Fostering Collaboration with Industry

The Decision, Risk and Operations Division undertakes research and instruction on decision-making through optimization, modeling and managing uncertainty, and on all aspects of the operations function in firms.

The division's research and teaching typically involve the development and analysis of quantitative models of business problems. These models are used to support decision-making, to measure and manage risks and to enhance understanding of business practices. Models are analyzed using tools from mathematical programming, game theory, probability and statistics; the division is also active in advancing these underlying methodologies.

Application areas in which the division has particular expertise include logistics, distribution and supply-chain management; revenue management; resource networks and service systems; the valuation of derivative securities and risk management.

The success of the division's mission depends, in part, on fostering collaboration with industry. For only by keeping in close contact with industrial problems can the division preserve the vitality of its research and teaching.

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ideas at work | featured research

Linda Green

The nursing shift

Nurses save lives, so it's essential for hospitals to staff enough nurses for each shift. Staffing too many nurses, however, can cause a hospital to exceed its budget. When scheduling nurse shifts, hospitals must consider many factors, including a nationwide nurse shortage and varying patient needs. Linda Green develops a queuing model for nurse staffing that can cut costs and improve patient care. Read more...