Italo Cesidio Fantozzi | Operations Management | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Italo Cesidio Fantozzi | Operations Management | Best Researcher Award

Researcher, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy

Italo Cesidio Fantozzi is a doctoral candidate and research fellow at the Department of Business Engineering at the University of Rome Tor Vergata. With a background in Industrial Engineering, he specializes in Operations and Supply Chain Management, focusing on Human and Operational Excellence. He has worked internationally, including in humanitarian projects, and contributed to academic research through journal publications and book chapters. His academic career is enriched by his roles as a teaching assistant for courses in Industrial Plants and Production Management, and his involvement in various university and industry projects. Fantozzi has also been an integral part of organizing and contributing to events like #TorVergata40, marking significant milestones for the University.

Profile

Orcid

Education

Italo Fantozzi completed his Master’s Degree in Management Engineering at the University of Rome Tor Vergata, graduating with honors and a GPA of 29.62/30 in July 2020. His thesis focused on developing a maturity model for Human Excellence to support Operational Excellence. He is currently a doctoral candidate in the same university’s Department of Business Engineering, pursuing research on topics related to Operations and Supply Chain Management. In 2021, he passed the state exam for Engineering, becoming a licensed engineer in Italy. His academic journey also includes specialized research and teaching assistantships in courses related to Industrial Management and Operations Excellence, enhancing both his practical and theoretical understanding of management engineering.

Experience

Italo Fantozzi’s professional journey spans both academia and industry. He worked as a Project Manager at the NGO Golfini Rossi, where he led feasibility studies for a soap production line in Tanzania. In 2021, he began his academic career as a doctoral student and research fellow at the University of Rome Tor Vergata. He is also actively involved in teaching, serving as a teaching assistant for courses on Industrial Plants and Production Management. His professional experience extends to his role as a Program Co-Chair for the Coperman 2023 conference on Performance Management and as support staff for the Think Tank in Operations Excellence. His work in industry and academia also involves collaborative projects with global companies such as ABB, Amazon, and Ferrero, where he applies his expertise in Operational Excellence and Human Excellence.

Awards and Honors

Italo Fantozzi has received several prestigious recognitions throughout his academic and professional career. In 2020, he won the “Change the World” scholarship from the United Nations, which took him to New York to discuss the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In 2022, he was named one of Italy’s Top 100 Talents by Adecco Group, after evaluating over 11,600 candidates. Furthermore, Fantozzi was selected by the Collège Des Ingénieurs Italia as one of the top young graduates with high potential in 2020. This recognition highlighted his skills and potential within the STEM field. These honors reflect his commitment to both personal and professional growth and his drive to contribute meaningfully to both academia and global development.

Research Focus

Italo Fantozzi’s research interests are centered around Operations and Supply Chain Management, with a particular emphasis on Human Excellence (HumEx) and Operational Excellence (OpEx). His work includes the reengineering and optimization of industrial processes, the development of performance measurement tools, and the study of experiential teaching methods to foster excellence in both the industrial and academic sectors. He is particularly interested in the integration of digital technologies such as Digital Twins in Industry 4.0 environments to enhance operational efficiency. Fantozzi’s research also addresses the role of soft skills and human factors in operations management, proposing frameworks for improving human and operational performance. His studies contribute to the development of practical tools and methodologies that can be implemented in industries worldwide to achieve sustainable performance improvements.

Publication Top Notes

  1. “Combining conventional and smartphone technologies to evaluate the psychomotor status in chronic malnutrition: A cross-sectional pilot study in sub-Saharan Africa” 🧑‍🔬
  2. “Objective Key Results and Their Role in Modern Performance Management: A Critical Analysis of Benefits, Challenges, and Integration with Traditional Tools” 📈
  3. “On tasks and soft skills in operations and supply chain management: analysis and evidence from the O*NET database” 🔍
  4. “The Impact of University Challenges on Students’ Attitudes and Career Paths in Industrial Engineering: A Comparative Study” 🏫
  5. “Soft Skills, Attitudes, and Personality Traits: How Does the Human Factor Matter? A Systematic Review and Taxonomy Proposal through ProKnow-C Methodology” 🌟
  6. “Industrial Performance Measurement Systems Coherence: A Comparative Analysis of Current Methodologies, Validation and Introduction to Key Activity Indicators” ⚙️
  7. “On the effectiveness of experiential teaching methods: the impact of University Challenges on students’ attitudinal development” 🎓
  8. “The Impact of University Challenges on Academic Value Added Perception and Job Opportunities” 🧑‍🎓
  9. “Soft Skills, Attitudes and Personality Traits in Operations and Supply Chain Management: systematic review and taxonomy proposal through ProKnow-C methodology” 📚

 

 

Ying Xie | Operations Management | Best Researcher Award

Prof Ying Xie | Operations Management | Best Researcher Award

Professor, Cranfield University, United Kingdom

Professor Ying Xie is a prominent academic and researcher in Supply Chain Analytics, currently serving at Cranfield School of Management. With over two decades of experience in academia, Professor Xie has held various leadership positions, including Director of the Centre for Intelligent Supply Chain and Head of School at Anglia Ruskin University. She is known for her innovative research integrating data science and machine learning into supply chain management, sustainability, and healthcare. Professor Xie actively collaborates with industry partners and governmental bodies to drive impactful research projects. Her commitment to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and mentoring early-career researchers underscores her dedication to advancing knowledge in her field.

profile

Scopus

Strengths for the Award

  1. Extensive Education and Training: Professor Xie’s educational background includes a PhD focusing on decision support for operational supply chain management, along with relevant master’s and undergraduate degrees. This foundation provides a strong theoretical and practical basis for their research.
  2. Research Expertise: Their expertise spans critical areas such as data science, machine learning, and sustainability within supply chain management, finance, healthcare, and disaster management. This versatility demonstrates their ability to apply advanced methodologies to real-world challenges.
  3. Leadership in Research Projects: Professor Xie has been a co-investigator or principal investigator in several significant research projects, securing millions in funding. Notable projects include those focused on net-zero aviation, clean maritime research, and operational efficiency at container ports, showcasing their ability to lead impactful research initiatives.
  4. Publications and Contributions: With a solid track record of publications in respected journals and collaboration on various research papers, Professor Xie has contributed significantly to the academic community. Their work has garnered numerous citations, reflecting its relevance and impact.
  5. Management and Leadership Experience: Holding leadership positions such as Director of the Centre for Intelligent Supply Chain and Head of School, Professor Xie has demonstrated strong management capabilities, guiding teams and shaping strategic research directions.
  6. Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Their role in establishing academic networks and partnerships with industries and governmental bodies illustrates a commitment to fostering collaboration across disciplines, enhancing research impact.

Areas for Improvement

  1. Broader Public Engagement: While Professor Xie has made significant contributions to academia, increasing visibility through public engagement, such as community-based projects or public talks, could further enhance their profile and impact.
  2. Focus on Emerging Technologies: As the landscape of research evolves, continuously adapting to incorporate emerging technologies, such as blockchain and advanced AI applications, could further strengthen their research contributions.
  3. Mentorship and Training: Increasing involvement in mentorship programs for early-career researchers could help nurture the next generation of scholars and enhance the overall research environment.

Education 

Professor Ying Xie holds a PhD in “Decision Support for Operational Supply Chain Management and Control In the Presence Of Uncertainty” from Coventry University, UK (2000-2004), sponsored by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). She also earned an MSc in Intelligence Engineering with Distinction from the University of Liverpool (1999-2000) and a BEng (Hons) in Electrical Engineering with First Class honors from Shenzhen University, P.R. China (1995-1999). In addition to her formal degrees, she has attained the Bloomberg Market Concepts Certificate in July 2018. Throughout her academic journey, she received scholarships from Compaq and Seagate for outstanding performance, demonstrating her commitment to excellence in her educational pursuits.

Experience 

Professor Ying Xie has extensive experience in academia, currently serving as a Professor in Supply Chain Analytics at Cranfield University since September 2022. Prior to this role, she was a Professor in Supply Chain Management and Director of the Intelligent Supply Chain Research Centre at Anglia Ruskin University from 2012 to 2022. Earlier in her career, she was a Principal Lecturer and Programme Director at the University of Greenwich (2003-2012). Throughout her career, Professor Xie has led significant research initiatives and managed large teams, contributing to strategic planning and operational excellence within academic institutions. Her leadership experience includes directing research themes, supervising postgraduate students, and fostering collaboration across disciplines, significantly impacting her institutions and the broader academic community.

Awards and Honors 

Professor Ying Xie has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to academia and research. Notable accolades include scholarships awarded by Compaq and Seagate for her exceptional academic performance during her undergraduate studies. Her research projects have attracted significant funding, including a £7.6 million grant for the Centre for Doctoral Training in Net Zero Aviation and various grants from Innovate UK and the EPSRC. Additionally, NVIDIA recognized her project on digitalization for operational efficiency by including it in their Applied Research Accelerator Programme. Professor Xie’s commitment to excellence is reflected in her numerous publications in high-impact journals, demonstrating her influence and leadership in the fields of supply chain management and sustainability.

Research Focus 

Professor Ying Xie’s research focuses on integrating advanced technologies like data science, machine learning, and big data analysis into supply chain management, sustainability, and disaster management. Her work addresses complex challenges within various sectors, including healthcare and finance, aiming for operational efficiency and environmental sustainability. She is particularly interested in the development of digital twins, supply chain modeling, and simulation techniques to enhance decision-making under uncertainty. Professor Xie actively contributes to research projects targeting net-zero carbon emissions and innovative sustainability solutions. Her multidisciplinary approach promotes collaboration between academia and industry, fostering the implementation of cutting-edge research in real-world applications. This commitment to research excellence positions her as a leading figure in the advancement of sustainable practices within supply chain analytics.

Publication Top Notes

  1. The Roles of Directors from Related Industries on Enterprise Innovation 📊
  2. Optimisation of the Circular Economy Based on the Resource Circulation Equation ♻️
  3. Decision tool of medical endoscope maintenance service in Chinese hospitals: a conjoint analysis 🏥
  4. An evolutionary game model for low-carbon technology adoption by rival manufacturers 🌱
  5. Critical success factor based resource allocation in ERP implementation: A nonlinear programming model 📈
  6. Green construction supply chain management: Integrating governmental intervention and public–private partnerships through ecological modernisation 🌍
  7. Model construction of medical endoscope service evaluation system-based on the analysis of Delphi method 🩺
  8. Service improvement in public sector operations – A European comparative analysis 🏛️
  9. Green Supply Chain in Construction Sector, Government Intervention, Partnerships and Green Practices 🏗️
  10. Managing the pharmaceutical supply chain-to sustainability and beyond 💊

Conclusion

Professor Ying Xie’s extensive qualifications, leadership in impactful research, and contributions to both academia and industry make them a highly suitable candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award. Their strengths clearly outweigh any areas for improvement, and their ongoing commitment to advancing knowledge and fostering collaboration suggests that they will continue to make significant contributions to their fields. Awarding them this recognition would not only honor their achievements but also encourage further innovative research in supply chain analytics and sustainability.