Jan C. Fransoo

Jan C. Fransoo is a Full Professor of Operations and Logistics Management at Tilburg University's Tilburg School of Economics and Management. He also holds honorary/visiting positions at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Center for Transportation and Logistics and the School of Industrial Engineering at Eindhoven University of Technology.

• Full Professor, Tilburg University (2020–present)
• Full Professor (Honorary/Visiting), Eindhoven University of Technology (2018–present)
• Research Affiliate, MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics (2018–present)
• Former Full Professor and Dean of Research, Kuehne Logistics University (2018–2020)
• Former Full Professor, Eindhoven University of Technology (2003–2017)

Professor Fransoo's research centers on supply chain and operations management, with a strong focus on retail operations in developing countries, particularly the logistics of nanostores—small, informal retail outlets serving low-income populations. He coined the term 'nanostores' and authored the seminal book Reaching 50 Million Nanostores. His work also spans omnichannel grocery retail, urban logistics, hinterland container transport, and the integration of AI in supply chain decision-making. Much of his research is conducted in collaboration with major corporations (e.g., ABInbev, Grupo Bimbo), technology startups (e.g., Uturn, Wasoko), and international agencies (e.g., World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank).

His recent publications highlight trends in resilience during crises (e.g., COVID-19), financial constraints in retail supply chains, and innovative models for serving informal retail networks in megacities. These works are published in top-tier journals such as Journal of Operations Management, M&SOM, and Production and Operations Management.

He has received several accolades, including:

• Salzberg Medallion (2022)
• University Medal from Eindhoven University of Technology (2017)
• M&SOM Journal Meritorious Service Award (2016)
• Recognition for a paper in Transportation Science (2021)

Professor Fransoo has supervised over 30 PhD students as primary or co-supervisor, covering topics from supply chain finance to human-AI collaboration. He has served in editorial roles for Decision Sciences, Production and Operations Management, and guest-edited special issues for Journal of Operations Management and M&SOM. He has led executive education programs at TIAS and other institutions. Notably, he led a voluntary team supporting the Netherlands’ national COVID-19 vaccination program in 2021, contributing to accelerated deployment.

He is affiliated with several research groups and centers, including the BETA Research School for Operations Management and Logistics, and collaborates extensively with industry and policy stakeholders. His external advisory roles include positions at Uturn, Smart Freight Center, and the Dutch National Mobility Vision 2050.