Friday, March 8, 2013

A Terrific Visiting Professor Program at an International Business School

As a faculty member at the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst with research and teaching interests in transportation and logistics, operations research / management science, networks and various methodologies, it is important to always be challenging yourself.

One great way in which to extend one's horizons is to travel and to live and work abroad. One then brings back new ideas for research and education. In the global economy one has to stretch oneself and experience different cultures and business climates.

I have now had a full year's affiliation with the truly excellent Visiting Professor Programme (VPP) at the School of Business, Economics and Law at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.

My first trip/visit to the school was in March 2012, and I also had extended stays in June and this past October.

The School has produced a stunning brochure which highlights the Visiting Professors, who come from several countries in Europe, Israel, India, and the US. 

I am most grateful for the wonderful opportunities that I have had because of this program, whether in giving lectures, helping out with a PhD course in Operations Management, advising doctoral students, taking part in conferences, such as the Future Urban Transport Conference, and having numerous discussions with colleagues, students, staff, and corporate representatives on industry and academic projects.

Yesterday, we celebrated the publication of two new books -- the book, "Essentials of Information Systems" by my colleague and host in Gothenburg, Professor Jonas Floden, and my new book, "Networks Against Time: Supply Chain Analytics for Perishable Products," which I co-authored with Professor Min Yu, Amir H. Masoumi, and Professor Ladimer S. Nagurney. I began writing this book while in Gothenburg and it is based on years of multidisciplinary research on supply chains.

Dr. Taylan Mavruk, a colleague in Finance, took the photo below -- notice the cakes -- they were quickly eaten.
 

Our group at the School of Business, Economics and Law celebrated the publication of our books with 2 cakes -- a blueberry cream cake and a passion fruit cake with a chocolate ganache crust -- exquisite!

The VPP at the School of Business, Economics and Law at the University of Gothenburg acknowledges the  following companies for their vision and for their generous financial support in helping to create this unique program:
• AB Volvo
• Stena AB
• Sten A Olssons Stiftelse för Forskning och Kultur
• AB SKF
• Elanders AB
• Carl Bennet AB.

As a Visiting Professor I also laud these companies for their foresight and support!

It would be admirable and very rewarding if more business schools in the United States (and elsewhere) could initiate similar Visiting Professor Programs to the one at the School of Business, Economics and Law at the University of Gothenburg! I also note that the organization and support provided the visiting faculty is outstanding and so very collegial. Thank you!