RAFAY ISHFAQ, Ph.D.

Associate Professor and HCoB Research Fellow

Supply Chain Management
Raymond J. Harbert College of Business
Auburn University
Auburn, AL 36849, U.S.A.

Tel: (334) 844-6690; E-mail: rishfaq@auburn.edu

Education:
08/2006 – 08/2010 Doctor of Philosophy (Operations Management), Culverhouse College of Commerce,
The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL.
08/2001 – 05/2002 Master of Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.
08-1988 – 05/1993 Bachelor of Science, University of Engineering & Technology, Lahore, Pakistan.

Honors and Awards:

 Emerald Literati Award for Excellence, by International Journal of Logistics Management for
outstanding research paper (2017).

 Outstanding Researcher Award, Supply Chain Management, Raymond J. Harbert College of

Business, Auburn University (2016).

 Harbert College Advisory Council Research Fellow, Auburn University (2015-2018).

 Best Research Paper EURO Award, by European Journal of Operational Research (2014).

 Member, E-commerce Executive Board of Directors, FedEx Corporation (2014-16).

 Dean College of Business Gold Star “Research Recognition” Award, Auburn University (2014).

 Research papers listed in Science Direct “Top-25 Hottest Articles List” in Decision Sciences
category (2015, 2014, 2013).

 Outstanding Teaching Award, Supply Chain Management, Auburn University (2014).

 Research featured in electronic and print media:

NBC38, WTVM9-ABC, DC Velocity, Retail Wire, YouTube, Beyond Auburn, Harbert Magazine.

 Graduate Council and B.B. Comer Fellowship for doctoral studies, University of Alabama (2006-09).

 Outstanding Doctoral Student Award, ISM Department, University of Alabama (2010).

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RESEARCH

Research Focus:

 Order fulfillment and distribution processes in retail supply chain

 Transportation networks and order delivery services
 Decision making for resource allocations

Research Publications:

1. Ishfaq, R. and Raja, U. (2017). “Evaluation of order fulfillment options in omni-channel retail
supply chains.” Decision Sciences, forthcoming.

2. Gibson B., Defee C., and Ishfaq, R. (2017). “Seventh Annual State of Retail Supply Chain Report”
Center of Supply Chain Innovation, Auburn University.

3. Ishfaq, R., Defee C., Gibson, B. and Raja, U. (2016). “Re-alignment of the physical distribution
process in omni-channel fulfillment.” International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics
Management, 46(6/7), 1-22.

4. Ishfaq, R., Raja, U. and Rao, S. (2016). “Seller-induced scarcity and price-leadership: Impact on
product returns in the internet supply chain.” International Journal of Logistics Management, 27(2),
552-569.

5. Ishfaq, R., Raja, U. and Clark, M. (2016). “Fuel-switch decisions in electric power industry under
environmental regulations.” IIE Transactions, 48(3), 205-219.

6. Ishfaq, R., Gibson, B., and Defee, C. (2016). “Four ways retailers can succeed in an omni-channel
world.” Supply Chain Quarterly, 10(2), 1-6.

7. Gibson B., Defee C., and Ishfaq, R. (2016). “Sixth Annual State of Retail Supply Chain Report”
Retail Industry Leaders Association.

8. Bajwa, N., Sox, C. and Ishfaq, R. (2016). “Coordinating pricing and production decisions for
multiple products.” Omega, 64, 86-101.

9. Ishfaq, R. and Raja, U. (2015). “Bridging healthcare access divide: A service network planning
model for rural telemedicine.” Decision Sciences, 46(4), 755-790.

10. Gibson B., Defee C., and Ishfaq, R. (2015). “Fifth Annual State of Retail Supply Chain Report”
Retail Industry Leaders Association.

11. Ishfaq, R., Clark, M. and Raja, U. (2015). “Horizontal cooperation in network expansion: An
empirical evaluation of gas transportation networks.” Journal of Transportation Research Forum,
54(1), 59-76.

Contd.
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12. Lucas, J., Raja, U. and Ishfaq, R (2014). “How clean is clean enough? Determining the most
effective use of resources in data cleaning process.” Proceedings of International Conference of
Information Systems (ICIS 2014; Acceptance rate: 15%).

13. Ishfaq, R. (2013). “Intermodal shipments as recourse in logistics disruptions.” Journal of

Operational Research Society, 64, 229-240.

14. Ishfaq, R. and Sox, C. (2012). “Design of intermodal logistics networks with hub
delays.” European Journal of Operational Research, 220(3), 629-641.

15. Ishfaq, R. (2012). “Resilience through flexibility in transportation operations.” International

Journal of Logistics: Research and Application, 15(4), 215-229.

16. Ishfaq, R. (2012). “LTL logistics networks with differentiated services.” Computers and
Operations Research, 39(11), 2867-2879.

17. Ishfaq, R. and Raja, U. (2012). “Task-resource capability alignment: Discerning staffing and service
issues in software maintenance.” Information Resource Management Journal, 25(4), 1-25.

18. Ishfaq, R. and Sox, C. (2011). “Hub location–allocation in intermodal logistics

networks.” European Journal of Operational Research, 210(2), 213-230.

19. Ishfaq, R. and Sox, C. (2010). “Intermodal logistics: The interplay of financial, operational and
service issues.” Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, 46(6), 926-
949.

Research In-Progress:

 Incorporating Order-fulfillment Flexibility in Automotive Supply Chain Through Vehicle Trades

 Empirical Evaluation of the Cycle Counting Process in RFID-enabled Stores

 On the Profitability of Order Fulfillment in Retail Supply Chain

 Drop-Shipping in Omni-Channel Retail: The Vendor Perspective

 Order Kitting: Improving Efficiency in the Order Fulfillment Process

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Select Research Presentations (Most recent 2013-2017):

1. “A novel SKU classification scheme for store inventory to improve product availability.” Annual
Research Conference of Production and Operations Management Society, Seattle, WA (2017).

2. “Evaluation of order fulfillment options in omni-channel retail supply chain.” Annual Research
Conference of Production and Operations Management Society, Orlando (2016).

3. “Inflection of pricing-inventory interaction effect on product returns.” Invited presentation. Annual

Research Conference of Production and Operations Management Society, Orlando (2016).

4. “Inventory cycle-counting in RFID-enabled stores.” RFID Lab Advisory Board Meeting (2016).

5. “SKU classification scheme for retail operations. Auburn University Faculty Research Symposium
(2016).

6. “Omni-channel distribution and order fulfillment process.” Annual Meeting of Decision

Sciences Institute, Seattle (2015).

7. “Cycle counting and replenishment planning in retail supply chain.” Annual Meeting of Decision
Sciences Institute, Seattle (2015).

8. “Secondary case use of RFID technology in retail stores.” HCOB 5x5x5 Research Talk,
Auburn (2015).

9. “Order fulfillment and distribution networks in omni-channel supply chain.” Supply Chain
Management Advisory Board Meeting, Auburn (2015).

10. “Helping old dogs to learn new tricks: Using RFID technology to count store inventory.”
Invited presentation. Auburn Talks, Faculty Research Symposium, Auburn University (2015).

11. “Cycle counting in RFID enabled supply chain.” RFID Lab Advisory Board Meeting,
Auburn University (2015).

12. “Integrated planning for demand management and order fulfillment.” Annual Meeting of
Decision Sciences Institute, Tampa (2014).

13. “Inflection of price-scarcity effect on product returns.” Annual Meeting of Decision

Sciences Institute, Tampa (2014).

14. “Determining the most effective use of resources in data cleaning process.” International
Conference of Information Systems, Auckland, New Zealand (2014).

15. “Logistics considerations in telemedicine delivery networks.” Annual Research

Conference of Production and Operations Management Society, Denver (2013).

16. “Expansion planning for natural gas supply chain.” Invited presentation. Annual Meeting
of Decision Sciences Institute, Baltimore (2013).
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TEACHING

Teaching Record:

 Supply Chain Performance Management (Auburn University)

 Business Logistics (Texas A&M University)
 Operations Management (Loyola University Chicago, University of Alabama)
 Logistics Models and Applications (University of Alabama)

Online Courses: Developed and taught online course (OPMG332: Operations Management) at Loyola
University. Currently developing online course (SCMN3710: Logistics Management) at Auburn University.

Performance Management in Supply Chain (Graduate/undergraduate)

This course deals with performance issues in supply chain. We cover performance in four key
operational areas i.e., inventory and demand management, transportation operations and
purchasing/supplier performance. Students use real data from a company to identify and extract key
performance metrics from four large data sets related to each of the four performance areas
mentioned above. Students learn about data mining (MS Access), data visualization (Tableau) and
reporting (Crystal Reports). Working in teams, students use data analysis to identify performance
issues and develop solutions to resolve these issues/problems. An important component of this class
is to make students understand that all functions in a supply chain are inter-connected, so a solution
strategy for say an inventory placement problem is linked to transportation, warehousing and supply
operations.

 Collaboration with Logistics Analysis Group at Colgate-Palmolive to develop course materials

for data new analysis software (Crystal Reports) through SAP university alliance.

 Collaboration with Home-Depot and Dollar-General to develop course materials for Tableau
data visualization software through academic alliance network.

Logistics Analytics and Modelling (Graduate/undergraduate)

This intermediate-level course introduces concepts of spreadsheet modelling to supply chain

students. The focus is on building analytical models of logistics networks and supply processes
through optimization techniques. Using Excel spreadsheets, student learn to setup and analyze
transportation networks, distribution systems, and inventory location/allocations.

Supply Chain Operations Management (Graduate/undergraduate/online)

This course focuses on the fundamentals of managing supply chain operations. The topics covered in
this class includes: Operations strategy, process strategy, forecasting methods, quality management,
capacity planning and inventory management, and network modelling. The students work on
multiple case studies to link these operational fundamentals with issues encountered in practice in
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supply chain operations. This course provides a broad coverage of supply chain operations
management as a first-semester principles course.

Business Logistics (Undergraduate)

This course provides an introduction to different supply chain functions for business managers.
Topics covered include: demand management and customer service, procurement and supply
management, inventory flows and replenishment decisions, warehousing and distribution process,
transportation management, product flows, and order fulfillment.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE and OUTREACH

College and Department:

1. Member, College of Business Research Committee, Auburn University (2016 – 2018).

2. Member, College of Business Strategic Planning Committee, Auburn University (2014 – 2017).

3. Member, Departmental Search Committee for Eminent Scholar position (2013 – 2014).

4. Faculty Advisor, Auburn supply chain management student organization, ASCMA, (2014 – 2017).

5. Faculty Judge for SCMN case competition, sponsored by Georgia-Pacific (2015).

6. Faculty Coach for SCMN student team (Standing: 1st Place). CSCMP Atlanta Roundtable
Competition, (2014).

7. Member, Supply Chain Scholarship Committee. Review, score applications, and participate in
awarding of scholarships (2013 – 2017).

8. Faculty Judge for MBA Capstone projects.

9. Faculty Judge, Graduate Scholars Forum and Symposium, Auburn University.

10. Organized student events/tours: MODEX supply chain summit, Atlanta (2016); Hyundai Motor Plant
(2016); Dollar General DC, Bessemer (2015); Georgia-Pacific power lunch (2015); HCOB leadership
summit, Auburn (2015); CSCMP collegiate seminar, Atlanta (2014); Georgia logistics summit,
Atlanta (2014); Save-A-Lot power lunch (2014); P&S Transportation, Birmingham (2014);
Warehouse Research Education Council meeting, Atlanta (2013); APICS networking event,
Birmingham (2012).
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Profession:

1. Member, E-commerce Executive Board of Directors. FedEx Corporation (2014 – 16).

2. Member, Organizational Structure Committee, Decision Sciences Institute (2014).

3. Session Chair, Retailing/E-tailing: Annual Conference of Decision Sciences Institute (2014).

4. Session Chair, Technology Adoption in Supply Chain and Logistics: Annual CSCMP Educators
Conference of Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals.

5. Member, Award Committee for ELWOOD S. BUFFA DOCTORAL DISSERTATION Award,

Decision Sciences Institute.

6. External Evaluator of doctoral dissertation proposal by Qing Chuan Ye, Rotterdam School of
Management, Erasmus University, Netherlands.

7. Judge, Decision Sciences Institute Research presentation competition.

8. Conference Paper Reviewer: CSCMP Educators Conference and DSI Annual Research Conference.

9. Journal Paper Reviewer: Journal of Business Logistics (JBL), European Journal of Operational
Research (EJOR), International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management
(IJPDLM), International Journal of Logistics Management (IJLM), International Journal of
Production Economics (IJPE), International Journal of Production Research (IJPR), Transportation
Research (TRE), Computers and Operations Research (COR), Journal of Manufacturing Systems
(JMS), Journal of Operational Research Society (JORS).

Industry:

1. Consultant, Macy’s (Department store retailer). Review of store cycle counting process. Provided
expertise for data requirements and analysis to review performance of current inventory cycle
counting practices.

2. Consultant, The Shopping Center Group. To assist with developing marketing and operational
considerations to cater for omni channel retailers in real estate development projects.

3. Committee Member. Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway Authority. Provided assistance with data

specifications and framework to evaluate the economic impact of the Tenn-Tom project on local
economy and benefits for the freight transportation industry.

4. Consultant, Chico’s (Apparel retailer). To assist with a review of secondary-use cases of RFID data
for enhancing stores’ inventory management processes.

5. Consultant: Young Plant’s Farm (Largest supplier to a major retail chain). To develop order kitting
system to improve efficiency in order fulfillment.