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Jennifer K. Ryan Photo

Jennifer K. Ryan

Department Chair and Professor of Supply Chain Management and Analytics and Van Horne Family Endowed Chair
Supply Chain Management and Analytics
HLH 511 B
P.O. Box 884114
Lincoln, NE 68588-4114
(402) 472-2256
jennifer.ryan@unl.edu
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Jennifer K. Ryan Photo
Education
Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences, Northwestern University
M.S. in Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences, Northwestern University
B.A. in Mathematics and the Social Sciences, Dartmouth College
Areas of Expertise
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Operations Management
  • Inventory Management
Research Interests
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Inventory Management
  • Procurement Process Design
Appointments
  • Department Chair, 2016-present
  • Van Horne Family Endowed Chair
Vita
CV (pdf file)
Biography

Jennifer K. Ryan is the Van Horne Family Endowed Chair and Professor of Supply Chain Management and Analytics in the College of Business at the University of Nebraska. Dr. Ryan holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences from Northwestern University and a B.A. in Mathematics and the Social Sciences from Dartmouth College. She conducts research in inventory management, supply chain management and procurement.

Dr. Ryan's research has been published in Management Science, Operations Research, Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, Production and Operations Management, Naval Research Logistics, Decision Sciences and IIE Transactions. She is the recipient of several National Science Foundation (NSF) grants, including an NSF CAREER grant. She currently serves as the Focused Issue Editor for Supply Chain & Logistics at IISE Transactions.

Prior to joining UNL, Dr. Ryan served as a faculty member in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, the School of Business at University College Dublin (Ireland), the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame and in the School of Industrial Engineering at Purdue University.

Selected Publications/Articles
  • Gupta, S., A. Agrawal and J.K. Ryan, “Agile Contracting: Managing Incentives Under Uncertain Needs.” Production and Operations Management. 32, No. 3 (2023), p. 972-988.
  • Chen, H. and J.K. Ryan, “Optimal Specialty Crop Planning Policies with Yield Learning and Forward Contract.” Production and Operations Management. Vol. 23, No. 2 (2023), p. 359-378.
  • Shao, L., J.K. Ryan, and D. Sun, “Contracting Mechanisms for Stable Sourcing Networks.” Manufacturing and Service Operations Management. DOI: 10.1287/msom.2021.1066, published online January 31, 2022.
  • Li, Z., C. Qian, J.K. Ryan, and D. Sun, “Robust Mechanism Design and Production Structure for Assembly Systems with Asymmetric Information.” European Journal of Operational Research. Vol. 301, No. 2 (2022), p. 609-623.
  • Yayla-Kullu, M., J.K. Ryan and J. Swaminathan, “Product Line Flexibility for Agile and Adaptable Operations.” Production and Operations Management. Vol. 30, No. 3 (2021), p. 725-737. 
  • Li, Z., Lu, S., J.K. Ryan, and D. Sun, “Impact of Organizational Structure on Development Strategy under Equity-Based Incentives.” Production and Operations Management. Vol. 30, No. 4 (2021), p. 984-996.
  • Shao, L., J.K. Ryan, and D. Sun, “Responsible Sourcing under Asymmetric Information: Price Signaling vs. Supplier Disclosure.” Decision Sciences. 51, No. 5 (2020), p. 1082-1109. 
  • Batur, D., J.K. Ryan, M.C. Vuran and Z. Zhao, “Dynamic Pricing of Wireless Internet Based on Usage and Stochastically Changing Capacity.” Manufacturing & Service Operations Management. Vol. 21, No. 4 (2019), p. 833-852.
  • Basten, R.J.I. and J.K. Ryan, “The value of maintenance delay flexibility for improved spare parts inventory management.” European Journal of Operational Research. Vol. 278, No. 2 (2019), p. 646-657.
  • Li, Z., J.K. Ryan, L. Shao and D. Sun, “Incentive-Compatible in Dominant Strategies Mechanism Design for an Assembler under Asymmetric Information.” Production & Operations Management. Vol. 28, No. 2 (2019), p. 479-496.
  • Li, R., J.K. Ryan and Z. Zeng, “Coordination in a Single-supplier, Multiple-retailer Distribution System: Supplier Facilitated Transshipments.” Production & Operations Management. Vol. 26, No. 5 (2017), p. 784-801.
  • Li, Z., J.K. Ryan and D. Sun, “Selling through outlets: The impact of quality, product development risk, and market awareness.” International Journal of Production Economics. Vol. 186 (2017), p. 71-80. 
  • Jin, Y. and J.K. Ryan, “Can Contracts Replace Qualification in a Sourcing Process with Competitive Suppliers and Imperfect Information?” IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management. Vol. 63 (2016), p. 283-295.
  • Hargaden, V. and J.K. Ryan, “Resource Planning in Engineering Services Firms.” IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management. Vol. 62 (2015), p. 578-590. 
  • Li, E., J.K. Ryan, L. Shao and D. Sun, “Supply Contract Design for Competing Heterogeneous Suppliers under Asymmetric Information.” Production and Operations Management. 24 (2015), p. 791-807. 
  • Li, E., J.K. Ryan and D. Sun, “Multi-Attribute Procurement Contracts”. International Journal of Production Economics. 159 (2015), p. 137-146. 
  • Jin, Y., J.K. Ryan and W. Yund, “Sourcing Decisions with Competitive Suppliers and Imperfect Information.” Decision Sciences. Vol. 45 (2014), p. 229-254.
  • Jin, Y., J.K. Ryan and W. Yund, “Two Stage Procurement Processes with Competitive Suppliers and Uncertain Supplier Quality.” IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management. Vol. 61 (2014), p. 147-158. 
  • Ryan, J.K., D. Sun, X. Zhao, “Coordinating a Supply Chain with a Manufacturer-Owned Online Channel: A Dual Channel Model under Price Competition.” IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management. 60 (2013), p. 247-259. 
  • Ryan, J.K., D. Sun, X. Zhao, “Competition and Coordination in Online Marketplaces.” Production and Operations Management. 21 (2012), p. 997-1014. 
  • Li, R. and J.K. Ryan, “Inventory Flexibility through Adjustment Contracts.” International Journal of Production Research. 50 (2012), p. 1955-1978.
  • Jin, Y. and J.K. Ryan, “Price and Service Competition in an Outsourced Supply Chain.” Production and Operations Management. 21 (2012), p. 331-344.
  • Li, R. and J.K. Ryan, “A Bayesian Inventory Model Using Real-Time Condition Monitoring Information.” Production and Operations Management. 20 (2011), p. 754-771.
  • Bauman, J., M. Lawley, A. Mishra, J.K. Ryan, J. Tew and P. Wu, “Evaluating the Performance of Cross-Docks: A Data Envelopment Analysis Based Approach.” International Journal of Operations and Quantitative Management, Vol. 16 (2010), p. 23-42.
  • Zhao, H., J.K. Ryan and V. Deshpande, “Optimal Dynamic Production and Inventory Transshipment Policies for a Two-Location Make-to-Stock System.” Operations Research, 56 (2008), p. 400-410. 
  • Sun, D., J.K. Ryan and H. Shin, “Why Do We Observe Stockless Operations on the Internet? Stockless Operations under Competition.” Production and Operations Management, 17 (2008), p. 139-149. 
  • Zhao, H., V. Deshpande, and J.K. Ryan, “Emergency Transshipments in Decentralized Dealer Networks: When to Send and Accept Transshipment Requests.” Naval Research Logistics, 53 (2006), p. 547-567. 
  • Zhao, H., V. Deshpande, and J.K. Ryan, “Inventory Sharing and Rationing in Decentralized Dealer Networks.” Management Science, 51 (2005), p.531-547. 
  • Gebraeel, N., M. Lawley, R. Li, and J.K. Ryan, “Residual Life Distributions from Component Degradation Signals: A Bayesian Approach.” IIE Transactions, 37 (2005), p. 543-557. 
  • Kim, H.K. and J.K. Ryan, “The Cost Impact of Using Simple Forecasting Techniques in a Supply Chain.” Naval Research Logistics, 50 (2003), p. 388-411. 
  • Gallego, G., J.K. Ryan, and D. Simchi-Levi, “Minimax Analysis for Finite Horizon Inventory Models.” IIE Transactions, 33 (2001), p. 861-874. 
  • Chen, F., Z. Drezner, J.K. Ryan, and D. Simchi-Levi, “Quantifying the Bullwhip Effect: The Impact of Forecasting, Lead Times and Information.” Management Science, 46 (2000), p. 436-443. 
  • Chen, F., J.K. Ryan, and D. Simchi-Levi, “Exponential Smoothing Forecasts and the Bullwhip Effect.” Naval Research Logistics, 47 (2000), p. 269-286.
Undergraduate Courses
  • Strategic Supply Chain Management (SCMA 474) - Fall Semester 2021
  • Lean Supply Chain Operations (SCMA 434) - Spring Semester 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
  • Supply Chain Logistics Management (SCMA 444) - Fall Semester 2015 and 2016
  • Operations and Supply Chain Management (SCMA 331) - Spring Semester 2016

Students supervised while faculty at Purdue University:

  1. Heung-Kyu Kim, Thesis: “Quantifying the Impact of Demand Data and Forecasting on Costs in a Supply Chain.” Ph.D. awarded December 2002, School of Industrial Engineering, Purdue University.
    • Current position
      • Professor, Dankook University Business School (S. Korea)
    • Co-authored publications
      • Kim, H.K. and J.K. Ryan, “The Cost Impact of Using Simple Forecasting Techniques in a Supply Chain.” Naval Research Logistics, Vol. 50 (2003), p. 388-411.
  2. Hui Zhao, Thesis: “Managing Service Parts Logistics: Inventory Sharing and Rationing in Decentralized Distribution Networks.” Ph.D. awarded August 2003, School of Industrial Engineering, Purdue University.
    • Current position
      • Professor, Smeal College of Business, Penn State University
    • Co-authored publications
      • Zhao, H.,K. Ryan and V. Deshpande, “Optimal Dynamic Production and Inventory Transshipment Policies for a Two-Location Make-to-Stock System.” Operations Research, Vol. 56 (2008), p. 400-410.
      • Zhao, H., Deshpande, and J.K. Ryan, “Emergency Transshipments in Decentralized Dealer Networks: When to Send and Accept Transshipment Requests.” Naval Research Logistics, Vol. 53 (2006), p. 547-567.
      • Zhao, H., Deshpande, and J.K. Ryan, “Inventory Sharing and Rationing in Decentralized Dealer Networks.” Management Science, Vol. 51 (2005), p.531-547.
  3. Jimena Pascual, Thesis: “Pricing and Uncertainty in the Leasing of Durable Goods.” Ph.D. awarded August 2003, School of Industrial Engineering, Purdue University.
    • Current position
      • Professor and Director, School of Industrial Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (Chile)
  4. Rong Li, Thesis: “Inventory Flexibility and Supply Chain Coordination through Adjustment Contracts.” Ph.D. awarded August 2004, School of Industrial Engineering, Purdue University.
    • Current position
      • Associate Professor, Whitman School of Management, Syracuse University
    • Co-authored publications
      • Li, R., J.K. Ryan and Z. Zeng, “Coordination in a Single-supplier, Multiple-retailer Distribution System: Supplier Facilitated Transshipments.” Production & Operations Management. Vol. 26, No. 5 (2017), p. 784-801.
      • Li, R. and J.K. Ryan, “Inventory Flexibility through Adjustment Contracts.” International Journal of Production Research. 50 (2012), p. 1955-1978.
      • Li, R. and J.K. Ryan, “A Bayesian Inventory Model Using Real-Time Condition Monitoring Information.” Production and Operations Management. 20 (2011), p. 754-771.
      • Gebraeel, N., Lawley, M., Li, R., and J.K. Ryan, “Residual Life Distributions from Component Degradation Signals: A Bayesian Approach.” IIE Transactions, 37 (2005), p. 543-557.

Students supervised while faculty at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute:

  1. Vincent Hargaden, Thesis: “Workforce Planning in Professional Service Firms.” Dissertation defense completed April 2011, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
    • Current position
      • Associate Dean, College of Engineering & Architecture, University College Dublin (Ireland)
    • Co-authored publications
      • Hargaden, V. and J.K. Ryan, “Resource Planning in Engineering Services Firms.” IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management. Vol. 62 (2015), p. 578-590.
    • Recipient of 2010 IBM Fellowship in amount of $30,000 to support PhD studies
    • Co-recipient of 2012 Del and Ruth Karger Dissertation Prize (outstanding dissertation, DSES)
  2. Xi Kan, Thesis: “Replacement Policy for Spare Parts Based on a Bivariate Weiner Process.” Dissertation defense completed April 2012, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
    • Current Position
      • Machine Learning Specialist, VISA
  3. Walter Yund, Thesis: “Supplier Qualification and Selection Policies for a Quality-Sensitive Buyer.” Dissertation defense completed April 2012, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
    • Current position
      • Senior Scientist, GE Global Research
    • Co-authored publications
      • Jin, Y., J.K. Ryan and W. Yund, “Sourcing Decisions with Competitive Suppliers and Imperfect Information.” Decision Sciences. Vol. 45 (2014), p. 229-254. 
      • Jin, Y., J.K. Ryan and W. Yund, “Two Stage Procurement Processes with Competitive Suppliers and Uncertain Supplier Quality.” IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management. Vol. 61 (2014), p. 147-158.
  4. Zhi Zeng, Thesis: “Condition Monitoring-based Inventory Management for Large Scale Systems.” Dissertation defense completed July 2012, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
    • Current position
      • Quant Trader, Centiva Capital
    • Co-authored publications
      • Li, R., J.K. Ryan and Z. Zeng, “Coordination in a Single-supplier, Multiple-retailer Distribution System: Supplier Facilitated Transshipments.” Production & Operations Management. Vol. 26, No. 5 (2017), p. 784-801.
  5. Michelle Park, Thesis: “Decision-making in Advanced Manufacturing.” Dissertation defense completed June 2015, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
    • Current position
      • Technical Lead, Finance & Orders, Rover.com
    • Best Paper Award in the Supply Chain and Logistics Track of the Industrial and Systems Engineering Research Conference (ISERC), Nashville, TN, May 2015. Paper titled “Condition-based Inventory Management with Planned and Unplanned Maintenance.”
Journal Editorial Service
  • Focused Issue Editor for Supply Chain & Logistics, IISE Transactions, 2021 - present.
  • Department Editor, IISE Transactions, 2014 - 2021.
  • Associate Editor, IISE Transactions, 2001 - 2021.
  • Associate Editor, Naval Research Logistics, 2002 - 2021.
  • Associate Editor, OMEGA, 2011-2016.
  • Editorial Review Board, IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, 2013-2017.
External Service
  • Conference Organizing and Conference Committees
    • Member of the planning committee, INFORMS Meeting of Analytics Program Directors (part of the INFORMS Business Analytics Conference), April 15, 2023, Aurora, CO.
    • Member of the planning committee, INFORMS Meeting of Analytics Program Directors (part of the INFORMS Business Analytics Conference), April 2, 2022, Houston, TX.
    • Co-chair (with Sila Çetinkaya), 2015 Industrial and Systems Engineering Research Conference (ISERC), part of the part of the IIE Annual Conference and Expo, the flagship conference of the Institute of Industrial Engineers
    • Member of the organizing committee and session co-chair for session on supply chain management, 2006 National Academy of Engineering “Frontiers of Engineering” Conference, September 21-23, 2006, Dearborn, MI
    • Member of the scientific committee, European Operations Management Association (EurOMA) Conference, June 7-12, 2013, Dublin, Ireland.
  • Other Professional Service Activities
    • Chair, INFORMS Educational Outreach Committee, February 2020 – present
    • Member, INFORMS - NSF Liaison Committee, January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2023
    • Panelist for National Science Foundation in 2021, 2020, 2019, 2017, 2016, 2009 (twice), 2002
    • Co-chair, 2019 INFORMS Junior Faculty Interest Group (JFIG) Paper Competition
    • Chair, Award Committee for 2013 Kuhn Award (awarded to the best paper published in Naval Research Logistics during past 3 years)
    • Member of the selection committee for Editor-in-Chief, IIE Transactions,
    • Member (judge), Award Committee for 2009 Kuhn Award (awarded to the best paper published in Naval Research Logistics during past 3 years)
    • Session chair, Inventory Management, CORS-INFORMS International Meeting, June 2009, Toronto, Canada.
    • Judge, Production and Operations Management Society (POMS) College of Supply Chain Management, 2008 Student Paper Competition
    • Judge, Manufacturing & Services Operations Management (MSOM), 2001 Student Paper Competition
    • Judge, Student Poster Competition, INFORMS National Meeting, November 2014, San Francisco, CA
Institutional Service
  • Search Advisory Committee for Director of the MBA and Online Graduate Programs, chair, Fall 2021 and Spring 2022, College of Business, University of Nebraska – Lincoln
  • Search Advisory Committee for Assistant Professor of Practice, member, Fall 2021, Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management, University of Nebraska – Lincoln
  • Search Advisory Committee for Associate Dean of Master Programs and Executive Development, chair, Fall 2020 and Spring 2021, College of Business, University of Nebraska – Lincoln
  • Forward to Fall Committee, member, Summer 2020, University of Nebraska – Lincoln
  • Search Advisory Committee for Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, member, Summer and Fall 2019, University of Nebraska – Lincoln
  • Strategic Planning Working Group, member, and Scholarship and Research Taskforce, co-chair, Spring 2018, College of Business, University of Nebraska – Lincoln
  • Search Advisory Committee for College of Business Dean, member, Summer and Fall 2017, University of Nebraska – Lincoln
Media Appearances and Interviews
  • Speaking of Nebraska, Nebraska Public Media, January 27, 2022
  • KFOR Interview with Dale Johnson, January 13, 2022
  • Chancellor’s Query Delivers Supply Chain Insight, Nebraska Today, December 8, 2021
  • Tips for Holiday Shoppers: Start Early and Be a Little Flexible, Lincoln Journal Star, November 25, 2021
  • Holiday Shopping Expected to be Affected by Distortion of Supply Chains, Daily Nebraskan, November 17, 2021
  • Leadership Lincoln Hot Topics Panel on Supply Chain Delays, November 10, 2021
  • Plenty of Turkeys Now, But Will They be Gobbled Up? KETV, November 2, 2021
  • New and Used Car Shortage Driving Up Prices, KETV, October 26, 2021
  • Supply Chain Problems Could Affect Holiday Shopping, NTV, October 15, 2021
  • Many Issues Causing Problems in Getting Products to Consumers, Nebraska Today, October 25, 2021
  • Nebraska Retailers, Consumer Experts Warn of Potential Holiday Inventory Shortages, Omaha World Herald, October 7, 2021
  • Supplies Still Affected by Pandemic After Shocks, The Pawnee Republican, September 30, 2021
  • Meatpacking Workers Are Considered Essential. But What Happens When They Get COVID-19? Omaha World Herald, April 12,2020
  • KFOR Interview with Dale Johnson, March 30, 2020
  • Shelves, Crowds Slowly Returning to Normal at Lincoln Grocery Store, KETV, March 28, 2020
Awards
  • Distinguished Research Award, College of Business, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2021.
  • Selected to participate in Big Ten Academic Alliance Academic Leadership Program, 2021-22.
  • Selected to participate in Big Ten Academic Alliance Department Executive Officers Program, 2016-17.
  • Best Paper Award in the Supply Chain and Logistics Track of the Industrial and Systems Engineering Research Conference (ISERC), Nashville, TN, May 2015. Paper titled “Condition-based Inventory Management with Planned and Unplanned Maintenance.”
  • Best Paper Award in the Quality Control and Reliability Engineering Track of the Industrial and Systems Engineering Research Conference (ISERC), Nashville, TN, May 2015. Paper titled “Real-time Condition-monitoring: The Impact of Bayesian Updating on Failure-time Distribution.”
  • Finalist, Best Paper Award, Service Science Section of the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS), San Francisco, CA, November 9-12, 2014. Paper titled “Impact of Economic Uncertainty on Product Line Design and Capacity Management.”
  • Finalist, Best Paper Award, 2014 Annual Meeting of the Decision Sciences Institute (DSI), November 22-25, 2014. Paper titled “Economic Uncertainty and Product Line Design.”
  • Finalist, Best Paper Award in the Supply Chain and Logistics track of Industrial and Service Engineering Research Conference (ISERC), Orlando, FL, May 2012. Paper titled “Supply Chain coordination with Supplier-facilitated Transshipments.”
  • Best Paper Award, eBusiness Section of the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS), San Diego, CA, October 11-14, 2009. Paper titled “Coordinating a Supply Chain with a Manufacturer-Owned Online Channel: A Dual Channel Model under Price Competition.”
  • James H. Greene Outstanding Graduate Educator Award, 2nd place, School of Industrial Engineering, Purdue University, 2001.
  • Alan B. Pritsker Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award, 1st place, School of Industrial Engineering, Purdue University, 2000.
  • Alan B. Pritsker Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award, 2nd place, School of Industrial Engineering, Purdue University, 1999.