Kathryn Stecke

Kathryn Stecke is the Ashbel Smith Professor of Operations Management at the Naveen Jindal School of Management, University of Texas at Dallas. She holds concurrent roles including Guest Professor at Northwestern Polytechnical University (China) and Adjunct Professor at the University of South Australia. Her academic journey includes a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University (1981), with earlier degrees in Applied Mathematics and Mathematics.

• Education:
• Ph.D. - Industrial Engineering, Purdue University (1981)
• M.S. - Industrial Engineering, Purdue University (1977)
• M.S. - Applied Mathematics, Purdue University (1974)
• B.S. - Mathematics, Boston State College (1972)

Research Interests: Dr. Stecke’s work focuses on supply chain management, operations research, and manufacturing systems. She has pioneered studies in flexible manufacturing systems, disruption mitigation, and strategic production planning. Her research integrates mathematical modeling, optimization, and real-world applications to enhance operational efficiency and competitiveness across industries.

Publications: Her 15 most recent articles span supply chain coordination, disruption management, and Industry 4.0. Notable themes include retail bundling strategies, adaptive ordering systems, and the evolution of production systems. These contributions bridge theoretical models with practical business challenges.

• Awards:
• INFORMS Fellow (2009)
• INFORMS Kimball Medal (2008)
• POMS Fellow (2017)
• INFORMS WORMS Award (2013)

Advising & Grants: She has advised over 30 Ph.D. students, many in operations and supply chain domains. Grants include funding from General Motors, Tauber Manufacturing Institute, and the William Davidson Institute. Her work on transient economies and manufacturing integration has shaped industrial policy.

Labs & Collaborations: Dr. Stecke collaborates globally, leading initiatives at institutions like Purdue University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong. She chairs editorial boards for journals like International Journal of Production Research and serves on committees for conferences such as IFAC and POMS.