been part of our research projects, creating strong links with industry and government. The OM Group engages with industry through research partnerships, executive courses and consulting. The OM Group works with global organisations, both big and small.
- Global ICT Management Group
Through cross-disciplinary research, the Global ICT Management Group study how people interact with digital technologies in an organizational context, and how knowledge-intensive work is organised and managed in technology-enabled environments. Empirical research studies undertaken in a wide range of countries are renowned for cyber-security, knowledge management, IT value (economic, environmental and social), IT adoption and diffusion, social media behaviour and analysis, ICT in Healthcare, green IT, Internet-of-Things and Industry 4.0 innovations.
- People and Publications
A departmental overview (including people and publications) can be accessed on Aston Research Explorer.
