JM Vilas-Boas da Silva

JM Vilas-Boas da Silva is an Assistant Professor in the Marketing, Operations and General Management Department at ISCTE Business School, ISCTE - University Institute of Lisbon, and an Associate Researcher at BRU-Iscte - Business Research Unit. With over 36 years of comprehensive professional experience spanning engineering, logistics management, consultancy, business leadership, and academia, he brings exceptional practical insights to his academic work.

His academic credentials include:

• PhD in Manufacturing Systems Engineering from Cranfield University (2002)
• Master's degree in Manufacturing Systems Engineering from Cranfield University (1991)
• Multiple postgraduate studies from Open University (UK) in Quality Management, Software Engineering, Structure and Design of Manufacturing Systems, and Manufacturing Management (1993-1996)
• Diploma of Advanced Studies Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) from University of Cambridge (1994)
• Postgraduate studies in Industrial Engineering from INETI (1987-1988)
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Higher Technical Institute - UTL (1986)

Dr. Vilas-Boas da Silva's research focuses on organizational structuring, business process redesign, manufacturing systems design, lean production, sustainable operations & supply management, virtual organizations, enterprise systems, innovation and change programs, product service systems, servitization, and strategic alignment. His methodological approach favors qualitative methods and Soft Systems Methodology applied to complex organizational problems. His professional background includes engineering roles at Ferro Portugal, logistics management at Renault Portuguesa, consultancy in information systems deployment (Grupo Violas; Ford of Europe - Southampton Plant), and serving as Managing Director of Agiltec where he founded and developed his own business.

His recent research projects demonstrate significant industry impact, including INOVMINERAL4.0 (2020-2023) where he served as Local Coordinator, and INOVSTONE 4.0 (2017-2020) where he worked as a researcher. These projects focus on developing advanced technologies and software for mineral resources and natural stone industries, aiming to reorient innovative industrial models through Industry 4.0 solutions across the entire value chain.

His scholarly contributions span multiple domains including:

• Digital accessibility in multinational enterprises
• Green innovations in third-party logistics
• Sustainable customer relationship management
• Application of Soft Systems Methodology in organizational change
• Strategic alignment of operations systems

Dr. Vilas-Boas da Silva has supervised 11 doctoral theses (9 in progress, 2 completed), 17 master's dissertations, and 25 master's final projects. His extensive teaching portfolio includes courses such as Quality Management, Logistics and Supply Chain, Integrated Operations Management, and Operations and Supply Chain Management across various degree programs including Bachelor's in Management, Master's in Management, and Computer Science and Business Management from 2013 through the 2025/2026 academic year.