Hemant K. Bhargava

Hemant K. Bhargava is a Distinguished Professor at the Graduate School of Management, University of California Davis, where he holds the Jerome and Elsie Suran Chair in Technology Management. He serves as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Director of the Center for Analytics and Technology in Society (CATS), and previously served as Associate Dean for Instructional Programs (2010–2013) and Faculty Chair. He co-founded and was the first Academic Director of the UC Davis Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) program.

His educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Decision Sciences, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (1989)
• MBA, Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (1986)
• B.S. in Mathematics, University of Delhi (1984)

Bhargava is a leading scholar in technology management, information systems, and decision analytics. His research focuses on the economics of digital goods and platforms, pricing strategies, AI in business, healthcare IT, and platform ecosystems. He builds economic models to study operations, marketing, and competitive strategy in tech-driven markets, with applications in healthcare, media, electric vehicles, and generative AI.

His recent publications reveal a strong trend toward platform business models, data sharing, AI’s impact on research and education, and healthcare cost transparency. He explores how digital platforms shape competition, how data can be leveraged across markets, and how real-time decision tools can reduce prescription drug costs. His work bridges theory and practice, often involving collaboration with industry and policy makers.

His scientific awards include:

• INFORMS Journal on Computing Test of Time Award (2023)
• INFORMS CIST Best Paper Award (2021)
• Google Research Excellence Gift (2017–18)
• Distinguished Alumni Award, IIM Bangalore (2024)
• INFORMS ISS President's Service Award (2023)
• Global 100 Top Academic Data Leaders (2020)

Bhargava has played a pivotal role in academic leadership and program development. He co-founded the Theory in Economics of Information Systems (TEIS) workshop and has served on editorial boards of top journals including Management Science (where he is Department Editor for Information Systems), Operations Research, and Marketing Science. He has advised numerous campus initiatives, including the UC Davis Data Lab and Religions of India Initiative. His grants and collaborations include work with Google and healthcare organizations on real-time price transparency tools.

He leads the Center for Analytics and Technology in Society (CATS), which focuses on the societal implications of data and AI. He also co-founded the MSBA program and continues to shape the future of business education in the age of AI through strategic planning committees.