In Operations, Information, and Technology (OIT), the focus is on technological systems. OIT concentrates on the coordinated function of technology, people, and operating procedures in the execution of ongoing tasks.

All levels of managerial decision making, from systems design and technology choice to day-to-day scheduling and performance measurement, are subjects of research in OIT. Examples of technological systems include manufacturing networks, supply chains, information processing systems, automated securities exchanges, and structured product development systems. Technological systems are studied primarily through mathematical models, either descriptive or normative. Field studies and empirical analyses are also conducted to test those models and to guide further theoretical work.

Technological systems may be under the control of a single person, may connect multiple decision makers, or may span a number of legally separate organizations. The PhD Program emphasizes the linkages among operations, information, and technology, and their interface with other functional areas. It is research-oriented and seeks to enhance our understanding of the managerial issues that arise. For example, designing or developing a specific product or a specific system would not be considered a research topic of interest, whereas studying the processes of product design or systems development would be. The structure of the program permits great flexibility, allowing students to custom-tailor curricula to their own research interests.

Research topics of OIT include the design, production, and delivery of goods and services, and management of computing and information resources. Examples are: production scheduling and control, inventory theory, capacity planning and performance modeling of processing networks, multifunctional coordination, contractual relations with vendors and customers, and performance measures and incentive systems to support production of goods and services. They also include information systems in financial markets, computer and information industries, pricing and capacity planning of information resources, economics of software, and the role of information in managerial decision making in organizations and in markets.

During the period of candidacy, the student, usually in close cooperation with his or her principal advisor, writes a dissertation on a subject of his or her choice. Graduates of the OIT PhD Program usually pursue academic careers in the areas of operations, manufacturing, or information systems.

Preparation and Qualifications

The program is intended for students with a strong training in relevant mathematical methods and models who are interested in academic careers. Students who enroll in this program must have a strong preparation in areas such as advanced calculus, linear algebra, or probability. Competence in optimization, computer programming, microeconomics, and classical statistics is also helpful.