Technology & Operations Management

- September 2024
- Case
Cathay Cargo: Turnaround Short Haul, or Double Crew Long Haul?

By: Willy Shih and Billy Chan

Tom Owen, Director Cargo at Cathay Pacific Airways, had a problem. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the grounding of passenger flights meant the sudden loss of 50% of the airline's cargo carrying capacity. But the bigger challenge was that the Hong Kong government imposed severe quarantine restrictions on air crew who operated flights, and when aircraft arrived at destinations around the world, their crew faced other restrictions. The operations team devised a closed loop system that would allow flights to operate with a range of staffing requirements. For the company, freighter service provided critical cash flow, and the operations team had brought forward a choice. Should Cathay focus most of its cargo service on regional routes out and back from Hong Kong, or should it operate long haul to Europe and the Americas? What would be best for cash flow, and what would be best for the crews?
- September 2024
- Case
Cathay Cargo: Turnaround Short Haul, or Double Crew Long Haul?

By: Willy Shih and Billy Chan

Tom Owen, Director Cargo at Cathay Pacific Airways, had a problem. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the grounding of passenger flights meant the sudden loss of 50% of the airline's cargo carrying capacity. But the bigger challenge was that the Hong Kong government imposed severe quarantine restrictions on air crew who operated flights, and when...
- September 2024
- Case
Anker Innovations (A)

By: Feng Zhu, Jiangyong Lu and Nancy Hua Dai

An Amazon-native brand, Anker is the world’s No. 1 mobile charging brand and a leading consumer electronics company. Over the years, Anker developed an effective model of proving new products online first by leveraging customer insights from its proprietary Voice of Customer system before selling these products offline. In May 2021, Steven Yang, founder & CEO of Anker, and Dongping Zhao, President of Anker, need to decide whether to say yes or no to a request from Costco, the largest warehouse club in the US with over 500 stores, to supply three new smart home products.
- September 2024
- Case
Anker Innovations (A)

By: Feng Zhu, Jiangyong Lu and Nancy Hua Dai

An Amazon-native brand, Anker is the world’s No. 1 mobile charging brand and a leading consumer electronics company. Over the years, Anker developed an effective model of proving new products online first by leveraging customer insights from its proprietary Voice of Customer system before selling these products offline. In May 2021, Steven Yang,...
- 2024
- Working Paper
Empirical Guidance: Data Processing and Analysis with Applications in Stata, R, and Python

By: Melissa Ouellet and Michael W. Toffel

This paper describes a range of best practices to compile and analyze datasets, and includes some examples in Stata, R, and Python. It is meant to serve as a reference for those getting started in econometrics, and especially those seeking to conduct data analyses in Stata, R, or Python.
- 2024
- Working Paper
Empirical Guidance: Data Processing and Analysis with Applications in Stata, R, and Python

By: Melissa Ouellet and Michael W. Toffel

This paper describes a range of best practices to compile and analyze datasets, and includes some examples in Stata, R, and Python. It is meant to serve as a reference for those getting started in econometrics, and especially those seeking to conduct data analyses in Stata, R, or Python.

About the Unit

As the world of operations has changed, so have interests and priorities within the Unit. Historically, the TOM Unit focused on manufacturing and the development of physical products. Over the past several years, we have expanded our research, course development, and course offerings to encompass new issues in information technology, supply chains, and service industries.

The field of TOM is concerned with the design, management, and improvement of operating systems and processes. As we seek to understand the challenges confronting firms competing in today's demanding environment, the focus of our work has broadened to include the multiple activities comprising a firm's "operating core":

the multi-function, multi-firm system that includes basic research, design, engineering, product and process development and production of goods and services within individual operating units;
the networks of information and material flows that tie operating units together and the systems that support these networks;
the distribution and delivery of goods and services to customers.

Recent Publications

Cathay Cargo: Turnaround Short Haul, or Double Crew Long Haul?

By: Willy Shih and Billy Chan

September 2024 |
Case |
Faculty Research

Tom Owen, Director Cargo at Cathay Pacific Airways, had a problem. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the grounding of passenger flights meant the sudden loss of 50% of the airline's cargo carrying capacity. But the bigger challenge was that the Hong Kong government imposed severe quarantine restrictions on air crew who operated flights, and when aircraft arrived at destinations around the world, their crew faced other restrictions. The operations team devised a closed loop system that would allow flights to operate with a range of staffing requirements. For the company, freighter service provided critical cash flow, and the operations team had brought forward a choice. Should Cathay focus most of its cargo service on regional routes out and back from Hong Kong, or should it operate long haul to Europe and the Americas? What would be best for cash flow, and what would be best for the crews?

Keywords: Operations; Resource Allocation; Air Transportation Industry; Hong Kong

Citation

Educators

Creating an AI-First Snack Company Exercise Data Supplement

By: Iavor I Bojinov

September 2024 |
Supplement |
Faculty Research

Citation

Purchase

How to Pay Family Employees in a Family Business

By: Christina R. Wing, Maryann G Bell and Kara A Perusse

September 2024 |
Technical Note |
Faculty Research

Family businesses play a pivotal role in global economies, contributing significantly to employment and wealth creation. However, managing compensation for family members within these enterprises can be complex. Family employees frequently intertwine their roles as both employees and owners, thereby complicating the formulation of effective compensation strategies. This note aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the factors involved in compensation, emphasizing fairness, transparency, and alignment with business objectives.

Citation

Educators

Anker Innovations (B)

By: Feng Zhu, Jiangyong Lu and Nancy Hua Dai

September 2024 |
Supplement |
Faculty Research

An Amazon-native brand, Anker is the world’s No. 1 mobile charging brand and a leading consumer electronics company. Over the years, Anker developed an effective model of proving new products online first by leveraging customer insights from its proprietary Voice of Customer system before selling these products offline. In May 2021, Steven Yang, founder & CEO of Anker, and Dongping Zhao, President of Anker, need to decide whether to say yes or no to a request from Costco, the largest warehouse club in the US with over 500 stores, to supply three new smart home products.

Keywords: Decision Choices and Conditions; Product; Distribution; Product Launch; Electronics Industry; Consumer Products Industry

Citation

Anker Innovations (A)

By: Feng Zhu, Jiangyong Lu and Nancy Hua Dai

September 2024 |
Case |
Faculty Research

Keywords: Decision Choices and Conditions; Product; Distribution; Product Launch; Electronics Industry; Consumer Products Industry

Citation

Educators

Note on CEO Succession in Family Enterprises

By: Christina R. Wing, Kara A. Perusse and Hillary B. Sieber

September 2024 |
Technical Note |
Faculty Research

This note aims to offer guidance and insights into navigating CEO succession, whether involving family or non-family executives, and emphasizes the importance of providing clarity on the criteria for selection. By understanding the nuances and best practices of CEO succession, family enterprises can ensure a seamless transition and long-term sustainability.

Citation

Educators

Empirical Guidance: Data Processing and Analysis with Applications in Stata, R, and Python

By: Melissa Ouellet and Michael W. Toffel

2024 |
Working Paper |
Faculty Research

This paper describes a range of best practices to compile and analyze datasets, and includes some examples in Stata, R, and Python. It is meant to serve as a reference for those getting started in econometrics, and especially those seeking to conduct data analyses in Stata, R, or Python.

Keywords: Empirical Methods; Empirical Operations; Statistical Methods And Machine Learning; Statistical Interferences; Research Analysts; Analytics and Data Science; Mathematical Methods

Citation

Read Now

Building an AI First Snack Company: A Hands-on Generative AI Exercise

By: Iavor I. Bojinov

September 2024 |
Exercise |
Faculty Research

Although the term 'Generative AI' (GenAI) is widely recognized, its practical application in daily workflows has yet to be understood. This exercise introduces students to GenAI tools, demonstrating how they can be seamlessly integrated into professional work practices to co-invent, analyze data, generate images, summarize text, etc. The exercise guides students through developing a fictional snack company, showcasing the versatility of GenAI in tasks such as market analysis, brand development, and the formulation of marketing strategies. The exercise culminates with students creating a comprehensive design document and presentation that can be used to pitch to investors. Key takeaways include understanding how GenAI works, incorporating AI into developing and launching a new product, and offering valuable lessons on AI's potential and limitations in the modern workplace.

Citation

Purchase

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