Hau L. Lee

Professor Emeritus, Operations, Information & Technology
+1 (650) 723-0514
CV

Hau L. Lee

The Thoma Professor of Operations, Information & Technology, Emeritus

Additional Administrative Titles

Co-Director, Value Chain Innovation Initiative, Emeritus

Research Statement

Hau Lee’s research focuses on value chain innovations to develop new business models and networks for value creation through effective management of the value chain. His works spans both global enterprises in developed and emerging countries, as well as entrepreneurs in developing economies.

Research Interests

  • Supply chain management, entrepreneurship, information technology, value chain innovations

Bio

Hau L. Lee is the Thoma Professor of Operations, Information and Technology at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. His areas of specialization include global value chain innovations, supply chain management, global logistics, inventory modeling, and environmental and social responsibility.  He is also the faculty advisor for the Stanford Institute for Innovations in Developing Economies, and is a co-director of the Stanford Value Chain Innovation Initiative.

Professor Lee has published widely in journals such as Management Science, Operations Research, Harvard Business Review, Sloan Management Review, Supply Chain Management Review, IIE Transactions, and Interfaces, etc. He has served on the editorial boards of many international journals, such as Operations Research, Manufacturing and Service Operations Management, IIE Transactions, Supply Chain Management Review, Sloan Management Review, and the Journal of Production and Operations Management. From 1997-2003, he was the Editor-in-Chief of Management Science.

Professor Lee was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2010. He received the Harold Lardner Prize for International Distinction in Operations Research, Canadian Operations Research Society, 2003. He was elected a Fellow of Manufacturing and Service Operations Management, INFORMS, 2001; Production and Operations Management Society, 2005; and INFORMS, 2005. In 2006, he was President of the Production and Operations Management Society. His article, “The Triple-A Supply Chain,” was the Second Place Winner of the McKinsey Award for the Best Paper in 2004 in the Harvard Business Review. In 2004, his co-authored paper in 1997, “Information Distortion in a Supply Chain: The Bullwhip Effect,” was voted as one of the 10 most influential papers in the history of Management Science.  In 2014, his co-authored paper in 2013, “The Impact of Logistics Performance on Trade,” received the Wickham Skinner Best Paper Award from the Production and Operations Management Society.

Professor Lee has consulted extensively in the public and private sectors. He is a co-founder of DemandTec, which went public in 2007. He is on the board and advisory board of several logistics services and supply chain software companies. He has also given executive training workshops on supply chain management and global logistics in Asia, Europe, and America.

Professor Lee obtained his B.Soc.Sc. degree in Economics and Statistics from the University of Hong Kong in 1974, his M.Sc. degree in Operational Research from the London School of Economics in 1975, and his MS and PhD degrees in Operations Research from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1983.

Academic Degrees

  • PhD, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, 1983
  • MS, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, 1979
  • MSc, London School of Economics, 1975
  • BS, University of Hong Kong, 1974
  • Honorary Doctorate, Erasmus University of Rotterdam, 2008
  • Honorary Doctor of Engineering, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 2006

Academic Appointments

  • At Stanford since 1983
  • Assistant Professor – Professor, Stanford University, 1983-present
  • Lecturer, University of Pennsylvania, 1982-1983
  • Lecturer, University of Hong Kong, 1975-1977

Professional Experience

  • Project Engineer, Hewlett-Packard Company, 1989-1990

Awards and Honors

  • Best Paper in Production and Operations Management category, Case Center Awards and Competitions, 2018
  • Codirector, Value Chain Innovation Initiative, Stanford GSB, 2015
  • GSB Trust Faculty Fellow for 2014-2015
  • Best Paper Award, Production and Operations Management Society, 2014
  • National Academy of Engineering, 2010
  • Distinguished Teaching Award, Stanford GSB, 2007
  • Fellow, INFORMS, 2005
  • Fellow, Production and Operations Management Society, 2005
  • Paper voted as one of ten most influential papers in the history of Management Science, 2004
  • Fellow, Manufacturing and Service Operations Management, INFORMS, 2001

Publications

Journal Articles

Hao Hu, Yongzhi Qi, Hau L. Lee, Zuo-Jun Max Shen, Curtis Liu, Weimeng Zhu, Ningxuan Kang January 2024 Pages 1–101
Hau L. Lee, Christopher Tang, S. Alex Yang, Yuxuan Zhang
Manufacturing & Service Operations Management
November 2023 Vol. 25 Issue 6 Pages 1999–2370
Li Chen, Hau L. Lee, Christopher S. Tang
Production and Operations Management
September 2022 Pages 1–15
Morris Cohen, Shiliang Cui, Sebastian Doetsch, Ricardo Ernst, Arnd Huchzermeier, Panos Kouvelis, Hau L. Lee, Hirofumi Matsuo, Andy A. Tsay May 26, 2022
Li Chen, Sang-Hyun Kim, Hau L. Lee
Manufacturing & Service Operations Management
November 2021 Vol. 23 Issue 6 Pages 1651–1668
Duygu Akkaya, Kostas Bimpikis, Hau L. Lee
Manufacturing & Service Operations Management
March 2021 Vol. 23 Issue 2 Pages 437–452
Hau L. Lee
Production and Operations Management, Special Issue on AAA Global Value Chains in the Digital Age in Honor of Hau L. Lee (Edited by Christopher S. Tang)
March 2021 Vol. 30 Issue 3 Pages 815–820
Li Chen, Yao Cui, Hau L. Lee
Production and Operations Management (advance online)
January 7, 2021
Morris A. Cohen, Hau L. Lee
Manufacturing & Service Operations Management
January 2020 Vol. 22 Issue 1 Pages 15-24
Joann de Zegher, Dan A. Iancu, Hau L. Lee
Manufacturing and Service Operations Management
June 2019 Vol. 21 Issue 2 Pages 251-477
Hau L. Lee
Production and Operations Management
September 2018 Vol. 27 Issue 9 Pages 1642-1646
Morris Cohen, Shiliang Cui, Ricardo Ernst, Arnd Huchzermeier, Panos Kouvelis, Hau L. Lee, Hirofumi Matsuo, Marc Steuber, Andy Tsay
Manufacturing & Service Operations Management
May 8, 2018 Vol. 20 Issue 3 Pages 389-600
Hau L. Lee, Christopher S. Tang
Management Science
March 2018 Vol. 64 Issue 3 Pages 983-996
Li Chen, Hau L. Lee
Management Science
September 2017 Vol. 63 Issue 9 Pages 2795-2812
Shi Chen, Hau L. Lee
Management Science
April 2017 Vol. 63 Issue 4 Pages 1105-1025
Hau L. Lee, Glen Schmidt
Production & Operations Management
April 2017 Vol. 26 Issue 4 Pages 617-632
Hau L. Lee, Sri Chen, Kamran Moinzadeh
Operations Research
September 30, 2016 Vol. 64 Issue 6 Pages 1320-1337
Ruixue Guo, Hau L. Lee, Robert Swinney
Management Science
September 2016 Vol. 62 Issue 9 Pages 2722-2744
Hau L. Lee, Erica Plambeck, P. Yatsko
The European Business Review
May 2012
Hau L. Lee, V. Padmanabhan, Seungjin Whang
Management Science
April 2004 Vol. 50 Issue 12 Supplement Pages 1875-1886
Susan Cohen Kulp, Hau L. Lee, Elie Ofek
Management Science
2004 Vol. 50 Issue 4 Pages 431-444
Hau L. Lee, Martin Christopher
International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management
2004 Vol. 34 Issue 5 Pages 388-396
Hau L. Lee, Michael Wolfe
Supply Chain Management Review
January 2003 Vol. 7 Issue 3 Pages 12-20
Hau L. Lee, Seungjin Whang
Management Science
2002 Vol. 48 Issue 6 Pages 719-731
Hau L. Lee, Seungjin Whang
Sloan Management Review
15, 2001
Hau L. Lee, V. Padmanabhan, Terry A. Taylor, Seungjin Whang
Management Science
2000 Vol. 46 Issue 4 Pages 467-482
Corey Billington, Hau L. Lee, Christopher S. Tang
Sloan Management Review
1998 Vol. 39 Issue 3
Hau L. Lee, Christopher S. Tang
Management Science
1998 Vol. 44 Issue 2 Pages 162-172

Books

Hau L. Lee, Chung-Yee Lee
Springer
New York
October 31, 2006

Book Chapters

Hau L. Lee
Springer Series in Supply Chain Management: Responsible Business Operations
2021 Pages 1–18

Working Papers

Morris A. Cohen, Shiliang Cui, Ricardo Ernst, Hau L. Lee, Arnd Huchzermeier, Panos Kouvelis, Hau L. Lee, Hirofumi Matsuo, Marc Steuber January 8, 2020
Li Chen, Hau L. Lee September 4, 2019
Georg Schorpp, Feryao Erhun, Hau L. Lee January 2018

Academic Publications

Kasra Ferdows, Hau L. Lee, Xiande Zhao
Harvard Business Review
July 1, 2022 Vol. 100 Issue 4 Pages 126–133
Hau L. Lee, Haim Mendelson, Barchi Gillai
Value Chain Innovation Initiative
June 2021
Hau L. Lee, Haim Mendelson, Barchi Gillai
Value Chain Innovation Initiative
November 2020
Hau L. Lee, Haim Mendelson, Barchi Gillai
Value Chain Innovation Initiative
May 2019
Hau L. Lee
Harvard Business Review
October 2004

Teaching

Executive Education & Other Non-Degree Programs

Lead and implement digital transformation initiatives empowered by a deeper understanding of the technologies, opportunities, and strategies you need to succeed.
Drive and sustain innovation and operational excellence. Strengthen collaboration with C-suite leaders to translate strategies into actionable plans.
Explore the intersection of innovation, technology, and business, and learn to drive strategic change across your organization.
Learn how to grow and scale your company in this 10-month program ​for CEOs and founders of established businesses in Africa, Indonesia, and South Asia.
Evolve as a leader in an executive education program that reinvigorates and ramps up your professional journey.
Discover new ways of thinking and acting so that you can solve your biggest business challenges.

Stanford Case Studies

Hau Lee, Michael Kennedy, Jonathan Elist
2014
Hau L. Lee, Sonali Rammohan
2013
David Hoyt, Hau Lee, Michael Marks
2013
David Hoyt, Hau Lee, Michael Marks
2011
David Hoyt, Hau Lee, Michael Marks
2011
Hau Lee, Erica Plambeck, Maria Shao
2009
David Hoyt, Hau Lee, Michael Marks
2009
David Hoyt, Hau Lee, Mitchell Tseng
2008
Charles Holloway, David Hoyt, Hau Lee, Michael Marks, Amanda Silverman
2007
Stacy Duda, LaShawn James, Hau Lee, Zeryn Mackwani, Raul Munoz, David Volk
2007
Charles Holloway, David Hoyt, Hau Lee
2006
Hau Lee, Guy Michlin
2006
Mike Gozycki, M. Johnson, Hau Lee
2006
David Hoyt, Hau Lee
2005
Feryal Erhun, Jay Hopman, Hau Lee, Mary Murphy-Hoye, Paresh Rajwat
2005
Hau L. Lee, Seungjin Whang, David Hoyt
2005
Hau Lee, Barchi Peleg, Seungjin Whang
2005
Hau Lee, Barchi Peleg, Seungjin Whang
2005
Peter Koudal, Hau Lee, Barchi Peleg, Paresh Rajwat, Seungjin Whang
2004
Peter Koudal, Hau Lee, Barchi Peleg, Paresh Rajwat, Richard Tully
2003
Laura Kopczak, Hau Lee
2001
David Hoyt, Hau Lee, Enrique Lopez-Tello
2001
M. Johnson, Hau Lee
2000
Lyn Denend, Charles Holloway, Hau Lee, Terry Taylor
2000
Laura Kopczak, Hau Lee, Seungjin Whang
2000
Hau Lee, Barchi Peleg
1999
Haim Mendelson, Sengjin Whang, Sunil Kuman, Hau Lee
1999
Hau Lee , Terry Taylor, Seungjin Whang
1999
Toni Cupal, Hau Lee, Steven Plous
1996
Seungjin Whang, Hau Lee, G. Schmidt
1996
Seungjin Whang, Hau Lee
1995
Hau Lee, Laura Kopczak
1994
Hau Lee, Seungjin Whang
1992

Stanford GSB Affiliations

In the Media

Insights by Stanford Business

July 18, 2022
The switch to a circular economy could protect the environment while helping companies generate more value.
October 19, 2021
Bringing manufacturing back to the U.S. may be an overreaction.
September 22, 2021
A survey of more than 350 firms finds that resilience is an important byproduct of sustainability.
June 28, 2021
Hau Lee envisions a system that benefits buyers, consumers, workers, and the environment.
March 05, 2020
Faced with a mushrooming coronavirus outbreak and ongoing trade wars, global manufacturers need to focus on “operational hedging,” a Stanford expert says.
September 14, 2018
Stanford GSB faculty suggest books and articles related to the theme.
May 08, 2018
These seven technologies are making farms smarter.
July 06, 2017
How the spread of computerized gizmos is shifting business models big and small.
October 31, 2016
To ensure that contract manufacturers act responsibly, employ a mix of strategies — and don’t skimp.
May 01, 2014
Responsible supply chain practices are associated with lower operating costs and improved overall performance.
February 05, 2014
By making key changes to the normal supply chain supporting tourism, a group of researchers look to alleviate rural poverty.
February 03, 2014
Experts on supply chain management and intellectual property outline three ways businesses can safeguard their proprietary information.
September 19, 2013
Can well-managed fleets of vehicles increase health worker productivity?
June 06, 2012
Stanford graduates Daniel Spitzer and Justin Finnegan aim to help Bhutan farmers boost their income by growing hazelnuts.
May 09, 2012
A group of scholars, students, and business and nonprofit leaders say yes, but it requires "a thoughtful, systemic approach."
February 07, 2012
Mountain Hazelnuts of Bhutan aims for a triple bottom line: alleviating poverty, restoration of landscape, and gain for investors.
March 01, 2010
Motorcycles can be a key to effective health care for millions of people across Africa.
April 01, 2008
Companies can make money being socially responsible and environmentally friendly ways, says Professor Hau Lee. It just takes the Triple-A approach.
September 13, 2005
The one-day “Effective Disruption Management” seminar was aimed at improving the effectiveness of major international disaster efforts.
February 01, 2005
How shared information and trust can curb irrational worry and prevent inefficiencies.
November 01, 2000
Successful businesses will be the ones who can adapt to changes from globalization, greater product variation, and shorter production cycles.
March 01, 1999
Research looks at how much supply chain data should be kept secret.
March 01, 1995
How shared sales data, computer-based ordering, consolidating deliveries, and other innovations can benefit all stakeholders.

School News

April 24, 2023
When supply chain disruption comes around, you must whip it.
May 02, 2018
Prize awarded in the case method community’s annual ‘Oscars’.
February 27, 2018
“Effective leaders in the digital age will need to be mindful of the social consequences of technology.”
January 31, 2011
Structured trips provide intellectual and emotional experiences with other cultures for Stanford MBA students learning to lead in a global economy.