Distinguished Professor of Business Operations and Analytics
Area Coordinator, Operations Management & Statistics Area
Rotman School of Management
University of Toronto
ming.hu "at" rotman "dot" utoronto "dot" ca
CV @Rotman @Google Scholar @SSRN @Math Genealogy
2023 – , Chair of Board of Directors, Supply Chain Analytics Institute
2022 – , Amazon Scholar, Amazon SPS-FBA Science
2019 – , Distinguished Professor, University of Toronto
2018 – , Editor-in-Chief, Naval Research Logistics
2017 – , Professor, University of Toronto
2008 – 2017, (Acting) Assistant/Associate Professor, University of Toronto
Paper
Uncategorized Working Paper  NEW
- Mergers and Acquisitions
The Price and Variety Effects of Horizontal Mergers
with A. Federgruen
- Blind Box (Pop Mart)
Pricing and Rarity Design of Blind Boxes with Random Items
with T. Qin, S. Sekar
- Experiment-then-Price
- Food Delivery (Uber Eats)
- Ultra-Fast Fashion (Shein)
Netvendor: Newsvendor Selling to a Social Network
with Y. Zhang
- Correlated Arrivals
Dynamic Pricing Under Self-Exciting Arrival Processes
with Q. Yuan, L. Du
- Delivery Fee Design
- Corporate Social Responsibility
- Nudge to Choose
Default or Dare: The Default Effect on Consumer Choice, Assortment, Pricing, and Estimation
- Contagious Network
Resource Allocation in Contagious Networks
with Y. Zhang, D. Liang
- Deep Neural Network
with J. Han, G. Shen
- Port Disruption
The Whiplash Effect: Congestion Dissipation in a Disrupted Circulatory System
with C. Zhang
2024 Supply Chain Analytics Institute Annual Conference, Best Dissertation Competition, Second Place, for the thesis "Disruption Management in the (Post-)Pandemic World" (Chaoyu Zhang)
2023 CSAMSE Best Paper Award, Second Prize
Miscellaneous
- Case
Potty Parity: Stadium Restroom Design
with S. Farajollahzadeh, V. Roshanaei, 2024
2024 INFORMS Case Competition, Finalist, Winner to be announced
- Review
Data-Driven Revenue Management: The Interplay of Data, Model, and Decisions
with N. Chen, 2023, Service Science, 15(2), 79-91
- Opinion
Operations Management in the Age of the Sharing Economy: What Is Old and What Is New?
with S. Benjaafar, 2020, Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, 22(1), 93-101 (20th anniversary special issue)
From the Classics to New Tunes: A Neoclassical View on Sharing Economy and Innovative Marketplaces
2021, Production and Operations Management, 30(6), 1668-1685
- Tutorial
Competition in Multi-Echelon Systems
with A. Federgruen, 2017, Leading Developments from INFORMS Communities, R. Batta, J. Peng (eds.), 178-211, in INFORMS Tutorials in Operations Research, J. C. Smith (series ed.)
- Editorial
Introduction to the Special Issue on Sharing Economy and Innovative Marketplaces
with S. Benjaafar, 2021, Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, 23(3), 549-552 (special issue on Sharing Economy and Innovative Marketplaces)
- Data
with D. Zhang, X. Liu, Y. Wu, Y. Li, 2022, Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, 24(1), 275-284 [data]
Data Analytics
- Privacy Protection
Data Privacy in Pricing: Estimation Bias and Implications
with N. Chen, J. Li, S. Liu
- End-to-End Learning
Decision-Making with Side Information: A Causal Transport Robust Approach
with J. Yang, L. Zhang, N. Chen, R. Gao
- Reinforcement Learning
Multi-Agent Deep Reinforcement Learning for Multi-Echelon Inventory Management
with X. Liu, Y. Peng, Y. Yang, Production and Operations Management, forthcoming
- Human-Algorithm Connection
Algorithmic Decision-Making Safeguarded by Human Knowledge
with N. Chen, W. Li
- Data-Driven Pricing
Model-Free Assortment Pricing with Transaction Data
with N. Chen, A. Cire, S. Lagzi, 2023, Management Science, 69(10), 5830-5847 [appendix]
2022 RM&P Jeff McGill Student Paper Award, Finalist (Saman Lagzi)
2022 CORS Student Paper Competition Open Category, Runner-Up (Saman Lagzi)
2021 CORS Student Paper Competition Open Category, Finalist (Saman Lagzi)
COVID-19
- Vaccine Allocation
Partial or Full Doses First? Vaccine Allocation Under Limited Supply
with C. Zhang, Y. Zhou
2024 Supply Chain Analytics Institute Annual Conference, Best Dissertation Competition, Second Place, for the thesis "Disruption Management in the (Post-)Pandemic World" (Chaoyu Zhang)
2023 CORS Health Care Operational Research SIG Student Presentation Competition, Winner
Previously titled "First or Second Doses First? Vaccine Allocation Under Limited Supply"
- Testing Capacity Allocation
Capacitated SIR Model with an Application to COVID-19 Testing
with N. Chen, C. Zhang
2024 Supply Chain Analytics Institute Annual Conference, Best Dissertation Competition, Second Place, for the thesis "Disruption Management in the (Post-)Pandemic World" (Chaoyu Zhang)
Social Operations Management (SOM)
Here are my understandings of this emerging field:
1. SOM shall be analogous to social economics in economics, with SOM emphasizing the more detailed operational decisions in the way that operations management differs from economics.
2. SOM shall differ from another field in OM, behavioral operations management, as it focuses on behavior influenced by external social interactions instead of internal, psychological behavior.
3. SOM shall focus on how social interactions, which lead to collective social behavior, have an impact on firms' operational decisions and, more importantly, how operational decisions can influence the formation of collective social behavior.
4. SOM may focus on alternative socially responsible objectives than single-minded profit maximization.
- Product Release Strategy
Simultaneous vs. Sequential Product Release
with H. Abdolanezhad, N. Chen, S. Farajollahzadeh
- Pricing Strategy
Subscription vs. Spot Pricing in On-Demand Economy
with T. Qin, L. Wang, Z. J. Zhang
- Reconstruction of Social Norm in Gig Economy
Riding Through Rallies: Will You Tip More?
with Z. J. Zhang, W. Deng
2023 Rotman TD Management Data and Analytics Lab Research Grant
- Renewable Energy
Shades of Green: The Hidden Impact of Prosumers and Its Mitigation
with J. Lee, Y. (R.) Tan, L. Wei
- Labor Welfare in Gig Economy (AB 5)
Implications of Worker Classification in On-Demand Economy
with Z. J. Zhang, J. Wang
2023 MSOM Technology, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship (TIE) SIG Conference
2023 13th POMS-HK International Conference Best Student Paper Competition, Honorable Mention (Zhoupeng Zhang)
2022 CSAMSE Best Paper Award, Second Prize
2022 INFORMS Conference on Service Science Best Student Paper Award, First Place (Zhoupeng Zhang)
2022 RMP Conference spotlight presentation
2022 CORS Student Paper Competition Open Category, Finalist (Zhoupeng Zhang)
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Potty Parity: Process Flexibility via Unisex Restroom
with S. Farajollahzadeh
2024 DEI Best Student Paper Award, Finalist (Setareh Farajollahzadeh), Winner to be announced
Rotman Insights: What can restroom wait times tell us about gender inequity? [Jun 27, 2022]
- Ride-Sharing (UberPool)
Share or Solo? Platform's and Social Choices in Ride-Hailing
with J. Wang, H. Wen
Previously titled "Share or Solo? Individual and Social Choices in Ride-Hailing"
2021 INFORMS Service Science IBM Best Student Paper Competition, Finalist (Hengda Wen)
- Corporate Social Responsibility
Socially Responsible Newsvendor
with C. Hu, Y. Xiao
- Resource Sharing (Neighborgoods)
with S. Farajollahzadeh
2023 MSOM Sustainable Operations Management SIG Conference
- Instant Delivery (Gopuff)
Courier Dispatch in On-Demand Delivery
with M. Chen, 2024, Management Science, 70(6), 3789-3807 [appendix]
2022 Marketplace Innovation Workshop spotlight presentation
- Food Delivery (Uber Eats)
Cross- vs. In-Region Courier Routing in On-Demand Delivery
with A. Gorbushin, Y. Zhou
2024 INFORMS Service Science Best Student Paper Competition, Finalist (Arseniy Gorbushin)
Previously titled "Courier Dedication vs. Sharing in On-Demand Delivery"
Food Delivery Service and Restaurant: Friend or Foe?
with M. Chen, J. Wang, 2022, Management Science, 68(9), 6539-6551 [appendix] (featured in Resoundingly Human podcast)
- Short-Term Rental (Airbnb)
Shared Lodging and Customer Preference: Theory and Empirical Evidence from Airbnb
with Y. Cui, A. Y. Orhun
Previously titled "Under the Same Roof: Value of Shared Living in Airbnb"
- Ride Hailing (Uber)
Precommitments in Two-Sided Market Competition
with Y. Liu, 2023, Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, 25(2), 704-718 [appendix] [supplement]
Surge Pricing and Two-Sided Temporal Responses in Ride Hailing
with B. Hu, H. Zhu, 2022, Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, 24(1), 91-109 [appendix]
Price, Wage and Fixed Commission in On-Demand Matching
with Y. Zhou
Pricing and Matching with Forward-Looking Buyers and Sellers
with Y. Chen, 2020, Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, 22(4), 717-734 [appendix] [supplement]
with Y. Zhou, 2022, Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, 24(1), 125-142 [appendix] [supplement]
2024 Best OM Paper in M&SOM Award, Finalist
2022 MSOM Society Service SIG Best Paper Award, Finalist
2018 INFORMS RM&P Section Dissertation Award, Honorable Mention (Yun Zhou)
2017 POMS College of Supply Chain Management Student Paper Competition, Honorable Mention (Yun Zhou)
2016 CORS Student Paper Competition Open Category, First Place (Yun Zhou)
2016 MSOM Supply Chain Management SIG Conference
2015 CSAMSE Best Paper Award, First Prize
2015 INFORMS Service Science Best Student Paper Award Competition, Finalist (Yun Zhou)
- Crowdsourcing (Quirky)
Joint vs. Separate Crowdsourcing Contests
with L. Wang, 2021, Management Science, 67(5), 2711-2728 (featured in MS Review) [appendix]
Previously titled "Simultaneous vs. Sequential Crowdsourcing Contests"
- Rationality and Interaction
with Y. Liu, W. Wang, 2019, Management Science, 65(8), 3654-3672 (curated in INFORMS Editor's Cut | Agribusiness) [appendix]
2017 CSAMSE Best Paper Award, Honorable Mention
2017 MSOM Sustainable Operations Management SIG Conference
- Social Influence
Market Entry and Competition Under Network Effects
with Y. Feng, Operations Research, published online
Previously titled "Blockbuster or Long Tail/Niche? Competitive Strategy Under Network Effects"
NET Institute Working Paper #17-13, featured in NET Institute Fall 2017 Conference
Information Disclosure and Pricing Policies for Sales of Network Goods
with Z. Wang, Y. Feng, 2020, Operations Research, 68(4) 1162-1177 [appendix]
Previously titled "Secrecy versus Transparency in Sales of Network Goods"
Liking and Following and the Newsvendor: Operations and Marketing Policies Under Social Influence
with J. Milner, J. Wu, 2016, Management Science, 62(3), 867-879 [appendix]
- Crowdfunding (Kickstarter)
The Crowdfunding Effects on Venture Capital Investments
with Y. Jin, J. Keppo, Management Science, minor revision
2019 MSOM iFORM SIG Conference
Contingent Stimulus in Crowdfunding
with L. Du, J. Wu, 2022, Production and Operations Management, 31(9), 3543-3558 [appendix]
2017 MSOM iFORM SIG Conference
Product and Pricing Decisions in Crowdfunding
with X. Li, M. Shi, 2015, Marketing Science, 34(3), 331-345 [appendix][erratum]
Executive Summary: Range
of Options, Prices Brings in the Crowdfunding Bucks
Press Release: Range
of
Options, Prices Brings in the Crowdfunding Bucks
[May 7, 2014] [Feb 2, 2015]
Media Coverage: PROFITguide
(Canada), Ideas for Leaders (UK), BizEd (UK), Inc. (US)
- Group Buying (Groupon)
Intertemporal Segmentation via Flexible-Duration Group Buying
with J. Liu, X. Zhai, 2021, Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, 23(5), 1157-1174 [appendix] [supplement]
Threshold Effects in Online Group Buying
with J. Wu, M. Shi, 2015, Management Science, 61(9), 2025-2040 [data]
Simultaneous vs. Sequential Group-Buying Mechanisms
with M. Shi, J. Wu, 2013, Management Science, 59(12), 2805-2822
Press Release: Is the Deal On? [Feb 21, 2012]
Media Coverage: Financial Times (UK), China Daily (China), The Daily Mail (UK), Toronto Star (Canada) [lead article in the Business section], The Latest News (Chile), AOL Money (UK)
Behavioral Operations Management (BOM)
- Sentiment Management
Ups and Downs in Experience Design
with H. Chen, J. Liu, Y. Ravid, 2024, Production and Operations Management, 33(9), 1895-1911 [appendix]
- Revenue Management
Seller Competition in an Online Marketplace: Social Comparison Under Demand Uncertainty
with Y. Zhou, Z. J. Zhang, T. H. Cui, Production and Operations Management, minor revision
Previously titled "Price Competition in the Presence of Social Comparison and Demand Uncertainty"
- Inventory Management
Newsvendor Selling to Loss-Averse Consumers with Stochastic Reference Points
with O. Baron, S. Najafi-Asadolahi, Q. Qian, 2015, Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, 17(4), 456-469 [appendix]
Service Management
- Regulation
Regulation of Privatized Public Service Systems
with W. Huang, C. Liu, W. Zhou, 2024, Production and Operations Management, 33(4), 979-994 [appendix]
- Privacy Management
Privacy Management in Service Systems
with R. Momot, J. Wang, 2022, Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, 24(5), 2761-2779 [appendix] [supplement]
- Information and Interaction
Efficient Sampling: Sample Average Inference of Service Capacity in a Queue
with H. Abouee-Mehrizi, M. H. Eshraghi
Efficient Inaccuracy: User-Generated Information Sharing in a Queue
with J. Wang, 2020, Management Science, 66(10), 4648-4666 [appendix]
Efficient Ignorance: Information Heterogeneity in a Queue
with Y. Li, J. Wang, 2018, Management Science, 64(6), 2650-2671 [appendix]
2016 POMS-HK Best Student Paper Competition, First Place (Yang Li)
2015 INFORMS Service Science Best Student Paper Award Competition, Finalist (Yang Li)
2016 MSOM Service SIG Conference
Supply Chain Management
- IT-Operations Interface
IT and Operations Miscoordination in a Supply Chain: Case of a Quick-Service Restaurant Chain
with P. Luo, J. Wu
- Blockchain
Value and Design of Traceability-Driven Blockchains
with Y. Cui, J. Liu, 2023, Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, 25(3), 1099-1116 [appendix] [supplement]
Previously titled "Values of Traceability in Supply Chains"
2022 Digital Supply Chain and Supplier Diversity Conference Best Paper Competition, Second Place
2020 TIMES Best Working Paper Award Competition, Second Place
2019 MSOM Supply Chain SIG Conference
- Omnichannel Retailing
Demand Pooling in Omnichannel Operations
with X. Xu, W. Xue, Y. Yang, 2022, Management Science, 68(2), 883-894 [appendix]
- Supply Chain Finance
Financial Pooling in a Supply Chain
with Q. Qian, S. A. Yang
2016 MSOM iFORM SIG Conference
- Mergers and Acquisitions
The Price and Variety Effects of Vertical Mergers
with A. Federgruen
- Competition in Supply Chain
Open or Closed? Technology Sharing, Supplier Investment, and Competition
with B. Hu, Y. Yang, 2017, Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, 19(1), 132-149 (featured in M&SOM blog) [appendix] [supplement]
Sequential Multi-Product Price Competition in Supply Chain Networks
with A. Federgruen, 2016, Operations Research, 64(1), 135-149 [appendix]
Unabridged Memo: Price Competition in Sequential Multi-Product Oligopolies
- Inventory Management
A Simple Heuristic Policy for Stochastic Distribution Inventory Systems with Fixed Costs
with H. Zhu, F. Y. Chen, Y. Yang, 2021, Operations Research, 69(6), 1651-1659 [appendix]
with Y. Yang, 2014, Operations Research, 62(4), 812-828 [appendix]
2014 INFORMS Junior Faculty Interest Group (JFIG) Paper Competition, Honorable Mention
2014 MSOM Supply Chain Management SIG Conference
- Joint Inventory and Pricing
The Downside of Reorder Flexibility Under Price Competition
with P. Afèche, Y. Li
When Gray Markets Have Silver Linings: All-Unit Discounts, Gray Markets and Channel Management
with M. Pavlin, M. Shi, 2013, Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, 15(2), 250-262 [appendix]
Revenue Management and Pricing
- Network Effect
Revenue Volatility Under Uncertain Network Effects
with O. Baron, A. Malekian, 2022, Operations Research, 70(4), 2254-2263 [appendix]
- Sales Management
Sales Effort Management Under All-or-Nothing Constraint
with L. Du, J. Wu, 2022, Management Science, 68(7), 5109-5126 [appendix]
- Randomized Pricing
Intertemporal Price Discrimination via Randomized Promotions
with H. Chen, J. Wu, 2023, Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, 25(3), 1176-1194 [appendix] [supplement]
Previously titled "Intertemporal Price Discrimination via Randomized Pricing"
2019 Best Service Science Paper Award, Finalist
2019 MSOM Service Operations SIG Conference
- Robust Pricing
with H. Chen, G. Perakis, 2022, Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, 24(4), 1939-1958 [appendix] [supplement]
- Competitive Pricing
Global Robust Stability in a General Price and Assortment Competition Model
with A. Federgruen, 2021, Operations Research, 69(1), 164-174 [appendix]
Stability in a General Oligopoly Model
with A. Federgruen, 2019, Naval Research Logistics, 66(1), 90-102 (special issue in memory of Uriel Rothblum)
Multi-Product Price and Assortment Competition
with A. Federgruen, 2015, Operations Research, 63(3), 572-584 [appendix]
Committed versus Contingent Pricing Under Competition
with Z. Wang, 2014, Production and Operations Management, 23(11), 1919-1936 [appendix]
- Dynamic Pricing
Up then Down: Bid-Price Trends in Revenue Management
with Z. Pang, O. Berman, 2015, Production and Operations Management, 24(7), 1135-1147 [appendix]
Dynamic Pricing of Perishable Assets Under Competition
with G. Gallego, 2014, Management Science, 60(5), 1241-1259 [appendix]
- Design and Pricing of Warranty
with G. Gallego, R. Wang, J. Ward, J. L. Beltran, 2015, Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, 17(1), 87-100 [appendix]
US Patent 2010/0185503, Product Warranties Having a Residual Value
Flexible-Duration Warranties with Dynamic Reliability Learning
with G. Gallego, R. Wang, J. Ward, J. L. Beltran, 2014, Production and Operations Management, 23(4), 645-659 [appendix]
US Patent 2011/0295756, Flexible Extended Product Warranties Having Partially Refundable Premiums
US Patent 2011/0295755, Flexible Extended Product Warranties
Edited Book
Sharing Economy: Making Supply Meet Demand
2019, in Springer Series in Supply Chain Management, C. Tang (series ed.) [flyer][front matter]
- Curated Digital Collection
Online Marketplaces: Economics and Operations
with G. Kong, G. V. Ryzin, 2022, vol. 20 in INFORMS Analytics Collections, N. G. Hall (series ed.)
Book Chapter
Impact of Blockchain-Driven Accountability in Multi-Sourcing Supply Chains
with Y. Cui, J. Liu, 2022, Innovative Technology at the Interface of Finance and Operations, Volume II, V. Babich, J. Birge, G. Hilary (ed.), 73-96, in Springer Series in Supply Chain Management, C. Tang (series ed.)
Pricing and Matching in the Sharing Economy
with Y. Chen, Y. Zhou, 2019, Sharing Economy: Making Supply Meet Demand, M. Hu (ed.), 137-164, in Springer Series in Supply Chain Management, C. Tang (series ed.)
Online Group Buying and Crowdfunding: Two Cases of All-or-Nothing Mechanisms
with M. Shi, J. Wu, 2019, Sharing Economy: Making Supply Meet Demand, M. Hu (ed.), 319-346, in Springer Series in Supply Chain Management, C. Tang (series ed.)
Insight (recent)
Where Does Uber Go From Here? The Future of the Sharing and Gig Economy, Explained
Rotman Executive Summary podcast [Feb 14, 2023]
What Can Restroom Wait Times Tell Us About Gender Inequity?
Rotman Insights [Jun 27, 2022]
Food Delivery Services & Restaurants: ‘Caught in a Bad Romance’?
Resoundingly Human podcast [Dec 10, 2021]
Mobilizing Pharmacists Is Key to Immunization Success
with P. Zhang, op-ed, The Hamilton Spectator [Mar 5, 2021]
Marketplace Helps Manage PPE Supply Chains
with P. Afèche, O. Baron, D. Krass, OR MS Today [Oct 8, 2020]
In the Age of Apps, How Do We Design Smarter Systems That Produce Less Waste?
Rotman Insights [Dec 5, 2019]
2024, Zhoupeng (Jack) Zhang (School of Management, University at Buffalo)
2023, Setareh Farajollahzadeh (Desautels Faculty of Management, McGill University)
2022, Saman Lagzi (Kenan-Flagler Business School, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)
2018, Longyuan Du (School of Management, University of San Francisco)
2017, Lu Wang (College of Business, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics)
2017, Yun Zhou (DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University; tenured)
2016, Yang Li (Ivey Business School, University of Western Ontario)
2014, Jiahua Wu (Imperial College Business School, Imperial College London; tenured)
2024, Jinhui Han (Guanghua School of Management, Peking University)
2023, Jing Peng (School of Public Affairs, University of Science and Technology of China)
2018, Wanjiang Deng (School of Management, Zhejiang University)
2018, Jingchen Liu (School of Business, Renmin University of China)
2017, Yinbo Feng (School of Information Management and Engineering, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics)
2016, Hongqiao Chen (School of Management & Engineering, Nanjing University)
2013, Sami Najafi (Leavey School of Business, Santa Clara University)
Call Center Resource Allocation
with J. L. Beltran, X. Zhang, I. A. Lopez, S. K. Jain, J. Z. Shan, US 2012/0087486
Flexible Extended Product Warranties Having Partially Refundable Premiums
with J. Ward, R. Wang, G. Gallego, E. Kayis, F. Balestrieri, S. K. Jain, J. L. B., D. M. Gilbert, US 2011/0295756
Flexible Extended Product Warranties
with J. Ward, R. Wang, G. Gallego, S. K. Jain, F. Balestrieri, J. L. Beltran, E. Kayis, US 2011/0295755
Modeling Wholesale Price Schedules to Reduce Double Marginalization
with J. Ward, J. L. Beltran, G. Gallego, S. K. Jain, US 2011/0093312
Usage-Limited Product Warranties
with J. Ward, J. L. Beltran, G. Gallego, US 2010/0191557
Product Warranties Having a Residual Value
with J. Ward, J. L. Beltran, G. Gallego, R. Wang, S. K. Jain, US 2010/0185503