Kevin W. Linderman

Kevin W. Linderman is a Professor and Department Chair in the Department of Supply Chain & Information Systems at Pennsylvania State University's Smeal College of Business. Previously, he held the Curtis L. Carlson Professorship at the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management. He holds a Ph.D. in Operations Research/Operations Management from Case Western Reserve University (1998), along with MS degrees in Management Science (Case Western Reserve, 1996) and Mathematics (Miami University, 1989), and a BA in Mathematics/Philosophy from Minnesota State University Moorhead (1987).

His research focuses on process improvement methodologies (e.g., Six Sigma, Lean), environmental management, innovation, and supply chain resilience. He collaborates with prominent firms like 3M, Cargill, and Alibaba through NSF grants and case studies. His work has been published in top journals such as Management Science, Manufacturing & Service Operations, and Production and Operations Management.

• Key Awards:
  • 2020 Decision Science Journal Top 10 Scholar
  • 2016 Academy of Management Operations Management Scholar Award
  • Multiple Carlson School of Management Research Awards
• Teaching & Mentorship: Notable for the 2018 Supply Chain Teaching Award (student-nominated) and co-advising doctoral dissertations recognized by the Elwood S. Buffa Award.
• Grants & Industry Partnerships: NSF-funded projects with 3M, Cargill, and others, focusing on operational efficiency and sustainability.

Linderman's research bridges academia and practice, emphasizing actionable insights for organizational challenges. His recent work explores post-M&A supply chain strategies, metacognitive approaches to innovation, and telehealth adoption dynamics.