Professional Documents
Culture Documents
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.
Emerald Literati Award for Excellence, by International Journal of Logistics Management for
outstanding research paper (2017).
Best Research Paper EURO Award, by European Journal of Operational Research (2014).
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).
Graduate Council and B.B. Comer Fellowship for doctoral studies, University of Alabama (2006-09).
RESEARCH
Research Focus:
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.
Rafay Ishfaq, Ph.D. (May, 2017), Pg. 3/7
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%).
14. Ishfaq, R. and Sox, C. (2012). “Design of intermodal logistics networks with hub
delays.” European Journal of Operational Research, 220(3), 629-641.
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.
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:
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).
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).
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).
14. “Determining the most effective use of resources in data cleaning process.” International
Conference of Information Systems, Auckland, New Zealand (2014).
16. “Expansion planning for natural gas supply chain.” Invited presentation. Annual Meeting
of Decision Sciences Institute, Baltimore (2013).
Rafay Ishfaq, Ph.D. (May, 2017), Pg. 5/7
TEACHING
Teaching Record:
Online Courses: Developed and taught online course (OPMG332: Operations Management) at Loyola
University. Currently developing online course (SCMN3710: Logistics Management) at Auburn University.
Collaboration with Home-Depot and Dollar-General to develop course materials for Tableau
data visualization software through academic alliance network.
supply chain operations. This course provides a broad coverage of supply chain operations
management as a first-semester principles course.
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).
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).
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).
Rafay Ishfaq, Ph.D. (May, 2017), Pg. 7/7
Profession:
4. Session Chair, Technology Adoption in Supply Chain and Logistics: Annual CSCMP Educators
Conference of Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals.
6. External Evaluator of doctoral dissertation proposal by Qing Chuan Ye, Rotterdam School of
Management, Erasmus University, Netherlands.
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.
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.