This department focuses on the application of theoretically-based models and rigorous solution methodologies to both conceptualize and develop solutions for the complex engineering problems. It seeks original papers that advance the science and knowledge of engineering management through analysis of innovative normative or empirical models. However, development of a new model or methodology alone is not sufficient for acceptance; each paper must also make a significant contribution to the field of engineering management. The scope of the appropriate research should be broad enough for the paper’s results and insights to generalize to multiple organizations, and not be specific to a single product, process or organization.
Papers submitted to this department should present original models or methodologies, which are theoretically sound, rigorously justified and validated. New models should be tested with sound empirical data or synthetic data with a significant managerial emphasis. Each paper should significantly extend previous knowledge in an appropriate modeling or methodological domain. Also, each paper should either validate the solution methodology as feasible and useful to a practicing engineer or demonstrate new insights for engineers through appropriate testing and experimental design. In general, papers employing an existing or standardized methodology to solve a well-known problem in the literature will not be accepted unless they demonstrate innovative and original insights regarding the methodology or the application.
This department also seeks high-quality case studies of practice. Case studies may focus on the application of creative methodologies to solve complex or unstructured problems, implementation issues, or other distinctive issues. However, the case study must describe an actual implementation and contain innovative and clearly generalizable lessons of value for researchers or practitioners of engineering management.
Illustrative topics are listed below. Papers integrating two or more topics are encouraged.
- Analytical Hierarchy/Network Process
- Capacity management
- Data envelopment analysis
- Distribution and logistics systems
- Economic modeling (including game theory, control theory, etc.)
- Empirical modeling (including structural equations, regression, etc.)
- Fuzzy and Grey Systems
- Heuristics
- Management of technology (including mathematical tools, conceptual models and economic analysis)
- Multicriteria and Multiobjective Decision Making
- Optimization (including linear, nonlinear, stochastic, etc.)
- Process control, design and analysis, improvement and reengineering
- Product/process design interface
- Production/inventory management
- Quality control and management
- Queuing/Markov analysis
- Real Options Theory
- Reliability and maintenance
- Risk analysis
- Rough Set Theory
- Simulation
- System dynamics
- Technology mix optimization
