operations research paper ideas

Operations Management Research Paper Topics

Operations management research paper topics encompass a wide array of subjects related to the effective planning, organizing, and supervision of business operations. These topics offer a rich field of inquiry for scholars and practitioners alike, reflecting the complexity and centrality of operations management in modern business. This page is designed to provide students with comprehensive guidance on operations management research, including a categorized list of research topics, insights into choosing and writing on these topics, and exclusive writing services by iResearchNet. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced researcher in the field, this resource aims to support your exploration of the diverse and dynamic world of operations management.

100 Operations Management Research Paper Topics

Operations management is a multifaceted field that integrates various aspects of business like production, logistics, quality control, and much more. For students looking to delve into research, here’s an extensive list of topics categorized into ten different sectors.

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The role of technology in enhancing production efficiency.
Sustainable production practices and their impact on profitability.
Mass customization in modern manufacturing.
Just-in-time (JIT) production: Pros and cons.
Managing production lines for optimal workflow.
The influence of automation on manufacturing processes.
Ergonomics and production management.
The future of 3D printing in manufacturing.
Outsourcing production: Challenges and opportunities.
Lean manufacturing principles and their application.

Supply Chain Management

The importance of information sharing in the supply chain.
Risk management in global supply chains.
Ethical considerations in supply chain management.
Impact of e-commerce on traditional supply chain models.
Inventory management: Best practices.
The role of transportation in the supply chain.
Achieving sustainability through green supply chain practices.
The influence of big data on supply chain decisions.
Cross-border supply chain challenges.
Vendor management and strategic partnerships.

Quality Control and Assurance

Total Quality Management (TQM) in the 21st century.
Six Sigma methodology in operations management.
Quality assurance in the food and beverage industry.
Role of continuous improvement in quality management.
Balancing cost and quality in manufacturing.
Role of customer feedback in quality assurance.
Impact of quality control on brand reputation.
Quality assurance standards in healthcare.
The relationship between employee training and quality control.
Quality management systems: ISO 9001 and others.

Logistics Management

Technological advancements in logistics and distribution.
Managing logistics in e-commerce.
Impact of globalization on logistics management.
Third-party logistics (3PL) vs. in-house logistics.
Green logistics: Integrating sustainability.
Humanitarian logistics in disaster management.
Role of government regulations in logistics.
Challenges of urban logistics.
Reverse logistics: Principles and practices.
The future of drone technology in logistics.

Service Operations Management

The importance of customer experience in service operations.
Managing service quality in the hospitality industry.
Service blueprinting as a tool for service design.
Role of technology in enhancing service efficiency.
Balancing supply and demand in service industries.
The application of lean principles in service operations.
Innovations in healthcare service operations.
Ethical considerations in service provision.
Outsourcing services: A strategic perspective.
Transforming traditional services with digital technologies.

Strategic Operations Management

Aligning operations strategy with business goals.
The role of operations management in organizational success.
Developing a competitive advantage through operational excellence.
Integrating innovation into operations strategy.
Global strategies in operations management.
The role of leadership in strategic operations management.
Operations strategy in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Evaluating the performance of an operations strategy.
Mergers and acquisitions: Integrating operations.
Strategic considerations in outsourcing operations.

Sustainability and Environmental Considerations

Incorporating sustainability into operations management.
Environmental regulations and their impact on operations.
Waste management practices in manufacturing.
Achieving energy efficiency in operations.
Sustainable practices in supply chain management.
The role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in operations.
Life cycle assessment in product design.
Sustainable procurement practices.
The green factory: Myths and realities.
Social sustainability in operations management.

Technology and Innovation Management

The impact of Industry 4.0 on operations management.
Implementing Artificial Intelligence (AI) in operations.
Challenges of integrating IoT in manufacturing.
The role of innovation in competitive advantage.
Managing technology-driven change in organizations.
Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) in operations.
The future of robotics in manufacturing.
Innovation culture: Fostering creativity in operations.
Technology management in healthcare operations.
Digital transformation and its impact on operations.

Project Management

Agile project management in operations.
Risk management in project execution.
The role of project management offices (PMOs).
Project portfolio management: An integrated approach.
Tools and technologies for efficient project management.
Stakeholder management in project execution.
The psychology of project management.
Cross-cultural considerations in global projects.
Managing virtual teams in projects.
Project failure: Analysis and lessons learned.

Human Resources and Operations

Managing diversity in operations management.
The role of team dynamics in operational success.
Talent management in operations.
Employee motivation and performance in operations.
Human factors in safety management.
The importance of organizational culture in operations.
Training and development in operations management.
Employee engagement and its impact on operational efficiency.
Managing remote work in operations.
Labor relations and negotiations in operations.

Operations management remains an evolving and essential field in both academia and industry. The above topics reflect the breadth and depth of areas one could explore. Each subject offers unique insights and challenges, enabling students to apply theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios. These topics are designed to inspire critical thinking and provide a starting point for those embarking on research in operations management. Whether you are looking for a topic that aligns with your interests or seeking to address current issues in the field, this comprehensive list offers diverse paths to contribute to the body of knowledge in operations management.

Operations Management and the Range of Research Paper Topics

Operations management is a vital aspect of business that deals with the design, administration, and optimization of business processes. It plays a crucial role in ensuring that an organization operates efficiently and effectively. From manufacturing to services, operations management transcends various sectors and industries. In this article, we’ll delve into the multifaceted world of operations management, explore its significance, and elucidate the range of research paper topics it offers.

Introduction to Operations Management

Operations management is all about the planning, oversight, and control of processes that transform inputs such as materials, labor, and technology into outputs like goods and services. It’s a dynamic field that requires a blend of analytical thinking, problem-solving, and practical skills.

Operations managers focus on improving efficiency, reducing costs, maintaining quality, and ensuring that products or services are delivered on time. The scope of operations management is broad, encompassing areas like:

Production Management : Deals with the creation of goods and services.
Supply Chain Management : Focuses on the flow of materials from suppliers to customers.
Quality Control : Ensures products meet specified quality standards.
Logistics : Concerned with the movement, storage, and flow of goods.
Project Management : Involves planning and overseeing projects to ensure they are completed on time and within budget.

Significance of Operations Management

Operations management is at the heart of any organization, impacting several critical areas:

Efficiency : By optimizing processes and eliminating waste, operations management helps in utilizing resources more efficiently.
Cost Reduction : Through continuous improvement and innovation, costs can be reduced, leading to higher profitability.
Customer Satisfaction : By ensuring quality and timely delivery, operations management plays a key role in customer satisfaction.
Competitive Advantage : Organizations that excel in operations management often have a competitive edge in the market.

The Ever-Evolving Nature of Operations Management

The field of operations management continues to evolve, driven by technological advancements, globalization, environmental concerns, and changing consumer preferences. Topics such as sustainability, automation, digital transformation, and global supply chain challenges are becoming increasingly relevant.

Range of Research Paper Topics

Given the diverse and complex nature of operations management, the range of research paper topics is vast and can be categorized into several areas:

Production Management : From lean manufacturing to the use of artificial intelligence, research can focus on how to make production more efficient and adaptable.
Supply Chain Management : Topics could include risk management, ethical considerations, green practices, and the influence of e-commerce on traditional supply chains.
Quality Control and Assurance : Research in this area could explore methodologies like Six Sigma, continuous improvement, and the relationship between training and quality control.
Logistics Management : With the growing importance of e-commerce and sustainability, research in logistics management is thriving.
Service Operations Management : This includes the design and management of processes that create and deliver services, with potential research focusing on customer experience, technology, and innovation.
Strategic Operations Management : Research topics can explore how operations strategy aligns with business goals and contributes to competitive advantage.
Sustainability and Environmental Considerations : This is an emerging area focusing on how operations management can contribute to a more sustainable future.
Technology and Innovation Management : From Industry 4.0 to digital transformation, this category looks at how technology is reshaping operations management.
Project Management : Topics might include agile methodologies, stakeholder management, risk mitigation, and cross-cultural considerations in global projects.
Human Resources and Operations : This could include topics like managing diversity, team dynamics, employee motivation, and training in operations management.

Operations management is a vibrant and multifaceted field with a wide array of research possibilities. From traditional manufacturing to modern service industries, from small businesses to multinational corporations, operations management is at the core of organizational success.

The broad range of topics reflects the evolving nature of the field and the challenges and opportunities that come with it. For students seeking to contribute to this essential area of business, these topics offer a rich and diverse avenue for exploration and innovation.

By understanding and engaging with these various aspects, scholars, practitioners, and students can appreciate the importance of operations management in today’s global economy and contribute to its future development. Whether through academic research or practical application, operations management remains a critical field that continues to shape the way businesses operate and thrive.

How to Choose Operations Management Research Paper Topics

Choosing the right topic for a research paper in operations management is a critical step that can significantly impact the quality and relevance of your work. It can be both an exciting and daunting task, given the wide array of topics available in this dynamic field. In this section, we’ll provide an introductory paragraph, 10 practical tips, and a concluding paragraph to guide you in selecting the ideal operations management research paper topic.

Operations management is a multifaceted field that encompasses various aspects of business processes, from production to logistics, supply chain to quality control. As such, it offers a wide range of intriguing research paper topics. The right topic not only aligns with your interests and academic goals but also has the potential to contribute to the broader field of operations management. Here are some tips to assist you in making an informed choice.

10 Tips for Choosing Operations Management Research Paper Topics

Identify Your Interests : Start by listing areas within operations management that intrigue you the most. Passion for the subject can fuel your research and make the process more enjoyable.
Understand the Scope : Consider the breadth and depth of the topic. A topic that’s too broad may be unmanageable, while a too narrow focus may lack sufficient material for research.
Check for Relevance : Ensure that the topic aligns with current industry trends and challenges. A relevant topic will have a greater impact and may open opportunities for further study or career advancement.
Consult Academic Sources : Look through academic journals, textbooks, and other scholarly publications in operations management to discover prevailing research themes and gaps in the literature.
Consider Practical Implications : If possible, choose a topic that has practical applications in real-world scenarios. This connection between theory and practice can make your research more compelling.
Assess Available Resources : Evaluate the resources you have at your disposal, including access to data, software, labs, or industry experts. Some topics might require specialized tools or contacts.
Seek Guidance from Advisors : Consult with professors, mentors, or industry professionals who have expertise in operations management. Their insights can help refine your topic and provide direction.
Evaluate Your Skill Set : Reflect on your skills and expertise in the subject area. Selecting a topic that complements your strengths will facilitate a smoother research process.
Consider Ethical Implications : Ensure that the chosen topic adheres to ethical standards, especially if it involves human subjects, sensitive data, or controversial issues.
Think about Future Opportunities : Your research paper can be a stepping stone for further studies, publications, or career opportunities. Consider how the chosen topic might align with your long-term goals.

Concluding Thoughts

Choosing a research paper topic in operations management is a delicate balance between your interests, the academic and industry relevance, the feasibility of research, and alignment with ethical standards. By adhering to these tips, you can select a topic that not only resonates with your passion and capabilities but also contributes to the field of operations management.

Remember that the right topic is a catalyst that can ignite your creativity and analytical abilities, leading to a meaningful and rewarding research experience. Whether you’re exploring sustainable supply chain practices or innovative quality control techniques, your choice of topic is the foundation upon which your entire research project is built. Make it a strong, informed one, and you’ll set yourself up for success in the vibrant world of operations management.

How to Write an Operations Management Research Paper

Writing a research paper in operations management is a systematic process that requires careful planning, in-depth research, and coherent presentation. This endeavor involves not only an understanding of the operations management concepts but also the ability to analyze, evaluate, and apply them in various real-world contexts. Below, you will find an introductory paragraph, 10 essential tips, and a concluding paragraph to guide you through the process of writing an operations management research paper.

Introduction

Operations management is a complex field that integrates various aspects of production, quality control, logistics, and supply chain management. Writing a research paper on a topic within this discipline demands a clear understanding of both theoretical principles and practical applications. The task may seem overwhelming, but with the right approach and adherence to specific guidelines, you can craft a paper that stands out in quality and relevance.

10 Tips for Writing an Operations Management Research Paper

Choose the Right Topic : Refer to the previous section for tips on selecting a relevant and engaging topic that aligns with your interests and the broader field of operations management.
Conduct Thorough Research : Utilize reputable academic sources such as journals, textbooks, and industry reports. Gather sufficient data and insights that relate to your chosen topic.
Create a Strong Thesis Statement : Your thesis should clearly articulate the main idea or argument of your paper. It serves as the guiding star for your entire research.
Develop an Outline : Before diving into writing, create a detailed outline that maps out the structure of your paper. It should include an introduction, literature review, methodology, findings, discussion, conclusion, and references.
Write a Compelling Introduction : Start your paper with an engaging introduction that provides background on the topic, states the problem, and introduces the thesis statement.
Include a Literature Review : Summarize existing research on the topic, highlighting key theories, models, and empirical findings. This section establishes the context for your study.
Explain Your Methodology : Describe the research design, methods, and tools you used to collect and analyze data. Be meticulous in explaining how you ensured the reliability and validity of your study.
Present Findings Clearly : Organize and present your research findings in a logical manner. Use charts, graphs, and tables where necessary to visualize the data.
Discuss the Implications : In the discussion section, interpret the results, compare them with existing research, and explore the implications for operations management practice and future research.
Edit and Revise : Spend ample time revising and proofreading your paper. Consider seeking feedback from peers, mentors, or professional editing services to ensure clarity, coherence, and correctness.

Writing a research paper in operations management is a rewarding yet challenging task. It requires a fusion of technical knowledge, analytical thinking, and writing skills. By following the tips outlined above, you’ll be well-equipped to craft a paper that is not only academically rigorous but also relevant to the dynamic and multifaceted world of operations management.

Remember, writing a research paper is a process that demands time, effort, and perseverance. Be patient with yourself and stay committed to excellence at every stage of the journey. The final product – a well-researched, well-written paper – is a testament to your intellectual curiosity, hard work, and contribution to the ever-evolving field of operations management. Whether you’re a seasoned researcher or a student just starting out, these guidelines are designed to empower you to write with confidence and integrity in the domain of operations management.

iResearchNet Writing Services

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The field of operations management is multifaceted, combining elements of logistics, supply chain management, quality control, and production. Creating a research paper that captures all these aspects can be a daunting task. iResearchNet, a leading academic writing service provider, is here to help students craft impeccable operations management research papers. With a team of expert degree-holding writers, state-of-the-art research methods, and top-notch customer support, iResearchNet offers a full suite of services tailored to your needs. Below, you will find an introductory paragraph, details of our 13 standout features, and a concluding paragraph.

At iResearchNet, we understand the challenges students face when tasked with writing a research paper on a complex subject such as operations management. That’s why we have designed our services to offer a customized solution that caters to your unique requirements. Whether you need assistance with topic selection, research, writing, or formatting, our team of professional writers and researchers is ready to provide comprehensive support.

Expert Degree-Holding Writers : Our writers are not just professionals; they are experts in the field of operations management. With advanced degrees and years of experience, they are capable of providing insightful and well-researched papers.
Custom Written Works : Every paper we produce is crafted from scratch, ensuring that it is tailored to your specific needs, guidelines, and academic standards.
In-Depth Research : Leveraging a rich library of resources, our team conducts extensive research, gathering relevant data and information to support the thesis and arguments of your paper.
Custom Formatting (APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, Harvard) : Our writers are proficient in various formatting styles, ensuring that your paper complies with the specific guidelines of your academic institution.
Top Quality : Quality is at the core of our services. Each paper undergoes rigorous quality checks to guarantee that it is well-structured, coherent, and free of plagiarism.
Customized Solutions : We recognize that each student’s needs are unique. Whether you need a complete research paper or assistance with specific sections, we provide personalized solutions to meet your requirements.
Flexible Pricing : We offer a variety of pricing options to suit different budgets, without compromising on quality. Our goal is to provide affordable academic support to all students.
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iResearchNet is committed to empowering students in their academic journey by providing top-tier writing services tailored to the complex world of operations management. Our comprehensive approach, attention to detail, and dedication to excellence set us apart in the industry.

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Introduction

The success as well as the survival of an organization is directly dependent on its efficiency and output. Meeting the periodically set goals within the organization charter is the passport to sustain in a ruthlessly competitive environment. The management of all the business operations would administer a practice that ignite the strategy to match the highest level of efficiency. The conversion of the quality raw materials and pain and sweat of the labour in the desired number of quality-based goods and services could create an environment full of zeal and competence. When the profit of the organization is rightfully achieved, all the stakeholders could earn their rightful stake. Moreover, it promotes a sense of belongingness in the employees and bestow them with the opportunities to hone their skills time and again.

Operations management is one of the pivotal subjects in management that constantly feature dissertations and case studies in their semester curriculum. These assignments help students to realise the practicality of the subject and help them understand how things materialise on the ground apart from inculcation of the bookish concepts.

The assignment help provided by the experts could help in the completion of the given homework tasks as per the expected standards on time. Here, we are sharing the list of top 50 dissertation topics that can be chosen from absolutely for free. If you are keen to let the professionals choose the topic and get the complete assignment done on your behalf, then also assignment writing services from the best in business could get the job done.

The Levels of Operations Management Implementation

The management of the operations is primarily done at the following three levels –

Strategic Level: Work on the broader terms, where the goals of the company are defined, and the operations managers are assigned the task to develop the strategies accordingly. For example, if we try to define all the three levels with respect to an organization engaged in furniture business, then the strategic level of operations management would include the preparation of blueprint for the location and the layout of the furniture factory.
Tactical Level: The tactics are used by the employees at the managerial level to accomplish those strategies step by step. These include the tasks or the steps that are defined to successfully implement the strategies. The tactical level shall incorporate the hiring and training of the workforce to function as per the strategic needs and set the roadmap of executing the third level.
Operations Level: The final level where all the components of production are brought together and materialised. These include the purchase of wood and fabric, the availability of raw materials and cutting tools and all the other fabrication equipment. It is widely regarded and practised as the final level of operations management before the final product or service gets its final shape.

The students who frequently reach us for dissertation help are assigned with the operations management homework somehow revolving around these three levels only. When experts having real-life practical understanding of the things get involved in the assignment writing process, it reflects in the submitted work word-by-word.

Working hard, yet failing to achieve an ‘A’ in your dissertation assignment? Read the below article to cover all loopholes to make your next submission catchy to the eyeballs!!

Must read: all you need to know about how to get an ‘a’ in your next dissertation submission, what are we expecting to achieve out of the recommended list of topics.

We are surely not expecting the students to submit a miracle of an assignment homework once they go through the provided set of dissertation topics below. The quality of the work still be dependent upon the consistency with the language, syntax proficiency, delivery of citation in instructed referencing style, and conducting plethora of concrete research to back each argument. Not to mention, crisp editing chops and seamless proofreading of the final draft is also somehow not related to the selection of the topic.

But what we are expecting out of this whole effort is to ensure that our students do have a wide range of pertinent topics to pick from. Our efforts are directed to the fact that our students pick a topic that is trending in the contemporary age and does make sense in the eyes of the evaluator.

Additionally, our prima-facie motto is to help our management students to save time, energy, and resources. The most complex dilemma faced by our students is the exploration and selection of the right topic. What, and why? Most of the students fight these conundrums to reach the most suited topic selection and spend an exhaustive amount of time and research. Exploring the topic at the personal level of the student could be a relevant choice in case he or she have months at disposal before the final submission of work. It is the privilege accessible to the scholars submitting their paper or thesis for research purpose only.

Management students following a conventional curriculum are required to submit their homework assignments with a stringent deadline. That is the point where not only days, even the hours count! Here, the accessibility to strong dissertation topics, and that too for free could become a real game-changer for the students. Besides, their request for online assignment help is served on priority right from topic selection to the dispatch of purely refined final homework draft.

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Operations Management Online Assignment Help

Wish to come across top 50 best organizational behaviour topics to choose from? Visit the below article to make your next OB dissertation submission worth every word!

Must read: top 50 organizational behaviour dissertation topics trending in 2021.

Well, with that we conclude our list of the latest dissertation topics dedicated to the assignments related to operations management. The best part is that these titles can be customised to suit the assignment writing formats other than dissertations. The requirements of the management students related to case study help , essay help , research paper writing help or thesis help . If you have already chosen your desired topic but struggling to move ahead, then you can always hire the experts for paid assignment help to get the assignment done as per the instructions on your behalf.

Operations management is widely regarded as one of the most complex yet interesting subjects that a b-school aspirant could pursue. The dissertations and case studies associated with the subject do have a touch of finance, mathematics, and information systems to deliver a combined package of knowledge. It is one of the few major subjects in the field of management that do have ground-level, practical implication to begin with. The assignments related to the subject are not only pivotal in terms of quality grades to pass-out with, but also fetch the lessons that can turn out to be productive in the entire lifetime of their careers.

Visit operations management assignment help at Thoughtful Minds to come across the services of the management academicians turned writers serving students for the last 15 years. Get in touch with the service representative and avail the finest online homework help at the most reasonable prices ever!

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Operations Management Dissertation Topics

Published by Alvin Nicolas at January 9th, 2023 , Revised On July 18, 2024

Introduction

Selecting an appropriate topic is perhaps the most important aspect of the dissertation module. Students spend months and years (in the case of a PhD) on their dissertation projects. Therefore, it is critical to choose an interesting but manageable topic of research. Selecting the right topic can also help complete the paper to the highest quality and within the allocated deadline framework.

This article aims to provide comprehensive support in the selection of a suitable operations management dissertation topic. All the topics presented in this piece are carefully short-listed on the basis of the following important factors;

A topic must have a recent research interest/popularity in academics
Data must be available to analyse the recent research to develop a case of research in the form of a step forward (contribution factor)
The topic must be manageable with respect to the availability of time and resources
The chosen topic should encourage the students to explore and investigate to further the research in their preferred area

Writer’s suggestion : Before selecting a topic, outline the type of research you intend to undertake given the available time and monetary resources; such as whether to perform primary or secondary and qualitative or quantitative. For example, you might not be able to conduct a cross-national survey based on primary research, as it can turn out to be a difficult and unmanageable task.

Therefore, it is important to select a topic which you can manage within the given resources; to produce high-quality results that would eventually lead to a high academic score. The following topics are much emphasised in today’s academic world, and you can rely on these topics with utmost trust.

Some of these topics can also include primary research, which may include conducting interviews and/or questionnaires with industry practitioners to suggest the most efficient systems and to present the pros and cons of each system based on the data obtained through primary research.

These operations management dissertation topics have been developed by PhD-qualified writers of our team , so you can trust to use these topics for drafting your dissertation.

You may also want to start your dissertation by requesting a brief research proposal from our writers on any of these topics, which includes an introduction to the topic, research question, aim and objectives, literature review, and the proposed methodology of research to be conducted. Let us know if you need any help in getting started.

You may want to read about our business writers to see how we can help ease your workload. Check our free example dissertations and free business and business management dissertation examples to get an idea of how to structure your dissertation.

Review the full list of dissertation topics here.

International Development Dissertation Topics
Cooperate Governance Dissertation Topics
Business Intelligence Dissertation Topics
Business Information Technology Dissertation Topics
International Business Dissertation Topics
Business Management Dissertation Topics
Business Psychology Dissertation Topics
Business Law Dissertation Topics
Project Management Dissertation Topics
Business Dissertation Topics
HRM Dissertation Topics
Management Dissertation Topics

Operations and Management Research Topics

Topic 1: investigating the risks associated with green technology in the chinese construction industry..

Research Aim: This research study aims to investigate the challenges that project managers face while managing Chinese green technology construction projects and the risks associated with it. This study will also examine the relationship between the challenges related to green construction and its impact on its success and will also find improvement in the development of green technology.

Topic 2: Analysing the operational risk in outsourcing software projects for international companies.

Research Aim: The concept of outsourcing is a trending topic nowadays. This research study aims to find the operational risk perceived in the process of outsourcing software projects in international companies and how they eliminate operational risks during the process.

A conceptual framework will be used to investigate the risks for strategic IT system development outsourcing projects.

Topic 3: How do the merger and acquisition of a company affect the performance of its employees? An exploratory study identifying the factors that affect employee's performance. A case study of (Any company or companies can be studied)

Research Aim: This research aims to find the impact of the merger and acquisition of a company on its employees’ performance. This research will use a company or companies as a case study that went through a merger and acquisition. To identify different factors that affect the performance of employees during and after merger and acquisition. And after identifying those factors and their impact on the performance of employees. The research will also recommend possible ways to minimise the impacts of those factors on employees’ performance.

Topic 4: Impact of strategic management on the financial performance of companies

Research Aim: This research aims to find the impact of companies’ strategic management on their financial performance. This study will use indicators suggested by extensive literature in strategic management to gauge the strategic planning done by these companies. The study will then identify to what extent those indicators affect the companies’ financial performance under observation. Based on the results, the study will recommend improvement in the areas that can improve the strategic management of those companies. That, in consequence, will improve the financial performance of those companies.

Topic 5: Analysing the operational risks associated with the manufacturing of automobiles and the role of plant managers in reducing these risks.

Research Aim: This research study aims to identify and analyse the risks that businesses face during the manufacturing of automobiles and vehicles. And how plant managers proposed effective strategies to reduce these risks. In this study, a conceptual framework of the operational model of management will help increase the overall effectiveness of automobile industries.

Topic 6: An assessment of the Company's tradeoff between innovation and uniformity- A case study of UK IT sector.

Research Aim: The primary goal of this study is to conduct an analysis of a company’s tradeoff between innovation and uniformity. This study will explore different components of the United Kingdom’s IT sector. It will give us an understanding of the importance of innovation and uniformity from a theoretical perspective and also examine the risk factors involved in the United Kingdom’s IT sector.

Topic 7: Operation Management- Comparison between different forecast approaches.

Research Aim: The main goal of this study is to examine various forecasting methodologies used in operation management. Furthermore, this research offers insight into product operation management and what contributes to making it more effective. In addition, this study will look at the aspects and effects of various approaches utilised in product operation management.

Topic 8: An examination of the Effectiveness of RBT in strategic operation management in the UK manufacturing industry.

Research Aim: The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of RBT in strategic operation management in the United Kingdom’s manufacturing industry. This study highlights the effectiveness and also discusses the benefits and drawbacks of strategic operation management in the UK manufacturing industry. Furthermore, it also highlights the importance of RBT in the UK manufacturing industry.

Topic 9: Humanitarian operation management- A review of Literature

Research Aim: In this study, we will analyse different previous studies on humanitarian operation management to find its importance. This study will also look at different methodologies used in humanitarian operations. Different scientific advancements and technologies will also be covered in this study.

Topic 10: A study to Determine if Operations Management Solutions Effectively Meet the Needs of Home Care Organisations- An International Perspective.

Research Aim: The main goal of this research is to perform a comprehensive analysis of operational management activities in order to properly comprehend and evaluate them in order to determine the efficiency of various regularly employed strategies. It will also identify key methods utilised in operational management activities, how these solutions are implemented worldwide by home care companies, and how these methods will have an impact on home care organizations, and determine if they will have a favourable or bad impact.

Topic 11: A Study to Understand the Role of Data Analytics in Improving Operational Decision-Making

Research Aim: This research investigates the impact and significance of data analytics on improving operational decision-making processes. It will examine various methodologies, tools, and applications of data analytics and understand the role of data analytics in optimizing operational efficiencies and enhancing overall performance across diverse industries.

Topic 12: Analysing the Effects of Lean Six Sigma Methodologies on Reducing Patient Wait Times in Different Healthcare Settings

Research Aim: To investigate the effectiveness of Lean Six Sigma methodologies in reducing patient wait times within various healthcare settings. Through a comprehensive analysis of case studies, statistical data, and qualitative research methods, this study aims to evaluate the impact of Lean Six Sigma principles on improving operational efficiency and patient satisfaction.

COVID-19 Operations and Management Research Topics

Topic 1: impacts of coronavirus on global supply chains.

Research Aim: The coronavirus outbreak has resulted in a shortage of essential supplies, including safety equipment and diagnostic and clinical management. WHO (World Health Organisation) has organised a supply chain task force team (COVID supply chain system). This study will identify the details of this supply chain system and discuss how it works.

Topic 2: Intelligent operation management during COVID-19

Research Aim: As a result of COVID-19, industries are facing a lack of resources and staff. This situation calls for intelligent operation management to ensure the continuity of the operation during this challenging situation. This study will analyse how Intelligent operation management works during COVID-19, discussing its advantages, challenges, and possible solutions to improve it.

Topic 1: Impact of JIT on improving supply chain efficiency of large retail outlets

Research Aim: This research aims to identify the impact of JIT on improving the supply chain efficiency of large retail outlets

Topic 2: Operation management strategies B2B and B2C business model

Research Aim: This research aims to assess and compare the operation management strategies B2B and B2C business model

Topic 3: The role of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) in SCM (Supply Chain Management)

Research Aim: This research aims to identify the role of Information and Communication Technology in Supply Chain Management.

Topic 4: TQM (Total Quality Management) as a competitive advantage

Research Aim: This research aims to identify the role of total quality management as a competitive advantage.

Topic 5: A Big Data Approach to Optimizing Last-Mile Delivery in Online Retail

Research Aim: This research aims to identify the role of big data in optimizing last-mile delivery in online retail.

Original Operations Management Dissertation Topics

Topic 1: analysing the impact of enterprise resource planning (erp) on improving business operations of multinational companies..

Research Aim: The main purpose of this research will be to highlight the major benefits of ERP, which can facilitate multinational organisations to help in conducting business operations productively and effectively. The researcher will identify major factors of ERP that can be related to the effective execution of business operations while increasing the overall productivity and efficiency of the business.

Topic 2: Impact of Just-in-time (JIT) inventory on improving supply chain efficiency of large retail outlets

Research Aim: The researcher will identify the major advantages as well as disadvantages of using Just-in-time (JIT) inventory in the supply chain operations of the major retail outlets. In this study, the researcher will highlight major factors of Just-in-time (JIT) inventory that may directly or indirectly influence the effectiveness of the supply chain of large retail outlets while proposing recommendations to retail companies to increase the effectiveness and productivity of the company.

Topic 3: Analysing the pros and cons of outsourcing logistic operation activities in the construction industry of the UK

Research Aim: The main purpose of this qualitative-natured study will be to identify the major advantages and disadvantages of outsourcing logistic operation activities while focusing on its implementation in the UK construction industry.

Topic 4: Assessing and comparing the operations management strategies of B2B and B2C business models

Research Aim: The researcher aims to discover prompt operations management strategies that are being utilised by major B2B and B2C companies while taking examples of major key players in each of the business models. After identification, the researcher will compare those strategies and recommend the best strategies and practices that can be utilised by each of the business models discussed in the study.

Topic 5: Analysing the operational risks involved in the manufacturing of automobiles and how can minimise these risks

Research Aim: The main aim of this study will be to identify and analyse the major risks that can be experienced by companies during the manufacturing of automobiles and vehicles while proposing effective strategies that can be used by plant managers to reduce these risks. In this study, the researcher will use a conceptual model of operational management, which helps increase the overall effectiveness of automobile industries.

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Supply Chain Management Dissertation Topics

The supply chain is considered one of the most important aspects of business in any organisation, as optimum management in the supply chain leads to successful business operations. Therefore, it is pivotal for organisations to constantly enhance processes and techniques of the supply chain, which involve control, measurements, troubleshooting, adaptability, and innovation of new solutions. The following research topics are suggested for dissertation writing in the field of supply chain management;

Supply chain management and the related legal frameworks; Investigating the practices of the UK’s industrial sector
The strengths and weaknesses of the supply chain are large and diversified business organisations.
The role of supply chain in manufacturing industry of the UK: A comprehensive study to evaluate the impact of supply chain management
Influence of state-of-the-art technology-aided systems on supply chain management.
Impact of information technology on supply chain management
Case study of Dell, IMB and other supply chain control management systems being employed worldwide by large-scale organizations
Supply chain management and e-commerce
The role of ICT in supply chain management

Lean Manufacturing Dissertation Topics

The lean concepts are still young and in the stage of steady development. New concepts are coming into practice as the efficacy of the old ones continues to diminish. Research ideas that have been much emphasised in recent research studies include Total Quality Control (TQC), Total Quality Management (TQM), Just in Time (JIT), and Total productivity maintenance (TPM). Some interesting topics on this subject are listed below;

The influence of lean manufacturing techniques in operations management
Analyses of lean manufacturing techniques; Review of the most influential techniques currently being employed in the UK manufacturing Industry; an inside perspective (This may include primary research in which the actual users of different techniques will be requested to provide their views on the impact of different techniques and to recommend which of the techniques can be best used to enhance industry productivity and performance)
Total quality management as a competitive advantage: A case study of the UK’s industry (Dell/HP/Other)
The relationship between quality management and client Satisfaction: A case of the UK’s construction/manufacturing Industry (This can also include primary research from the perspective of clients/buyers who can be questioned regarding their experience of the construction quality they obtained. The data could then be used to provide key recommendations for quality management)
Practical implementation of lean manufacturing techniques: A review of how business organisations have successfully adopted various techniques
Influence of new technology on lean manufacturing techniques, such as the use of Business Information Modeling (BIM), SAP, and other tools for enhancement of quality and productivity
Evolution of quality from the perspective of the development of lean manufacturing techniques: A study on how industries have been shaped by lean concepts in the past and visualizing the future SOPs

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Inventory Management Dissertation Topics

Inventory Management is another important component of supply Chain Management. A considerable amount of research has been conducted in this field of study in recent times, which highlights the need to establish effective processing techniques and systems so that business organisations can effectively measure/manage the operations of their respective industries.

Optimum inventory management enables control of costs, time, productivity, and delivery, which are considered to be the pillars of any industry. The following topics are presented for dissertation writing on inventory management:

The influence of optimum inventory management on supply chain management: A study on how effective inventory management systems can help to establish high-performing supply management systems in an industry
Analyses of inventory management systems being employed in the UK industries
The impact of latest technological developments on inventory management systems; A case study of the UK’s manufacturing Industry
Inventory management systems in the manufacturing industry: Methods, benefits, challenges and opportunities
Case study on inventory management in retail; A case study of ASDA/TESCO/SAINSBURURY. (Primary research-based: Data from different stores can be collected and compared)
The impact of Just in Time (JIT) on the UK’s inventory management systems
Adaptability of JIT inventory management in the UK
E-commerce inventory management systems

Product Development Dissertation Topics

New Product Development (NPD) and the role of Research and Development (R&D) in the process of product development have remained a focus of research and a trigger for intense academic debate in the last many years.

The most notable elements of product development include new concept developments, new product designs, product engineering, and market analyses and research.

Many organisations continually strive to develop new products and add these to their product pipelines to earn additional profits. From the consumer perspective, NPD enhances the brand image and provides a research and development edge to business organisations.

Evaluating the process of product development: The need and implications
Strategies of Product Development and the Product Mix
Strategies of product development in various Industries – A case study of a company of your choice. This can also include primary research where different systems can be compared and data analysed.
The role of latest technological advancements and computer-aided systems in product development; A case study of the UK’s research and development industry

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Production Planning / Scheduling Dissertation Topics

Production planning and scheduling are considered one of the most crucial aspects of the manufacturing industry because it helps to maintain optimum levels of productivity in accordance with the production plans.

Moreover, Production scheduling has a direct influence on the production business, as it impacts the fundamental elements of production and services, such as production lead times, quality maintenance, and maintenance of supply & demand, and overall client satisfaction. Therefore, research in the field of production planning has been prioritised in modern times, and efforts have been made to develop integrated systems that incorporate various variables and elements of the production plan. Following are some of the selected topics that can be chosen for further research and dissertations;

Production Scheduling Analysis: A review of techniques employed in the UK’s Manufacturing Industry
Analyses of Production Scheduling/Planning Techniques in Different Manufacturing Industries (Car Industry/Process industry/Steel Industry/Cement Industry)
Production Scheduling/Planning Techniques and Profitability of Different Manufacturing Industries (Car Industry/Process industry/Steel Industry/Cement Industry)
The Role of Latest Technological Advancements and Computer Aided Systems in Production Scheduling
The Role of Information Technology and Innovation in Production Scheduling

Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing Strategy Dissertation Topics

Supply Chain Management (SCM) is a systematic operation that facilitates the manufacturing of a product from raw materials. The manufacturing strategy includes the methods of producing goods and is designed in accordance with the business objectives. Some of the latest supply chain management and manufacturing strategy dissertation topics are given below;

Manufacturing strategy: Investigating the importance of optimised manufacturing strategy for successful business operations
Review the manufacturing strategies of the UK’s automobile industry/ process industry/ manufacturing industry / any other industry of your choice.
The impact of new technologies on the development of optimised manufacturing strategies and techniques
Supply chain management: Investigating the importance of optimised supply chain management techniques for successful business operations
Examining supply chain management strategies of the UK’s automobile industry/process industry/manufacturing Industry / Any other industry of your choice
Use of latest technologies for efficient supply chain management over the last decade (This may include primary research where data would be obtained from the practitioners of manufacturing/other industries via e-mail, interviews and/or questionnaire)

Risk Management Dissertation Topics

Industrial risk management is one of the most researched topics of recent times. Almost every engineering or financial activity involves risks in terms of their consequences and probabilities. The course of the future cannot be fully predicted. Of course, however, various actions can be undertaken to manage/mitigate these risks.

Analysis of various factors that can contribute to the risks, such as political influence, oil prices and exchange rates, equipment performance characteristics, availability of resources, local conditions/environment, etc., can lead to the development of optimised risk management systems for improved project performance.

Investigating the risk management systems of the construction industry/automobile Industry/pharma Industry/banking Industry / retail Industry
Risk management in the construction industry: How the construction industry can mitigate different types of risks
Analyses of factors that contribute to risk in industrial operations; Developing guidelines/best practices to manage industrial risks
Risk management and the use of advanced technological tools: Is technology really helping to mitigate risks? (This may include the Use of primary data to find out if the use of computer-aided tools has helped the industry mitigate risks)
Risk management methodologies: A review of different methods of risk management employed in the UK
Risk Management for Contractors in the Saudi Arabian Construction Industry
Examining risks associated with Green technology in the Chinese construction industry
Managing Environmental risks in Chinese construction industry

Service Design Dissertation Topics

The efficient management of infrastructures, communications systems, components, materials, and human resources holds the key to improved quality of services. Therefore, it is extremely important to optimise service planning because it can ensure profitability as well as productivity for the service provider. Following are some service design dissertation topics that may concern the students;

The impact of future technology on service design
Service design analyses of Dell/HP/Other
Service design analyses of the UK’s food chain Industry
E-commerce web services design and implications
Service organisation’s fundamental design requirements & marketing strategies
Innovative solutions in service design

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Logistics Dissertation Topics

Logistics is a critical operations management system that helps to manage the flow of goods or services from start to end. Logistics involves operations such as supply chain management, procurement, transportation, inventory, material handling, packaging, and integration of information between different teams. Some interesting topics for Logistics dissertations are listed below:

Logistics operations: An evaluation of the logistics management systems in the UK’s construction/manufacturing / another sector of your choice
Impact of intermodal international logistics on the operation of the UK’s construction/manufacturing / another sector of your choice
Review of logistic management principles and practices employed by the UK‘s industrial sector
Optimization of logistics management systems; A review of best practices and procedures
Case study analyses: A review of the Logistics Management in TESCO/ASDA/Sainsbury/Other; Is there a competitive advantage?
Impact of the latest technology on logistics management

Important Notes:

As a student of operations management looking to get good grades, it is essential to develop new ideas and experiment with existing operations management theories – i.e., to add value and interest to your research topic.

The field of operations management is vast and interrelated to so many other academic disciplines like business , management , marketing , project management , and more. That is why it is imperative to create an operations management dissertation topic that is particular and sound and actually solves a practical problem that may be rampant in the field.

We can’t stress how important it is to develop a logical research topic; it is the basis of your entire research. There are several significant downfalls to getting your topic wrong: your supervisor may not be interested in working on it, the topic has no academic creditability, the research may not make logical sense, and there is a possibility that the study is not viable.

This impacts your time and efforts in writing your dissertation as you may end up in a cycle of rejection at the very initial stage of the dissertation. That is why we recommend reviewing existing research to develop a topic, taking advice from your supervisor, and even asking for help in this particular stage of your dissertation.

Keeping our advice in mind while developing a research topic will allow you to pick one of the best operations management dissertation topics that not only fulfill your requirement of writing a research paper but also add to the body of knowledge.

Therefore, it is recommended that when finalizing your dissertation topic, you read recently published literature to identify gaps in the research that you may help fill.

Remember- dissertation topics need to be unique, solve an identified problem, be logical, and can also be practically implemented. Take a look at some of our sample operations management dissertation topics to get an idea for your own dissertation.

How to Structure Your Operations Management Dissertation

A well-structured dissertation can help students to achieve a high overall academic grade.

A Title Page
Acknowledgements
Declaration
Abstract: A summary of the research completed
Table of Contents
Introduction : This chapter includes the project rationale, research background, key research aims and objectives, and the research problems to be addressed. An outline of the structure of a dissertation can also be added to this chapter.
Literature Review : This chapter presents relevant theories and frameworks by analysing published and unpublished literature available on the chosen research topic in light of the research questions to be addressed. The purpose is to highlight and discuss the relative weaknesses and strengths of the selected research area whilst identifying any research gaps. A breakdown of the topic and key terms can have a positive impact on your dissertation and your tutor.
Methodology : The data collection and analysis methods and techniques employed by the researcher are presented in the Methodology chapter, which usually includes research design , research philosophy, research limitations, code of conduct, ethical consideration, data collection methods, and data analysis strategy .
Findings and Analysis : The findings of the research are analysed in detail under the Findings and Analysis chapter. All key findings/results are outlined in this chapter without interpreting the data or drawing any conclusions. It can be useful to include graphs, charts, and tables in this chapter to identify meaningful trends and relationships.
Discussion and Conclusion : The researcher presents his interpretation of the results in this chapter and states whether the research hypothesis has been verified or not. An essential aspect of this section of the paper is to draw a linkage between the results and evidence from the literature. Recommendations with regard to the implications of the findings and directions for the future may also be provided. Finally, a summary of the overall research, along with final judgments, opinions, and comments, must be included in the form of suggestions for improvement.
References : This should be completed in accordance with your University’s requirements
Bibliography
Appendices : Any additional information, diagrams, or graphs that were used to complete the dissertation but not part of the dissertation should be included in the Appendices chapter. Essentially, the purpose is to expand the information/data.

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To find operations management dissertation topics:

Study recent industry challenges.
Investigate supply chain innovations.
Examine technology’s impact.
Explore lean management strategies.
Analyse sustainability in operations.
Select a topic aligning with your expertise and research interests.

Operations Management Research

Advancing Practice through Theory

Presents research that advances both theory and practice of operations management.
Includes all aspects of operations management, from manufacturing and supply chain to health care and service operations.
Welcomes a variety of research methodologies, including case, action, survey, mathematical modelling, simulation, etc.
Matteo Kalchschmidt

Latest issue

Volume 17, Issue 2

Latest articles

Uncovering the role of sustainable value chain and life cycle management toward sustainable operations in electricity production technologies.

Ahmad Al-Kuwari
Murat Kucukvar
Nuri C. Onat

Green finance policies, financing constraints and corporate ESG performance: insights from supply chain management

Jiazhan Gao
Guihong Hua
Baofeng Huo

Managing inter-organizational dependencies operation for discovering digital business model innovation in corporate innovation ecosystem

Brij B. Gupta

A stochastic chance-constraint framework for poultry planning and egg inventory management

Dariush Zamani Dadaneh
Sajad Moradi
Behrooz Alizadeh

A novel two-stage stochastic programming model to design an integrated disaster relief supply chain network-a case study

Leyla Fazli

Journal updates

Call for papers: special issue on hybrid operations, emerging technologies, and the sustainability frontier – operational efficiency in the context of corporate social and environmental responsibilities.

Guest Editors: Mauro Fracarolli Nunes , EDC Paris Business School, France Camila Lee Park , EDC Paris Business School, France Jose A.D. Machuca , Universidad de Sevilla, Spain

Submission dates: October 15, 2024 to January 15, 2025

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Operations Management Dissertation Topics

Choosing a great topic for your graduate, master or doctoral dissertation can often feel more challenging than actually undertaking the study. Knowing that the time spent on this work, which may be months, or in some cases years, on a PhD or Master’s Degree is so critical to success can making the topic choice seem daunting. Our advice is to always choose a topic that you love, or an area you find interesting because this makes the whole process much less arduous. It’s also often a good idea to look into the areas where your advisor has knowledge and experience so that they can guide and focus your work. Most importantly the topic should be focused and manageable. If these factors are taken into account when choosing a topic in the field of Operations Manager, the overall task will be much easier, interesting and can lead to new routes for you in your professional or academic development. To help in preparing for this great challenge, this article provides suggestions for Operations Management topics in a range of key areas such as the supply chain, scheduling, inventory management and design of services, all of which are current areas in the field.

Supply chain design and control Dissertation Topics

Inventory Management Dissertation Topics

Production scheduling dissertation topics, product development dissertation topics, design of services dissertation topics, dynamic pricing dissertation topics, industrial risk management dissertation topics, logistics dissertation topics, manufacturing and supply-chain dissertation topics.

Total quality management Dissertation Topics

Supply Chain Design and Control Dissertation Topics

The development and maintenance of effective Supply chains is one of the most crucial organisational elements of any manufacturing organisation and their achievement of competitive advantage and the building of good customer relationships. The planning, design and effective control of the supply chain and its various elements and stakeholders is of utmost importance to the success of the organisations. Organisations need to evaluate continuously improve and evolve their supply chains, and there is an increasing use of technology and other digital solutions to support control, measure and evaluation of this important facet of the organisations systems. With the development of automation, data analytics and a focus on corporate social responsibility effective and innovative supply chain design and control is moving forward into a new era. For up to date, timely operations management dissertation topics within this area please see the suggestions below.

What does “Legality” mean in reference to supply chain design?
The virtual supply chain and its role in streamlining short-term business partnerships
Supply chain management: Is autonomous transportation a reality and how effective can it be?
Blockchain technology and its effect on the UK supply chain: Issues and challenges
Supply chain management and impact of information technology: An analysis of manufacturing firms in UK.
E-commerce for supply chain management.
Supply chain management: Case study on Amazon.com and innovative solutions for packing, picking and delivering
Big Data and its role in revolutionising the supply chain for online retailers
How the supply chain differs on a B2C site compared to a B2B environment.
Supply chain control management: A case study on HP, UK.
Track and trace technology and its contribution to competitive advantage at Johnson and Johnson
I Robot : the use of Robotic picking and automation by Alibaba and the effect on supply chain efficiencies
How important will crowd-sourced transportation like Uber and Deliveroo be for reducing costs and increasing efficiency during “last mile delivery”

Inventory management is the supervision of non-capitalized assets (inventory) and stock items. A component of supply chain management, inventory management supervises the flow of goods from manufacturers to warehouses and from these facilities to point of sale.

As an integral component of supply chain management, inventory management refers to the systems of supervision for inventory and stock items, managing and monitoring the flow of goods from manufacturers to distributors and retailers. The processes can be complex and an inventory management system requires clear planning and concise and closely measured processes and technologies to ensure accuracy and efficiency. Suggestions for operations management dissertations topics on inventory management are:

Inventory management is still the backbone of supply chain management: True or False?
The influence of big data analytics in effective inventory management.
The importance of RFID in inventory management at Toyota UK.
How Smart is Smart Inventory in the grocery retail sector : Analysis of Smart inventory management at Tesco.
The internet of things and inventory management : how IoT is connecting customers to suppliers in a more efficient way
Inventory management or logistics solutions: how just in time approaches and inventory technology are changing traditional inventory management processes
Inventory management for e-commerce.
Inventory management with multiple procurement modes: A case study in UK.
Analytical study of inventory management in a car manufacturing organisation.
Warehouse drones and how they could change the face of inventory management : Examination of Sony and Amazon’s plans for connecting robotic automation with inventory management software
Are wearable scanning devices more time efficient than hand-held units – examination of wearable scanners in a FMCG warehouse setting
AI and inventory management : The role of artificial intelligence in making accurate stock decisions at Amazon.com

Production planning refers to the organisational function of establishing an overall level of output, called the production plan. The process also includes any other activities needed to satisfy current planned levels of sales, but should also incorporate the the firm’s general objectives in terms of profit, productivity, lead times, and achievement of customer satisfaction, defined with the strategic plan for the organisation. From a managerial perspective production planning requires the development of an integrated strategy where the operation element is the foundation and a crucial element of the production plan. Dissertations in production scheduling could cover any of the following topics.

Production scheduling techniques in a manufacturing environment.
Production scheduling techniques in a car manufacturing industry.
Toyota production scheduling techniques: A case analysis in UK.
The significance of theory of constraints in production scheduling.
Production scheduling in steel industry: A case study on Mittal Steel.
Fuzzy theory applied to production planning as a means of improving the accuracy of planning decision making processes
How integrated production planning and cross-employee communication increases productivity and employee motivation
Using AI to improve quality control : A case study of Amazon.com
Production scheduling optimisation within the Pharmaceutical industry through technology
Real time communication between multi-site manufacturers and the impact on productivity scheduling

Product development (NPD) is the term used to describe the complete process of bringing a new product or service to market. There are two parallel paths involved in the product development process: one involves the idea generation, product design, and detail engineering whilst the second path involves market research and marketing analysis for the proposed new product. NPD is the first operational stage in generating and bringing to market new products when looked at from the perspective of product life cycle management. If your area of interest is NPD, the following dissertation topics may be useful:

Fitting in: The world of the techno eco-system and what it means for NPD
Product development and how the process has been hijacked by consumers wanting to collaborate and innovate with food companies
Product mix and New Product Development strategies to meet consumer’s ethical and CSR demands
How do they do it? Critical analysis of Apple’s NPD strategy and process
Product development strategy In the automotive industry: Toyota’s lean thinking and its effectiveness in launching new products
Is technology like 3D printing changing the NPD process and what does this mean for small businesses?
Product life cycles in the digital age – is a new approach needed?
Product development strategy: case study Amazon.com.
Impact of information technology on product development strategy: case study on organisations based in UK.
Crowd-funding, new product development and people powered innovation: a new theory of NPD and its place in the product life cycle

Service Design is the activity of planning and organising people, infrastructure, communication and material components of a service, in order to improve its quality, the interaction between service provider and customers and the customer’s overall experience. The increasing relevance of the service sector, both in terms of people employed and economic importance, requires services to be accurately designed. An operations dissertation on the design of services could include:

Customer service in e-business : Case study of Amazon.com
Spirituality, investment and motivation: Why Starbucks services design is a major contributor to its success.
Service design in fund management company.
Design and implementation of e-commerce web services.
Four major characteristics of services and the marketing strategies available for the service organisation.
Impact of big data analytics in creating effective service design.
Solutions and experience are the new service mantras, or are they just old wine in new bottles?
Future technology impact on service design.
The principles of service design thinking and how to apply them in a small restaurant business
Applying service design in the NHS: Sequencing a customer journey to improve experience
Co-creation of the service journey in manufacturing, from order through processing to delivery: examination of the integration of service design at BMW
Tesla motors and co-creation of a full service journey for customers through partnerships and alliances

Variable, dynamic pricing allows the retailer to change or fluctuate prices due to different variables, conditions, and situations. Being able to manage dynamic pricing strategies is a key ability for companies wishing to succeed in the world of e-commerce in particular. The forces of supply and demand are leading variables that dictate pricing. An operations dissertation on dynamic pricing would make for very interesting reading.

E-business models of dynamic pricing.
Dynamic pricing: A case study of the travel industry.
Consumer responses to dynamic pricing in the airline industry
Dynamic pricing: A case study of the insurance industry.
Comparing the use of dynamic pricing in the airline and retail industries
The importance of dynamic pricing in ‘auctioning’.
Analysis of the current issues, future trends and opportunities associated with dynamic pricing.
The significance of dynamic pricing in online retailing
Dynamic pricing: A case study on easyJet.
Dynamic pricing in a B2B environment in the UK.
Dynamic pricing in the UK service industry
Competition-based dynamic pricing in e-commerce
Price guarantees and dynamic pricing strategies

The majority of industrial and engineering operations are in the risk world. Almost everything done involves probabilities and consequences. Within these industrial settings, there are many factors contributing to uncertainty, for example, external influences (oil prices, political changes, etc.), equipment characteristics (reliability, availability), materials, contractors’ performance, suppliers, organization complexity, and human error. This is a very important issue within the business world and makes for an excellent operations dissertation.

Risk management in the UK construction industry: A case study
Risk management in the pharma industry: a case study analysis in the UK.
Is risk management different in the banking industry?
Risk management in the retail industry
Internal and external factors affecting industrial risk management
The impact of rapidly advancing information technology on industrial risk management: A case study if the automobile industry
Big data analytics and risk management for improving business operations
Risk management in the aviation industry
Human factors affecting industrial risk management
Industrial risk management in rural part of the UK.
The impact of risk management on production decisions
How can firms proactively manage supply chain risk?
Critical success factors in supply chain risk management in industrial firms in the UK

Logistics is the management of the flow of goods, information and other resources, including energy and people, between the point of origin and the point of consumption. The aim is usually to meet the requirements of consumers. To achieve its goals, logistics involves the integration of information, transportation, inventory, warehousing, material-handling, and packaging. Operations management dissertation topics for your logistics management dissertation could include:

Is the rise of intermodal international logistics affecting the operations of manufacturing companies?
Transport and logistics
Evaluation of the logistics operations carried out within manufacturing organisations
The logistic industry and corporate social responsibility: A closer look.
The impact of recent improvements in information technology on the logistics industry.
Principles of logistic management: an evaluation in a practical environment using Amazon as a case study
Anticipatory logistics on supply chain management.
Logistics management as a competitive advantage: A comparative analysis of Tesco and Asda
Value chain strategy of the logistic industry in the UK.
Optimising third party logistics using Big Data
Vehicle route optimisation in London
Decision-support systems to tackle the challenges of last mile logistics
Last mile logistics for the delivery of fresh fruits and vegetables in cities

Manufacturing strategy is a functional strategy, which means that manufacturing objectives should be derived from business objectives, and then manufacturing policies developed to address these objectives. Supply chain management (SCM) is the combination of art and science that goes into improving the way a company finds the raw components it needs to make a product or service and deliver it to customers. Possible topics for your operations dissertation are:

Is manufacturing strategy the key to business success?
Manufacturing strategies of automobile OEMs in China
Comparing the manufacturing strategies of automobile OEMs in China and the UK
A case study of Boeing’s manufacturing strategy
How Dell changed the computer world with its supply chain strategy: A retrospective case study
Combining environmental management with supply chain management: A case study on BMW
Examining continuous production as a manufacturing strategy in the pharmaceutical industry
E-supply chain management: An examination of the use of technology to build superior supply chains
ERP: A boon to supply chain strategy?
The impact of information technology on manufacturing strategy
Using information technology to support an integrated supply chain strategy
The potential of the Cloud for enhancing manufacturing strategy
Using an agile supply chain strategy to support supply chain performance
The impact of manufacturing flexibility on financial performance in the fashion industry

Total Quality Management Dissertation Topics

Total Quality Management (TQM) is a business management strategy aimed at embedding awareness of quality in all organisational processes. TQM has been widely used in manufacturing, education, call centres, government and service industries, as well as NASA space and science programs. If you are looking at the area of Total Quality Management for your operations dissertation, the following topics may be useful:

Is Total Quality Management enough for competitive advantage?
Can TQM be a factor of sustainable competitive advantage for SME organisations?
Evolution of quality: First fifty years of production and operations management in the UK
Implementation of Total Quality Management: an empirical study of UK manufacturing firms.
Total Quality Management and customer satisfaction in homebuilding.
The application of Total Quality Management in construction field operations.
The impact of TQM on innovation
TQM: Theory and the practical implementation in the UK.
Creating synergies between TQM and information technology.
To what extent can TQM be applied in the public sector?
Using Quality Management to develop excellence in UK’s third sector
Barriers to the implementation of the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) model in the UK

Palliative Care Paper Topics Topics: 97
Organizational Change Essay Topics Topics: 129
Management Research Topics Topics: 603
Exxon Topics Topics: 51
Nokia Research Topics Topics: 75
Alibaba Topics Topics: 60
Unilever Research Topics Topics: 70
Dell Topics Topics: 76
BMW Paper Topics Topics: 51
IKEA Topics Topics: 72
Product Marketing Research Topics Topics: 128
Business Strategy Topics Topics: 156
Digital Marketing Research Topics Topics: 118
Coca Cola Topics Topics: 155
Sony Essay Topics Topics: 73

90 Operations Management Topics

Operations management orchestrates all the processes to produce goods and deliver services efficiently. On this page, we suggest operations management research topics for you to explore the multifaceted dimensions of this field. Go through these operations management topics to discover the role of operations management in organizational success.

🔀 TOP 7 Operations Management Topics

🏆 best operations management research topics, 👍 examples of topics in operations management, 🌶️ more operations management topics.

Starbucks Operations and Inventory Management
Samsung Group’s Supply Chain and Operation Management
The Role of Technology in Operations Management
Air New Zealand Airline’s Operations Management
Operations Management: Apple Case Study
Human Resource Strategy in Operations Management
McDonald’s Operations: Self-Service Kiosk Case Study
Operational Management: the Case of Apple, Inc. The development of a solid plan is possible after analyzing the operationalization management strategy of Apple and developing recommendations based on the operational theory.
Operations Management: The Case of Concept Design Services Operations management is the approach to managing a range of resources that are used in order to manufacture certain products or propose specific services.
Hard Rock Café’s Operations Management and Productivity The case deals with Hard Rock café, the modest pub in London, which has grown exponentially within a very short span of 30 years.
Toyota’s vs. Coca-Cola’s Operations Management The adoption of proper operations management is an important success factor for leading global companies, namely Coca-Cola and Toyota.
Apple Inc.’s Strategic Operations Management Apple remains one of the most productive corporations in the world. This paper has analyzed the strategic factors that have enabled the American brand to succeed.
Kodak: Operations and Innovations Management This paper provides analysis of Kodak’s situation using the 3S model, application to Kodak, providing strategic analysis, systematic analysis, and situational analysis.
Samsung Electronics: Operations Management Performance Objectives In Samsung Electronics, it can be stated that one of the departments responsible for quality is Corporate Technology Office.
Azure: Service Operations Management Overview The operation that Microsoft nurtures provides customers with numerous cloud services that are assembled under the name of Azure.
Total Energies: Operations Management The operations management report’s findings for Total Energies show that technology plays a vital role in enriching the goals and objectives of the company.
Linear Programming Operations Management Linear programming operations management is a mathematical strategy that is employed for arranging scarce or limited resources effectively while performing various tasks.
Nissan Motor Company: Operations Management To ensure financial stability and a strong position in the target market, recently, Nissan has decided to reorganize its operations strategy.
General Motors Operation Analysis: Project Management Speaking of General Motors, the company’s operational objective is improving performance and the level of customers’ satisfaction.
McDonald Corporation: Operations Management and Productivity In all the restaurants under McDonald Corporation around the world, there are a number of operations that are related to the overall organizational strategy.
Operations Management of a Care Facility for the Elderly Any institution dealing with the provision of care to dependent elderly persons should ensure that its strategies are broad enough to cover the wide range of needs of the elderly.
Airbus Company Systems and Operations Management In the context of the Airbus and its integration within business, systems and operations management is of significant importance in diverse ways.
WalMart Stores’ Operation Management Operation management is the process that transfers inputs such as raw materials and labor into output in the form of finished goods and services.
Operations Management in Business Operations management is described as the organization of processes used to produce and distribute products and services. There are five main objectives of operations management.
Emergency Operations and Its Management This essay discusses emergency operations centers, and plans, preparing the populace, the press role, risk communication, and training and preparedness exercises.
Operations and Information Management: A Case Study of CC Music CC Music has accumulated market knowledge and expertise over the previous years, yet, the industry’s course over the past decade poses a significant obstacle.
Operations Management Trends and Future Operations management has evolved and changed over the years, affecting areas such as manufacturing and service.
Production and Operations Management Depreciation of products means lower prices for goods produced in mainland China. Products with a lower price may increase exports from both Hong Kong and mainland China.
Lenovo Group Ltd.’s Operations and Information Management The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of operations and information management and related concepts.
Non-Alcoholic Beverage Industry’s Operation and Management The paper regards the non-alcoholic beverages sustainability in the context of company analysis. It discusses organizational hierarchy development and finance raising.
Operations Management Definition Operations management is an essential process that uses raw materials to turn them into goods and services. This phenomenon is connected with the supply chain.
The Concept of Operations Management Operations management (OM) is defined as the design, operation, and improvement of the systems that create and deliver the firm’s primary products.
Thai-Lay Fashion Company’s Operations Management The paper reviews operations management in business with reference to the Thai-Lay Fashion Company Ltd., which is situated in Hong Kong.
Operations Management and Production System: Case of Olive Garden Restaurant The presented paper is devoted to the discussion of operations management and production system using the case of Olive Garden restaurant
Transport Efficiency Through Operation Management Operations management is one of the management fields which are increasingly becoming relevant in the competitive business environment.
Construction Company’s Operational Risk Management This work presents an operational risk assessment connected to standard masonry techniques and procedures in the development of five-story apartment blocks.
Lean Process and Operation Management The lean process applied along with the operations management is the popular paradigm that affects the functioning of companies and results in the rise of positive shifts in them.
Operations Management of Logistics and Supply Chain The effective operations management of logistics and supply chain can deliver various goals such as cost reduction, timely response, waste reduction, and improved profitability.
Roche Company’s Operations Management This report examines three of Roche’s OM decision areas, compares and contrasts the organisation with another firm using the 4Vs of operations.
Narkee Ltd.’s People and Operations Management Two main challenges Narkee Ltd faces are people management and operations management, which the firm must fix to remain competitive.
Operations Management and Related Ethical Issues Ethics dictates how to conduct operations in a morally right or just way, as well as acknowledging the dignity of employees in a business.
Productivity in Operations Management It is certain that operations management is crucial for every business that strives for development. This field addresses an array of organizational processes.
Operational Management in Large Organizations Using the example of Zara and Kohl stores, the paper analyzes the most effective strategies that allowed companies to realize themselves as profitably as possible.
Aspects of Operations Management Operations management is a vast and encompassing term used to collectively describe all business activities, which drive its internal processes.
Operation Management and Value Chain in Healthcare One of the main challenges in healthcare is that service cost reduction should not affect health outcomes in patients.
Strategic Shipping Operations Management: Liquefied Natural Gas This research analyzes some commercial and technical strategies most beneficial to facilitate the transportation of LNG with specialized designed LNG tankers.
Operations Management Research Operations management is connected directly to the value stream and is thus tasked to maximize its effectiveness and efficiency.
Operations and Information Management of CC Music The given report outlines the main features of CC Music, a company founded by Chris and Clive. It focuses on the provision of specific services to bands that include social media marketing.
The Operations Process and Types of Training Management in the Army Training is a significant aspect of improving the skills of soldiers and preparing them for upcoming or potential operations.
Operations and Supply Chain Management The principal task of this essay is to explain what can happen if a project stage is not completed and if a stakeholder decides not to participate in the project implementation.
Hard Rock Café: Operations Management and Productivity This paper describes ten operations and performance management solutions at Hard Rock Café that help create the link between raw data processing and the final product.
Innovation in Operation Management – Personal Experience To overcome the different challenges faced by companies, they must put in place some strategies like differentiating their products or services from those of the competition.
Operations Management: Ford vs. Firestone This paper is an analysis of Ford vs. Firestone case “Death on the Highway: Quality Problems at Ford and Firestone” to unearth the operations management crisis in the two companies.
Operations Management in Thai-Lay Fashion Company Ltd. Thai-Lay is a textile manufacturing company in Hong Kong with its markets situated mainly in Europe. The company produces a wide range of ready-made garments for adults and children of both sexes.
Combat Stress and Operational Stress Management Combat and operational stress is emotional and physiological stress which is a direct result of dangers faced in combat or the mere tension of being in combat.
Introduction to Operations Management Course The “Introduction to management” course built a strong foundation of knowledge connected with the organization’s peculiarities, management strategies, and organization operations.
CB&I Firm’s Operations and Supply Chain Management CB&I is an American construction and building company that also supplies raw materials to various small and medium-sized firms.
Operations Management: Factors and Approaches Operations management is critical for any business because it can be used for effective work that ensures the possibility to meet the overall business objectives.
“Operations Management” Term in Academic Literature This paper is aimed at discussing the way in which the business notion of “operations management” is introduced in the academic literature.
Online Grocery Business: Operations Management The project can have one and more critical paths. When a project has multiple critical paths, project risks increase according to the number of paths.
Project and Operation Management Essentials Operation management can be defined as a system of theories and strategies aimed at optimizing the processes occurring in the setting of entrepreneurship or aimed at completing a specific project.
Azzaz Shop’s Operations and Information Management Azzaz is a mobile phone and accessories retailer based in England, owned by Lewis. The business started with a single shop, which Lewis has grown into a chain of eleven.
Metrics and Performance Measurement in Operations Management Metrics is indeed a powerful management tool in aligning company strategies and objectives and ensuring people are working towards a common direction.
Nutmeg Enterprises’ Operations Management In the case study of Nutmeg Enterprises, the operational framework of the beverage manufacturer and distributor is provided.
Financial Operation Exposure Management Principles There are many principles that a company can implement to counter financial operation exposure. The definition of operating exposure affirms that it involves unexpected changes.
Launching an Airline: Operations and Management Launching an airline requires a deep understanding of the market forces. The industry has many challenges, from stiff competition, to fluctuating oil prices, and policies that may hurt profitability.
Big Bone BBQ and Wicked Wings Restaurants’ Operations Management The current system of Big Bone BBQ is successful, but it does not realize its full potential due to a lack of automation that leads to imprecision and considerable wastage.
Oman Refinery Company’s Operations Management T report aims to analyse critically ORPIC’s existing operations management practices, focusing on such areas as HR, quality management, and supply chain.
Worldwide Chemical Company’s Operations Management The current “fix it” approach maintained by the Worldwide Chemical Company is ultimately faulty. It leads to the decreased first-quality product yields and on-time deliveries.
Local Food Venture and Its Operations Management Building a small business enterprise is a complex task. This case study examines a model of expanding a local food venture to a permanent location and franchise.
Heathrow Airport’s Service Operations Management The study evaluates service management at Heathrow airport and evaluates actions and measures that have been taken to improve the service quality at the airport.
General Motors Company: Operations Management Concepts The present essay analyzes the current situation at General Motors and provides some recommendations for effective operations management.
American Workplace and Operations Management The paper reviews “State of the American Workplace” analysis by Gallup and provides applications of operations management concepts to improving employee engagement.
Abasco Company: Operations Management Although Abasco, Inc. has been developing at a rather fast pace in the manufacturing department, it has been showing comparatively low performance rates since recently.
EBags Company: Operations Management Analysis EBags had big expectations for the opportunities that the European market supposedly had in store for the company since there was a niche that the entrepreneurship was going to fill.
Operations Management and Productivity Operation management aims at ensuring that functions in a business are conducted in the most efficient manner, so as the end results are satisfied customers and reduced cost of production.
The Oasis Company Operations Management The Oasis Company has been in business for quite a while (since the 1990s). The essential purpose of the organization under analysis concerns providing flowers.
Operations and Supply Chain: Management Course The course serves as a real eye-opener in terms of what gravity the choice of the operation strategy and framework has on the overall efficacy of an organization.
Franklin Equipment Ltd Company’s Operations Management The purpose of this paper is to discuss the criteria used by FEL to assign members of the project team, the importance of international projects and possible ethical dilemmas.
Canbide Corporation Operations Management Tools This paper focuses on individual problems and potential solutions of Canbide Corporation with an emphasis on the need to have managers who are experienced to use analysis tools efficiently.

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PhD and Masters Theses

ORC THESES AND THE ORC MISSION

The theses produced at the ORC are a principle way in which the ORC achieves its mission.

Whether you are a member of our doctoral degree (PhD) program or our master’s degree (SM) program in operations research, you will write a thesis based on original, independent research conducted under the guidance of our expert faculty.

Below you will find a listing by year of the research performed by ORC students.

Theses are available on the DSpace@MIT online archive. If you would like to request a copy of a thesis, please contact MIT Document Services at 617.253.5650 or [email protected] .

MIT Document Services owns the copyrights for all MIT student theses.

Boussioux, Léonard Multimodality: Models, Algorithms, and Applications, June 2023

Chen, Wenyu Optimization Methods for Machine Learning under Structural Constraints, June 2023

Cummings, Kayla Toward Microtransit: Design and Operations of Reservation-based Systems, September 2023

Digalakis, Vasileios Analytics under Variability, Volume, and Velocity with Applications to Sustainability and Healthcare, June 2023

Gilmour, Samuel Allocating Scarce Resources: Modeling and Optimization, June 2023

Gong, Xiaoyue Data-Driven Decision Making in Operations Management, June 2023

Liang, Jason Cheuk Nam Automated Data-driven Algorithm and Mechanism Design in Online Advertising Markets, June 2023

Na, Liangyuan Optimal Decision Making for Healthcare Operations: Models and Implementation, June 2023

Susan, Fransisca Online Combinatorial Optimization for Digital Marketplaces, June 2023

Wilde, Joshua Analytics-Enabled Quality and Safety Management Methods for High-Stakes Manufacturing Applications, February 2023

Zhao, Renbo New Theory and Algorithms for Convex Optimization with Non-Standard Structures, June 2023

Zheng, Andrew Experimentation and Control in Online Platforms, June 2023

Baek, Jackie Decision-Making Under Uncertainty: From Theory to Practice, September 2022

Coey, Christopher Daniel Lang Interior point and outer approximation methods for conic optimization, May 2022

Cohen, Peter L. Algorithmic Approaches to Nonparametric Causal Inference, May 2022

Cory-Wright, Ryan Integer and Matrix Optimization: A Nonlinear Approach, May 2022

Foncea Araneda , Patricio Tomas Learning and Optimization in Modern Retail, September 2022

Gibson, Emma Optimizing Healthcare Delivery in Resource-Limited, September 2022

Kapelevich, Lea Techniques for handling nonsymmetric cones in interior point algorithms, May 2022

Lahlou Kitane, Driss Sparsity in Machine Learning: Theory and Applications, February 2022

Li, Michael Lingzhi Algorithms for Large-scale Data Analytics and Applications to the COVID-19 Pandemic, February 2022

Meigs, Emily Information and Incentives in Online Platforms, September 2022

Papalexopoulos, Theodore P. Multi-Objective Optimization for Public Policy, May 2022

Paskov, Ivan Spassimirov Stable Machine Learning, February 2022.

Paynter, Jonathan Modeling Aspects of Military Readiness, May 2022

Skali Lami, Omar Predictive and Prescriptive Analytics in Operations Management, May 2022

Sobiesk, Matthew Machine Learning Algorithms and Applications in Health Care, February 2022

Spantidakis, Ioannis Constrained Inventory Optimization on Complex Warehouse Networks, September 2022

Wiberg, Holly Mika Data-driven healthcare via constraint learning and analytics, May 2022

Xu, Qingyang Financial and Analytic Innovations for Therapeutic Development, May 2022

Amar, Jonathan Z. Algorithmic Advancements in the Practice of Revenue Management, February 2021.

Bandi, Hari Improving Efficiency and Fairness in Machine Learning: a Discrete Optimization Approach, September 2021.

Delarue, Arthur Optimizing School Operations, June 2021.

Hazimeh, Hussein Sparse Learning using Discrete Optimization: Scalable Algorithms and Statistical Insights, September 2021.

Koduri, Nihal Essays on Decision Making Under Uncertainty, June 2021.

Orfanoudaki, Agni Novel Machine Learning Algorithms for Personalized Medicine and Insurance, June 2021.

Paulson, Elisabeth Healthy Food Access and Consumption: Informing Interventions Through Analytics, September 2021.

Renegar, Nicholas Predictive Analytics and Machine Learning for the Risk-Based Management of Agricultural Supply Chains, September 2021.

Sinha, Deeksha Optimization for Online Platforms, February 2021.

Berk, Lauren New Optimization Approaches to Matrix Factorization Problems with Connections to Natural Language Processing, June 2020.

Chodrow, Philip S. Structure, Dynamics, and Inference in Networks, September 2020.

Cohen-Hillel, Tamar Past Price and Trend Effects in Promotion Planning; from Prediction to Prescription, September 2020.

Gaudio, Julia Investigations in Applied Probability and High-Dimensional Statistics, June 2020.

Hu, Michael Leveraging Data Analytics to Improve Outpatient Healthcare Operations, February 2020.

Hunter, David New Approaches to Maximizing Influence in Large-Scale Social Networks, February 2020.

Lamperski, Jourdain Bernard Structural and Algorithmic Aspects of Linear Inequality Systems, September 2020.

Lu, Jing Probabilistic Models and Optimization Algorithms for Large-scale Transportation Problems, February 2020.

Pauphilet, Jean Algorithmic Advancements in Discrete Optimization Applications to Machine Learning and Healthcare Operations, June 2020.

Singhvi, Divya Data-Driven Decision Making in Online and Offine Retail, September 2020.

Singhvi, Somya Improving Farmers’ and Consumers’ Welfare in Agricultural Supply Chains via Data-driven Analytics and Modeling: From Theory to Practice, September 2020.

Sturt, Bradley Eli Dynamic Optimization in the Age of Big Data, June 2020.

Wang, Li Online and Offline Learning in Operations, September 2020.

Wang, Yuchen Interpretable Machine Learning Methods with Applications to Health Care, June 2020.

Yan, Julia From Data to Decisions in Urban Transit and Logistics, June 2020.

Zhang, Kevin Real-Time Calibration of Large-Scale Traffic Simulators: Achieving Efficiency Through the Use of Analytical Models, September 2020.

Baardman, Lennart Analytics in Promotional Pricing and Advertising, June 2019.

Beeler, Michael Francis Inference and Decision Models for Regulatory and Business Challenges in Low-Income Countries, September 2019.

Biggs, Max Prescriptive Analytics in Operations Problems: a Tree Ensemble Approach, September 2019.

Burq, Maximilien Dynamic Matching Algorithms, February, 2019.

Chen, Louis Lester Distributionally Robust Optimization with Marginals: Theory and Applications, September 2019.

Fields, Evan Demand Uncensored: Inferring Demand for Car-Sharing Mobility Services Using Data-Driven and Simulation-Based Techniques, February, 2019.

Hariss, Rim Data-driven Optimization with Behavioral Considerations: Applications to Pricing, September 2019.

Lu, Haihao Large-Scale Optimization Methods for Data-Science Applications, June 2019.

Martin, Sebastien The Edge of Large-Scale Optimization in Transportation and Machine Learning, June 2019.

McCord, Christopher George Data-Driven Dynamic Optimization with Auxiliary Covariates, June 2019.

Mellou, Konstantina Resource Scheduling and Optimization in Dynamic and Complex Transportation Settings, June 2019.

Mundru, Nishanth Predictive and Prescriptive Methods in Operations Research and Machine Learning: An Optimization Approach, June 2019.

Nambiar, Mila Data-driven Pricing and Inventory Management with Applications in Fashion Retail, September 2019.

Ng, Yee Sian Advances in Data-Driven Models for Transportation, June 2019.

Pawlowski, Colin Machine Learning for Problems with Missing and Uncertain Data with Applications to Personalized Medicine, June 2019.

Tay, Joel Integrated Robust and Adaptive Methods in the Heating Oil Industry, February, 2019.

Zadik, Ilias Computational and Statistical Challenges in High Dimensional Statistical Models, September 2019.

Amjad, Muhammad Jehangir Sequential Data Inference via Matrix Estimation: Causal Inference, Cricket and Retail, September 2018.

Chen, Chongli Daniel Operations Management in a Large Online Retailer: Inventory, Scheduling and Picking, September 2018.

Copenhaver, Martin Steven Sparsity and robustness in modern statistical estimation, June 2018.

Dunn, Jack William Optimal Trees for Prediction and Prescription, June 2018.

Galle, Virgile Optimization Models and Methods for Storage Yard Operations in Maritime Container Terminals, February 2018.

Goh, Chong Yang Learning with Structured Decision Constraints, June 2018.

Goh, Siong Thye Machine Learning Approaches to Challenging Problems: Interpretable Imbalanced Classification, Interpretable Density Estimation, and Causal Inference, June 2018.

Gutin, Eli Practical Applications of Large-Scale Stochastic Control for Learning and Optimization, September 2018.

Huchette, Joseph Andrew Advanced mixed-integer programming formulations: Methodology, computation, and application, June 2018.

Li, Andrew A. Algorithms for Large-Scale Personalization, June 2018.

Ma, Will (Wei) Dynamic, Data-driven Decision-making in Revenue Management, September 2018.

Owen, Zachary Davis Owen Revenue Management and Learning in Systems of Reusable Resources, June 2018.

Papush, Anna Data-Driven Methods for Personalized Product Recommendation Systems, February 2018.

Pixton, Clark Operational Decisions and Learning for Multiproduct Retail, June 2018.

Tracà, Stefano Regulating exploration in multi-armed bandit problems with time patterns and dying arms, June 2018.

Udwani, Rajan Vignettes on Robust Combinatorial Optimization, September 2018.

Wang, Shujing Improving Behavioral Decision Making in Operations and Food Safety Management, September 2018.

Zhuo, Ying Daisy New Algorithms in Machine Learning with Applications in Personalized Medicine, June 2018.

Aouad, Mohammed Revenue Management in Face of Choice Heterogeneity, September 2017.

Cheung, Wang Chi Data-driven Algorithms for Operational Problems, February 2017.

Eschenfeldt, Patrick Clark Multiserver Queueing Systems in Heavy Traffic, February 2017.

Flajolet, Arthur Adaptive Optimization Problems under Uncertainty with Limited Feedback, June 2017.

Gupta, Swati Combinatorial Structures in Online and Convex Optimization, June 2017.

Korolko, Nikita A Robust Optimization Approach to Online Problems, June 2017.

Kung, Jerry Lai An Analytics Approach to Problems in Health Care, June 2017.

Lubin, Miles Mixed-Integer Convex Optimization: Outer Approximation Algorithms and Modeling Power, September 2017.

Marks, Christopher E. Analytic Search Methods in Online Social Networks, June 2017.

Thraves Cortés-Monroy, Charles Mark New Applications in Revenue Management, June 2017.

Weinstein, Alexander Michael From Data to Decisions in Healthcare: An Optimization Perspective, June 2017.

Yan, Chiwei Airline Scheduling and Air Traffic Control: Incorporating Passenger and Airline Preferences and Uncertainty, September 2017.

Dunning, Iain Robert Advances in Robust and Adaptive Optimization: Algorithms, Software, and Insights, June 2016.

Grigas, Paul Methods for Convex Optimization and Statistical Learning, September 2016.

Misic, Velibor V. Data, Models and Decisions for Large-Scale Stochastic Optimization Problem, June 2016.

Remorov, Alexander Dynamic Trading and Behavioral Finance, June 2016.

Shaposhnik, Yaron Exploration vs. Exploitation: Reducing Uncertainty in Operational Problems, September 2016.

Shi, Peng Prediction and Optimization in School Choice, June 2016.

Wang, He Dynamic Learning and Optimization for Operations Management Problems, June 2016.

Youssef, Nataly Stochastic Analysis via Robust Optimization, February 2016.

Yuan, Rong Velocity-based Storage and Stowage Decisions in a Semi-automated Fulfillment System, September 2016.

Bisias, Dimitrios Applications of Optimal Portfolio Management, September 2015.

Calmon, Andre du Pin Reverse Logistics for Consumer Electronics: Forecasting Failures, Managing Inventory, and Matching Warranties, June 2015.

Cohen, Maxime C. Pricing for Retail, Social Networks and Green Technologies, September 2015.

Fagnan, David Erik Analytics for Financing Drug Development, June 2015.

Johnson, Kris Analytics for Online Markets, June 2015.

Kallus, Nathan From Data to Decisions Through New Interfaces Between Optimization and Statistics, June 2015.

King, Angela Regression under a Modern Optimization Lens, June 2015.

Letham, Benjamin Statistical Learning for Decision Making: Interpretability, Uncertainty, and Inference, June 2015.

Lin, Maokai Optimization and Equilibrium in Dynamic Networks and Applications in Traffic Systems, February 2015.

Silberholz, John Analytics for Improved Cancer Screening and Treatment, September 2015.

Wang, Hai Design and Operation of a Last Mile Transportation System, June 2015.

Anderson, Ross Michael Stochastic Models and Data Driven Simulations for Healthcare Operations, June 2014.

Elmachtoub, Adam Nabil New Approaches for Integrating Revenue and Supply Chain Management, September, 2014.

Gupta, Vishal Data-Driven Models for Uncertainty and Behavior, June 2014.

Leung, Ngai-Hang Zachary Three Essays in Operations Management, September, 2014.

Zhu, Zhe New Statistical Techniques for Designing Future Generation Retirement and Insurance Solutions, September, 2014.

Bandi, Chaithanya Tractable Stochastic Analysis in High Dimensions via Robust Optimization, June 2013.

Chiraphadhanakul, Virot Large-Scale Analytics and Optimization in Urban Transportation: Improving Public Transit and Its Integration with Vehicle-Sharing Services, June 2013.

Figueroa, Cristian Ricardo Emission Regulations in the Electricity Market: An Analysis from Consumers, Producers and Central Planner Perspectives, September 2013.

Fontana, Matthew William Optimal Routes for Electric Vehicles Facing Uncertainty, Congestion, and Energy Constraints, September 2013.

Keller, Philipp Wilhelm Tractable Multi-product Pricing under Discrete Choice Models, June 2013.

Lu, Xin Online Optimization Problems, June 2013.

Monsch, Matthieu Large Scale Prediction Models and Algorithms, September 2013.

O’Hair, Allison Kelly Personalized Diabetes Management, June 2013.

Simchi-Levi, David Effectiveness and Design of Sparse Process Flexibilities, June 2013.

Uichanco, Joline Ann Villaranda Data-driven Optimization and Analytics for Operations Management Applications, September 2013.

Acimovic, Jason Andrew Lowering Outbound Shipping Costs in an Online Retail Environment by Making Better Fulfillment and Replenishment Decisions, September 2012.

Chang, Allison An Integer Optimization Methods for Machine Learning, June 2012.

Frankovich, Michael Joseph Air Traffic Flow Management at Airports: A Unified Optimization Approach, September 2012.

Gupta, Shubham A Tractable Optimization Framework for Air Traffic Flow Management Addressing Fairness, Collaboration and Stochasticity, June 2012.

Lobel, Ruben Pricing and Incentive Design in Applications of Green Technology Subsidies and Revenue Management, June 2012.

Shi, Cong Provably Near-Optimal Algorithms for Multi-stage Stochastic Optimization Models in Operations Management, September 2012.

Sun, Wei Price of Anarchy in Supply Chains, Congested Systems and Joint Ventures, September 2012.

Telha Cornejo, Claudio Algorithms and Hardness Results for the Jump Number Problem, the Joint Replenishment Problem, and the Optimal Clustering of Frequency-Constrained Maintenance Jobs, February 2012.

Teytelman, Anna Modeling Reduction of Pandemic Influenza Using Pharmaceutical and Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions in a Heterogeneous Population, June 2012.

Zhong, Yuan Resource Allocation in Stochastic Processing Networks: Performance and Scaling, September 2012.

Becker, Adrian Bernard Druke Decomposition Methods for Large Scale Stochastic and Robust Optimization Problems, September 2011.

Chhaochhria, Pallav Forecast-driven Tactical Planning Models for Manufacturing Systems, September 2011.

Dunkel, Juliane The Gomory-Chv´atal Closure: Polyhedrality, Complexity, and Extensions, June 2011.

Goldberg, David Alan Large Scale Queueing Systems: Asymptotics and Insights, June 2011.

Kluberg, Lionel J. Competition and Loss of Eciency: From Electricity Markets to Pollution Control, June 2011.

Michalek Pfeil, Diana Optimization of Airport Terminal-Area Air Traffic Operations under Uncertain Weather Conditions, June 2011.

Mittal, Shashi Algorithms for Discrete, Non-Linear and Robust Optimization Problems with Applications in Scheduling and Service Operations, September 2011.

Rikun, Alexander Anatolyevich Applications of Robust Optimization to Queueing and Inventory Systems, June 2011.

Sun, Xu Andy Advances in Electric Power Systems: Robustness, Adaptability, and Fairness, September 2011.

Trichakis, Nikolaos K. Fairness in Operations: From Theory to Practice, June 2011.

Williams, Gareth Pierce Dynamic Order Allocation for Make-To-Order Manufacturing Networks: An Industrial Case Study of Optimization Under Uncertainty, June 2011.

Zarybnisky, Eric Jack Maintenance Scheduling for Modular Systems–Models and Algorithms, September 2011.

Bimpikis, Kostas Strategic Delay and Information Exchange in Endogenous Social Networks, September 2010.

Doan, Xuan Vinh Optimization under Moment, Robust, and Data-Driven Models of Uncertainty, February 2010.

Fearing, Douglas The Case for Coordination: Equity, Efficiency and Passenger Impacts in Air Traffic Flow Management, Septmeber 2010.

Iancu, Dan Andrei Adaptive Robust Optimization with Applications in Inventory and Revenue Management, Septmeber 2010.

Menjoge, Rajiv New Procedures for Visualizing Data and Diagnosing Regression Models, June 2010.

Weber, Theophane Correlation Decay and Decentralized Optimization in Graphical Models, February 2010.

Harsha, Pavithra – Mitigating Airport Congestion: Market Mechanisms and Airline Response Models, February 2009.

Lobel, Ilan – Social Networks: Rational Learning and Information Aggregation, September 2009.

Lu, Ye – Essays on Inventory, Pricing and Financial Trading Strategies, September 2009.

Nguyen, Tri-Dung – Robust Estimation, Regression and Ranking with Applications in Portfolio Optimization, June 2009.

Nigmatulina, Karima Robert – Modeling and Responding to Pandemic Influenza: Importance of Population Distributional Attributes and Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions, June 2009.

Stratila, Dan – Combinatorial Optimization Problems with Concave Costs, February 2009.

Bjarnadottir, Margret – Data-Driven Approach to Health Care: Applications Using Claims Data, September 2008.

Chandler, Lincoln J. – The Minority Achievement Gap in a Suburban School District, June 2008.

Czerwinski, David – Quality of Care and Drug Surveillance: A Data-Driven Perspective, June 2008.

Mamani, Hamed – Supply Chain Coordination and Influenza Vaccination, September 2008.

Pei, Pamela – Towards a Unified Theory of Procurement Contract Design: Production Flexibility, Spot Market Trading, and Contract Structure, June 2008.

Rogozhnikov, Dmitriy – Algorithmic issues in queueing systems and combinatorial counting problems, September 2008.

Shah, Premal – Analysis of Employee Stock Options and Guaranteed Withdrawal Benefits for Life, September 2008.

Uhan, Nelson – Algorithmic and Game-Theoretic Perspectives on Scheduling, June 2008.

Chan, Timothy – Optimization under Uncertainty in Radiation Therapy, June 2007.

Goundan, Pranava – Essays on Optimization and Incentive Contracts, June 2007.

Kaminski, Kathryn – General Superposition Strategies and Asset Allocation, June 2007.

Le-Tallec, Yann – Robust, Risk-Sensitive, and Data-driven Control of Markov Decision Processes, February 2007.

Shum, Wanhang – Effective Contracts in Supply Chains, June 2007.

Simon, Carine – Dynamic Pricing with Demand Learning under Competition, September 2007.

Sivaraman, Raghavendran – Capacity Expansion in Contemporary Telecommunication Networks, September 2007.

Teo, Kwong Meng – Nonconvex Robust Optimization, June 2007.

Adida, Elodie – Dynamic Pricing and Inventory Control with no Backorders under Uncertainty and Competition, June 2006.

Gupta, Shobhit – Buyout Prices in Online Auctions, June 2006.

McCann, Lauren – Robust Model Selection and Outlier Detection in Linear Regression, June 2006.

Meyers, Carol – Network Flow Problems and Congestion Games: Complexity and Approximation Results, June 2006.

Nogueira, Alexandre – Studies Integrating Geometry, Probability, and Optimization Under Convexity, June 2006.

Roels, Guillaume – Information and Decentralization in Inventory, Supply Chain, and Transportation Systems, June 2006.

Wagner, Michael – Online Optimization in Routing and Scheduling, June 2006.

Yee, Michael – Inferring Noncompensatory Choice Heuristics, June 2006.

Aghassi, Michele Leslie – Robust Optimization, Game Theory, and Variational Inequalities, September 2005.

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Kang, Laura Sumi – Degradable Airline Scheduling: an Approach to Improve Operational Robustness and Differentiate Service Quality, February 2004.

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Farahat, Amr – Tractability Through Approximation: A Study of Two Discrete Optimization Problems, September 2004.

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De boer, Sanne Advances in Airline Revenue Management and Pricing, June 2003.

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Mersereau, Adam Dynamic Optimization for Adaptive Customized Marketing, September 2003.

Shioda, Romy Integer Optimization in Data Mining, June 2003.

Sun, Peng Constructing Learning Models from Data: The Dynamic Catalog Mailing Problem, June 2003.

Wu, Joseph T. Optimization of Influenza Vaccine Strain Selection, June 2003.

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Cohn, Amy E. Composite-Variable Modeling for Large-Scale Problems in Transportation and Logistics, June 2002.

Kachani, Soulaymane Dynamic Travel Time Models for Pricing and Route Guidance: A Fluid Dynamics Approach, June 2002.

Muharremoglu, Alp A New Perspective on Multi-Echelon Inventory Systems, September 2002.

Ordonez, Fernando On the Explanatory Value of Condition Numbers for Convex Optimization: Theoretical Issues and Computational Experience, September 2002.

Pachamanova, Dessislava A. A Robust Optimization Approach to Finance, June 2002.

Rifkin, Ryan Everything Old is New Again: A Fresh Look at Historical Approaches in Machine Learning, September 2002.

Sharma, Dushyant Cyclic Exchange and Related Neighborhood Structures for Combinatorial Optimization Problems, June 2002.

Ergun, Ozlem New Neighborhood Search Algorithms Based on Exponentially Large Neighborhoods, June 2001.

Haugh, Martin B. Essays in Financial Engineering, September 2001.

Humair, Salal Yield Management for Telecommunication Networks: Defining a New Landscape, February 2001.

Lauprete, Geoffrey J. Portfolio Risk Minimization under Departures from Normality, September 2001

Armacost, Andrew P. Composite Variable Formulation for Express Shipment Service Network Design, September 2000.

Chew, Elaine Towards a Mathematical Model of Tonality, February 2000.

Demir, Ramazan An Approximate Dynamic Programming Approach to Discrete Optimization, June 2000.

Gallien, Jérémie Optimization-Based Auctions and Stochastic Assembly Replenishment Policies for Industrial Procurement, June 2000.

Hollywood, John S. Performance Evaluation and Optimization Models for Processing Networks with Queue-Dependent Production Quantities, June 2000.

Hsu, Leon C. The Bottleneck Phenomenon in Scheduling of Transportation Systems, February 2000.

Taylor, Jonathan D. Essays on the Empirical Properties of Stock and Mutual Fund Returns, June 2000.

Croxton, Keely L., Modeling and Solving Network Flow Problems with Piecewise Linear Costs, with Applications in Supply Chain Management, September 1999.

Epelman, Marina, Complexity, Condition Numbers and Conic Linear Systems, June 1999.

Hall, William, Efficient Capacity Allocation in a Collaborative Air Transportation System, June 1999.

Nemec, Joseph, Diffusion and Decompostition Approximations of Stochastic Models of Muolticlass Processing Networks, February 1999.

Popescu, Ioana, Application of Optimization in Probability, finance and Revenue Management, June 1999.

Sethuraman, Jayachandran, Scheduling Multiclass Queueing Networks and Job Shops using Fluid and Semidefinite Relaxation, September 1999.

Sokol, Joel, Optimizing Paint Blocking in an Automobile Assembly Line: An Application of Specialized TSP1s, June 1999.

Chryssikou, Efthalia, Multiperiod Portfolio Optimization in the Presence of Transaction Costs, June 1998.

D’Amato, Rebecca, Management of Antiretroviral Therapy for HIV Infection: Modeling When to Change Therapy, June 1998.

Epstein, Rafael, Linear Programming and Capacitated Network Loading, February 1998.

Gamarnik, David, Stability and Performance of Multiclass Queueing Networks, February 1998.

Hauksson, Arni, The Commercialization of University Research Discoveries: Are University Technology Transfer Offices Stimulating the Process? February 1998.

Kniker, Timothy, Itinerary-Based Airline Fleet Assignment, June 1998.

Osuna, Edgar, Support Vector Machines: Training and Applications, June 1998.

Ruark, John, Implementing Reusable Solvers: An Object-Oriented Framework for Operations Research Algorithms, June 1998.

Toktay, Latife Beril, Analysis of a Production-Inventory System under a Stationary Demand Process and Forecast Updates, June 1998.

Wang, Yi, Modeling and Solving Single and Multiple Facility Network Restoration Problems, June 1998.

Christodouleas, James, Solution Methods for Multiprocessor Network Scheduling Problems, with Application to Railroad Operations” June 1997.

Nunez Araya, Manuel A., Condition Numbers and Properties of Central Trajectories in Convex Programming, September 1997.

Patterson, Sarah Stock, Dynamic Flow Management Problems in Air Transportation, June 1997.

Aggarwal, Charu C., Faster Algorithms for Some Network Flow Problems, June 1996.

Bonvik, Asbjoern M., Performance Analysis of Manufacturing Systems Under Hybrid Control Policies, June 1996.

Fang, Yue, Volatility Modeling and Estimation of High-Frequency Data with Gaussian Noise, June, 1996.

Markowitz, David M., A Unified Approach to Single Machine Scheduling: Heavy Traffic Analysis of Dynamic Cyclic Policies, June 1996.

Pinker, Edieal J., Models of Flexible Workforce Management in Uncertain Environments, June 1996.

Miller, Michael G., Optimal Allocation of Resources to Clinical Trials, September 1996.

Rimm-Kaufman, Alan P., Risk Mitigation Models for a Japanese Railroad,” June 1996.

Teo, Chung-Piaw, Constructing Approximation Algorithms Via Linear Programming Relaxations: Primal Dual and Randomized Rounding Techniques, September 1996.

Zenios, Stefanos A., Health Care Applications of Optimal Control Theory, June 1996.

Burman, Mitchell H., New Results in Flow Line Analysis, June 1995.

Chi, Zhihang, Airline Yield Management in a Dynamic Network Environment, February 1995.

Luo, Xiao-Dong, Continuous Linear Programming: Theory, Algorithms and Applications, September 1995.

Malone, Kerry M., Dynamic Queueing Systems: Behavior and Approximations for Individual Queues and for Networks, June 1995.

Milner, Joseph, Dynamic Slot Allocation with Airline Participation, June 1995.

Mourtzinou, Georgia, An Axiomatic Approach to Queueing Systems, June 1995.

Nino-Mora, Jose, Optimal Resource Allocation in a Dynamic and Stochastic Environment: A Mathematical Programming Approach, June 1995.

Raghavan, S., Formulations and Algorithms for Network Design Problems with Connectivity Requirements, February 1995.

Ricard, Michael J., Optimization of Queueing Networks: An Optimal Control Approach, June 1995.

Rubio, Rodrigo, Dynamic-Stochastic Vehicle Routing and Inventory Problem, September 1995.

Shumsky, Robert A., Dynamic Statistical Models for the Prediction of Aircraft Take-off Times, September 1995.

Theodosopoulos, Theodore V., Stochastic Models for Global Optimization, June 1995.

Huang, Yen-Chin, Empirical Distribution Function Statistics, Speed of Convergence, and p-Variation, June 1994.

Ingolfsson, Armann, Earthquake Forecasts: The Life-Saving Potential of Last-Minute Warnings, September 1994.

Klaassen, Pieter , Stochastic Programming Models for Interest-Rate Risk Management,” June 1994.

Ramakrishnan, V.S., On Cuts and Clutters, September 1994.

Staats, Richard C., Integration of Predictive Routing Information with Dynamic Traffic Signal Control, September 1994.

Mondschein, Susana V., Optimal Sales Strategies in Stochastic, Dynamic Environments, June 1993.

Srivatsan, Narayanan, Synthesis of Optimal Policies for Stochastic Manufacturing Systems, September 1993.

Athaide, Christopher, Capacity Allocation and Safety Stocks in Manufacturing Systems, February 1992.

Chevalier, Philippe, Two Topics in Multistage Manufacturing Systems, June 1992.

Gopalan, Ramasubramanian, Exploiting Process Flexibility in Metal Forming Operations, September 1992.

Hall, Susan A., New Directions in Queue Inference for Management Implementation, June 1992.

Kodialam, Muralidharan, The O-D Shortest Path Problem and Connectivity Problems on Periodic Graphs, February 1992.

Pappu, Suguna, Production Planning with Due-Date Constraints, June 1992.

Polychronopoulos, George, Stochastic and Dynamic Shortest Distance Problems, June 1992.

Veatch, Michael H., Queueing Control Problems for Production/Inventory Systems, September 1992.

Vranas, Peter B., The Multi-Airport Ground-Holding Problem in Air Traffic Control, June 1992.

Abe, Makoto, A Marketing Mix Model Developed From Single Source Data: A Semiparametric Approach, September 1991.

Bai, Sherman X. , Scheduling Manufacturing Systems with Work-in-Process Inventory Control, September 1991.

Ballman, Karla V., Cost-Effectiveness of Smart Traffic Signals, June 1991.

Gau, Shiow-Hwa, Server Management in Queueing System, February 1991.

Ou, Jihong, Dynamic Scheduling of Queueing Networks, September 1991.

Richetta, Octavio, Ground Holding Strategies for Air Traffic Control Under Uncertainty, June 1991.

Talluri, Kalyan T., Issues in the Design and Analysis of Survivable Networks, September 1991.

Van Ryzin, Garrett, Stochastic and Dynamic Vehicle Routing in Euclidean Service Regions, June 1991.

Venkatakrishnan, C.S., Analysis and Optimization of Terminal Area Air Traffic Control Operations, February 1991.

Caulkins, Jonathan P., The Distribution and Consumption of Illicit Drugs: Some Mathematical Models and Their Policy Implications, June 1990.

Goemans, Michel X., Analysis of Linear Programming Relaxations for a Class Connectivity Problems, September 1990.

Nakazato, Daisuke, Transient Distributional Results in Queues with Applications to Queueing Networks, September 1990.

Tan, Kok-Choon, Newton’s Method for Parametric Center Problems, June 1990.

Zhang, Hongtao, Cyclic Scheduling in a Stochastic Environment, June 1990.

Eckstein, Jonathan – Splitting Methods for Monotone Operators With Applications to Parallel Optimization, September 1989

Hall, Leslie A. – Two Topics in Discrete Optimization: Polyhedral Structure of Capacitated Trees and Approximation Algorithms for Scheduling, September 1989

Luo, Zhi-Quan (Tom) – Communication Complexity of Some Problems in Distributed Computation, September 1989

Webb, Ian R. – Period and Phase of Customer Replenishment: A New Approach to Inventory / Routing Problem, June 1989

Abraham, Magid M. – Retailer Forward Buying of Consumer Goods, June 1988

Bertsimas, Dimitris J. – Probabilistic Combinatorial Optimization Problems, September 1988

Boyd, E. Andrew – Optimization Problems on Greedoids, February 1988

Thompson, Paul M. – Local Search Algorithms for Vehicle Routing and Other Combinatorial Problems, June 1988

Wagner, Janet M. – Stochastic Programming and Recourse Applied to Groundwater Quality Management, June 1988

Gordon, Ethel-Sherry – New Problems in Queues: Social Injustice and Server Production Management, June 1987

Marujo, Ernesto – Dynamic Allocation of Machines to Product Families in the Presence of Setup Delays, September 1987

Qiu, Yuping – Sensitivity Analysis for Variational Inequalities, June 1987

Chapman, Paul T. – Decision Models for Multistage Production Planning, February 1986

Cox, Jr., Louis A. – Mathematical Foundations of Risk Measurement, June 1986

Hiller, Randall – Stochastic Programming Approximation Methods with Applications to Multistage Production Planning, September 1986

Leung, Janny M. Y. – Polyhedral Structure of Capacitated Fixed Charge Problems and A Problem in Delivery Route Planning, February 1986

MacDonald, Bruce – A Generalized Model for the Prediction of Controller Intervention Rates in the En Route Air Traffic Control System, September 1986

Schaack, Christian – Cutoff Priority Queues: A Methodology for Police Patrol Dispatching, February 1986

Tseng, Paul – Relaxation Methods for Monotopic Programming Problems, June 1986

Yee, James R. – Distributed Routing and Flow Control Algorithms for Communications Networks, February 1986

Bienstock, Daniel – Large-Scale Reliability, September 1985

Haimovich, Mordecai – Large Scale Geometric Location Problems, February 1985

Hammond, Janice H. – Solving Asymmetric Variational Inequality Problems and Systems of Equations with Generalized Nonlinear Programming Algorithms, February 1985

Lo Faso, Anthony J. – On the Optimal Allocation of Prison Space, February 1985

Lamar, Bruce W. – Network Design Algorithms with Applications to Freight Transportation, September 1985

Minkoff, Alan S. – Real-Time Dispatching of Delivery Vehicles, September 1985

Vande Vate, John H. – The Linear Matroid Parity Problem, February 1985

Batta, Rajan – Facility Location in the Presence of Congestion, September 1984

Kaplan, Edward H. – Managing the Demand for Public Housing, June 1984

Luque, Fernando Javier Rodilla – Nonlinear Proximal Point Algorithms, June 1984

Matsuo, Hirofumi – The Capacitated Lot Size Problems, June 1984

Bier, Vicki M. – A Measure of Uncertainty Importance for Components in Fault Trees, February 1983

Constantopoulos, Panagiotis C. – Computer-Assisted Control of Electricity Usage By Consumers, June 1983

D’Aversa, Joseph Salvatore – Numerical Methods for Group Theoretic Integer Programming, June 1983

Huang, Kuan-Tsae – Query Optimization in Distributed Databases, February 1983

Chandru, Vijaya – Complexity of the Super-Group Approach to Integer Programming, September 1982

Chiu, Samuel S. – Location Problems in the Presence of Queuing, February 1982

Kalish, Shlomo – Control Variables in Models of Innovation Diffusion, June 1982

Sarkar, Debashish – Energy Economics and Optimization: A Synthesis, February 1982

Roth, Emily J. – An Investigation of the Transient Behavior of Stationary Queuing Systems, June 1981

Valor-Sabatier, Josep – Diagnostic Analysis of Inventory Systems, June 1981

Sadiq, Ghazala – Facility Location Problems in Spaces with Discontinuities in the Travel Medium, June 1981

Sempolinski, Dorothy – Inverse Optimization Applied to Fixed Charge Models, February 1981

Yanasse, Horacio H. – Aggregation and Computational Complexity of Lot Size Problems, September 1981

Livne, Zvi A. – The Role of Time in Negotiations, September 1979.

Berman, Oded – Dynamic Positioning of Mobile Servers on Networks, February 1978.

Modiano, Eduardo M. – Normative Models for Optimal Seismic Design, June 1978.

Pariente, Silvia – Mathematical Programming Approaches to Modeling Technological Change, with Applications to the Energy Sector, June 1978.

Shepardson, Wilfred B. – A Lagrangean Relaxation Algorithm for the Two Duty Period Scheduling Problem, June 1978.

Bloom, Jeremy A. – A Mathematical Model of Fuel Distribution in New England, September 1978.

Eriksen, Steven E. – Policy Oriented Multi-Equation Models of U.S. Domestic Air Passenger Markets, September 1977.

Bitran, Gabriel R. – Admissible Points and Vector Optimization: A Unified Approach, February 1975.

Cretin, Shan A. – A Model of the Risk of Death from Myocardial Infarction, February 1975.

Mirchandani, Pitu B. – Analysis of Stochastic Networks in Emergency Service Systems, February 1975.

Hauser, John R. – A Normative Methodology for Predicting Consumer Response to Design Decisions: Issues, Models, Theory and Use, June 1975.

Boyle, Brian Edward – Computer-Aided Therapeutic Diagnosis, June, 1974.

Handler, Gabriel Y. – Minimax Network Location: Theory and Algorithms, September, 1974

Bell, David – The Resolution of Duality Gaps in Discrete Optimization, September 1973.

Mehta, Cyrus – Multi period Adaptive Control of the Wellhead Price of Natural Gas: A Bayesian Decision Theoretic Approach, September 1973.

Rousseau, Jean-Marc – A Cutting Plane Method for the Fixed Cost Problem, September 1973.

Oliver, Robert M. – The Design and Error Analysis of a Production and Inventory Control System, June, 1957.

Little, John D.C. – Use of Storage Water in a Hydroelectric System, February 1955.

Jiang, Qingxuan Choice Modeling and Assortment Optimization on the Transformer Model, February 2024

Robin, Arnaud Robust Inventory Induction under Demand Uncertainty, February 2024

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Benbaki, Riade Topics in Sparsity and Compression: From High dimensional statistics to Overparametrized Neural Networks, June 2023

Luciano Rivera , Gianpaolo Data-driven Clustering for New Garment Forecasting, June 2023

Ramé, Martin Branch-and-Price for Prescriptive Contagion Analytics, June 2023

Reubenstein, Rebecca Equitable Community Health Worker Deployment in sub-Saharan Africa: A Modeling Framework for Stochastic Health Progression, June 2023

Siegel, Benjamin M. Innovative Supply Chain Cyber Risk Analytics: Unsupervised Clustering and Reinforcement Learning Approaches, June 2023

Blanks, Lindsey Operational Scheduling of Deep Space Radars for Resident Space Object Surveillance, May 2022

Groszman, Kenny Sequential Optimization for Prospective Patient Segmentation and Content Targeting, May 2022

Guinet, Gauthier Marc Benoit Bandit Problems under Censored Feedback, September 2022

Humphries, Samuel S. Analytics for Sustainable Logistics: Fuel Efficiency and Hydrogen Planning, May 2022

Niu, Yumeng Optimal Targeting under Gender Fairness, May 2022

Slavov, Stanislav Causal Inference: Heterogeneous Effects and Non-stationary Environments, May 2022

Wyler, Paige Developing a Decision-Making Framework for Carbon: Incorporating Carbon into Optimized Business Objectives, May 2022

Escribe, Célia Reducing Physician Burnout and Costs in Outpatient Healthcare Settings via Advanced Analytics, June 2021.

Georgescu, Andreea Inventory Positioning in Modern Retail, February 2021.

Halem, Zachery M. Financing Fusion Energy, June 2021.

Kaw, Neal Preventing Opioid Overdose: From Prediction to Operationalization, June 2021.

Kendall, Thomas P. Optimizing Weapon Precision, June 2021.

Killian, Daniel T. Operational Innovations to Improve Malawi’s HIV Sample Transportation Network, June 2021.

Koch, Matthew Air Force Crew Scheduling: An Integer Optimization Approach, June 2021.

Yuan, Matthew An EM algorithm for Lidar deconvolution, June 2021.

Burnham, Katherine Lee Information Fusion for an Unmanned Underwater Vehicle through Probabilistic Prediction and Optimal Matching, June 2020.

Dan, Or Improving Prior Knowledge Assessment in Process Characterization, June 2020.

Dimaki, Georgia Dynamic Node Clustering in Hierarchical Optical Data Center Network Architectures, September 2020.

Emschwiller, Matt V. Understanding Neural Network Sample Complexity and Interpretable Convergence-guaranteed Deep Learning with Polynomial Regression, June 2020.

Graham, Justin W. School Choice: A Discrete Optimization Approach, June 2020.

Liu, Jessamyn Anomaly Detection Methods for Detecting Cyber Attacks in Industrial Control Systems, September 2020.

Lukin, Galit Prescriptive Methods for Adaptive Learning, June 2020.

McIntyre, Colin Alex Optimizing Inbound Freight Mode Decisions, June 2020.

Poullet, Julie Leveraging Machine Learning to Solve the Vehicle Routing Problem with Time Windows, June 2020.

Blanks, Zachary D . A Generalized Hierarchical Approach for Data Labeling, June 2019.

Guenon des Mesnards, Nicolas Identifying and Assessing Coordinated Influence Campaigns on Social Networks, June 2019.

Thomas, Merin Intelligent Supplies Replenishment Process, June 2019.

Zhang, Rebecca Interpretable Machine Learning Methods for Stroke Prediction, September 2019.

Zhu, Jessica H. Detecting Food Safety Risks and Human Trafficking Using Interpretable Machine Learning Methods, June 2019.

Dedieu, Antoine Sparse learning: Statistical and Optimization perspectives, June 2018.

Furtado, Jazmin D. Applications of Healthcare Analytics in Reducing Hospitalization Days, June 2018.

Herrling, Austin Donald Optimization of Micro-Coaxial Wire Routing in Complex Microelectronic Systems, June 2018.

Xu, Sharon Modeling Human Dynamics and Lifestyles using Digital Traces, June 2018.

Vanden Berg, Andrew M. Optimization-Simulation Framework to Optimize Hospital Bed Allocation in Academic Medical Centers, September 2018.

Anoun, Amine A Data-Driven Approach to Mitigate Risk in Global Food Supply Chains, June 2017.

Candela Garza, Eduardo Revenue Optimization for a Hotel Property with Different Market Segments: Demand Prediction, Price Selection and Capacity Allocation, September 2017.

Mariadassou, Shwetha Paramananda Relative Performance Transparency: Effects on Sustainable Purchase and Consumption Behavior, June 2017.

Morse, Steven T. Persistent Cascades and the Structure of Influence in a Communication Network, June 2017.

Scully, Timothy Redesigning Liver Allocation Regions through Optimization, June 2017.

Webb, Matthew Robert Inferring User Location from Time Series of Social Media Activity, June 2017.

Lee, Peter Alexander Think Global, Act Local When Estimating a Sparse Precision Matrix, June 2016.

Mundell, Lee Carter Predicting Performance Using Galvanic Skin Response, June 2016.

Rajagopalan, Krishnan Interacting with Users in Social Networks: The Follow-back Problem, June 2016.

Saroufim, Carl Elie Internet of Things and Anomaly Detection for the Iron Ore Mining Industry, June 2016.

Saunders, Zachary Clayton Multi-target Tracking via Mixed Integer Optimization, June 2016.

Borjian Boroujeni, Setareh Optimization of Yard Operations in Maritime Container Terminals, June 2015.

Hanley, Zebulon James Delay Characterization and Prediction in Major U.S. Airline Networks, June 2015.

Harris, William Ray Anomaly Detection Methods for Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Performance Data, June 2015.

Lepird, John R. Multi-Objective Optimization of Next-Generation Aircraft Collision Avoidance Software, June 2015.

Rhee, Donguk Faster Fully Polynomial Approximation Schemes for Knapsack Problems, June 2015.

Rizzo, Ludovica Price Incentives for Online Retailers using Social Media Data, June 2015.

Rossillon, Kevin Joseph Optimized Air Asset Scheduling Within a Joint Aerospace Operations Center (JAOC), June 2015.

Schonfeld, Daniel Dynamic Prediction of Terminal-Area Severe Convective Weather Penetration, June 2015.

Sheth, Mallory Predicting Mortality for Patients in Critical Care: a Univariate Flagging Approach, June 2015.

Testa, Mariapaola Modeling and Design of Material Recovery Facilities: Genetic Algorithm Approach, June 2015.

Epstein, Christina An Analytics Approach to Hypertension Treatment, June 2014.

Fast, Shannon M. Pandemic Panic: A Network-based Approach to Predicting Social Response During a Disease Outbreak, June 2014.

Jernigan, Nicholas R. Multi-modal, Multi-period, Multi-commodity Transportation: Models and Algorithms, June 2014.

Kim, Louis Y. Estimating Network Structure and Propagation Dynamics for an Infectious Disease: Towards Eective Vaccine Allocation, June 2014.

Paynter, Jonathan L. Optimized Border Interdiction, June 2014.

Sahyoun, Alexandre Paul Application of Aircraft Sequencing to Minimize Departure Delays at a Busy Airport, June 2014.

Williams, Mark J Column Generation Approaches to the Military Airlift Scheduling Problem, June 2014.

Bunting, Zachary S. Improving Performance through Topology Management and Wireless Scheduling in Military Multi-hop Radio Networks, June 2013.

Culver, David M. Robust Reconnaissance Asset Planning Under Uncertainty, June 2013.

Frost, Emily Anne Robust Planning for Unmanned Underwater Vehicles, June 2013.

Kessler, John M United States Air Force Fighter Jet Maintenance Models: Eectiveness of Index Policies, June 2013.

Lepage, Pierre-Olivier Performance of Multiple Cabin Optimization Methods in Airline Revenue Management, June 2013.

Relyea, Stephen L. An Analytics Approach to Designing Clinical Trials for Cancer, June 2013.

Robinson, Eric John Coordinated Planning of Air and Space Assets: An Optimization and Learning Based Approach, June 2013.

Bradwick, Matthew E. Belief Propagation Analysis in Two-Player Games for Peer-Influence Social Networks, June 2012.

Crimmel, Brian A. A Priori and On-line Route Optimization for Unmanned Underwater Vehicles, June 2012.

Evans, Jane A. Modeling Social Response to the Spread of an Infectious Disease, June 2012.

Parandehgheibi, Marzieh Survivable Paths in Multilayer Networks, June 2012.

Wang, Hai Approximating the Performance of a Last Mile Transportation System, June 2012.

Cates, Jacob Roy Route Optimization Under Uncertainty for Unmanned Underwater Vehicles, June 2011.

Cho, Philip Y. Optimal Scheduling of Fighter Aircraft Maintenance, June 2011.

Howard, Nicholas J. Finding Optimal Strategies for Influencing Social Networks in Two Player Games, June 2011.

Boyer, Christopher A. Statistical Methods for Forecasting and Estimating Passenger Willingness-to-Pay in Airline Revenue Management, June 2010.

Chaiwanon, Wongsakornt Capacity Planning and Admission Control Policies for Intensive Care Units, September 2010.

Chiraphadhanakul, Virot Routing and Scheduling Models for Robust Allocation of Slack, June 2010.

Diwan, Sarvee Performance of Dynamic Programming Methods in Airline Revenue Management, June 2010.

Frumin, Michael S Automatic Data for Applied Railway Management: Passenger Demand, Service Quality Measurement, and Tactical Planning on the London Overground Network, June 2010.

Gupta, Shubham Transient Analysis of D(t)/M(t)/1 Queuing System with Applications to Computing Airport Delays, June 2010.

Herold, Thomas Michael Asynchronous, Distributed Optimization for the Coordinated Planning of Air and Space Assets, June 2010.

Hung, Benjamin W. K. Optimization-Based Selection of Influential Agents in a Rural Afghan Social Network, June 2010.

Rajagopalan, Shreevatsa Distributed Averaging in Dynamic Networks, September 2010.

Seidel, Scott B. Planning Combat Outposts to Maximize Population Security, June 2010.

Shenk, Kimberly N. Patterns of Heart Attacks, June 2010.

Snyder, Ashley M. Data Mining and Visualization: Real Time Predictions and Pattern Discovery in Hospital Emergency Rooms and Immigration Data, June 2010.

Vaze, Vikrant Calibration of Dynamic Traffic Assignment Models with Point-to-Point Traffic Surveillance, June 2010.

Yang, Lang Modeling Preferences for Innovative Modes and Services: A Case Study in Lisbon, June 2010.

Marks, Christopher E. – Optimization-Based Routing and Scheduling of IED-Detection Assets in Contemporary Military Operations, June 2009.

Negron, Blair Ellen Leake – Operational Planning for Multiple Heterogeneous Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in Three Dimensions, June 2009.

Sasanuma, Katsunobu – Policies for Parking Pricing Derived from a Queueing Perspective, September 2009.

Soldner, Mallory Jo – Passenger-Centric Ground Holding: Including Connections in Ground Delay Program Decisions, June 2009.

Flietstra, Bryan C. – A Data Mining Approach for Acoustic Diagnosis of Cardiopulmonary Disease, June 2008.

Foreman, John William – Optimized Supply Routing at Dell Under Non-Stationary Demand, June 2008.

Gaudet, Megan – Harmonization of Aviation User Charges in the North Atlantic Airspace, June 2008.

Guo, Jingqiang Charles – Estimation of Sell-up Potential in Airline Revenue Management Systems, June 2008.

Le Guen, Thibault – Data-driven pricing, September 2008.

Limpaitoon, Tanachai – Real-time Multi-Period Truckload Routing Problems, February 2008.

Murphy, Maurice D. – Tropical Cyclone Preparedness and Response: Opportunities for Operations Research, June 2008.

Noyes, Clay W. – Analysis and Optimization of the Emergency Department at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center via Simulation, June 2008.

Quinteros, Martin – Managing Portfolios of Products and Securities, September 2008.

Siow, Christopher – Analysis of Batching Strategies for Multi-Item, February 2008.

Ye, Yunqing – Joint Pricing and Inventory Decision for Competitive Products, February 2008.

Bryant, Corban Harrell – Robust Planning for Effects-Based Operations, June 2006.

Guo, Kenrick – Examining Financial Puzzles From An Evolutionary Perspective, February 2006.

Hanowsky, Michael – A Tool to Support the Planning of Ground Delay Programs Subject to Uncertain Arrival Capacities, June 2006.

McAllister, Daniel B. – Planning with Imperfect Information: Interceptor Assignment, June 2006.

Sakamoto, Philemon – UAV Mission Planning Under Uncertainty, June 2006.

Shah, Premal – No-arbitrage Bounds on American Put Options with Single Maturity, June 2006.

Zhou, Xinfeng – Application of Robust Statistics to Asset Allocation Models, June 2006.

Chandler, Lincoln J . – A Decision Analytic Approach to Web-Based Clinician Training, February 2005.

Hickman, Randal E. – Interception Algorithm for Autonomous Vehicles with Imperfect Information, June 2005.

Malasky, Jeremy S. – Human Machine Collaborative Decision Making in a Complex Optimization System, June 2005.

Mostagir, Mohamed – Fully Polynomial Time Approximation Schemes for Sequential Decision Problems, September 2005.

Tardy, Raphaël – Optimization Models and Algorithms for Large-Scale, Capacity Constrained Pick-up and Delivery Problems with Time WIndows, June 2005.

Weber,Theophane – Conditional Dynamics of Non-Markovian, Infinite-Server Queues, June 2005.

Wroten, Matthew C. -Coordinated Dynamic Planning for Air and Space Operations, June 2005.

Yamanaka, Shiro -The Impact of Infrastructure-Related Taxes and Fees on Airline Fares in the US and the European Union, June 2005.

Agbokou, Biova – Robust Airline Schedule Planning: Review and Development of Optimization Approaches, June 2004.

Alighanbari, Mehdi – Task Assignment Algorithms for Teams of UAVs in Dynamic Environments, June 2004.

Jeffreys, Christopher G. – Support Vector Machine and Parametric Wavelet-Based Texture Classification of Stem Cell Images, June 2004.

Key, Jonathan Ramsay – Routing in Probabilistic Networks, June 2004.

Koepke, Corbin G. – Multi-Mission Optimized Re-Planning in Air Mobility Command’s Channel Route Execution, June 2004.

Sarmadi, Sepehr – Minimizing Airline Passenger Delay through Integrated Flight Scheduling and Aircraft Routing, June 2004.

Tanizar, Ketty – Alternatives to the Gradient in Optimal Transfer Line Buffer Allocation, September 2004.

Timmers, Kendell M. – Learning Together Better: The Structured Design of Learning Teams, June 2004.

Varol, Nebibe – Inventory Deployment and Market Area Segmentation in a Two-Echelon Distribution Network Design, June 2004.

Ergun, Ayla Optimal Scheduling of Radiotheraphy and Angiogenic Inhibitors, February 2003.

Seyhan, Murat Private Risk and an Example From the Pharmaceutical Industry, February 2003.

El Alj, Yasmine Estimating the True Extent of Air Traffic Delays, June 2003.

Mao, Ye A Profit Maximization Model in a Two-Echelon Supply Chain Management: Distribution and Pricing Strategies, June 2003.

Phomma, Maxime Product Development Collaboration Between Original Equipment Manufacturers and After Market Suppliers, June 2003.

Xu, Ping Approximate Expected Delay for a Nonstationary Queue and an Application to Air Traffic Control, June 2003.

Zarybnisky, Eric J. Allocation of Air Resources Against an Intelligent Adversary, June 2003.

Yee, Michael Solving Network Equilibrium Problems in Static and Dynamic Environments, September 2003.

Amonlirdviman, Kevin The Dynamics of Global Financial Crises, June 2002.

Bart, Yakov Y. Determinants and Consequences of Trust in Online Environment, September 2002.

Kang, Seong-Cheol Algorithms for Routing Problems in Stochastic Time-Dependent Networks, June 2002.

Nielsen, Christopher A. Large-Scale Network Design using Composite Variables:An Application to Air Mobility Command’s 30-day Channel Route Network, June 2002.

Schorr, Raphael Avram On the Explanatory Value of Condition Numbers for Convex Optimization: Theoretical Issues and Computational Experience, September 2002.

Shioda, Romy Restaurant Revenue Management, June 2002.

Achy-Brou, Aristide C.E. A New Approach to Multistage Serial Inventory Systems, February 2001.

Barth, Christopher Composite Mission Variable Formulation For Real-Time Mission Planning, June, 2001.

Chandra, Anurag Algorithms for Locomotive Scheduling, February 2001.

Clark, Steven J. Large-Scale Optimization Planning Methods for Distribution and Transportation. Logistics: An Application to Contingency Munitions, June, 2001.

Duran Murrieta, Rodolfo Effects of Supply Chain Strategy in Distribution Networks, February 2001.

Idris, Husni Rifat Queuing Dynamics and Control of Departure Operations at Boston Logan Airport, February 2001.

Jang, Young Jae Multiple Part Type Decompostion Method in Manufacturing Processing Line, June, 2001.

Moffitt II, Jeffrey D. Applying the Metrics Thermostat to Naval Acquisitions for Improving the Total Ownership Cost-Effectiveness of News Sytems, June, 2001.

Theatte, Kermit Tactical Shipping and Scheduling at Polaroid with Dual Lead Times, June, 2001.

Toubia, Olivier Interior-Point Methods Applied to Internet Conjoint Analysis, February 2001.

Werner,Loren M. Analysis and Design of Closed Loop Manufacturing Systems, September, 2001.

Andersson, Kari Potential Benefits of Information Sharing During the Arrival Process at Hub Airports, June 2000.

Cohen, Jonathan E. W. Safety at What Price?: Setting Anti-terrorist Policies for Checked Luggage on US Domestic Aircraft, June 2000.

Coumeri, Marc H. Dynamic Pricing in a Competitive Environment: A Learning Approach September 2000.

Gzouli, Omar Comparison of Scheduling Policies by Simulation, June 2000.

Kachani, Soulaymane Analytical Dynamic Traffic Flow Models: Formulation, Analysis and Solution Algorithms, February 2000.

McKeever, Scott D. Path Planning for an Autonomous Vehicle, June 2000.

Messmacher, Eduardo B. Models for Project Management, June 2000.

Muharremoglu, Alp The Aircraft Sequencing Problem with Arrivals and Departures, February 2000.

Sursock, Jean-Paul The Cross Section of Expected Stock Returns Revisited, June 2000.

Bratu, Stephane Network Value Concept in Airline Revenue Management, February 1999. Lee, Pei Ting Dynamic Programming Model for Mortgage Refinancing Problem with Stochastic Interest Rates, June 1999.

Lohatepanont, Manoj Incremental Airline Schedule Design, February 1999.

Marandon, Eric The Hermite Black-Scholes Formula: Relating Option Prices to Moments of the Underlying Asset, June 1999.

Taneja, Hemant A Tactical Planning Model for a Semiconductor Wafer Fabrication Facility, June 1999.

Tziligakis, Constantine N. Relaxation and Exact Algorithms for Solving Mixed Integer-Quadratic Optimization, September 1999.

Wike, Carl E. Supply Chain Optimization: Formulations and Algorithms, February 1999.

Al-kibsi, Gassan Ahmed Optimal Product Assortment for Consumer Packaged Goods Retailers, June 1998.

Cervantes, Jose A. Effective Modeling of Throughput in Semiconductor Assembly Processes, February 1998.

Chew, Elaine Multiperiod Portfolio Optimization: Feynman Diagrams and Approximate Dynamic Programming, June 1998.

Coop, Andrew E. Contingency Munitions Logistics Planning and Control: A Framework for Analysis, June 1998.

Kassab, Hisham I. Scheduling in Packet Radio Networks, June 1998.

Krishnan, Niranjan Design of Large Scale Transportation Service Networks with Consolidation: Models, Algorithms and Applications, February 1998.

Lauprette, Geoffrey J. Some Aspects of the Optimal Grouping of Stocks, February 1998.

Liu, Wenyun Winning the Competitive Edge in the DRAM Market: A System Dynamics Analysis, February 1998.

Ouyang, Li An On-line Shopping Study, June 1998.

Rifkin, Ryan M. The Single Airport Static Stochastic Ground Holding Problem, June 1998.

Shanbhag, Vinayak V. Optimal Control Systems in Response to Diverse Electricty Pricing Structures, February 1998.

Tan, Too-Ping Extensions of the Minimum Cut Problem and Their Applications in Airfield Cutting, February 1998.

Bowman, Jeremy M. Analysis and Optimization of a Biotechnology Service Operation, June 1997.

Clarke, Michael Dudley Delano An Introduction to the Airline Recovery Problem, June 1997.

Guastalla, Guglielmo An Advanced Algorithm for Air Traffic Flow Management, June 1997.

Liao, Te-San Modeling and Cost Analysis of Global Logistics and Manufacturing System, June 1997.

Nemec, Joseph Edward A Quantity Scheduling Language for Manufacturing Systems, June 1997.

O’Dell, Susan W. Optimal Control Strategies for a Rail Transit Line, June 1997.

Sheel, Minakshi Probabilistic Analysis of Ground-Holding Strategies, February 1997.

Chopra, Sameer Efficient Scenario Evaluations Using the Nested Logit Model, June 1996.

Choy, Brenda P-T. Analyzing Total Distance in Vehicle Routing Problems, June 1996.

D’Amato, Rebecca M. Allocating Housing Resources for a Psychiatric Program, June 1996.

Escobar Fernandez de la Vega, Marcos Systematic Procedure to Meet Specific Input/Output Constraints in the l1-optimal Control Problem Design, June 1996.

Ma, Chien Models and Algorithms for a Stochastic One Machine Sequencing Problem, June 1996.

Sylla, Abdoul K. Portfolio Optimization Using Non-Gaussian Return Distributions, June 1996.

Wang, I-Lin Implementing the Premultiplier Method for Minimum-Cost Flow Problem, February 1996.

Willems, Sean P. Strategic Safety Stock Placement in Integrated Production/Distribution Systems, June 1996.

Young, Janice M. Decoding of a Markov Process with Imperfect State Information, June 1996.

Al-Othman, Abdulwahab N. Analysis of Vaidya’s Volumetric Cutting Plane Algorithm, September 1995.

Armacost, Andrew P. Modeling Railroad Terminal Operations: Supporting Real-Time Network Planning and Control, June 1995.

Chiu, Kenneth Generalized Gaussian Covariance Analysis in Multi-Market Risk Assessment, February 1995.

Chu, Michael Yi Xin Combining Heuristics and Integer Programming for Optimizing Job Shop Scheduling Models, February 1995.

Fournier, Renaud R. Analyzing Scanner Data for Manufacturing Planning, June 1995.

Giancola, Augusto Rafael Some Tools for Event Frequency Decomposition and Heterogeneous Transfer Line Analysis, June 1995.

Kostiner, Barry J. Spatial Market Equilibrium for Resistive Electric Networks, February 1995.

Lakshmi, Viswanathan Genetic Algorithms for Uncapacitated Network Design, February 1995.

Lee, Fung-Man Studies in Time Series Analysis and Forecasting of Energy Data ,June 1995.

Merrill, N’Gai A Multi-Period General Equilibrium Model of Long-Term Environmental Policy Using Overlapping Generations, June 1995.

Mori, Yutaka Demand for Interactive Television, February 1995.

Reiss, Stan Message Routing in Level 1 of the Wide-Band All-Optical Network ,June 1995.

Ying, Yee-Chien Calvin How Can Improved Weather Forecasting Accuracy Reduce Air Traffic Delays?, September 1995.

Ahn, Sungsu Construction and Implementation of Real-Time Scheduling Algorithms in a Computer Aided Fabrication Environment, February 1994.

Ansari, Mohsinuddin A Queueing Analysis of a Buffered Block-Selective S-ARQ Protocol, June 1994.

Brodsky, Valery Optimization Methods for Topological Design of Interconnected Ring Networks, February 1994.

Chu, Qin A Dynamic and Stochastic Model for Distribution of Empty Containers, June 1994.

Chu, Ronald W.Y. Finding a Cycle with Maximum Profit-to-Time Ration – An Application to Optimum Deployment of Containerships, June 1994.

Datta, Sougata CEPH Fingerprints and Their Analysis, June 1994.

Fang, Yue A Sequential Approach for Estimating Two-factor Interactions, June 1994.

Gopalakrishnan, Srimathy Optimization Models for Production Planning in Metal Sheet Manufacturing, February 1994.

Hauksson, Arni G. Management of the Marketing Mix, Using Models Based on Household Level Data, February 1994.

Hocker, Guy A. Airport Demand and Capacity Modeling for Flow Management Analysis, February 1994.

Humair, Salal An Approach to Solving Constraint Satisfaction Problems Using Asynchronous Teams of Autonomous Agents, September 1994.

Kaufman, Alan Data and Algorithms for Genomic Physical Mapping, September 1994.

Kuo, Yu-Ting Some Estimates of the Value of Software, June 1994.

Maragos, Spyridon A. Revenue Management for Ocean Carriers: Optimal Capacity Allocation with Multiple Nested Freight Rate Classes, June 1994.

Murti, Kamala P. Static and Dynamic Scheduling in a Two Station Mixed Queuing Network, June 1994.

Stamatopoulos, Miltiadis A. A Factory Representation as a Design Tool in a Computer Integrated Manufacturing Environment, June 1994.

Voigtlaender, Christian H. Intermodal Freight Transportation – An Integrated Analysis of Strategy and Operations, June 1994.

Zilberman, Yaron The Asset Allocator, February 1994.

Burman, Mitchell H. A Real-Time Dispatch Policy for a System Subject to Sequence-Dependent, Random Setup Times, February 1993.

Duarte, Maria Cristina Multiple Product Cycle Time Minimization for Serial Placement Machines, September 1993.

Goranson, Jesse Looking for Trouble: How Well the FAA’s Enhanced Traffic Management System Predicts Aircraft Congestion, September 1993.

Jeancard, Henri-Pierre Forecasting Capabilities and Model Diagnostics for Auto-Regressive Conditionally Heteroskedastic Time Series, February 1993.

López-Arteaga, Alfonso J. The Dynamic Traffic Assignment Problem in Intelligent Vehicle – Highway Systems, February 1993.

Malone, Kerry M. Modeling a Network of Queues Under Nonstationary and Stochastic Conditions, February 1993.

Mueller, Alexander T. Optimizing Advertisement Selections and Scheduling, February 1993.

Pinker, Edieal J. Computational Experience with a New Workforce-Workflow Scheduling Model, February 1993.

Rajan, Kavitha Analysis Of Heuristics For The Hierarchical Network Design Problem, June 1993.

Shumsky, Robert A. The Response of the U.S. Air Carriers to the DOT’s On-Time Disclosure Rule, June 1993.

Theodosopoulos, Theodore V. Worst-Case Identification in l1: Algorithms and Complexity, February 1993.

Thomke, Stefan H. Multivariate Quality Control of Flexible Manufacturing Processes, February 1993.

Vanderbeck, Francois A Decomposition Approach for Parallel Machine Assignment and Setup Minimization in Electronics Assembly, February 1993.

Vettas, Lt. Peter C. Cost and Productibility Optimization of Naval Ship Midship Section, June 1993.

Zaman, Zia A Scheduling Package Based on the QIE, February 1993.

Connolly, Stephanie A Real-Time Policy for Performing Setup Changes in a Manufacturing System, June 1992.

Elsesser, Kim The Validation of a Simulation Model for the Allocation of Mental Health Services February 1992.

Hsu, Lina Y. The Design of an Assembly Line with Stochastic Task Times, June 1992.

Longtin, Mark Sequential Screening in Semiconductor Manufacturing: Exploiting Spatial Dependence, June 1992.

Misra, Dipanwita (Diane) Compression and Retrieval of Network Routing Solutions, June 1992.

Park, Jai-Kue Consumer Choice Modeling in the Presence of Brand Extension, September 1992.

Ricard, Michael A Decomposition Approach to Zero-One Integer Programming, February 1992.

Robinson, Jonathan D. A Simulation Testbed for Flow Management in Air Traffic Control, September 1992.

Stanley, Timothy D. The Economic Status of American Causalities of the Vietnam War, June 1992.

Vives, Guillaume-Yves Real-Time Scheduling of an Assembly Stage in a Production Line, February 1992.

Vyas, Mary Pressley Specification of Gaussian Process Models for Asset Returns with Asynchronous or Missing Data, June 1992.

Anderson, Susan M. L. On Queue Audience: Calculating Reach and Frequency for Supermarket Television, June 1991.

Baldi, Martha A. An Analysis of Quality Control Policies on a Two-Station M/M/1 Production System, June 1991.

Bucciarelli, Mark Cluster Sampling Methods for Monitoring Route-Level Transit Ridership, September 1991.

Chen, Meng-Huai How Much Cash Should A Bank Maintain? – An Optimization Approach, September 1991.

Chi, Zhihang An Adaptive Final Approach Spacing Advisory System: Modeling, Analysis and Simulation, June 1991.

Ingolfsson, Armann Run by Run Process Control, September 1991.

Miller, Jennifer A. Spatial Interpretation and Statistical Modeling of Boston High School Dropouts, June 1991.

Milner, Joseph M. The Assembly Sequence Selection Problem: An Application of Simulated Annealing, June 1991.

Savari, Serap Source Coding for Channels with Finite-State Letter Costs, September 1991.

Schenler, Warren Robustness Under Uncertainty: A Normative Reduction of Multi-Future, Multi-Attribute Tradeoffs in Electric Utility Planning, February 1991.

Svrcek, Tom Modeling Airline Group Passenger Demand for Revenue Optimization, June 1991

Vranas, Peter B. Merchant Fleet Size versus External Trade and Other Relevant Variables: A Statistical Investigation, June 1991.

Yoshimura, Junichi Improved Service and Maintenance Through Accident Sequence Precursor Risk Analysis, June 1991.

Abundo, Stephanie F. An Approach for Estimating Delays at a Busy Airport, June 1990.

Chervi, Philippe A Computational Approach to Probabilistic Vehicle Routing Problems, February 1990.

Generazio, Hoa Analysis of First-Term Attrition of Non-Prior Service High-Quality U.S. Army Male Recruits, February 1990.

Horangic, Basil R. Some Queueing Models of Airport Delays, February 1990.

Jacobe de Haut de Sigy, Romuald Loading Control Policy for a Batch Machine, February 1990.

Kierszenbaum, Michael The Impact of Inspection Delays on Quality Contro,l June 1990.

Kurebayashi, Atsushi Comparison of Flow Shop Sequencing Models and Methods, June 1990.

Lemire, Linda Jill Due-Date Setting and Pricing in a M/M/1 First-Come First-Served Queue, June 1990.

Ramakrishnan, V. S. A LaGrange Multiplier Method for Solving Multi-Objective Linear Programs, September 1990.

Vieira, Luiz F. M. Computational Tests of Interior Point Algorithms for Linear Programming, June 1990.

Alston, Andrew – An Integrated System for Tracking of Landmarks on Video Data: TOMAS the Torsional Ocular Movement Analysis System, June 1989

Amblard, Guillaume P. – Rationale for the Use of Subassemblies in Production Systems: A Comparative Look at Sequential and Arborescent Systems, June 1989

Ballman, Karla V. – Screening U.S. Donated Blood for HIV, February 1989

Bespolka, Carl G. – A Framework for Multiple Attribute Evaluation in Electric Utility Planning, June 1989

Caulkins, Jonathan – Inventory And The Strategic Value of Product-Flexible Manufacturing Systems, February 1989

Dickey, Lynn – Where Should Safety Stock Be Held to Minimize Costs and Maximize Flexibility, June 1989

Fouska, Nikoletta – Optimal Location of Discretional Service Facilities on a Network, June 1989

Fujiwara, Tsuneo – Solving the Schedule Transition Problems Using Optimization Techniques, June 1989

Ingco, Divinagracia I. – Network Design Problems for Improving Facility Locations, June 1989

Lin Carrie – Analysis of Open Loop Manufacturing Systems, February 1989

Pappu, Suguna – A Dual-Ascent Algorithm for Finding an Assembly Test Strategy, September 1989

Schreibman, Ruth – Structural-Equation Modeling of the Sources of Market Pioneer Advantages: an Empirical Analysis of the Consumer Goods Industry, June 1989

Valdivieso, Teresa – Discrete Choice Analysis of Demand for Optional Telephone Calling Features, February 1989

Venkatakrishnan, C.S. – Sentencing Changes and Prison Population: The Transient Effects, February 1989

Badekas, Paris – Mathematical Modeling of En route of ATC Intervention Rates, June 1988

Berger, llana – Shipping Strategies in Multi modal Networks Exhibiting Economies, June 1988

Loiederman, Eric – A Planning Tool for Predicting En Route ATC Conflicts and Designing ATC Sectors, September 1988

Louvet-Boutant, Anne-Claire – The Bounded Rationality Constraint: Experimental and Analytical Results, June 1988

Mihara, Shoichiro – A Tactical Model for a Job Shop with Unreliable Work Stations and Capacity Constraints, February 1988

Polychronopoulos, George – Solution of Some Problems in Decentralized Detection by a Large Number of Sensors, June 1988

Sabanogulu Kohen, Jinet – The Economics of Product Design: A Model and An Application, June 1988

Saias, Isaac I. – Study of Probabilistic Noise in One Dimensional Images, June 1988

Srinivasan, K.V. (Cheena) – Effect of Consumer Categorization Behavior on New Product Sales Forecasting, June 1988

Sy-Quia, lll, Gonzalo – A Study of Production Loading in a Job Shop, September 1988

Aslidis, Anastasios Haralampos – Management of Technological Change in the Shipbuilding Industry: A Learning Curve Approach, June 1987

Bertsimas, Dimitris – An Analytic Approach to a General Class of G/G/s Queuing Systems, February, 1987

Chan, Ga-Yin (Leo) – INGRID: An Interactive Color Graphics Interface for Dispatch of Emergency Vehicles, June 1987

Emami, Kayvan – An Investigation of Time Dependent Queues with Priorities, September 1987

Emami, Neda – Analysis of Duality Constructions for Variable Dimension Fixed Point Algorithms, September 1987

Higgins, Mary-Kay – Airline Safety: A Comparative Analysis, February 1987

Lee, Anthony – Nested Decomposition Methods for Vehicle Routing and Scheduling, June 1987

Parrish, Scott H. – Extensions to a Model for Tactical Planning in a job Shop Environment, June 1987

Redfield, Carol Holmes – Equipment Selection and Task Assignment for Multi product Assembly System Design, February, 1987

Shell, Martin C. – Decision Horizons in Multi-Stage Optimization Models: An Analysis of Methods for the Minimization of End-of-Horizon Errors, February, 1987

Berman, Douglas – The Manned Space Station Power System: An Operational Scheduler, September 1986

Calamaro, Jean-Paul – Implementation of a Multistage Production Planning Systems, February 1986

Cheatham, John – Analyzing Service Industries with Applied Quantitative Methods, June 1986

Eckstein, Jonathan – Routing Methods for Twin-Trailer Trucks, June 1986

Huelskamp, Robert M. – Aiding USAF/UPT Aircrew Scheduling Using Network flow Models, June 1986

Kee, Jacqueline – Dispatch Strategies for Some Unusual Bulk Service Queues, June 1986

Marge, Charles – Explaining Optimal Solutions to Assignment and Transportation Problems, June 1986

Newton, Elizabeth A.C. – A Clustering Method for Group Viral Samples Based on Antibody Binding Activity, June 1986

Parekh, Abhay K.J. – Minimizing the Number of Clusters in Mobile Packet Radio Networks, February 1986

Schiodtz, Paul G. – Competitive Price, Position, and Advertising Strategies, June 1986

Wagner, Janet M. – Reliability of Water Distribution Systems, February 1986

Wan, Deborah – Locating New Facilities on a Multi activity, Multi-level Network, June 1986

Chapman, Paul T. – Optimal Production Capacity in a Two Stage Subject to Production Failure, February 1985

Cox, Jr. Louis A. – Risk Attribution in the Presence of Joint Causes, February, 1985

Hiller, Randall – Computer-Aided Planning: A Decision Support Concept for the Corporate Planning Domain, June 1985

Ho, Ping – The Application of the Cross Impact Analysis to Technological Change, September 1985

Lee, I-Jen – Stationary Markovian Queuing Systems: An Approximation for the Transient Expected Queue Length, June 1985

Richetta, Romano – Color Graphics for Interactive Optimization of the Hypercube Queuing Model, June 1985

Arcila Agudelo, Adriana – A Model to Provide Transportation Services for the Elderly and Handicapped, June 1984

Chen, Gloria Hiu-Lai – Information Theoretic Models of Preprocessors and Decision Aids, June 1984

Leong, Poh Leng – Multi attribute Queuing Theory, June 1984

Singhal, Vijay M. – Point-to-Point Package Delivery Systems, September 1984

Smith, Brian – Coordinated Air Defense, June 1984

Brewster, Silvano – Optimal Regulators Designed for Implementation on Computationally Limited Computers, February 1983

Magonet-Neray, Robin C. – Optimal Ship Positions for Naval Battle Group Defense Problems, September 1983

Puente-Angulo, Carlos E. – A Comparison of Linear and Nonlinear Random Field Estimators, June 1983

Roege, William – Pilot Scheduling in a Fighter Squadron, February 1983

Tsai, Christopher L. – Procurement Planning for Reusable Inventory Systems, September 1983

Bardenstein, Ruth – Optimization of Water Resource Projects with Renewable Resources and Multiple Energy Production: The Mediterranean Sea Project to Produce Hydroelectric and Soar Power, June 1982

Josa, Charles – An Heuristic Decision Procedure for a Precedence Constrained Single-Depot Vehicle Routing Problem, February 1982

O’Rourke, Paul F. – A Physically A Based Model of the Space conditioning Load Under Spot, February, 1982

Richardson, James – Regulating Automobile Insurance Residual Markets: A Policy for Controlling the Size of the Pool in Selected Risk Classes, June 1982

Schaack, Christian – Using the Kth Nearest Neighbor Clustering Procedure to Determine the Number of Subpopulations, June 1982

Ser, Shu – Analysis of Automatic Vehicle Location Systems Operating in Systems, June 1982

Guillamon-Duch, Higinio – The Economics of Low Temperature, Liquid-Dominated Hydrothermal Resources, February 1981

Morgan, Kelly B. – The Incorporation of Uncertainty in the Air Pollution Regulation Process, September 1981

Quek, Ser Aik – Diagnostics for Econometric Models, September 1981

Stabile, Debra – The Design of Information Structures: Basic Allocation Strategies for Organization, September 1981

Bendixen, Lisa – Probability Assessment: Issues of Implementation, September 1980

Brown, Richard – A Method for Sensitivity Analysis of L.P. Decomposition Equilibrium, with Application to the Copper Industry, February 1980

Habib, Frances – Investigating Convergence of a Capacity Planning Model Using Generalized Bender’s Decomposition, September 1980

Hook, Jack – Market Impacts of Price Regulation in Automobile Insurance, February 1980

Lamar, Bruce W. – Optimal Machine Selection and Task Assignment in An Assembly System Design Problem, September 1980

Oum, Jai Y. – Harmonic Transformations and Gradient Curves, September 1980

Perakis, Anastassions N. – A New Probabilistic Detection Model for Phase Random Ocean Acoustic Fluctuations and its Comparison with Data, February 1980

Shavel, Ira H. – A Dynamic Optimization Model for Studying the Transition from Depletable Resources to New Technologies, September 1979

Brandeau, Margaret L. – Decision Strategies for Interline Subway Control Systems, February 1978

Cozzi, Claudio – Simple Models for a Single Route Public Transportation System, June 1978

Golush, William G. – Probabilistic Models for Optimal Seismic Design, February 1978

Sadiq, Ghazala – Multifleet Routing Problems February 1978

Chen, Royee C. – Nuclear Reactor Rescheduling Study, February 1977

Sultan, Fareena – A Simulation Model of Population and Agricultural Growth in a Developing Country: A Case Study of Pakistan, June 1977

Tan, Chang-Bin – Port Capacity Modeling of GERT and Queuing Network Approaches, June 1977

Weilmuenster, David P. – Performance Characteristics of Signpost Automatic Vehicle Locating Systems, September 1977

Wexler, Jonathan W. – A Methodology for Configuring Distributed Real-Time microcomputer Systems, with Applications to Inertial Navigational Systems, June 1977

Aashtiani, Hedayat Z. – Solving Large Scale Network Optimization Problems by the Out-of-Kilter Method, February 1976

Assad, Arjang A. – Solution Techniques for the Muti-commodity Flow Problems, June 1976

Bloom, Jeremy A. – A Mathematical Model of Fuel Distribution in New England, February 1976

Dersin, Pierre L. – Sensitivity Analysis of Optimal Static Traffic Assignments in a Large Freeway Corridor, Using Modern Control Theory, September 1976

Franck, Evelyn A. – Implementing Closest Vehicle Dispatching Strategy on the Hypercube Model, February 1976

Laurent, Gilles – A Dynamic Analysis of the Housing Market in Paris, June 1976

Lim, Joseph A. Y. – The Effects of Socio-Eco-Demographic Factors and Family Planning Programs on Fertility, February 1976

Matsushita, Masaki – An Application of Benders Decomposition to Steel Production, February 1976

Talafuse, David W. – Blood Donor Attitudes and Decisions: An Exploratory Analysis, September 1976

Baldini, Vittorio A. – Operations Research Problem in the Motion Picture Industry, February 1975

Bitran, Gabriel R. – Duality and Sensitivity Analysis for Fractional Programs, June 1974

Facet, Tomas B. – Role of Partial Gradient Estimation by Simulation in Water Resource Plan Formulation, February 1975

Johns, Joseph H. – Intelligent Computer-Aided Dispatching for Urban Police Patrol Units, September 1975

Oswald, Louis J. – Preemption – A Visible Strategy?, September 1975

Asser, Sylvain E. T. – An Algorithm to Solve the Nth Shortest Path Problem, February 1974

Bodily, Samuel E. – The Utilization of Frozen Red Cells in Blood Banking System: A Decision Theoretic Approach, June 1974

Brinati, Marco A. – Analysis of the Queuing Process at an Offshore Export Terminal for Dry Bulk Cargo, September 1974

Carlton, Dennis W. – Modeling the Effects of the Housing Allowance Program, September 1974

DeChatillon, Renaud A. – Energy Use in the Steel Industry, June 1974

Emami, Kayvan – An Investigation of Time Dependent Queues with Priorities, September 1974

Falk, Patrick G. – An Optimal Replacement and Maintenance Strategy for Aircraft, June 1974

Finet, Jean-Marc P. L. – The Calibration of Nonlinear Models, June 1974

Golden, Bruce – A Minimum-Cost Multicommodity Network Flow Problem Concerning Imports and Exports, February 1974

Grimm, Ernst -A Study of the Effect of Advertising on Sales, September 1974

Ulrich, Lionel Y. – Heuristic Algorithms for Solving a Large Scale Multicommodity Flow Problem on a Network with a Step Function Cost, June 1974

Cruz-Bracho, Pedro Elias – A Preliminary Simulation Model of Factors Affecting the Nutritional and Health Status of Children in Low-Income Families, September 1973

Layrisse, Francisco Jose – Applications of Control Theory to Socioeconomic Systems, February 1973

Lingley, Gordon Steward – Analysis of Interoceanic Canal Alternatives: A System Approach to Decision Making, February 1973

Ovi, Alessandro – Decision Analysis Applied to Nuclear vs. Fossil Alternatives for Electric Energy Production, February 1973

Bell, David Edwin – A Utility Theory Approach to Preferences for Money Over Time, June 1972

Calvo, Alberto Bruno – Location of Health Services Facilities: A Mathematical Programming Approach, February 1972

Campbell, Gregory Lewis – A Spatially Distributed Queuing Model for Police Patrol Sector Design, June 1972

Gelerman, Walter – Airline Competitive Games and Airport Utilization, June 1972

Haan, Anders Henrik – A Screening Model for Water Resource Development: Stochastic Considerations, February 1972

Honda, William Fumio – Probabilistic Comparison of Automobile Insurance Rating Schemes, September 1972

Horgan, Dennis Neville, Jr. – A Decision Analysis of Sewage Sludge Disposal Alternatives for Boston Harbor, September 1972

Huang, Alexander Kuang Yu – A Market Response Model for New Consumer Durables, June 1972

Weymuller, Stanislas Bruno – Duality Theory and Economic Analysis, June 1972

Carlson, William Edwin – Scheduling Vehicles on Grid Networks of Automated Guideways, June 1971

Crousillat-Velasco, Cesar Oreste – Design Considerations for Airport Landing Systems, June 1971

Kanal, Prakash Mulchand – A Mathematical Model for a Cash Collection System, June 1971

Ketchledge, Bruce Arthur – Optimal Bounded Control of Stochastic Production/Inventory Systems, September 1971

Rosenfield, Donald Barry – Effects of Refractoriness in Hearing Models, February 1971

Shapiro, Roy David – Interlaced Scheduling of Transmit-Receive Pulses, February 1971

Ting, Harold Montford – Aggregation of Attributes for Multi attributed Utility Assessment, June 1971

Howard, Daniel Dale – Dynamic Location-Allocation Analysis, September 1970

McDonald, Jarl W. – The Effects of Free Capacity Transportation Networks on the Distribution of Travel Time and Traffic: A Computer Simulation, June 1970

Robinson, William Owen – Multivariate Probability Assessment, September 1970

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The Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) Prospective Research Topics Database (PRTD) (Unclassified) The Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) Prospective Research Topic Database (PRTD) provides prospective research topics for students attending advanced military study programs and intermediate and senior service schools." PLEASE NOTE: Accessible to unclassified documents. Contact PRTD administrator for access to classified research topics)

Marine Corps Topics of Interest Guide This research guide focuses on current topics of interest and discussion within the Marine Corps community. Sources include: library & database resources, original PME scholarship, external links to academic, military & news sources.
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Recent publications, russia's syria policy: from the soviet union to the russian federation, china and russia in west africa: a tale of two powers and their quest for dominance, unveiling pervasive patterns of violence in west africa, featured publications, quick links, popular topics, popular resources, upcoming courses, test course 1 (do not register).

The historical bond between Russia and Syria weaves through the centuries, evolving from ancient ties into the complex, multi-faceted relationship we see today. This monograph examines how the relationship between Russia and Syria has evolved–from its roots through the cold war and rise of the Assad dynasty to the Syrian civil war and beyond.

The increase in violence in the Sahel region is indicative of a complex and diverse security environment driven by multiple factors, including, but not limited to, the activities of violent extremist organizations.

China’s influence in Africa is pervasive, and Russia has re-engaged in West Africa following its February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Russia’s and China’s engagement in West Africa has important implications for the region’s balance of power, security, and alliances.

The New Way of Limited Warfare: The Value of the Afghan Model of Warfare After the Fight Against ISIS

Counterintelligence Quick Look

Counterintelligence is often referred to as a mission, an intelligence discipline, or a function. This fact sheet seeks to clarify the role, function, and mission of counterintelligence within the Joint Force and SOF enterprise.

Improving SOF Ethics Education

The realities of human nature combined with the realities of SOF culture and the SOF operational environment create frequent opportunities for SOF professionals to become numb to moral drift and the ethical dilemmas that follow from a culture where “if you ain’t cheatin’, you ain’t tryin’!” takes on an institution-wide leadership problem for SOF professionals across the joint force and across the operational spectrum. This reality requires SOF leaders who recognize the reality that the SOF profession offers its own peculiar professional and ethical challenges and leaders who are professionally ready to lead in such highly complex ethical decision-making environments.

Competing for Advantage: The Chinese Communist Party, Statecraft, and Special Operations

This edited volume highlights key challenges the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) faces in its rise and contextualizes the potential contributions of special operations to compete for advantage based on the CCP’s interests and vulnerabilities. Competing for advantage means accruing power and influence in such a way that the adversary’s plans cannot be realized. This volume focuses primarily on appreciating the CCP’s worldview, interests, and political culture while promoting a strategic vision for the future—a future where SOF will need to reinterpret their value from providing a military effect to providing a political effect through military means.

Special Operations Research Topics 2024

As special operations adapt and evolve to meet new challenges, SOF need to prepare themselves and be employed in new and unique ways. The questions posed in the Special Operations Research Topics 2024 booklet address many of these complex challenges and invite research into the intersection of human history and emergent technology. The nearly 40 research topics, each including several sub-questions, range from compound security threats in the Sahel to the Russian and Chinese ways of irregular warfare in an effort to facilitate research and writing across professional military education, academia, and the joint force.

Special Operations Forces Reference Manual, Fifth Edition

The fifth edition of the Special Operations Forces Reference Manual provides general information on U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and NATO Special Operations Forces (SOF). It provides an introduction to SOF command structure and also contains text, charts, and graphics detailing SOF unit organization, equipment, and areas of responsibility.

Digital file updated 1000, 6 DEC 23. (V5)

Print orders limited to 10. While supplies last.

The Fourth Age: The Future of Special Operations

This anthology of fictional stories helps us visualize a future era of special operations. Through their creative talents and subject matter knowledge, the authors realistically portray what is within the realm of possible. They draw upon lessons of the past while imagining the future.

Stress: New Approaches to Managing Stress

This Quick Look challenges how a SOF operator perceives stress, and illuminates the advantages of doing so.

Stress: Understanding Its Mechanisms and Impacts

Stress is constant for Special Operations Forces (SOF). Although there is some evidence SOF are more resilient than the general population, even they can be impacted by stress. Stress can affect their physical and cognitive performance, team interactions, and well-being.

The Compound Era of U.S. Counterterrorism

Operating on the Margins: SOF in the Gray Zone

This volume examines “gray zone conflict,” or the space between peace and war in which state and non-state actors engage in competition. Even with the February 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, this interpretive paradigm retains great utility and helps explain the current strategic environment and the holistic nature of contemporary conflict. The idea of the gray zone needs to be kept in the special operations forces planners’ conceptual toolkit since it helps clarify and articulate the contemporary global operating environment, particularly in Russia’s near abroad and in the South China Sea and China’s relations with Taiwan. This conflict model – the gray zone – is a valuable cognitive tool that facilitates a holistic comprehension of the unseen competitive struggle in which the West is currently engaged against various adversaries.

Moral Injury: Implications for U.S. SOF and Ethical Resiliency

Nearly 160 years ago, Alexander Dumas concluded, “Moral wounds have this peculiarity–they may be hidden, but they never close; always painful, always ready to bleed when touched, they remain fresh and open in the heart.” In this monograph, the authors share a summary, review, and implications of moral injury in SOF while examining how improperly treated and inadequately cared for moral injury can profoundly affect all within the SOF community. After conducting research throughout the SOF enterprise and considering the implications of moral injury in SOF, the authors conclude that possibilities and probabilities remain for a restored spirit, renewed hope, and curative healing even after operators have experienced ethical, moral, and spiritual crucibles encountered as a result of SOF duties.

SOF Quills for the Porcupine: Applying Lessons from Ukraine to Taiwan

CIA Director William Burns assesses that Russia’s invasion of eastern Ukraine may inform China’s plan to gain control of Taiwan. Given the remarkable challenge Ukrainian resistance forces have presented Russia, Richard Clarke, General, U.S. Army, Ret. shares the desire of many U.S. officials for “Taiwan, just like Ukraine has been, to be an indigestible porcupine.” As of this writing, Ukraine has managed to avoid being metaphorically swallowed by Russia due to Ukraine’s conventional arsenal of deterrent “quills” comprised (in part) of ballistic missile defense, air defense, mine warfare, sea-denial fires, shore-denial fires, jamming, decoys, deception, civil defense, urban warfare, and life-essential infrastructure. Nevertheless, the U.S. and its allies have been reluctant to directly engage in open conflict with Russia or China due to the cataclysmic costs such a war might impose. Special Operations Forces (SOF) are uniquely suited for the delicate task of filling strategic deterrence gaps left by conventional capabilities.

Disruptive Technology in SOF-Peculiar Environments: Promises and Challenges in Development, Management, and Acquisition and Procurement

Military history provides numerous instances of states failing to recognize the implications of disruptive innovations. Contentment with incremental improvements on existing capabilities, such as weapon hand grips, autonomous capabilities, and augmented reality during operations, will not be enough to ensure the overall superiority of SOF warfighters. The impact of today’s decisions will compound as the pace of technological change accelerates. Failure to effectively harness disruptive innovations today reduces future decision options, oper ational capability, and the likelihood of winning tomorrow’s fight.

Special Operations Research Topics 2023

As special operations adapt and evolve to meet new challenges, SOF need to prepare themselves and be employed in new and unique ways. The questions posed in the Special Operations Research Topics 2023 booklet address many of these complex challenges and invite research into the intersection of human history and emergent technology. The nearly 40 research topics, each including several sub-questions, range from compound security threats in the Sahel to the Russian and Chinese ways of irregular warfare in an effort to facilitate research and writing across professional military education, academia, and the joint force.

The Network Illusion: How a Network-Centric Special Operations Culture Impedes Strategic Effect

America has often developed very impressive methods of waging war and protecting strategic interests, but all too often, its senior leaders are too optimistic about how much those methods can actually accomplish. The heart of U.S. national security challenges today is an ongoing erosion of American influence globally. What the U.S. now requires is a modification of older ideas in ways appropriate for the modern age. The works contained in this edited volume are signposts of a future that America still has time to choose wherein its efforts to safeguard its people and protect its interests can be remade and reforged in ways appropriate and successful in this era of dazzling technologies and enormous global change.

ArcticNEXT: Compound Security Threats in Strategic Competition

In this Quick Look, Dr. Alessa describes ArcticNEXT, a collaborative effort designed to provide the Nation with the best available approaches for compound security threats in strategic competition. Together with JSOU’s constellation of partners and participants, ArcticNEXT is providing, for the first time, cohesion and critical mass in service of SOF’s mission set as well as to the Joint Force. While it uses the Arctic as a test bed, its broader focus on compound security threats in strategic competition provides tangible outcomes and products.

A Perilous Future: High-Intensity Conflict and the Implications for SOF

Special Operations Forces Transformation in the Future Operating Environment

In this edited volume, the authors pose solutions to Special Operations Forces’ (SOF) future challenges. Looking to the national defense strategy, this volume describes the role of competition in the future and the three ways SOF can compete, deter, and win. SOF must maintain their edge, and their transformation needs to be addressed at the individual, organizational, and institutional levels. This volume takes risk into consideration while addressing SOF transformation in three key areas: SOF roles and missions, culture, and great power competition. Both U.S. and Canadian SOF perspectives are outlined in this volume, and each chapter urges readers to consider how SOF might better compete short of armed conflict.

The Fourth Age of SOF: The Use and Utility of Special Operations Forces in a New Age

This sweeping monograph chronicles the history of modern Special Operations Forces (SOF) and insightfully describes their new challenges. The authors have compiled an excellent, concise history of SOF’s three earlier ages: 1941–1960, 1961–1979, and 1980–2020, setting the stage for projecting SOF’s Fourth-Age roles in the emerging era of strategic competition. The early years were not easy, but with determination and perseverance, the SOF community prevailed, and four decades of remarkable and unprecedented SOF achievements resulted. As they begin their Fourth Age, SOF will again be challenged.

Big Data for Generals... and Everyone Else over 40

Trained to Win? Evaluating Battlefield Effectiveness and Sociopolitical Factors among Partnered Forces

In this publication, Matthew Cancian offers a much-needed framework for evaluating the effectiveness of Special Operations Forces (SOF) in the effort to professionalize partner forces. The author proposes that structured surveys related to tactically oriented training outcomes can yield significant information about partnered forces’ evolution over time. Since SOF often operate in politically sensitive or denied environments, it becomes all the more necessary to conduct the kind of research he describes in this monograph to assess the best strategies for improving partner capabilities while recognizing the limitations imposed by their sociopolitical realities. Effectiveness is ultimately a political as well as military condition, and in this monograph Matthew Cancian offers an excellent approach to evaluating both.

Barriers to Special Operations Forces-Led Counterterrorism Effectiveness

Koven and Lindquist address the main problems with Special Operations Forces (SOF) counterterrorism (CT) effectiveness: lack of grand strategy, overemphasis on disruption-focused CT, limitations to existing interagency processes, and barriers to effective international CT cooperation. The authors demonstrate this in two case studies of the Philippines and Colombia. Using the simple formula of Terrorism = Motivation + Operational Capability, the authors posit that terrorism and CT at their core are political phenomenons. Targeting capabilities without addressing motivation is insufficient, and counterproductive. The monograph wraps up by providing suggestions for areas for improvement that SOF could implement to improve CT effectiveness.

Muqtada al Sadr and Neo-Iraqi Nationalism: Implications and Opportunities

In this monograph, Carole A. O’Leary and Nicholas A. Heras provide a comprehensive assessment of Muqtada al Sadr, one of Iraq’s most powerful and controversial political figures. The authors leverage their extensive network and experience (inside and outside of Iraq) to analyze how al Sadr overcame aggressive opponents to maintain his influence. A key feature of this study is its original research on topics of great importance to contemporary Iraq which are often underappreciated and understudied. The authors uniquely consider the influence of al Sadr’s father (a widely revered pre-1999 Arab nationalist) in al Sadr’s transformation from a figure of sectarian Shi’a to one of Iraqi nationalism.

On Competition: Adapting to the Contemporary Strategic Environment

We find ourselves at the start of a new era characterized by long-term strategic competition with revisionist powers. It is clear that we need to think hard about what competition is and what Special Operations Forces (SOF) require to address it. In On Competition: Adapting to the Contemporary Strategic Environment , we explore what competition means and outline a practical approach, bridging theory with practice. Competition is a consistent, natural occurrence across the history of human civilization. In the current and future security environment, states such as China, Russia, and Iran and non-state actors alike have new tools that allow them to pursue their interests in ways that undermine the existing international order and institutions.

Special Operations Research Topics 2022

The Special Operations Research Topics 2022 publication highlights a wide range of topics collaboratively developed and prioritized by experts throughout the Special Operations Forces (SOF) community. The topics in these pages are intended to guide research projects for Joint Professional Military Education students, JSOU faculty and students, and others writing about special operations during this academic year. This research will provide a better understanding of complex issues and opportunities for growth, and contribute to the evolution of the way SOF leaders think.

Cryptocurrency

In this Quick Look, Dr. Mark Grzegorzewski provides an overview of cryptocurrency—a medium of exchange aimed at digitally freeing economics from politics and developing a currency free from state oversight. In addition to a description of how cryptocurrency is created and managed, this Quick Look also includes how this currency is used by competitors and ways SOF can anomalously employ cryptocurrency.

Big Data Conflict Forecasting: Operationalizing the Data Science Team

To demonstrate how data-enabled intelligence and planning could be employed through a data science team, this occasional paper explores the practicality of using big data analytical techniques to identify local conflict patterns with operational-level consequences. This project offers the beginning of a modeling project for predictive analysis on the correlation between essential services and the incidence of attack in an active wartime environment. By creating data layers from existing information on essential services and comparing those data points with instances of attack, this research ultimately seeks to provide better models to forecast patterns of conflict in different sociopolitical contexts.

Cross Domain IW Threats to SOF Maritime Missions: Implications for U.S. SOF

As cyber vulnerabilities proliferate with the expansion of connected devices, wherein security is often forsaken for ease of use, Special Operations Forces (SOF) cannot escape the obvious, massive risk that they are assuming by incorporating emerging technologies into their toolkits. This is especially true in the maritime sector where SOF operates nearshore in littoral zones. As SOF—in support to the U.S. Navy— increasingly operate in these contested maritime environments, they will gradually encounter more hostile actors looking to exploit digital vulnerabilities. As such, this monograph comes at a perfect time as the world becomes more interconnected but also more vulnerable.

Cyber Supply Chain Risk Management: Implications for the SOF Future Operating Environment

The emerging Cyber Supply Chain Risk Management (C-SCRM) concept assists at all levels of the supply chain in managing and mitigating risks, and the authors define C-SCRM as the process of identifying, assessing, and mitigating the risks associated with the distributed and interconnected nature of information and operational technology products and service supply chains. As Special Operations Forces increasingly rely on sophisticated hardware and software products, this quick, well-researched monograph provides a detailed accounting of C-SCRM associated laws, regulations, instructions, tools, and strategies meant to mitigate vulnerabilities and risks—and how we might best manage the evolving and ever-changing array of those vulnerabilities and risks.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Factsheet

In this Quick Look, Mark Grzegorzewski provides a brief overview of artificial intelligence (AI)—a specific field within computer science that explores how automated computing functions can resemble those of humans. In addition to an AI history timeline, the author touches on AI subfields, AI strengths and pitfalls, and ways SOF have employed AI technologies.

Mazar-e Sharif: The First Victory of the 21st Century Against Terrorism

In this monograph, William “Bill” Knarr, Mark Nutsch, and Robert Pennington offer an unvarnished examination of America’s initial response to 9/11—the battle for Mazar-e Sharif and the events that preceded and followed that critical battle. Most remember the “horse soldiers” and the role U.S. Special Forces played fighting alongside the Central Intelligence Agency and Northern Alliance forces. Accounts of this operation have been portrayed in movies, but the difference between this monograph and other accounts is simple: the authors employ an academically rigorous methodology that is based on documentary evidence supplemented by interviews with those involved in the operations.

Cyber Fundamentals for SOF

This Quick Look describes how Cyber Operations (CO) can present options to policymakers and military leaders to influence through the information environment or, if needed, create effects against critical infrastructure in the physical environment. Ultimately, SOF can use a foundational understanding of CO as both a planning consideration for force protection and operational enhancement to present opportunities to execute core mission areas.

The Blurred Battlefield: The Perplexing Conflation of Humanitarian and Criminal Law in Contemporary Conflicts

This monograph is a serious and well-researched investigation into crucial factors of contemporary warfare. Readers will learn lessons on the distinctions between the Law of Armed Conflict and criminal law, particularly on important issues like lethal force, escalation of force tactics, and security detention. Professor Paterson makes a strong argument that the stated policy of respect and promotion of human rights (HR)—that has long been a guiding principle of the U.S. military—does not translate into specific and mandatory directives at the tactical and operational levels. Indeed, he asserts that at those levels there is no formal attention to HR, only ad hoc efforts by operational units that don’t receive guiding policy. This monograph will be essential reading for policymakers and those whose task is the development of granular precepts to guide implementation and execution of policy on the ground.

Intelligence Support to Special Operations

This Intel Quick Look serves as a broad perspective and information about Special Operations Forces (SOF) Intelligence and the Human Domain, its definitions, and content in support of SOF’s unique missions. It echoes the first SOF truth that humans are more important than hardware. The key to intelligence support to special operations will remain the intelligence professionals that provide the support. Longshore provides insight into cultivating the premier SOF professionals who define and influence SOF future missions and support.

Iranian Proxy Groups in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen: A Principal-Agent Comparative Analysis

Understanding how and why Iran uses proxy forces throughout the Middle East is vitally important for policymakers, military strategists, and operators. The lessons in this volume are not isolated to U.S. approaches toward Iranian use of proxies but have broader implications in great power competition. Russia and China have their own versions of proxies that also seek to compete with the U.S. short of armed conflict. Zorri, Sadri, and Ellis have provided the special operations community with a roadmap to responding to such activities when so many are struggling to find a solution.

Special Operations Forces Civil Affairs in Great Power Competition

This monograph explores one key element of the ability of SOF to compete below the level of armed conflict—civil affairs (CA). Although the counterterrorism fight has featured kinetic operations as the quintessential SOF strength, great power competition will likely see CA assume a more prominent role as the U.S. and its competitors seek broader influence across the Global South. Major Travis Clemens provides a terrific overview of how CA can contribute in new and highly valuable ways in seeking advantage in the context of great power competition. As the enterprise wrestles with adapting itself for the future, assessments from members of the force, such as this one, will become increasingly important.

Informal Governance as a Force Multiplier in Counterterrorism: Evidence for Burkina Faso

Dr. Kevin Fridy and Dr. Molly Ariotti assert that a CT effect in Burkina Faso can be more fruitfully generated by incorporating the range of Burkinabè informal governance providers into joint, interagency, and partner operational concepts. Although joint doctrine correctly notes the host nation (HN) government must invite U.S. Special Operations Forces into the country, it errs in assuming that only the HN provides the population with governance. By differentiating between the concepts of government and governance, Fridy and Ariotti demonstrate how local political legitimacy can be enhanced—and the allure of violent extremist organizations diminished—by enhancing indigenous, informal governance structures. Although written from the perspective of CT, readers are encouraged to imagine how SOF could apply the insights in the context of great power competition as well.

Special Operations Research Topics 2020 (Revised Edition for Academic Year 2021)

The JSOU Special Operations Research Topics 2020 publication, newly revised for academic year 2021 with 18 new topics, highlights a wide range of research topics collaboratively developed and prioritized by experts from across the Special Operations Forces (SOF) community. As with the previous versions of this publication, this list is tailored to address special operations priorities. The topics in these pages are intended to guide research projects for professional military education (PME) students, JSOU faculty, fellows and students, and others writing about special operations during this academic year. This research will provide a better understanding of the complex issues and opportunities affecting the strategic and operational planning needs of SOF.

The Culture They Keep: The Role of Legal Professionals in Restoring Accountability and Legitimacy to SOF Culture

In this award winning paper, Lieutenant Colonel Jason DeSon looks at Special Operations Forces (SOF) culture and how the legal professionals within the USSOCOM can help restore an ordered value system. He asks the question, “If a disordered value system is truly the source of the current ethical and cultural shortcomings of SOF—where individual and team considerations come before ethical standards—then what role, if any, does the legal professionals of the Judge Advocate General’s Corps supporting SOF have in enabling the commander to overcome those shortcomings and promote a culture of adherence to those high standards of ethical and professional conduct?” Lt Col DeSon proposes a four-step process to help clarify the SOF culture problems and develop solutions. This paper will be of benefit to SOF leaders as they reinforce the very highest ethical and professional standards within the special operations community.

Special Operations Forces Interagency Reference Guide (Fourth Edition)

Mr. Charles Ricks, a Joint Special Operations University (JSOU) Senior Fellow, first compiled this guide over a decade ago and continues to provide updates and revisions so that it remains a valuable reference work for JSOU students, Special Operations Forces (SOF) staff officers, and partners within the interagency (IA) enterprise. This is now the fourth edition of this publication. This new edition recognizes the changing nature of the international security environment and the adaptive and evolutionary nature of the IA process. While counterterrorism and combating terrorism remain essential SOF activities, the IA concepts, principles, and processes discussed here apply similarly to the involvement of SOF across the entire competition continuum and to all SOF core activities. As noted by the fifth SOF Truth, “Most special operations require non-SOF support.” That reality continues to form the basis for this guide as it addresses SOF IA engagement across the entire international competition continuum.

Resistance Operating Concept (ROC)

The primary focus of the Resistance Operating Concept (ROC) is developing a nationally authorized, organized resistance capability prior to an invasion and full or partial occupation resulting in a loss of territory and sovereignty. Resistance, as a form of warfare, can be conceived as part of a layered, in-depth national defense. Toward this end, the ROC first seeks to delineate the concept of national resilience in a pre-crisis environment. Second, the ROC seeks to develop resistance requirements, and support planning and operations in the event that an adversary compromises or violates the sovereignty and independence of an allied or partner nation. The ROC attempts to demonstrate both the significance of national resilience and the criticality of maintaining legitimacy during the conduct of resistance operations during the struggle to restore and resume national sovereignty. This publication will serve as a cornerstone of knowledge for strategists, policymakers, researchers, academics, and practitioners involved in furthering resistance capabilities.

Village Stability Operations and the Evolution of SOF Command and Control in Afghanistan: Implications for the Future of Irregular Warfare

In this monograph Bill Knarr and Mark Nutsch recount how the Special Operations Forces (SOF) command and control evolved with all of the Village Stability Operations (VSO) dimensions culminating ultimately in the creation of the Special Operations Joint Task Force. With the 2018 National Defense Strategy calling for expanding the competition space below the level of armed conflict, VSO provides a timely and relevant example of how SOF can contribute to this vision. Just like terrorism, great power competition will play out in countries with weak sociopolitical systems. The inherently political character and joint, interagency, international/multinational, and corporate nature of VSO can be replicated in many parts of the world for sustainable strategic effect. This monograph develops the concepts for SOF on how to contribute more effectively and efficiently to the counterterrorism fight, but readers would do well to think about VSO principles and command and control in the context of great power competition.

Decision-Making Considerations in Support to Resistance

The intent of this monograph is to reveal to Special Operations Forces (SOF) leaders and planners the variety of considerations facing decision makers, the approaches used in strategic- and operational-level decision making, and how they can better inform and influence that process with regard to special warfare. This monograph is a companion volume to two earlier works: Support to Resistance: Strategic Purpose and Effectiveness , and How Civil Resistance Works (And Why It Matters To SOF ). This third volume describes some of the factors that decision makers have faced when considering support to resistance (STR) as a foreign policy option. This monograph should shed some light on how national security officials in the past have arrived at certain conclusions or why, in some cases, presidents have directed actions that were especially risky or controversial.

Re-Evaluating Special Operations Forces-Led Counterterrorism Efforts

Dr. Koven, in this occasional paper, posits that kinetic counterterrorism (CT) actions undertaken by the state to kill, capture, or otherwise disrupt terrorist groups are ineffective in isolation. While kinetic actions may succeed in disrupting a specific plot or other activities in the immediate term, they have little long-term effect on the ability of terrorist groups to operate. This study, backed by data from Colombian CT efforts over several years, demonstrates that government CT activities leading to the capture, killing, or demobilization of terrorists are correlated with an increase in terrorist attacks following a government’s actions. Moreover, this study reasons that government actions also serve to diffuse terrorist attacks into surrounding municipalities. Although kinetic CT actions may appear effective insofar as terrorist violence in the immediate vicinity of the CT actions decreases, if terrorism is displaced to other areas, this is not truly indicative of success. Dr. Koven's research suggests that successful CT approaches will require carefully sequenced kinetic and non-kinetic approaches.

Strategic Communication

The Joint Special Operations University (JSOU) Quick Look series is a research initiative intended to provide an overview of key topics and issues of interest to members of the USSOCOM enterprise. In this Quick Look on strategic communication by JSOU Resident Senior Fellow Dr. Paul Lieber, the author explains what strategic communication is, why it is useful, how it can be used to change behavior, and how organizations can develop existing communication into strategic communication. The author begins with two examples of China's strategic communication initiatives regarding their territorial claims in the South China Sea: one medium used was a recently produced children's movie while the other was U.S. broadcaster ESPN's television coverage of the National Basketball Association's exhibition games played in China in early 2020. Dr. Lieber concludes with eight steps required to reorient existing communication into true strategic communication.

The Joint Special Operations University (JSOU) Quick Look series is a research initiative intended to provide an overview of key topics and issues of interest to members of the USSOCOM enterprise. In this Quick Look on ethics by JSOU faculty members Dr. Kari Thyne and Dr. Joseph Long, the authors explore the non-binary aspect of ethical decision-making in Special Operations Forces (SOF) environments. They establish a common vocabulary for discussing ethics in SOF operations and propose a way to develop necessary and useful tools that close the gap between the expectation and reality of what SOF operators must do. The authors conclude by proposing six SOF ethical decision-making truths to provide an anchor for ethical decision-making within SOF units.

Defense Institution Building ... by Design

In this occasional paper, Dr. Richard Newton presents the case that sustainable, strategic effects through Defense Institution Building (DIB) can be achieved through paradigmatic change among key military stakeholders and a willingness to engage in systemic reform. While Security Force Assistance (SFA), Foreign Internal Defense (FID), and Joint/Combined Exchange Training (JCETs) have long been staples of Special Operations Forces engagement, they are often unable to achieve DIB objectives because they are not intended to achieve paradigm shifts and the consequent organizational transformation necessary to organically sustain the new capabilities. Overtly recognizing this discrepancy is essential for improving DIB practices and augmenting allied and partner nations’ contributions to collective defense. This paper recommends taking a design thinking approach for designing, developing, and implementing a sustainable DIB partnership with a willing nation. The author concludes with a case study of how a design-thinking approach facilitated the transformation of Romania’s SOF—a priority DIB effort for Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR).

How Civil Resistance Works (And Why It Matters to SOF)

Mr. Will Irwin reminds us in this extremely timely and well-written monograph, as John F. Kennedy observed more than a half century ago, that those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable. Million man protest marches in Hong Kong, riots and rebellion in Caracas, continued rumors of widespread discontent in Tehran, sabotage in the face of unspeakable brutality in North Korea, sectarian civil war in Syria, and the unrelenting assault on liberal democracy by the dictatorial regime in Moscow—the headlines of today have their seeds in the inherent fear of tyrants. It is that fear on which America must capitalize and be prepared to use to our advantage. These disturbances reveal the critical role that America’s special warfare units play in the contemporary era of nation state competition and conflict, for it’s their own people that our enemies fear most. Will Irwin’s monograph is a timely and important contribution to what will eventually become canon for the American Way of Irregular War and the basis for the professional military education of its uniformed and civilian irregular warfare practitioners.

Tickling the Dragon’s Tail: The Destabilizing Effects of an Irregular Warfare Critical Mass

Lieutenant Colonel Ned Marsh wrote this monograph while attending the U.S. Army School of Advanced Military Studies. He proposes that over time a metaphorical critical mass constructed of global irregular warfare (IW) actors, state and non-state, has developed. The core is now active and exists within an enabling contemporary environmental structure. State warfare hegemony has decreased conventional competition and increased asymmetrical strategies. The result of this has been the emergence of IW as a prominent strategy and a self-propagating chain reaction of IW activity. This activity is releasing increasingly dangerous levels of destabilizing effect. This monograph reviews IW theory and history, and describes the contemporary operational paradigm. It analyzes the effect of cumulative IW activity and discusses prescriptive approaches to the problem. It concludes that, if stability is an objective, then counter-IW must be holistically undertaken with strategies to reduce conventional warfare competition.

Current Trends in Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Implications for U.S. Special Operations Forces

In this new occasional paper, Dr. J. Philip Craiger and Dr. Diane M. Zorri explore current trends in small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) technology and its applications to Special Operations Forces (SOF). The paper begins with analysis of the definition and classification of sUAS, their major applications, and characteristics. The authors then present sUAS military applications, threats, current/future threat scenarios, and counter-sUAS capabilities and technology. The authors conclude with a look at the five-year trends in sUAS to include cyber-enabled counter-sUAS. Setting the stage in their introduction the authors state, "As armed forces around the world continue to invest in research and development of sUAS technologies, there will be tremendous potential to revolutionize warfare, particularly in context of special operations."

Information Age Proxy Warfare

Australian infantry officer Major Andrew Maher explores the utility of employing proxies to achieve strategic ends--utility that has increased with the arrival of the information Age. Akin to the “classic” nuclear deterrence theory of the Cold War era, the costs of major conventional warfare (to all parties) have encouraged the use of virtually-supported proxy forces to limit the likelihood and costs of escalation in future conflicts. Conversely, the opportunities inherent in information age access, reach, and penetration to proxy forces overcome certain conventional force deterrence effects. The author describes these outcomes as being achieved through weapons of mass mobilization, subversion, instruction, and surveillance. This occasional paper explains why such proxy options appeal to government, and how proxy warfare considerations might influence Western military strategy.

Special Operations Research Topics 2020

Joint Special Operations University’s (JSOU) publication of Special Operations Research Topics 2020 represents a list of Special Operations Forces (SOF)-related research topics proposed so that the resulting research can provide insight and recommendations on issues and challenges facing the SOF enterprise. As in previous years, this list is tailored to address the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Commander’s special operations priorities. This year’s topics focus on how the confluence of information, technology, and innovation (artificial intelligence, machine learning, cyber operations, and big data) affect these issues. Researcher may explore and identify doctrine, capabilities, techniques, and procedures that will increase SOF effectiveness in addressing them. At the same time, research on these topics may be used to inform policymakers, military professionals, and the public of the issues and challenges facing the SOF community.

Support to Resistance: Strategic Purpose and Effectiveness

This monograph is the first in a planned series of three volumes that will provide Special Operations Forces (SOF) with an in-depth study of resistance movements. Mr. Will Irwin provides a wealth of case studies focused on the United States Government’s support to resistance movements. For each of his case studies the author summarizes in a clear, concise manner the duration of U.S. support, the political environments or conditions, the type of operation, the purpose or objective of U.S. support, and the ultimate outcome: success, partial success, failure, or an inconclusive outcome. Unfolding world events are indicative of the need for SOF to maintain and enhance traditional unconventional warfare (UW) skills, but those skills must be assessed in the context of modern resistance movement dynamics. This work will serve as a benchmark reference on resistance movements for the benefit of the special operations community and its civilian leadership.

Political Strategy in Unconventional Warfare: Opportunities Lost in Eastern Syria and Preparing for the Future

Framed by more than three decades of anthropological research experience working in Syria and surrounding Middle Eastern countries, and experience working with both U.S. development and military entities, Dr. O’Leary and Mr. Heras offer a sociocultural and political analysis valuable for deployed SOF. They contend that the political strategy necessary for sustainable strategic effect in the unconventional warfare (UW) component of the counterterrorism operation against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) was subordinated to the operational level imperative to cultivate a viable proxy force. The authors offer SOF a way to conceptualize strategic political analysis for UW efforts using Syria as a recent case study, but also provide a glimmer of hope for consolidating the gains made there in support of national policy.

Warrior Pose: Building Readiness through Resilience—Yoga and Meditation

Mr. Ajit V. Joshi's award-winning research asserts that the foundation for readiness is resilience, which aligns with the warrior ethos and is an enduring quality of good leaders. A variety of techniques and practices including yoga, trauma sensitive yoga, systematic relaxation, breathing (pranayama), meditation, yoga nidra, and iRest Yoga Nidra are evidenced based tools with proven efficacy for improving the health and resilience of Joint Force service members and their families. Leading change in the Joint Force to adopt these tools for all service members’ comprehensive physical, mental, and spiritual fitness is vital in a world of greater uncertainty, but barriers exist both at individual and organizational levels. This paper defines relevant terms; reviews the extensive literature on the subject, with particular attention to the conclusions of studies conducted with veteran and military populations; examines the relevance of these tools to the modern warrior ethos and military culture; and makes specific recommendations regarding cultural and institutional change to facilitate program implementation. Mr. Joshi conducted this research while attending the U.S. Army War College and received the U.S. Army War College Commandant’s Award for Distinction in Research for excellence in research and writing.

Exploitation of Big Data for Special Operations Forces

In this new occasional paper, U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Low examines big data--data characterized by extensive open source datasets that are too large to analyze using traditional analytic methods. Those datasets include data comprised of news media, social media, and other open source information. By using innovative analytic tools and techniques, big datasets can be exploited to improve situational awareness and decision-making which can directly increase SOF mission effectiveness. The author advocates for the exploitation of big data during SOF pre-conflict activities. She offers lessons learned and opportunities discovered by the United Nations Global Pulse program, a program which has used big data analytics since its establishment in 2012. Through that lens, the author describes how big data can assist SOF through greater situational awareness that then leads to increased understanding of sociocultural, political, and economic issues and events.

ISIS 2.0: South and Southeast Asia Opportunities and Vulnerabilities

Behind headlines, social media, and fear-mongering lies an ISIS threat not of ideology, but rather opportunity. ISIS is a maestro at maximizing political instability and discontent, parlaying them into new potential strongholds and followers. In this monograph, Namrata Goswami expertly unmasks this underground version of ISIS, and with it, uncovers vulnerabilities to previously untapped ISIS targets in Bangladesh, Burma, India, and Indonesia.This monograph provides a much needed fact-based perspective to explain the success of ISIS in both spreading its ideology and recruitment base. Drawing upon historical examples and parallels, the author describes a movement that is very strategic in its emphases. Even existing scholars in the region are apt to find new and invaluable insights on whe re sociological, cultural, and political variables of this region intersect with ISIS opportunity.

Countering Transregional Terrorism

Countering it across global and regional geographic boundaries is even harder. Also, as increasingly powerful technologies become available to terrorists, the consequences of failing to surmount their adaptiveness and agility become much larger. It is vital to recognize that, despite some very impressive progress that the United States and the international community have made in combating terrorism since 9/11, we still struggle as a global community with the creation of durable, permanent solutions, and outcomes against it. This important publication urges consideration of how we might be able to find better pathways, better solutions, and better designs into the future. The future will not wait for us.

The Enemy is Us: How Allied and U.S. Strategy in Yemen Contributes to AQAP’s Survival

In this monograph, Dr. Norman Cigar provides Special Operations Forces (SOF) commanders and planners with an overview of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula’s (AQAP) operational framework and presence in the area. He analyzes the strategic and operational issues that confront policymakers in responding to the threat posed by AQAP within Yemen’s challenging social, political, and physical environment. This monograph presents the far-reaching implications for SOF, from recognizing the nuances of Yemen’s tribal-based human terrain to understanding key relationships, rivalries, and competition between AQAP and other Yemeni players. AQAP will likely continue to represent a threat to U.S. interests and regional stability for the foreseeable future.

Special Operations Research Topics 2018 (Revised Edition for Academic Year 2019)

The JSOU Special Operations Research Topics 2018 publication, newly revised for academic year 2019, highlights a wide range of topics collaboratively developed and prioritized by experts from across the SOF community. As with the previous versions of this publication, this list is tailored to address command priorities. The topics in these pages are intended to guide research projects for professional military education (PME) students, JSOU faculty, fellows and students, and others writing about special operations during this academic year. This research will provide a better understanding of the complex issues and opportunities affecting the strategic and operational planning needs of SOF. This revised edition includes 11 new topics of interest.

Complexity, Organizational Blinders, and the SOCOM Design Way

Complexity, Organizational Blinders, and the SOCOM Design Way (SDW) takes on the monumental task of explaining why the complex world is so difficult to comprehend and provides a way for navigating through it. The authors accomplish this utilizing U.S. Special Operations Command design techniques. This monograph is not just for the Special Operator or the Operational Planner. It is useful for anyone who is seeking out a better way to address problems that seem to have no solution. Dr. David Ellis and Mr. Charles Black provide the tools necessary to define the problem and develop an approach. The SDW needs to be seriously considered and put into practice if the community desires to make progress in complex and wicked problems.

Advancing SOF Cultural Engagement: The Malinowski Model for a Qualitative Approach

In this publication, Robert Greene Sands and Darby Arakelian propose a special operations relevant model for engaging populations, illuminating their worldviews and values, appreciating their interests, and translating significant social, cultural, and political information into operational analysis. Their objectives are to introduce the core concepts, the base vocabulary, and the foundational skills in anthropology and sociology necessary for improving the human aspects core competency. While Greene Sands and Arakelian do not expect SOF to become anthropologists, they assert that Malinowski’s population-centric research methods are desperately needed to make sense of contemporary human aspects of military operations.

Growing SOLO: Expanding the Spectrum of SOF Advisory Capabilities

The SOF advisory role is a long-term commitment to help enable and aid other nations improve their military forces and security. SOF advisors have traditionally operated at the tactical level to increase partner capabilities ‘by, with and through’ to generate sufficient rule of law, address local needs, and advance rapport building. Mr. White advocates for a SOF role in advising foreign militaries at the high operational/strategic and ministerial levels. He provides real world examples through four vignettes of SOF advisors in Afghanistan, Iraq, Colombia, and the Philippines. This monograph is a handy resource for commanders and planners needing to establish a rapport with allies and friends at the highest operational/strategic and ministerial levels.

Structural Violence and Relative Deprivation: Precursors to Collective Political Violence in Sierra Leone

In this occasional paper, Dr. Conteh-Morgan examines how the combination of structural violence and relative deprivation are associated with, and were predictors of, civil strife in Sierra Leone between 1991 and 2002. He focuses his analysis on one key question: In what ways did structural violence deepen insecurities and intensify relative deprivation in Sierra Leone and contribute to civil war? The author provides an in-depth explanation of the concept of structural violence and how it underscores the realities of human misery associated with inequality and disability. He then describes how the negative effects of structural violence of state institutions in many developing countries can lead to feelings of relative deprivation in individuals and groups in society. Dr. Conteh-Morgan then argues that Sierra Leone was plagued by structural violence and it was this condition that then contributed to a sense of relative deprivation among the population which in turn sparked the civil war that lasted from 1991 to 2002. This study provides the SOF practitioner with an in-depth analysis of how internal and external structural problems intensified political grievances, increased deprivations and widespread misery, and eventually led to the implosion of Sierra Leone into full scale civil war.

Resistance Views: Essays on Unconventional Warfare and Small State Resistance, Tartu Resistance Seminar

This volume is based upon the discourse, dialogue, and outcomes of the 2nd Senior Unconventional Warfare (UW) and Resistance Seminar, hosted by the Joint Special Operations University (JSOU); Baltic Defence College (BALTDEFCOL); U.S. Special Operations Command Europe (USSOCEUR); Estonian Special Operations Forces; and the Centre for Applied Studies, Estonian National Defence College. From 4–6 November 2014, a multinational and interagency group of academics and practitioners gathered at the Baltic Defence College in Tartu, Estonia to discuss and debate the study and practice of UW and resistance. This book’s aim is to spark intensive discussion on both UW and counter-UW approaches, doctrine, and capabilities.

How Do SOF Contribute to Comprehensive Deterrence?

In this concise monograph, the author argues that U.S. SOF use their skills, capabilities, and relationships to provide planners and policymakers a unique deterrence tool. Mr. Haddick first provides a brief overview of deterrence theory as a baseline for presenting his viewpoints on this neglected special operations role. Then, presents a case study that effectively highlights how U.S. adversaries have adapted their tactics to exploit gaps in our current deterrence framework, thwarting or bypassing our legacy deterrence structure. The Joint Special Operations University is pleased to offer this monograph to inform policymakers and the SOF community of the deterrent value of both direct and indirect special operations.

The Death of the Golden Hour and the Return of the Future Guerrilla Hospital

Colonel Warner “Rocky” Farr has made an important contribution to the body of SOF knowledge with this well-researched monograph. He advances the understanding of the many challenges and accomplishments related to guerrilla warfare medicine—care provided by predominantly indigenous medical personnel under austere conditions with limited evacuation capability—by providing a survey of the historical record in UW literature. Colonel Farr relates many historical experiences in the field, assesses their effectiveness, and lays a foundation for further in-depth study of the subject. The Joint Special Operations University is pleased to offer this monograph as a means of providing those scholars and operators, as well as policymakers and military leaders, a greater understanding of the complex and complicated field of guerrilla warfare medicine.

Property Rights and Social Justice as an Indicator of Stability: The SOF Nexus

The role of economics in the generation and mitigation of grievances is well documented and understood. Likewise, the reliance on economic documents forms the basis for credible economic systems worldwide. For the Special Operations Forces (SOF) professional, however, the issues of property rights, economic development, and the generation of wealth are more nuanced and central to the successful completion of SOF missions in failing and failed states. As Colonel Bill Mandrick demonstrates in this monograph, a nation-state's failure to have in place a system for the equitable access to and the sharing of economic activity is a guarantor of grievances, anger, and instability. So too is the failure to enforce an existing system of property rights and economic opportunity. He argues that an awareness of the economic records of a nation-state provides useful insights into its stability and can provide important intelligence to expand SOF situational awareness and support SOF mission planning.

Transitioning from War to Peace: Post-Deployment Support for Special Operations Forces

The complexities of transitioning from war to home are myriad, and Dr. Jennifer Hazen’s monograph not only describes many of the complex factors associated with post deployment adjustment of Special Operations Forces (SOF), but elucidates what can be done to improve the ways in which the Services reach SOF Service members and families. For SOF, the complexities associated with reentering civil society following wartime deployments may be exacerbated by the frequency, intensity, and unpredictability of special operations deployments. The author observes that many current programs are designed as “one-size-fits-all” interventions and are often of little value to the participants. Consistent with USSOCOM’s views on this matter, Hazen suggests that programs need to be tailored to accommodate the unique characteristics of individuals and units.

Reconceptualizing Radicalized Groups and Their Messages

In this JSOU Press occasional paper Dr. Paul Lieber and Dr. Yael Lieber explore alternative approaches for Special Operations Forces (SOF) to engage with radicalized groups through comprehensive engagement in the narrative space to defeat the effects of ISIS in the psychological and sociological aspects of the human domain. Rethinking this problem from a joint social psychology—notably realistic conflict theory (RCT)—and social network analysis approach can yield unprecedented insights on the inner workings of radicalized groups and their penchant for political violence. The authors explore conflict theory through the lens of the Robbers' Cave experiment conducted by Muzafer Sherif. The authors posit that in general, radicalization, and hopefully de-radicalization, may be said to follow a similar process whereby groups that are culturally, religiously, and/or racially diverse perceive each other as in competition for scarce resources such as employment, housing, education, and benefits--in-groups and out-groups. This paper continues with an analysis of the roles that are essential to promulgating and sustaining message influence within an in-group social network—group communication norms. Within these pages are tremendous insights, relevant to the SOF community, on ways to rethink counter-radicalization efforts.

Countering the Islamist Insurgency

In this paper the author, a retired special forces colonel, discusses political violence, radicalization, terrorism, and insurgency--some of the greatest security challenges the United States and its allies face today. Despite the fact that the United States Government (USG) has developed an exceptional counterterrorism (CT) capability to find and neutralize terrorists, the threat continues to exist. In fact, the problems only seem to be getting worse, with more and more attacks happening in the United States and Western Europe, and groups like the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and al-Qaeda recruiting thousands across the globe. The author discusses several reasons the United States isn’t more successful in its CT efforts. First, most policymakers fail to truly appreciate the nature of the problem. Second, in many cases the contemporary USG CT approach is flawed. Finally, the USG must continue to rethink Special Operations Forces employment to maximize their effectiveness against irregular threats.

Unconventional Warfare as a Strategic Force Multiplier: Task Force Viking in Northern Iraq, 2003

In this paper, retired Air Force Colonel Timothy Brown describes the necessity to prepare for both conventional and irregular warfare (IW). Preparing for one or the other does not have to be exclusionary—competence in both can be complementary and symbiotic. Proficiency in one, backed by proper theory, doctrine, training, planning, and preparedness, can bolster proficiency in the other. Through a historical account of the unconventional warfare (UW) campaign in northern Iraq in 2003, the author provides an example of how UW, an activity of IW, is valuable to the nation and can, when properly applied in conjunction with a thoughtful plan, be a significant force multiplier. The historical example shows that despite considerable and nearly crippling geographic and political obstacles, the UW campaign in northern Iraq successfully aided the coalition advance to Baghdad.

Special Operations Research Topics 2018

This publication highlights a wide range of research topics collaboratively developed and prioritized by experts from across the SOF community. These research topics are organized to support the USSOCOM Commander's three SOF priorities: win, transform, and people. To develop this topics list, recommendations were solicited from the USSOCOM headquarters staff, the theater special operations commands (TSOCs), component commands, SOF chairs from the war colleges, and select research centers and think tanks. This list and the accompanying topic descriptions are a guide to stimulate interest and thinking. Topics may be narrowed or otherwise modified as deemed necessary (e.g., to suit school writing requirements or maximize individual interests and experiences). The researcher should explore and identify doctrine, capabilities, techniques, and procedures that will increase SOF efficacy in addressing them. At the same time, the research on these topics should be used to inform policymakers, the larger military profession, and the public of the issues and challenges facing the SOF enterprise.

Special Operations Theory

This edited volume is the third of three volumes that follow from an August 2016 JSOU symposium, Theory of Special Operations. This compendium of articles is not a comprehensive or exhaustive treatment of special operations theory. Rather, it is intended to continue the conversation and, at least, bring to a culminating point the argument over whether a theory of special operations is necessary and if the suggestions are suitable, feasible, and acceptable. The editors of this compendium, JSOU resident senior fellows, highlight opposing views and conclude with an academic, joint special operations perspective on the status of the theory argument. No matter where you stand on the subject, this is worth your time and consideration.

Special Operations Contracting: 21st Century Approaches for Service and Technology Acquisition

"Amateurs talk about tactics, but professionals study logistics." This quote is attributed to the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Robert H. Barrow in 1980. The observation is especially relevant to the USSOCOM enterprise due to the command's dual role as a combatant command and an organization with legislated military department-like authorities. One of the chief tasks under those military department-like authorities is the procurement and fielding of SOF-peculiar equipment. Certainly within the past 15 years, many in the special operations community will argue that technology that is acquired and fast-fielded can save lives. Therefore, Dr. Tkach's monograph is an important read for SOF professionals. Dr. Tkach wrote this monograph for all professionals who study logistics and enable Special Operations Forces (SOF). As you review the work, consider how you can ensure SOF continues to receive the effective support it needs to carry out its mission.

Outside the Box: A New General Theory of Special Operations

In this monograph, volume two of three, Dr. Tom Searle articulates a general theory of special operations. In his view, robust special operations are not niche specialties, but unconventional operations that may range to the full extent of military authority and capability. He argues that this thinking reduces friction and clarifies the nature of special operations such that conventional forces are free to focus on fewer tasks. Searle also dedicates an appendix to illustrate how his general theory relates to other efforts. Readers are encouraged to examine all three volumes (Rich Rubright, Ph.D., Tom Searle, Ph.D., and the compendium edited by Peter McCabe, Ph.D.) with an open mind. These three volumes provide an opportunity for the reader to challenge their own preexisting positions, incorporate fresh perspectives, and perhaps think differently about what is necessary and sufficient for a special operations theory.

Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco: Change, Instability, and Continuity in the Maghreb

An increasing proportion of Special Operations Forces (SOF) have an interest in Africa, and especially the Maghreb, which borders the Mediterranean and is where the Arab Spring started. In this monograph, Dr. Roby Barrett provides a regional historical analysis of how the people of Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco have developed their views toward government legitimacy and religious authorities. SOF personnel from the U.S. and other countries have to be particularly mindful of the area's French colonial legacy (one of many attempts by outside powers to control these countries), as well as the dichotomy between coastal and interior populations, when considering how foreign involvement in the region and democratic institutions may be perceived by its inhabitants. This publication is an important look at how and why past efforts at secular democracy have failed in this region, and why they are likely to do so for the foreseeable future .

Preserving Sovereignty in a Borderless World

In this paper, Mr. Charles Ricks explores the post-Cold War geopolitical environment--one that has evolved into a dynamic, churning environment in which flows of populations, transnational crime, violent extremism, and threats from open-source networks and the global commons have affected both the domestic and international environments. The reemergence of national identities and grievances long buried within the relative stability of the decades following World War II, along with mass migrations, has presented political leaders with serious challenges to their governance and, in many cases, sovereignty. The fact is that the distinctions between domestic governance and international engagement have blurred because the events in places like the Middle East, Africa, Central and South America regularly have direct effects on governance issues faced by American political leaders--from villages and towns to the federal level. It is within this context that the cultural acumen and expertise SOF possess may be an important source of knowledge for both military and civilian leaders looking for ways to anticipate, not simply react to, these emerging events.

A Social Marketing Analysis for Suicide Prevention Initiatives in USSOCOM: A Framework for Future Research and Success

After more than fifteen years of conflict, the fact that suicide persists as a command issue in the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) is heartbreaking and serves as a clarion call to redouble efforts by individuals and institutions to invest in programs that demonstrate effectiveness in reducing suicide, eroding the stigma associated with seeking treatment, and increasing the use of behavioral health care (BHC). In this monograph, Dr. Craig Lefebvre offers a social marketing perspective that reveals insights and actions to enhance existing programs. A central theme in Dr. Lefebvre's monograph is that no one is powerless if sufficiently aware. But experience shows that the task at hand is more than encouraging individuals to pursue available resources. Assistance and treatment options exist and they have proven to be effective when pursued. The path that emerges in the pages that follow exposes the reader to the context, theory, content, and practical history of suicide and suicide prevention.

A Unified Theory for Special Operations

As part one of a three-part JSOU Press series on special operations theory, Dr. Rubright articulates what he calls "a unified theory of special operations." His theory is simply expressed in ten words: "Special Operations are extraordinary operations to achieve a specific effect." This single sentence is a gateway to a rich discussion which will force readers to think critically about special operations and the role that they should serve in the pursuit of strategic objectives. No matter which side of the argument you take up, Dr. Rubright's monograph is an excellent start towards forming an academic position on special operations theory. These three volumes provide an opportunity for the reader to challenge their own preexisting positions, incorporate fresh perspectives, and perhaps think differently about what is necessary and sufficient for a special operations theory.

Enhancing the Global SOF Enterprise: A Consortium Concept

In this paper, Dr. Christman proposes a means to better organize Special Operations Forces (SOF) worldwide to meet the "...global and collective brew of wicked problems...a world of panarchy...defined here to mean the competition of new actors in the gray zone, as described by SOF leaders, and accelerated even more by the unpredictable consequences of continuously evolving technology." To do this the author discusses a means to connect the global SOF enterprise so that U.S. SOF can effectively collaborate with the SOF from any nation willing to work with the United States and its regional partners. Dr. Christman proposes a consortium approach, through a Global Special Operations Consortium, to solve problems while avoiding a U.S.-centric solution set that is not always embraced by our international partners. This consortium approach would also include an array of defense, development, and diplomacy tools (for '3D' security) within a framework for success.

Special Operations Forces as Change Agents

Dr. Turnley examines Special Operations Forces (SOF) through a cultural anthropologic lens to explore the socio-cultural aspects of the SOF community and their ability to perform as change agents. As the author explains in her introduction, "Well-positioned or particularly persuasive individuals from the SOF community have been able to use personal connections and social networks to catalyze and institutionalize change in a wide range of communities, stimulating individuals to coalesce around ideas presented through charismatic players." Through the use of historical examples, such as the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) in World War II or the more recent Joint Special Operations Task Force - Philippines (JSOTF-P), Dr. Turnley guides the reader through explanations of organizational change and the modern day SOF operator who is creative and performs as a change agent within established bureaucracies. She arrives at the conclusion that, "SOF bring to the military the potential for change, realized through an ability to create, stimulate, and work through social networks and the power of individual personalities."

U.S. Special Operations Forces in a Period of Transition

Dr. Wong-Diaz, an expert in international security law, looks at the effects of the post-cold war strategic environment on Special Operations Forces (SOF). After the fall of the Soviet Union in 1989 there was hope for a more peaceful world order. That all changed after the shock of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. A resurgent Russia and a rising communist China, along with failed states, humanitarian crises, and ungoverned spaces, creates a strategic security environment that is complex and dangerous. As former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dempsey once stated, "We now face multiple, simultaneous security challenges from traditional state actors and transregional networks of sub-state groups..." Dr. Wong-Diaz looks at the threats to our U.S. vital interests, our strategy for dealing with those threats, and our reliance on third offset technologies that are innovative, disruptive, and advantageous to the United States. He concludes with a look at the human dimension of SOF within USSOCOM and the Global SOF Network (GSN). The GSN strives for interoperability and is a key component of the indirect approach: an interoperable network of networks to achieve operational success.

Preventing Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation-Leveraging Special Operations Forces to Shape the Environment

U.S. Army Colonel Lonnie Carlson (Ph.D.) and Dr. Margaret Kosal argue that WMD expertise must be built within the SOF enterprise and that SOF must collaborate with government organizations (both U.S. and partner nation) to conduct WMD counterproliferation-related building partnership capacity (BPC) and operational preparation of the environment (OPE) activities. The authors look at SOF attributes and assert that it is within the irregular warfare domain that SOF have the greatest opportunity to improve WMD counterproliferation effectiveness. The authors present a brief explanation of WMD classifications, present an inventory of countries who possess weapons-grade nuclear material, and graphically present the potential cost versus probability of use for WMD types. Colonel Carlson and Dr. Kosal conclude that the U.S. Government and Department of Defense must build and leverage the global SOF network through CWMD OPE and BPC activities. Those activities can lead to the early warning needed to mitigate fleeting opportunities to eliminate catastrophic WMD risks.

IS and Cultural Genocide: Antiquities Trafficking in the Terrorist State

In this monograph, the authors offer compelling research that reminds government and military officials of the moral, legal, and ethical dimensions of protecting cultural antiquities from looting and illegal trafficking. Internationally, states generally agree on the importance of protecting antiquities, art, and cultural property not only for their historical and artistic importance, but also because such property holds economic, political, and social value for nations and their peoples. Protection is in the common interest because items or sites are linked to the common heritage of mankind. The authors make the point that a principle of international law asserts that cultural or natural elements of humanity’s common heritage should be protected from exploitation and held in trust for future generations. The conflicts in Afghanistan, and especially in Iraq and Syria, coupled with the rise of the Islamic State (IS), have brought renewed attention to the plight of cultural heritage in the Middle East and throughout the world.

Cultural Intelligence for Special Forces Personnel

In a 2009 JSOU Press monograph reflecting on the education requirements for Special Operations Forces (SOF) personnel, Brigadier General Russ Howard (U.S. Army, retired) identified “cultural competency” as critical to SOF professional development. He returns to this theme with researchers Greta Hanson and Carly Laywell by answering this question: Why can some people act effectively in new cultures or among people with unfamiliar backgrounds while others, even highly respected people within their own group, stumble in those same situations? The research team asserts that cultural intelligence (CQ) makes the difference and describes a proficiency that goes beyond simply being intelligent, emotionally mature, or having good general social skills. Their message to SOF is that a person with high CQ, whether cultivated or innate, can understand and master situations, persevere, and do the right thing.

The Evolution of Global SOF Enterprise from a Partner Perspective

Lieutenant Colonel Lysgård was the first Norwegian exchange liaison officer assigned to U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). In this paper he chronicles the development and maturation of the Global Special Operations Forces Network (GSN). He sets the stage by recounting the evolution of present day Norwegian Special Operations Forces (SOF) from its genesis in World War II. He then explains the development of the GSN at USSOCOM and describes the utility of the network. Knowing whom to trust and who is willing to support a nation’s efforts becomes important as leaders build a ‘coalition of the willing.’ He shows that through the GSN, SOF can execute integrated campaigning with partners to facilitate dialogue across borders, shortening lines of communication and continuing development of high technology solutions. The author concludes that the creation and implementation of the GSN by partner nations has created cost-effective coordination solutions and, through that, increased security for deployed personnel across the globe.

The Geopolitics of Mediterranean Security: Assessing Regional Threats in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in the Post–Arab Spring

Dr. Cerami’s paper examines contrasting views on the geopolitical effects of the post–Arab Spring, assessing Middle Eastern, U.S., and European perspectives on transnational security issues—exploring those threats that directly influence the roles and missions of U.S. special operations forces (SOF). His analysis begins focused on the outward-directed threats in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), including the use of force, terrorism, and weapons of mass destruction proliferation, as well as human security issues, such as illegal immigration, refugees, and violence against noncombatants, especially women and children. He then assesses internal threats, such as the inability to address political conflict and enable non-violent transitions between regimes, from Iraq to Libya to Egypt to Syria. For the West, there are further questions such as the ability to influence efforts at MENA state building in positive directions and whether there are convincing arguments for favoring stability and security over meaningful reforms that include the rule of law, civil society, and legitimate governance. Dr. Cerami’s research is an intriguing look into a region whose stability is directly related to our national interests and national security.

SOF and a Theory of Modern Terrorism

Dr. Rich Yarger takes an in-depth look into the theory of modern terrorism to develop better understanding of ways to counter expansion of the terrorist threat. Dr. Yarger offers insights into the purpose of his theory. He describes how it provides a conceptual understanding of the phenomenon of modern terrorism and how the dynamics of any particular threat might play out, explains how terrorists may think and act, and provides insights into how states might react or choose to act in regard to the phenomenon. After outlining his theory he then illustrates some of its implications for Special Operations Forces (SOF). Dr. Yarger concludes that terrorists can be defeated in their strategic aims through studying their use of various forms of hard and soft power, and countering, or better applying, friendly hard and soft power. A theory of modern, or strategic, terrorism better informs this strategic analysis.

Training Surrogate Forces in International Humanitarian Law: Lessons from Peru, Colombia, El Salvador, and Iraq

Patrick Paterson’s monograph, Training Surrogate Forces in International Humanitarian Law: Lessons from Peru, Colombia, El Salvador, and Iraq, leverages the author’s vast experience in Latin American history to examine how U.S. Special Operations Forces (USSOF) train surrogate forces. He argues that it is necessary to employ United States Special Operations Command’s (USSOCOM) indirect approach to grow and build partnership capacity through foreign internal defense (FID) and to find a balance with international humanitarian law (IHL). Paterson also examines the legal issues and restrictions on training and equipping foreign forces and the impact of these exchanges with our partners. His research methodology includes extensive interviews and incorporates a historical case study approach, examining FID efforts in Peru, Colombia, and El Salvador for lessons learned, and then compares and contrasts USSOF train and equip efforts in Iraq.

Assessing Special Operations Forces Language, Region, and Culture Needs: Leveraging Digital and LRC Learning to Reroute the "Roadmap" from Human Terrain to Human Domain

Dr. Greene Sands’ Assessing Special Operations Forces Language, Region, and Culture Needs uses his vast experience and knowledge of this subject and draws from the existing Department of Defense Defense Language Transformation Roadmap (DLRT), recent lessons learned, and historical beginnings to outline the importance to the U.S. military, especially the Special Operations Forces (SOF) community. The past decade of counterinsurgency operations has challenged the U.S. military personnel in their ability to carry out a variety of missions involving culturally complex situations and interactions. Success in such operations often depends on difficult linguistic and interpersonal skill-based competencies and abilities. Dr. Sands emphasizes the utility of language skills, along with regional and cultural knowledge and cross-cultural competence, in engaging populations across sometimes uncompromising cultural divides. This monograph provides key lessons learned as U.S. Special Operations Command determines the way ahead for LRC education and training to better prepare the future SOF operator to meet the challenges of operating in complex environments and meet the command’s priority to continue to build relationships.

The Asia Pivot: Implications for U.S. Special Operations Forces

In this compelling new monograph by Retired U.S. Army Brigadier General Russ Howard and U.S. Marine Corps Major John Duvall, Jr., the authors leverage their vast experiences and knowledge of the region to explore the Obama Administration’s Asia Pivot strategy, announced in 2011, and its impact on Special Operations. The authors begin by defining this vast region. They then look at the U.S. strategic goals, evaluate the threats, and provide an analysis of the progress of where America is today along with the importance and impact on special operations. This monograph is the culmination of two years of analysis of the “pivot to Asia” by the authors. It provides a starting point for all SOF to gain a better understanding of this vast region and the future role SOF could play to counter the threats to our national interests.

Military Innovation in War: It Takes a Learning Organization - A Case Study of Task Force 714 in Iraq

In this monograph, Dr. Shultz provides key findings on how organizational change and innovation by Task Force 714 dismantled al-Qaeda in Iraq’s networked secret organization. Dr. Shultz utilizes sound methodology to show how TF 714 was able to achieve this incredible transformation. Drawing from memoirs and in-depth interviews with several TF 714 leaders, Dr. Shultz further analyzes these sources through the use of analytic tools drawn from leading business and management studies focused on organizational learning and innovation. This monograph provides critical insights and lessons learned for U.S. Special Operations Forces and interagency partners who will establish, deploy, or support a special operations command and control organization. It is also a good historical case study and provides a foundation on how to adapt, innovate, and grow military structures into learning organizations to meet the future challenges of complex environments and our enemies.

A Comprehensive and Proactive Approach to Unconventional Warfare

In this paper Mr. Irwin explores gray zone unconventional warfare (UW) options in the context of the recent Syria train and equip mission. To better posture itself for engagement in gray zone political warfare, the U.S. Government, and especially Special Operations Forces, must work to reestablish, revitalize, and master important but seemingly lost components of our UW capability, as well as engage in concept development marked by uncommonly creative and innovative thinking. Mr. Irwin argues that early U.S. UW engagement, effective influence and coercion actions, and a more disciplined approach to nonviolent civil resistance in Syria could have resulted in more favorable outcomes in line with U.S. interests.

Unconventional Economics: Operational Economics in Unconventional Warfare

In this monograph, Major Riley Post and Dr. Jeffrey Peterson offer a compelling look into economic activities and influence in the context of unconventional warfare (UW). The value of this monograph lies in the creation of a framework that provides a structured approach for UW practitioners to employ as they assess and analyze economic factors that influence and support insurgency movements. This framework offers a way to simplify the varied and complex economic activities required to support equally complex resistance operations. This monograph provides examples of tactical, economic opportunities that support operational and strategic objectives. As a vignette, the authors evaluate the rise and potential vulnerabilities of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. This monograph concludes with recommendations to enhance training for Special Operations Forces leaders and operators in the application of economic factors in UW.

2016 Special Operations Essays

Each year, the Joint Special Operations University partners with the Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict Chapter of the National Defense Industrial Association in sponsoring an annual essay contest. This year’s first place winner is U.S. Air Force Major Jared Harris, with “Daydreams of an Operational Planner: Reimagining the Counterterrorism Task Force.” In second place is U.S. Army Major Tim Ball, with “Bringing the Alliance Back to SOF: The Role of NATO Special Operations Headquarters in Countering Russian Hybrid Warfare.” This collection also includes high-quality, original works from four other professional military education (PME) students: U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 James Allbright, Peruvian Army Colonel Ricardo Benavides , U.S. Army Major Orlando Craig, and U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Stephen Dayspring. These essays provide current insights on what our PME students see as priority national and international security issues affecting special operations. They add value to the individuals’ professional development, provide an outlet for expressing new ideas and points of view, and contribute to the knowledge of the special operations community.

The War Within: A Look Inside al-Qaeda’s Undoing

In this monograph, Dr. Jarret Brachman delves into al-Qaeda’s crumbling global movement and its internal struggles, including its attempts to remain relevant in the shadow of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). Brachman cites various internal writings of al-Qaeda’s past and present leaders, thinkers, and supporters. It becomes clear that this once dominant terrorist organization has changed in the post-bin Laden era, is becoming fractured, and is taking a backseat to ISIL. Brachman analyzes letters, blog posts, and social media comments from various ranks within al-Qaeda that show the discontent, frustration, and confusion the once prominent terrorist organization has faced in recent years. Although struggling, al-Qaeda remains a serious threat and maintains a global footprint. But as ISIL gains more publicity, al-Qaeda has more trouble competing for followers, funding, and attention. This monograph explores al-Qaeda’s recent efforts to make sense of itself.

Rethinking Special Operations Leadership: Process, Persuasion, Pre-existing, and Personality

In this paper Dr. Lieber describes leadership characteristics through the lens of special operations. By exploring the importance of process, persuasion, pre-existing schemata, and personality nuances on special operations leadership training and execution, along with additional traits/characteristics necessary for success within them, Dr. Lieber extends beyond the traditional definitions of military leadership. The first section looks at process and adaptation to innovation. Organizations must innovate, but it is the leader’s responsibility to make certain that innovation is both appropriate and matched to an established goal. The next section explores the leader’s power of persuasion and the ability to nuance messaging and influence desirable opinions and consensus building. He then explores pre-existing schemata and provides recommendations to avoid cognitive dissonance. Finally, personality differences are described with a nod to exploiting teams comprised of diverse personality types. Dr. Lieber is an award-winning scholar and practitioner on global strategic communication. Currently a resident senior fellow at JSOU, he previously served as the command writer for two USSOCOM commanders.

SOF Role in Combating Transnational Organized Crime

In April 2015, military and civilian personnel from Canada, Mexico, and the United States came together at Colorado Springs, Colorado, for a symposium hosted by U.S. Special Operations Command-North and facilitated by Joint Special Operations University and Canadian Special Operations Forces Command. Their task was to examine the role of Special Operations Forces (SOF) in combating transnational organized crime (TOC). The panelists and plenary participants set to work considering a wide range of issues attending to the TOC threat. After the Symposium concluded, panelists and speakers synthesized the results of their research and panel discussions in articles for publication—those articles are found in the chapters of this report of proceedings. The implication for SOF is they must continue to train to meet the strategic challenges ahead. This will require forward-deployed units that are engaged with their counterparts in host countries because TOC is both a threat to, and a result of, weak, emerging democratic governments that benefit from engagement. Readiness to conduct all SOF core activities will remain a priority.

Improving the Sustainment of SOF Distributed Operations in Access-Denied Environments

In this monograph, Robert Haddick examines a variety of emerging technologies and techniques that could improve the sustainment and effectiveness of distributed SOF operations, especially in access-denied environments. He begins by describing a challenging yet plausible notional unconventional warfare campaign scenario. He describes how current SOF planners would attempt to cope with this scenario under current doctrine and sustainment capabilities, explores current and emerging technologies that could provide new options and capabilities, and evaluates new technologies that promise to reduce logistic demand for distributed SOF operations. Haddick proposes research and development recommendations that provide SOF with capabilities that improve their capacity to execute clandestine UW campaigns in denied areas. This monograph helps close the gap between current conditions and what will be necessary in an access-denied future.

Special Operations Research Topics 2017

The JSOU Special Operations Research Topics 2017 represents a list of SOF-related topics that are recommended for research by those who desire to provide insight and recommendations on issues and challenges facing the SOF enterprise. As with the past several years’ topics publications, this list is tailored to address priority areas identified by USSOCOM. There are five SOF priorities: Ensure SOF Readiness, Help Our Nation Win, Continue to Build Relationships, Prepare for the Future, and Preservation of the Force and Family. This publication also includes another key document that identifies critical research topics, the Key Strategic Issues List, developed and maintained by the USSOCOM J5 Strategy, Plans, and Policy Directorate. These topics reflect a consensus of the SOF experts who participated in the Research Topics Workshop as particularly worthwhile in addressing immediate SOF needs and in building future capacity for emerging challenges.

SOF Role in Combating Transnational Organized Crime (en Espanol)

NOTE: This is the Spanish version of the text.

The Collapse of Iraq and Syria: The End of the Colonial Construct in the Greater Levant

A day does not go by without Iraq and Syria as well as the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) being in the news. Most of the news coverage deals with atrocities, factionalism, civil war, and cultural/ethnic strife. The value of this monograph is Dr. Roby Barrett's thorough delve into history to help explain this complicated story. It is a story of creating states with artificial borders that have been ruled with iron fists to keep a lid on fractured societies. What we are witnessing and what Barrett explains is the dissolution of borders and the collapse of central governments in Iraq and Syria. In fact, the author contends that Iraq and Syria no longer exist as nation-states. Their ultimate fate is yet to be seen. Regardless, this monograph provides the reader with a historical review of the Greater Levant that helps explain the reality on the ground today.

Sun Tzu and Machiavelli in Syria: Attacking Alliances

The purpose of this short work is to contextualize the ongoing conflict in Syria through the combined lens of Sun Tzu and Machiavelli, juxtaposed to the normative trend the West has followed ever so ineffectually since the conflict began in Syria. This work is an alternative view of the conflict that should be read as a cautionary tale concerning our lack of proficiency in strategy. It is broken down into three distinct parts. The first part contextualizes the conflict and the actors involved, to include the proxies. The second part lays out the strategic principles of Sun Tzu as pertaining to the conflict to provide a strategic framework with which the reader may make sense of the conflict's complex nature. The final part focuses on U.S. action keeping in mind Machiavelli within the Syrian conflict as informed by Sun Tzu's strategic principles. Dr. Rubright is a senior faculty member at the Joint Special Operations University and teaches in the fields of special operations, strategy, and counterinsurgency.

Maskirovka 2.0: Hybrid Threat, Hybrid Response

In this paper Mr. Roberts describes the irregular and hybrid tools and techni ques that Russian President Vladimir Putin, his security forces, and his intelligence forces have used, first in the attack against Georgia in 2008, then in the assault on Ukraine, and now in Syria, to advance renewed Russian regional hegemony and strategic reach. The paper also describes the mobilization of Russian minority populations, the co-option of the Georgian and Ukrainian regimes, and the West's seeming inability to effectively counter these Russian moves. Since this paper was finalized Russia has moved into Syria and the assessment of Russia's Syrian adventure is still very speculative at this time. Nevertheless, many aspects of the Syrian case are fully congruent with Russia's hybrid approach in Georgia and Ukraine. Mr. Roberts holds the Office of the Secretary of Defense chair at the Eisenhower School, National Defense University. His prior assignment was as the principal director, Special Operations and Combating Terrorism, Office of the Secretary of Defense.

Countering Violent Extremism in Mali

Dr. Moyar analyzes U.S. and international efforts to counter Mali's panoply of extremist organizations. Violent opposition to Mali's government has deep roots, which include historic tensions between the Tuaregs and other ethnic groups, as well as the emergence of Salafist extremist groups in Algeria. Extremist attacks on Mali's democratic government in late 2011 and early 2012 culminated in a military coup that allowed rebels to take control of northern Mali. Because Mali had received extensive military and nonmilitary assistance from the United States and other foreign countries in the preceding years, these disasters led to the questioning of aid practices, including those of United States Special Operations Forces (USSOF). This study adds to a growing body of knowledge on special operations and counterterrorism in Africa. It also contributes to the general understanding of the troubling events in Mali, where the government continues to confront violent extremism and other forms of rebellion. Perhaps most significantly for USSOF, the monograph offers insights into the building of partner capacity.

Tactical Operations for Strategic Effect: The Challenge of Currency Conversion

Dr. Gray examines the currency conversion between tactical behavior and its strategic consequences. All strategy is comprised of tactical actions and Special Operations Forces (SOF) are often tasked with tactical operations with the expectation they will have desired strategic effect. A SOF community seeking to explain its functions needs to be crystal clear in distinguishing between the fundamentally distinctive meanings. If there is confusion about these two concepts-and the author believes there is-then charting a sensible relationship between them is then impossible. The author explains as an example that, "there are no, indeed there cannot be, any 'strategic' troops, forces, or weapons, for the simple reason that all troops, forces, and weapons have strategic meaning, be it ever so slight, or even arguable." This monograph attempts to reinforce the understanding of strategy and tactics by using historical examples where the two have failed each other. In the end, there must be the necessary direction and leadership that provides solid strategic sense so that SOF may achieve the effects needed to advance U.S. policy.

The 2005 Iraqi Sunni Awakening: The Role of the Desert Protectors Program

Dr. Knarr tells the story of Al Sahawa, the Awakening, in Iraq from a different perspective than most narratives. Many associate the beginning of the movement with Sheikh Sattar Albu-Risha's 14 September 2006 proclamation in Ramadi, where he coined the term Al Sahawa. However, Dr. Knarr contends that the Anbar Awakening, as a movement, started 12 months prior to the Sheikh's proclamation. As a movement, the Awakening began in the northwest of Al Anbar, in Al Qaim District along the Syrian/Iraqi border with the Albu-Mahal tribe. The Albu-Mahal, in what would become a fight for survival, realized that they could not fight Al Qaida in Iraq (AQI) on their own and pleaded for help from the Coalition and the Government of Iraq. The foundation for developing that partnership was a little known program called the "Desert Protectors." The development of the Desert Protectors has tremendous lessons for today as a newly formed Coalition organizes to fight the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant ( ISIL), an outgrowth of AQI.

Special Operations Reference Manual 2015, Fourth Edition

This fourth edition of the Special Operations Forces Reference Manual was redesigned to support the Joint Special Operations University's academic mission. It provides general information on U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force Special Operations Forces (SOF). More specifically, this document is designed to accomplish three broad purposes: 1. Provide a single primary source of reference material on all SOF components. 2. Provide an overview of special operations and SOF to facilitate a broader understanding of SOF capabilities to academic institutions and personnel who may not routinely use this data. 3. Provide standard SOF reference data to SOF faculty members at professional military education institutions for use in their instruction.

The target audience for this manual spans from special operations staff officers and enlisted personnel at United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), its component and subordinate commands, the theater special operations commands, conventional force/unified commands and their staffs that may employ SOF in their areas of responsibility to partner- nation staffs, and both civilian and military educational institutions.

Saudi Arabia: Modernity, Stability, and the Twenty-First Century Monarchy

Dr. Roby Barrett's newest monograph will help Special Operations Forces better appreciate the historical, domestic, regional, and other influences on the worldview and decision-making of Saudi Arabia's leaders, particularly those issues that have a significant impact on U.S.-Saudi security relationships. His monograph is a fascinating, condensed history of Saudi Arabia, focused on events and decisions that influence the modern political worldview of citizens in that country. For example, a history of tribes being ruled by outsiders; the pros and cons of alliances with the British and (more recently) the U.S., the impact of global geopolitics (e.g. Cold War), and the impact of regional neighbors' policies and events on Saudi Arabia's domestic and foreign policies (to include its relationship with the U.S.). This volume explains the importance of politically shrewd and pragmatic leaders and the ways that Iran's ambitions and policies threaten Saudi Arabia's regional influence, as well as how the historical fracturing of the U.S.-Iran relationship played well for Saudi Arabia. This monograph will useful to strategists, planners, and leaders interested in the region and the U.S. relationship with the Kingdom.

2015 Special Operations Essays

JSOU partnered with the Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict (SO/LIC) Chapter of the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) in sponsoring this year's annual essay contest. The first-place winner is recognized each year at the NDIA SO/LIC Symposium and awarded a $1,000 cash prize. The runner-up receives $500. The competition is open to resident and nonresident students attending Professional Military Education (PME) institutions and has produced outstanding works on special operations issues. Essay contestants can choose any topic related to special operations. Submissions include hard-hitting and relevant recommendations that are original, imaginative, and unbridled. Some entries submitted are a synopsis of larger research projects required for PME graduation or an advanced degree, while others are written specifically for the essay contest. Regardless of approach, these essays add value to the authors' professional development, provide an outlet for expressing new ideas and points of view, and contribute to the special operations community as a whole.

Building Partner Capacity

Dr. Rich Yarger discusses Building Partner Capacity (BPC) as a strategic necessity and contends that BPC is an essential strategic concept for any practical U.S. grand strategy. He addresses the questions of how SOF and others might think strategically about BPC in the 21st century environment and the implications of such thinking. In order to best develop this grand concept, he maintains that decision makers, strategists, and planners need to comprehend and develop a high level of strategic understanding and be able to distinguish between cooperation, partnering, and strategic partnerships among states and other international actors. While recognizing the Joint Force and all the services and agencies play important roles in this larger picture of BPC, he reasons that USSOCOM and SOF are presented with unique opportunities and challenges in pursuit of the grand strategy. There are multiple ways of viewing the role of BPC as part of a U.S. grand or defense strategy and the place of SOF in these strategies.

Special Operations Research Topics 2016

The JSOU Special Operations Research Topics 2016 publication represents a list of SOF-related topics that are recommended for research by those who desire to provide insight and recommendations on issues and challenges facing the SOF enterprise. As with the past several years' topics publications, this list is tailored to address priority areas identified by USSOCOM. There are five SOF priorities: Ensure SOF Readiness; Help our Nation win; Continue to build relationships; Prepare for the future; and Preserve our force and families. This publication also includes the Key Strategic Issues List (KSIL) developed and maintained by the USSOCOM J5; Strategy, Plans, and Policy Directorate. These topics reflect a consensus of the SOF experts who participated in the Special Operations Research Topics Workshop as particularly worthwhile in addressing immediate SOF needs and in building future capacity for emerging challenges. Topics may be narrowed or otherwise modified as necessary to suit school writing requirements or maximize individual interests and experiences.

Islam: Ideology and Conflict

Dr. Roby Barrett, in his latest JSOU monograph, provides an overview of the conflicts in early Islam that are still the sources of many conflicts today. Viewing the Islamic world as one entity, or one made up of major sects (Sunni and Shia), is misleading. Islam is a complex religion with a vast history of internal conflict that speaks to contemporary issues today, including discussions on terrorism and radicalism. Dr. Barrett discusses the shifting U.S. role relative to Islam and provides an overview of contemporary Islam, including radicalism and the issue of a fractured community. Islam's internal conflict highlights the reason why Pan-Islamic movements never gain much traction and why radical Islam remains disjointed. Dr. Barrett posits that the West must focus less on Islam as an ideology and more on those local issues that drive the threat. The insights provided by Dr. Barrett in this monograph challenge the reader to rethink how one approaches the challenges in the Middle East.

Village Stability Operations and the Afghan Local Police

Dr. Mark Moyar outlines the history of the Village Stability Operations (VSO) program and its Afghan partner program, the Afghan Local Police (ALP). Based on years of extensive research within Afghanistan, Dr. Moyar covers VSO and ALP from their inception through the end of VSO and the transition of the ALP to complete Afghan control. He notes that the programs came into existence out of recognition that exclusive reliance on direct-action counterterrorism had been unable to stop the Taliban and other Afghan insurgent groups. He highlights the importance of understanding the human terrain and the strategic context when attempting to mobilize populations against insurgents and explains the challenges of empowering qualified and motivated Afghan leaders at multiple levels. He also emphasizes the importance of USSOF leadership and describes the challenges encountered in transitioning the ALP to complete Afghan control and its implications for the transition of future SOF programs.

Challenges in the Asia-Pacific Theater for U.S. and Partner Nation Special Operations Forces

Mr. Haddick discusses why USSOF and partner nation SOF in the Asia-Pacific region should prepare for expanded regional roles and responsibilities. China's re-emergence as a global power and its pursuit of its security interests has exposed increasing friction between it and its neighbors and the United States. Haddick asserts that a competitive and sustainable response to the looming security challenge in the Asia-Pacific region willinclude not only naval and aerospace components, but also diplomatic, information, political, and economic tools. In addition, U.S. and coalition partners must prepare for the likelihood that the security competition in the region will eventually manifest itself in various forms of irregular and unconventional conflict. U.S. and partner SOF will have critical roles to play in a truly competitive response to the growing security competition in he Asia-Pacific region. The goal of an effective competitive strategy will be to sustain an open-ended peacetime competition with China that successfully perpetuates the current rules-based status quo.

Counterinsurgency in Somalia: Lessons Learned from the African Union Mission in Somalia, 2007-2013

Ms. Bronwyn Bruton and Dr. Paul Williams bring their expertise ingovernance, conflict mitigation, and Africa, to this analysis of Somalia's attempts to establish security and build state institutions while facing the Harakat al-Shabaab insurgency. By every measure of state effectiveness-income generation and distribution, execution of the rule of law, and ability to provide basic human security-Somalia has little or no capability. The authors address the roots of Somalia's long-running conflict and examine the often conflicting motivations of the large range of actors: local, national, regional, and international. This context is essential for understanding the evolution and sustainment of Harakat al-Shabaab. With its links to al-Qaeda, Harakat al-Shabaab remains a security challenge for the entire Horn of Africa. While AMISOM's goal was to protect Somalia's weak transitional national government and stabilize the security environment, its mission went well beyond traditional peacekeeping to include warfighting, counterinsurgency operations, and humanitarian assistance. The AMISOM approach may come to characterize future operations in this region.

U.S. Military Deployments to Africa: Lessons from the Hunt for Joseph Kony and the Lord's Resistance Army

Dr. James Forest's monograph explores lessons and observations from the recent U.S. Special Operations Forces' (SOF) effort to help Ugandan and other African regional forces locate and apprehend Joseph Kony and members of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). Dr. Forest examines the context behind the decision to deploy U.S. military advisors to the region and the significant public pressure placed on the Obama administration to do something. Four themes are identified as important for the success or failure of future U.S. military deployments to sub-Saharan Africa: (1) preparations and logistics, (2) perceptions and expectations management, (3) partnerships and relationship management, and (4) policy and politics. He argues that in the case of Uganda it is critical that any successes derived from collaborative operations must be owned by the Ugandans. Dr. Forest's concluding chapter offers some thoughts about further research and implications for policy and SOF education. This report makes a meaningful contribution to the effectiveness of future U.S. SOF teams deploying to sub-Saharan Africa.

Persistent Engagement in Colombia

This monograph analyzes United States Special Operations Forces’ (USSOF) assistance to Colombia in the context of decades of counterinsurgency and counternarcotics operations. While the case of Colombia is often cited as an exemplar of global Special Operations Forces (SOF) foreign engagement, the details of the engagement, and the reasons for its success, have not previously been addressed in a scholarly publication. This study represents the first comprehensive analysis of the persistent SOF engagement in Colombia. It draws upon the collective wisdom of numerous U.S. and Colombian government personnel, and the authors’ own decades of experience in Colombia and other countries where the United States has undertaken prolonged partnership.

Special Operations Forces Mixed-Gender Elite Teams

On 24 January 2013, the Secretary of Defense (SecDef) rescinded the 1994 Direct Ground Combat Definition and Assignment Rule (DCAR) that excluded women from assignment to units and positions whose primary mission is to engage in direct combat on the ground. In doing so, the SecDef directed the opening of all occupational specialties, positions and units to women; the validation of gender-neutral standards for those positions; and establishment of milestones for implementation. In a March 2013 memorandum, Commander USSOCOM directed several initiatives as a result of the SecDef's DCAR rescission. While other studies examined individual performance and standards, the JSOU Center for Special Operations Studies and Research examined the effects on team dynamics. The challenge for this study was to determine if changing the gender component of Special Operations Forces elite teams from single-gender (masculine) to mixed-gender would affect team dynamics in a way that would compromise the ability of the team to meet a mission objective.

Partners or Competitors? The Evolution of the Department of Defense/Central Intelligence Agency Relationship since Desert Storm and its Prospects for the Future

To understand the historical and contemporary context of the CIA/DOD relationship, Major David Oakley draws on secondary sources for his academic research supplemented by primary sources of personal interview with two former Chairmen of the United States Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, interviews with previous and current DOD and CIA leadership, government documents, and written first-person accounts. These primary sources add a new dimension and uniqueness to his research. Although the CIA and DOD relationship expanded significantly following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, its foundation was set 10 years earler in the aftermath of Desert Storm and in the Cold War's twilight glow. During this period, congressional policy pronouncements and organizational changes within institutions increased the communication and liaison partnerships between the CIA and DOD, establishing the foundation for greater interoperability after 1992. These changes established conditions that enabled the blossoming of the relationship since 2001.

Countering the al-Shabaab Insurgency in Somalia: Lessons for U.S. Special Operations Forces

In this report, the authors argue that al-Shabaab's current prospects have probably never been so low.This work provides a meaningful context to al-Shabaab and the Somali milieu. Al Shabaab has been pushed from all of its major strongholds by a robust international effort, and its violent Salafism has alienated many Somalis. But it still has teeth. It continues to harass coalition forces, as well as ordinary Somalis, with improvised explosive devices, suicide bombings, and assassinations. Its tactics reflect a strategic decision made by its leadership to fight a guerrilla war, a familiar role for a group that thrived by waging an anti-Ethiopian insurgency in the mid-2000s. This monograph is a useful resource for anyone who wishes to know more about the conflict in the Horn of Africa.

Special Operations Research Topics 2015

This publication represents a list of SOF-related topics that are recommended for research by those who desire to provide insight and recommendations on issues and challenges facing the SOF enterprise. As with previous year's topics publication, this list is tailored to address the USSOCOM Commander's four lines of operation (LOOs): Win the current fight; the global SOF network; preserve the force and families; and responsive resourcing. SOF PME students research and write on timely, relevant, SOF related topics. Such activity develops the individual's intellect and provides a professional and practical perspective that broadens and frames the insights of other analysts and researchers in regard to these topics. This list and the accompanying topic descriptions are a guide to stimulate interest and thinking. Topics may be narrowed or otherwise modified as deemed necessary (e.g., to suit school requirements or maximize individual interests and experiences.

Strategic Culture

In this monograph, Brigadier General (retired) Russ Howard presents a substitute for traditional International Relations Theory by asserting that strategic culture analysis of states and non-state actors or groups is a better predictor of behavior. Specifically, General Howard posits that studying and understanding the strategic cultures of threatening states and non-state actors might be a more useful mechanism for analyzing potential adversaries’ proclivity to using force to further their strategic security objectives. The author delves into the strategic cultures of The United States, China, Iran, North Korea, and al-Qaeda before analyzing commonalities among them. This foundation allows General Howard to then develop and provide actionable policy guidelines to contextualize an end state which strategic cultural analysis can provide. This strategic culture analysis can be beneficial to all echelons, from the SOF operator in a village who must understand and work within the strategic culture of the operational environment, to the policymakers who must decide National Strategy .

Piracy: The Best Business Model Available

In this monograph, Dr. Alexander sets the stage with a brief historical account of how maritime piracy has evolved over the centuries to its current state: a vast enterprise whose increasing profitability has attracted a confluence of nefarious actors including warlords and international criminal organizations. Dr. Alexander speculates on the potential for intersection between pirates and ideological terrorist movements such as al-Qaeda and Associated Movements. Such a future would significantly elevate the stakes in a U.S. whole-of-government counter-piracy response. What role should the U.S. military, and Special Operations Forces (SOF) in particular, play in addressing the global issue of maritime piracy? Dr. Alexander points out many of the thorny legal considerations that contextually color any efforts to address counter-piracy and notes that the best solution to criminal acts occurring hundreds of miles at sea may in fact lie with efforts, including the use of SOF, to improve the security apparatus on shore.

The Role of the Global SOF Network in a Resources Constrained Environment

I n February 2013, more than 125 Special Operations Forces SOF personnel from Canada, the United States, and eight other countries gathered at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, for a two-day symposium on the Role of the Global SOF Network in a Resource Constrained Environment. This was the third symposium in a series held by the Joint Special Operations University and the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command Professional Development Centre. The event featured a mix of individual presentations, panel discussions, and social interaction to introduce issues, engage in productive discussions, and strengthen SOF network relationships. The focus ranged from the tactical (The Acid Test of Reality—Experiences of the Operators) to the strategic with senior civilian and military leadership from both Canada and the U.S. assuming active, contributing roles. This report offers insights and suggestions on how to deliver operational success while accommodating both changing mission sets and resource constrained environments.

The Nexus of Extremism and Trafficking: Scourge of the World or So Much Hype?

In this monograph, Brigadier General (retired) Russ Howard and Ms. Colleen Traughber delve into the nexus between violent extremist elements and transnational criminal elements by first clarifying whether a real problem exists, and if so, what is the appropriate role for Special Operations Forces (SOF) in confronting it. The authors bring rigor to the subject matter by dissecting the issue of intention and opportunities of criminal organization and violent extremists. The authors note the wide variance in the motivations and opportunities of both different criminal organizations and extremist organizations. And make clear that the trafficking of humans, weapons, drugs, and contraband (HWDC) is a natural way for the criminals and extremists to cooperate. To bring the issue into focus, the authors systematically examine case studies dealing with the nexus between specific organizations and HWDC trafficking opportunities. The authors transition from the vignettes to how this nexus will impact SOF and interagency partners. They then identify issues for SOF including the traditional delineation between law enforcement activities and military activities.

Security Force Assistance and Security Sector Reform

In this monograph, Dr. Shultz conducts a study of the impending requirements and likely contexts in confronting future security challenges. He argues that weak and failing states will play a central role in coming conflicts. Dr. Shultz advocates for not only engagement in these failing states, but to engage as early as possible to prevent the growth and festering of violent extremist organizations which will require larger more costly intervention later. He specifically recognizes the need for an irregular warfare tool to engage early through security sector reform to prevent just such growth. Dr. Shultz delves into five key issues to find patterns and common logic to support early engagement. Importantly, he identifies the contributions SOF can make to a new U.S. security force assistance and security sector reform strategy.

Hybrid Warfare

Major McCulloh and Major Johnson wrote this monograph on Hybrid Warfare while they were students at the School of Advanced Military Studies, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Written in two parts, their individual approaches complement each other by providing a synergistic combination of both an overarching theory as well as an operational perspective. While the idea of hybrid warfare is not new, the authors together provide a clarity and utility which presents a relevant contextual narrative of the space between conventional conflicts and realm of irregular warfare. Major McCulloh’s contribution in the first section lays the theoretical basis to bring a definition of Hybrid Warfare into focus while addressing the pertinent question of its historical origin. Major Johnson’s section uses historical examples and case studies to form a basis for approaching hybrid threats through a lens of U.S. oriented operational art. The authors contribute to the understanding of warfare as a spectrum of conflict rather than a dichotomy of black and white alternatives.

Smart Power and U.S. National Strategy

The publication of Dr. Wong-Diaz’s monograph coincides with the major strategic reassessment of U.S. national security interests and future military posture taking place at the national level. The strategic environment of today requires astute statecraft to formulate and execute grand strategy--strategy that effectively blends all forms of power and uses them smartly. Though there is no consensus on what constitutes smart use of U.S. power, the concept of “smart power” is a dominant theme in policy circles. Smart power, however defined, is directly relevant to the SOF community. With a smaller footprint than conventional forces, SOF are both a cost effective and less visible instrument of national power. SOF are expected to combine both hard and soft power approaches instinctively to achieve strategic level effects. Using case studies from around the world, Dr. Wong-Diaz expertly draws the links between the strategic level projection of power by states and their consequences on the ground.

Retooling for the Future

Dr. Francisco Wong-Diaz looks at the importance of China’s strategic culture. While many see an inevitable strategic conflict of interests between our two countries, others see the rise of China as an opportunity for the U.S. to collaborate on international security. Businesses see potential for new markets. Although perceptions vary dramatically, it is clear China cannot be ignored. Dr. Wong-Diaz analyzes the Chinese concept of unrestricted warfare (URW). Whether the Chinese approach economic and military parity with the Unites States is of secondary concern to the strategic vehicle they will use to influence regional and global behavior. Although URW will fundamentally challenge the United State’s capability to engage China with a coherent strategy, the U.S. does have an opportunity to proactively come to grips with the strategic challenges of a regionally dominant China.

21st Century SOF: Toward an American Theory of Special Operations

In this concise JSOU monograph, Dr. Rich Yarger considers the 21st century security environment, previous work on special operatio n s theory, and various other perspectives of SOF gleaned from his research to synthesize an American SOF school of thought, which he argues provides a foundation for developing an American special operations theory for the 21st century. He offers definitions, premises, and principles that explain modern American special operations over the last 70 years and can serve SOF well into the future. Based on his research, he identifies major areas of concern for SOF leadership. As USSOCOM confronts the challenges offered by the 21st century and policymakers continue to look at SOF as a preferred means to address numerous and complex security issues, theory is essential in determining and explaining the appropriate roles and miss ions for SOF in the 21st century.

Special Operations Forces Interagency Counterterrorism Reference Manual, Third Edition

Introduced by the Vice Commander of USSOCOM, this Third Edition builds upon the success of the earlier versions and continues to incorporate the evolving policy guidance and strategic vision that guide ongoing interagency counterterrorism efforts. It provides an outline of organizations, missions, programs and relationships that comprise the interagency process. This manual provides insight and information regarding various counterterrorism organizations in the U.S. Government national security apparatus. Also included is an explanation of the expanded concepts of civilian power and their implications for Diplomacy and Development that emerged from the publication of the First Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review in 2010. Expanded sections on countering terrorist finance operations, interagency responses to cyber threats, and strategic communication reflect general acknowledgement of the importance of these capabilities. As before, updated collections of definitions, organizations, programs, and acronyms are included to provide the special operations warrior with an improved, practical, quick-reference guide to the interagency community.

Special Operations Research Topics 2014

This publication presents a list of SOF-related research topics for research to be undertaken by PME students, JSOU Senior Fellows, and other SOF researchers who desire to make timely and meaningful contributions to SOF issues and challenges. Each year representatives from USSOCOM, the Theater Special Operations Commands (TSOCs), SOF chairs from the war colleges, and Joint Special Operations University (JSOU) senior fellows meet at the JSOU campus for three days to collaboratively review topic submissions received from the SOF community and debate emerging issues and challenges. That collaboration results in the first draft of this publication, a prioritized list of salient issues confronting SOF. The list is vetted through the components and TSOCs to ensure that research will advance SOF missions and support SOF interests. Ultimately, the research, study, and debate of these topics will inform decision makers and better prepare SOF for our current conflicts and future challenges.

Irregular Warfare: The Maoist Challenge to India's Internal Security

Mr. Prakash Singh’s monograph on the Maoist Movement in India benefits from his unique perspective as a distinguished police officer in some of the country’s most turbulent regions. He provides a detailed history of insurgency in India, including the history of uprisings starting from the Telengana insurrection of the mid-to-late 1940s to the Communist move¬ment, sponsored by Mao Zedong’s China. Mr. Singh traces the transition of the peasant-led Naxalite movement, with its roots in a single village in West Bengal, to the Communist Party of India (Maoist) Movement, which has spread to some 20 of India’s 28 states. India’s prime minister has declared more than once that the Maoist challenge is the biggest threat to the internal security of the country. How India accommodates its tribal minorities and reaches an accommodation with insurgents is a critical element for long-term regional stability.

Iran: Illusion, Reality, and Interests

Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran has perhaps been the United States’ most intractable foreign policy issue. Dr. Roby Barrett provides a deep analysis of Iran’s motivations and finds that they are not the result of irrational messianic religious thought, but rather are based on a rational worldview developed over centuries of history. Looking back over the course of history Barrett argues that a strong sense of victimization and humiliation, rooted in Persia’s loss of its historical preeminence in the Gulf, shapes the Iranian psyche. He suggests that their president holds little actual power. The Iranian constitution vests the highest political and religious authority in the supreme leader; this includes the power to declare war and dismiss the president. As such the United States must be prepared to deal with the paradigm of an entire regime, not just the president.

Knowing Your Partner: The Evolution of Brazilian Special Operations Forces

Retired Brazilian Army Major General Alvaro de Souza Pinheiro, in his monograph highlights the importance of knowing our partners. General Pinheiro begins by presenting a Brazilian point of view of the post-9/11 world. He then presents a history and over view of Brazilian SOF units from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force. Modern day Brazilian Army SOF pioneers attended U.S. Army schools and founded Brazil’s Special Operations Course in 1958, which later expanded to include Commando Actions, Special Forces, and Jungle Operations qualifications courses. In 2002 the Brazilian Special Operations Brigade was created by presidential decree. As U.S. Special Operations Command looks to thicken the global SOF network, General Pinhiero’s monograph is a must read for the American SOF operator in order to better know our partners.

2012 JSOU and NDIA SO/LIC Division Essays

Each year, JSOU partners with the Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict (SO/LIC) Chapter of the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) in sponsoring the annual chapter essay contest. The first-place winner is recognized each year at the NDIA SO/LIC Symposium held in the February and awarded a $1,000 cash prize. The runner-up receives a $500 prize. The competition is open to resident and nonresident students attending Professional Military Education (PME) institutions and has produced outstanding works on special operations issues. These essays provide current insights on what our PME students see as priority national security issues affecting special operations. JSOU is pleased to offer this selection of the top five essays from the 2012 contest. The JSOU intent is that this compendium will benefit the reader professionally and encourage future PME students to write on special operations issues.

Confronting the Terrorism of Boko Haram in Nigeria

In this monograph counterterrorism expert James Forest assesses the threat Boko Haram poses to Nigeria and U.S. national security interests. As Dr. Forest notes, Boko Haram is largely a local phenomenon, though one with strategic implications, and must be understood and addressed within its local context and the long standing grievances that motivate terrorist activity. Dr. Forest deftly explores Nigeria’s ethnic fissures and the role of unequal distribution of power in fueling terrorism. Indeed, these conditions, combined with the ready availability of weapons, contribute to Nigeria’s other security challenges including militancy in the Niger Delta and organized crime around the economic center of the country, Lagos.

Strategic Culture and Strategic Studies: An Alternative Framework for Assessing al-Qaeda and the Global Jihad Movement

More than a decade after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States by al-Qaeda and a year after the death of Osama bin Laden, Dr. Richard Shultz offers an innovative analysis of that organiza-tion’s strategic culture. His analysis upends the conventional wisdom that only nation-states can have a strategic culture, an internal process through which issues of strategic significance and intent are discussed, debated, refined, and executed.

Understanding the Form, Function, and Logic of Clandestine Insurgent and Terrorist Networks: The First Step in Effective Counternetwork Operations

Lieutenant Colonel Derek Jones wrote this School of Advanced Military Studies award-winning comprehensive study of clandestine cellular networks and the effect on counterinsurgency operations in 2008 while a student at the School of Advanced Military Studies, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Consequently, his monograph, although timeless in its discussion and analysis of clandestine cellular networks, was drafted years before the May 2011 operation against Osama bin Laden that resulted in his death. Therefore, the paper does not address the impact on such organizations from the death of its most charismatic leader. His monograph does provide, however, a theoretical, doctrinal, and operational understanding of the form, function, and logic of clandestine cellular networks resulting in valuable insight and understanding of the complex nature of these organizations.

"We Will Find a Way": Understanding the Legacy of Canadian Special Operations Forces

Colonel Bernd Horn’s monograph on the legacy of Canadian Special Operations Forces (SOF) highlights the colorful history and heritage of SOF from a vital partner nation. Horn reaches back to the 17th and 18th centuries with the Canadian Ranger tradition. He recounts Canada’s entry into World War II and its SOF experience with the British-led Special Operations Executive. He highlights a combined U.S./Canadian unit, the First Special Service Force, which trained together in Montana and fought alongside each other earning the moniker “Black Devils” by the Germans. Colonel Horn then continues to present day. He provides a brief but exciting recap of Canadian SOF history that not only enriches our understanding of SOF from a key ally, but also highlights the historic bonds and military experiences that our two great nations share.

WHAM: Winning Hearts and Minds in Afghanistan and Elsewhere

Dr. Henriksen argues that America needs to get back to the basics of counterinsurgency lest it bankrupts itself in nation-building and reconstruction projects that are driven from the top, not the bottom. Citing tremendously expensive “Winning Hearts and Minds” efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, he hypothesizes that “WHAM operations must be waged with much less expenditure of U.S. dollars in the years ahead.” He offers Britain’s frugal victory in Malaya as one example of a low budget counterinsurgency success that started with protecting the people, over time formed a representative government, and linked the people and their support to that government. Economic development was part of the strategy, but it was a supporting and complementary effort. It wasn't a major effort in and of itself.

USSOCOM Research Topics 2013

This list represents an effort to identify, categorize, and list SOF-related research topics for research by PME students, JSOU Senior Fellows, and other SOF researchers who desire to make timely and meaningful contributions to SOF issues and challenges. Each year representatives from USSOCOM, the Theater Special Operations Commands (TSOCs), SOF chairs from the war colleges, and JSOU senior fellows develop a list of salient issues confronting SOF in the near term. The list is vetted through the components and TSOCs to ensure that research will advance SOF missions and support SOF interests. The final recommendations for research topics are approved by the USSOCOM commander. Ultimately, the research, study, and debate of these topics will inform decision makers and better prepare SOF for our current conflicts and future challenges.

Cultural and Linguistic Skills Acquisition for Special Forces: Necessity, Acceleration, and Potential Alternatives

Brigadier General (Ret) Russ Howard articulates the need for SOF to develop language and cultural skills capabilities that reflect the wider range of locales and ethnic groups in which SOF engage while carrying out their diverse missions. General Howard outlines various definitions of culture and highlights the relationship between cultural understanding and the ability to predict behavior on the ground--an invaluable asset for a SOF operator. Drawing on his experience leading the Special Forces Language School, General Howard explores the relationship between learning a language and culture, highlighting the implications for SOF. As USSOCOM and SOF rebalance the force for a posture of persistent presence in complex operating environments, this monograph is an important contribution to the discussion of how language and cultural skills capabilities should be defined, prioritized, and developed.

JSOU Report of Proceedings: The OSS Model and the Future SOF Warrior

Some 70 years ago the OSS came into being as a small, nearly invisible, Washington, D.C.-based organization whose unique capabilities and strategic reach resulted in decisive outcomes during World War II. Today the OSS legacy survives as a practical touchstone for the SOF Warriors of the 21st century. As part of the USSOCOM Commander‘s Guidance for 2011, JSOU was directed to complete a study that addressed if and how the OSS Model could be used to improve USSOCOM efforts to select, organize, resource, and develop authorities for SOF of the future. JSOU engaged select experts from the SOF community, academia, and the OSS Society to assist in developing recommendations for the Commander’s review. This report, organized by issue, highlights the group’s recommendations.

Oman: The Present in the Context of a Fractured Past

Dr. Roby Barrett’s examination and study of some 200 years of the Sultanate of Oman’s dynastic history puts into context the last four decades of the Sultanate’s history. It answers the question of whether Oman has changed fundamentally from a nation fraught with instability and conflict to one of peace and stability. Barrett’s analysis of modern-day Oman will help the reader avoid the pitfalls of misinterpreting the present condition on the basis of Oman’s largely tumultuous past, which often featured conflict and competition for wealth and power. Dr. Barrett’s most recent monographs, this work on Oman and his earlier study Yemen: A Different Political Paradigm in Context , are bookends that will provide the SOF reader with a deep understanding of the present and historical context which has resulted in the southern Arabian region of today.

Report of Proceedings- JSOU SOF-Power Workshop: A Way Forward for Special Operations Theory and Strategic Art

The JSOU Strategic Studies Department convened a SOF-Power Workshop in August 2011 to examine the role of military Special Operations (SOF-Power) in national security and the relevance and feasibility of a theory of Special Operations to inform and guide the development and use of Special Operations and SOF. The workshop participants critically examined the role of military Special Operations in the 21st century, validating SOF-Power‘s continued strategic utility. From this foundation, the participants concluded the need for a unified theory of Special Operations as a foundational document for the pursuit of education and strategic art within the SOF community, and the greater military and political communities. This report documents the group‘s insights and conclusions and provides recommendations for a way forward in broadening the strategic art in regard to SOF-Power.

2011 JSOU and NDIA SO/LIC Division Essays

Each year, JSOU partners with the Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict (SO/LIC) Chapter of the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) in sponsoring the annual chapter essay contest. The first-place winner is recognized each year at the NDIA SO/LIC Symposium held in mid-February and awarded a $1,000 cash prize. The runner-up receives a $500 prize. The competition is open to resident and nonresident students attending Professional Military Education (PME) institutions and has produced outstanding works on special operations issues. These essays provide current insights on what our PME students see as priority national security issues affecting special operations. JSOU is pleased to offer this selection of the top five essays from the 2011 contest. The JSOU intent is that this compendium will benefit the reader professionally and encourage future PME students to write on special operations issues.

Yemen: A Different Political Paradigm in Context

In this sweeping study of Yemen, Dr. Barrett argues that while Yemen may be a failed state, it is not a failed society. Yemen is a complex society with power built on family, clan, and tribal relationships. It is not one nation-state, but rather a balance of multiple Yemens based on fundamental social, cultural, and sectarian differences. Within this context Dr. Barrett asserts that now is the time to reconsider U.S. approaches towards Yemen. We should not seek governmental transformation, but rather strive to reach beyond the central government and weak institutions to engage tribes and clans. Throughout history, political power has ebbed and flowed between central and decentralized local and regional authority. Yemen today is no more or less fragmented than it has ever been. Our goal should be to strive to achieve a balance among these multiple Yemens--groups that have coexisted, almost in continuous conflict, throughout history.

Special Operations Forces Interagency Counterterrorism Reference Manual, Second Edition

As the director of the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Interagency Task Force (IATF), Mr. Frankie Shoyer introduces this Second Edition. This edition enhances the earlier document by adding President Obama’s National Security Strategy, expanding information in other areas such as in the Country Team and discussing the concept of the SOF professional operating as the 3-D warrior (defense, diplomacy, and development). This concept recognizes the importance of SOF as part of the sinew that binds together critical elements of national power and animates them under the most demanding conditions. As USSOCOM conducts a robust engagement campaign working with U.S. Government interagency components, the manual serves as an essential component of USSOCOM/JSOU’s successful education curriculum that is focused on the interagency process. JSOU’s Interagency Education Program and this manual make important contributions to the knowledge base and professional development of the SOF and interagency communities.

The Challenge of Nonterritorial and Virtual Conflicts: Rethinking Counterinsurgency and Counterterrorism

The author of this paper--an experienced and highly regarded terrorism specialist--provides a learned narrative about the scholarship and doctrine concerning terrorism and insurgency. The premise of the paper is that terrorism in the 21st century has become predominately international in nature, riding on the back of opportunities provided by new technologies in cyberspace, aerospace, and the Internet. In offering his thoughts about the well-chronicled flow of terrorism analysis, Dr. Sloan identifies how such recent trends should be affecting counterterrorism doctrine and policy. He suggests that traditional concepts for countering terrorism and insurgency are not effective in dealing with contemporary terrorism in its modern form as a non-territorially based insurgency. In the concluding parts of this monograph, Dr. Sloan addresses a number of additional views for improving upon the traditional approaches in order to deal with international and virtual threats, including a need to be keenly focused upon countermeasures for terrorist’s use of aerospace and cyberspace.

Cross-Cultural Competence and Small Groups: Why SOF are the way SOF are

In this two-part work, Dr. Turnley addresses first the relationship between cultural competency and language, closing the first section with a look at how cross-cultural competency is measured and assessed. The discussion addresses the ability to operate cross-culturally--long been touted as one of the hallmarks of SOF general and Army Special Forces (SF) in particular--and explores if and how the various service special operations components select and assess candidates for their ability to operate cross-culturally. Among other things, this will consider the unequal distribution of this competency across the SOF service components. The second part of this monograph addresses current interest in developing and transmitting knowledge about human terrain within the Department of Defense. As culture and its importance as a component of successful warfighting has risen significantly, the defense community as a whole has embraced the tenants of irregular warfare. This section further addresses whether there is a difference between the ways in which the General Purpose Force (GPF) and SOF develop and use cultural knowledge and considers whether an increased focus on irregular warfare forced GPF to adopt a skill set long at work within SOF, or if SOF retain either a special type of knowledge or a special way to apply knowledge more broadly held.

USSOCOM Research Topics 2012

The USSOCOM 2012 Research Topics list is intended to guide research projects for PME students, JSOU faculty, research fellows, and others writing about special operations during this academic year. Research is one of the cornerstones of JSOU’s academic mission as we strive to produce publications to meet joint SOF operational and planning needs. Each year representatives from USSOCOM, the Theater Special Operations Commands (TSOCs), SOF chairs from the war colleges, and JSOU senior fellows develop a list of salient issues confronting SOF in the near term. The list is vetted through the components and TSOCs to ensure that research will advance SOF missions and support SOF interests. The final recommendations for research topics are approved by the USSOCOM commander. Ultimately, the research, study, and debate of these topics will inform decision makers and better prepare SOF for our current conflicts and future challenges.

Report of Proceedings- 6th Sovereign Challenge Conference: Borders and Security- Similarities, Differences, and Shared Affinities

This conference featured 103 Foreign Defense and Military Attachés, Law Enforcement Attachés, and Diplomats representing 67 countries. The conference theme was Borders & Security: Similarities, Differences, and Shared Affinities. This conference explored a wide range of topics to include border control/management, trust, corruption/transnational crime, development of public support for education, a whole-of-government/whole-of-nation approach, and dealing with the unique challenges a border “ecosystem” presents. The concept of an ecosystem captures the complex dynamics whereby permanent residents and stakeholders of a border region increasingly interact with flows of humans, goods, information, cash, and other commodities. The degrees of permeability along any given border are best managed by information exchanges, policy coordination, and operational collaboration among all affected nations.

Innovate or Die: Innovation and Technology for Special Operations

Like the well-known slogan, hydrate or die, Special Operations Forces (SOF) also must innovate or die. Innovation may be crucial to SOF personnel’s actual physical survival, but die is also a metaphor for organizational oblivion: conformity and assimilation. One of the fundamental qualities of SOF that derives from the nature of the personnel and their organization is creativity. Dr. Spulak advances a concept for enhancing the rapid innovation that enables SOF to stay ahead of our adversaries on the battlefield. He takes a look at how SOF might innovate in ways that are different from conventional forces and emphasizes that “innovation for SOF is a function of the attributes of SOF personnel and culture.” Whereas the conventional General Purpose Forces must seek innovation within large organizations--often merely applying more of existing capabilities--SOF personnel have greater license to innovate during ongoing operations.

Terrorist-Insurgent Thinking and Joint Special Operational Planning Doctrine and Procedure

This monograph examines the characteristics of terrorist-insurgent thinking and U.S. joint planning doctrine and practices and concludes that the existing U.S. planning framework is inadequate for the terrorist-insurgent threat. It also challenges the reader to expand his own planning paradigm to more fully encompass the implications of terrorist-insurgent thinking in the design and planning of U.S. operations. Why this mismatch occurs and how the terrorist-insurgent operates outside our cognitive frame of reference (for fighting in theaters of war, theaters of operations, areas of operations) are two important questions addressed. Equally important is the question, what are the implications of this for our own doctrine and practices? Focusing on two of the most significant characteristics of terrorist-insurgent thinking--changing level of operations and broader range of tactics--Dr. Paquette answers these questions and identifies the obstacles that stand in the way of the necessary adjustments to our conventional paradigms. Note: This paper is not available in hard copy.

Convergence: Special Operations Forces and Civilian Law Enforcement

The convergence of the operations conducted by SOF and civilian law enforcement agencies (LEAs)-especially Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) units-has generated special training requirements. This monograph examines the elements precipitating this circumstance, provides SOF with a better understanding of changing domestic threats and operational capabilities of LEAs, and draws insights from the similarities and challenges imposed by transnational gangs and terrorists both domestically and abroad. The author argues that SOF needs new skills and training to assume the law-enforcement-like missions they are being assigned. In addition, the monograph provides leaders of major LEAs a better understanding of special operations and potentially facilitates a basis for future cooperation and mutual support. The forward-looking monograph also argues that the public attitude toward conflict is changing and perhaps the legal underpinnings on use of force as well.

Hezbollah: Social Services as a Source of Power

This monograph provides special operations readers with useful and important insights into how civic actions can achieve strategic objectives. The author uses Hezbollah as an illustration and reminder of this process by outlining the comprehensive activities of the Hezbollah Social Service Section as a precursor for success in Hezbollah’s political and military actions. The author estimates that about half of Hezbollah’s budget is dedicated to social services sectors such as health, veterans’ services, reconstruction and compensation, education, women’s groups, and even the Imam al-Mahdi Scouts (roughly analogous to the Boy Scouts). Such efforts are employed to capture the willing support of the people in order to further Hezbollah’s political aims. The concept is working, as Hezbollah has largely supplanted the Government of Lebanon in the southern part of that country while it continues to harass Israel and the West on the political-military front.

2010 JSOU and NDIA SO/LIC Division Essays

The Joint Special Operations University (JSOU) partnered with the Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict (SO/LIC) Chapter of the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) in sponsoring the annual chapter essay contest. The first-place winner and runner-up are recognized each year at the NDIA SO/LIC Symposium in mid-February with monetary prizes and certificates. The competition is open to resident and nonresident students attend¬ing Professional Military Education (PME) institutions and has produced outstanding works on special operations issues. These essays provide current insights on what our PME students see as priority national security issues affecting special operations. Essay contestants can choose any topic related to special operations. Submissions include hard-hitting and relevant recommendations that many Special Operations Forces (SOF) commanders throughout United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) find very useful.

Afghanistan, Counterinsurgency, and the Indirect Approach

In exploring Counterinsurgency and the Indirect Approach, Dr. Thomas Henriksen assesses several cases where the United States has employed an Indirect Approach toward achieving strategic objectives, and he suggests where this concept has landed short of expectations. In the cases of Vietnam, Somalia, the Philippines, and other countries, he demonstrates that it is often difficult to fit the Indirect Approach doctrine into such a wide variety of strategic and operational environments.

Report of Proceedings- 5th Annual Sovereign Challenge Conference: Regional Issues, Global Implications

This conference featured a wide variety of presenters who captured the complexity of the global security environment, the challenges posed to national sovereignty, and the necessity for a shared and coordinated international effort to ensure stability and to protect national prerogatives to act. Included among these are: a. Importance of understanding culture and acting on that understanding b. Role of education in generating understanding, independent thought, progress, and stability c. Need for collective effort as seen in the internationalization of the battlefield and the development of whole-of-government approaches d. Threats posed by extremism and the roles of cultural understanding, education, and collective effort in confronting extremism e. Importance of judicial and law enforcement approaches and solutions f. Requirement for harmonized strategic communication strategies that are credible and effective in achieving desired outcomes.

U.S. Military Engagement with Mexico: Uneasy Past and Challenging Future

Dr. Graham Turbiville's account of U.S. military engagement with Mexico provides a broad account of the interaction among the military elements of both countries from 1846 to the present day. He describes the evolution of the Mexican military toward a more capable and modern force. Especially informative for the special operations reader is the advent of numerous special operations units within the military and some civil elements. As noted, this has fostered reciprocal opportunities for SOF training and education.

USSOCOM Research Topics 2011

This list is intended to guide research projects for PME students, JSOU faculty, research fellows, and others writing about special operations during this academic year. Research is one of the cornerstones of JSOU’s aca¬demic mission as we strive to produce publications to meet joint SOF operational and planning needs. Each year rep¬resentatives from USSOCOM, the Theater Special Operations Commands (TSOCs), SOF chairs from the war colleges, and JSOU senior fellows develop a list of salient issues confronting SOF in the near term. The list is vetted through the components and TSOCs to ensure that research will advance SOF missions and support SOF interests. The final recommendations for research topics are approved by the USSOCOM commander. These topics, concepts, and processes reflect the challenges of winning the current conflicts and meeting the needs for the conflicts most likely to face us in the foreseeable future.

Hunter-Killer Teams: Attacking Enemy Safe Havens

Today U.S. national security is threatened by violent extremist groups operating from sanctuaries in hard to reach areas of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, and similar areas in the Pacific Rim and Latin America. It seems probable that there will be a marked increase in our need to disrupt and destroy enemy forces in multiple sanctuaries around the globe as we proceed to march through the 21st century. Celeski's paper provides a vision of the future SOF wherein hunter-killer teams could have a significant role to play in finding, disrupting, and destroying the enemy.

Pakistan's Security Paradox: Countering and Fomenting Insurgencies

Mr. Mullick's discussion of the strategic setting in Southwest Asia is particularly timely as the U.S. is diverting strategic resources from the Iraqi theater of war to the effort in Afghanistan. Concurrently, the new administration of President Obama is refocusing the national security strategy away from notions of a global war on terrorism to a security policy of a "broader engagement" with the countries of the world and particularly the Muslim world. As one part of this strategic vision, a particular effort will be made to dismantle or destroy Al Qaeda and its associates.

Report of Proceedings- JSOU & OSS Society Symposium: Irregular Warfare and the OSS Model

The JSOU and OSS Society hosted 68 attendees who included veterans of the OSS from WWII (including Major General [Retired] John Singlaub) as well as veterans from Afghanistan, Iraq, and other conflicts of the past seven decades at the Westin Harbour Island Hotel in Tampa, Florida from 2-4 November 2009. Representatives from the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) headquarters (including Admiral Eric Olson), USSOCOM components, Theater Special Operations Commands (TSOCs) and selected interagency partners also participated. The purpose of the symposium was to gather information about the OSS model and to stimulate thinking on whether and how elements of that model might be applied to contemporary and future irregular warfare challenges. Specific areas of focus included authorities, organization, recruitment, selection and assessment, desired skill sets, training, command and control, communications, sustainment, and interagency collaboration. During the course of the symposium, several recurring themes and conclusions emerged. These are discussed within the report that follows and are listed in the conclusion.

Irregular Warfare: Brazil's Fight Against Criminal Urban Guerrillas

Major General (Ret.) Alvaro Pinheiro-whose career in the Brazilian Army has seen service as a paratrooper, jumpmaster, pathfinder, commando, and Special Forces Operational Detachment commander-in this monograph addresses the challenges posed by urban guerrillas. Recognizing that urban guerrillas are far from limited to a few individual countries, he uses the experiences of Brazil in combating this complex criminal-terrorist phenomenon to illustrate the ways in which this threat can be understood and confronted within legal and Constitutional frameworks. In this assessment, General Alvaro includes their origin, operational environment, tactics, impact on society, and the role of the armed forces in countering these criminal-terrorist elements. The monograph includes both the theory and practice of the urban criminal-terrorist, and draws upon the writings and activities of the notorious urban terrorist Carlos Marighella's (author of the Minimanual of the Urban Guerrilla) as well as his own experience and that of other military and law enforcement specialists who have dealt directly with this destabilizing threat.

Manhunting: Counter-Network Organization for Irregular Warfare

Despite the increasing employment of manhunting, the U.S. national security establishment has not developed appropriate doctrine, dealt with challenging legal issues, nor has it organized forces and assigned clear responsibility to deploy and employ these capabilities. Manhunting could become an important element of future U.S. national security policy, as highly trained teams disrupt or disintegrate human networks. This monograph reviews historical cases related to manhunting and derives lessons from a large number of these historical manhunting operations. Building on these lessons, the monograph then explores potential doctrine, evaluates possible organizational structures, and examines how to best address the responsibility to develop manhunting as a capability for American national security.

Information Warfare: Assuring Digital Intelligence Collection

In this paper, Dr. William G. Perry provides guidelines about processing computer equipment for transfer to information and intelligence professionals who might wring out from digital storage media the critical information needed to penetrate the enemy's decision matrix. In addition, captured computer gear may often need to be protected by a chain of custody in order to support legal actions against illegal combatants-criminals.

Educating Special Forces Junior Leaders for a Complex Security Environment

By exploring the SOF future strategic environment that includes globalization, demographic trends, competition for resources, transnational non-state actors, advanced technology, and emerging powers, Brigadier General (Ret.) Howard identifies "cultural competency" as critical to the development of junior Special Forces (SF) officers. The need for the SF operator, at once, to effectively interact with indigenous peoples, interagency counterparts, and transnational, nongovernmental players suggests that a new program of graduate level study is needed early-on in the officer's career.

Africa: Irregular Warfare on the Dark Continent

Dr. John Alexander's current JSOU Press monograph provides an assessment of the African continent with a particular focus on how Special Operations Forces (SOF) may need to operate and how the local environment impacts these operations. He provides a strategic overview and assessment of current conditions on the continent, identifies current conditions on the continent, identifies key concerns and issues, and discusses key players. For a variety of reasons, Africa is, and will remain, a region of critical importance not only to the United States but also to other regions and countries of the world.

The Arabian Gulf and Security Policy: The Past as Present, the Present as Future

This paper is a new initiative for JSOU's Strategic Studies Department, the first to focus on a regional-cultural topic. JSOU Press anticipates publishing additional papers on other Middle Eastern or South Asian topics this year, as well as topics from other regions in future years. Hopefully this paper will inform the reader about issues of importance and enhance an understanding of a region of critical importance to the United States and its allies .

Special Operations Forces Interagency Counterterrorism Reference Manual, First Edition

This manual is designed to support the Joint Special Operations University's educational mission and in particular its series of SOF Interagency courses. The volume was compiled to provide a valuable reference work for JSOU students, SOF staff officers, and partners in the interagency process. The manual provides insight and information regarding various counterterrorism players in the U.S. Government national security apparatus. While not all inclusive, this manual provides an outline of organizations, missions, and relationships that comprise the interagency process.

Report of Proceedings- 4th Annual Sovereign Challenge Conference: Global Threats, Sovereign Solutions

Sovereign Challenge is a unique approach to solving the most important issue of our day. This conference and proceedings, as outlined in this report, bring us closer to that elusive goal of confronting those who would divide us and developing a comprehensive strategy that contributes to an international community of sovereign nations working together to effectively confront that threat.

Contemporary Security Challenges: Irregular Warfare and Indirect Approaches

The JSOU Press presents this collection of writings from five current and former practitioners in the field of irregular warfare. The writers delve into the concept of surrogate warfare, defined as a substitute force acting on behalf of the interests of another as well as its own interests. For many special operators, the concept of unconventional warfare provides the paradigm for working "through, with, or by" other forces to achieve strategic objectives. Here the authors expand the concept by exploring "surrogate warfare." This volume provides insights into this aspect of modern warfare and should be considered by senior military leaders and policymakers. Drawing upon their recent experiences in the field, the authors provide practical lessons for their colleagues' consideration.

Policing and Law Enforcement in COIN--the Thick Blue Line

Joe Celeski's current work on the role of policing in confronting security threats highlights the need to shift resources and emphasis towards policing, law enforcement, and internal security. Law enforcement and internal security are key pillars in a comprehensive national security strategy and are often under-emphasized. As the campaign against terrorist networks shifts out of a combat phase, the competition between governments and terrorist groups for the public's support, a key element in irregular warfare, will occur in noncombat zones.

USSOCOM Research Topics 2010

This list produced by the Joint Special Operations University (JSOU) is intended to guide research projects for Professional Military Education (PME) students, our faculty, research fellows, and others writing about special operations during this academic year. Research is one of the cornerstones of JSOU's academic mission as we strive to produce publications to meet joint Special Operations Forces (SOF) operational and planning needs.

Guerrilla Counterintelligence: Insurgent Approaches to Neutralizing Adversary Intelligence Operations

Dr. Turbiville's latest monograph has significant implications for U.S. Special Operations Forces as we continue to operate in both combat and noncombat zones against groups desiring to overthrow existing governments. We must take into account the insurgent organization's plans and operations, but to do so will require us and our local hosts to overcome the insurgent or terrorist group's internal security processes while protecting our operations and organizations from insurgent infiltration.

Scoring the Long War

The score for the Long War can look very different depending on which scorecard is used. Emphasis is currently placed on historically-based, quantifiable, state-versus-state measures which attempt to correlate what we are doing with how we are doing. But the current fight against al-Qaeda is not a state-versus-state war and requires a different metrics that more accurately depict who is winning and who is losing.

Keeping COIN Simple

US armed forces execute the Global War on Terror, varying strategies are required to facilitate victory within those sovereign states that are hesitant to permit a significant number of US personnel on their soil. The Philippines is an excellent example of how the US military can still achieve victory while under severe operational constraints imposed by a host government. US advisors working with the Armed Forces of the Philippines are developing creative and unconventional counter-insurgency (COIN) strategies to win the support of the local population and to sever their links to the indigenous Abu Sayyaf Group. The 'outhouse strategy' discussed herein is indicative of the peculiarities of unconventional warfare.

What Really Happened in Northern Ireland's Counterinsurgency: Revision and Revelation

Dr. Henriksen’s selection of Northern Ireland provides a rich case study of a hotly contested space that represents an ethnic and religious conflict set in Western Europe. He provides an excellent, short, historical background to frame his analysis. Understanding the historical antecedents of an insurgency is a critical element in any case study because insurgencies are local, not global events. International issues may influence what occurs in an insurgency, but locals rise up in rebellion for their personal grievances or desires.

India's Northeast: The Frontier in Ferment

Prakash Singh’s monograph on the threat that insurgencies in northeast India present to the national government provides an excellent insight into a significant security challenge to the Indian state. The troubles in the eight northeastern states highlighted in Mr. Singh’s work are frequently overlooked in the West when people look at India’s security concerns, which often focus on other more widely known security challenges, both internal and external.

Disrupting Threat Finances: Using Financial Information to Disrupt Terrorist Organizations

Major Anderson provides an excellent overview of terrorist financing and expands upon how it fits into the broader construct of threat financing. He articulates the significant challenges any government faces in trying to interrupt the terrorist networks use of the global financial system. The sheer immensity of this system provides ample opportunity for terrorists to operate undetected or unhindered. He also highlights that the very international nature of the global economic system presents enormous challenges in trying to coordinate amongst the almost 200 sovereign states that comprise the current world order.

Retaining a Precarious Value as Special Operations Go Mainstream

Jessica Turnley wades into the discussion with a short monograph on the concept of organizational identity or organizational culture and the difficulty of developing and, more importantly, retaining these in the face of changing organizational structures and institutional growth. Her discussion cuts to the heart of what it means to be SOF vice what it means to be a member of USSOCOM. In the current organization, they are not synonymous. A significant percentage of the command is made up of non-SOF members assigned from the various services. As the command grows, these "SOF enablers" will remain a critical element within the command and the SOF community at large.

USSOCOM Research Topics 2009

This list produced by the Joint Special Operations University (JSOU) is intended to guide research projects for Professional Military Education (PME) students, our faculty, research fellows, and others writing about special operations during this academic year. Research is one of the cornerstones of JSOU’s academic mission as we strive to produce publications to meet joint Special Operations Forces (SOF) operational and planning needs.

Is Leaving the Middle East a Viable Option?

Dr. Thomas H. Henriksen in this publication provides a perspective on the challenging question, "Is Leaving the Middle East a Viable Option?" He lays out a convincing argument that historical involvement within the region based on commercial ties, the need to secure stable international oil supplies (for the U.S. as well as its allies), and engagement in the internecine Israeli-Arab conflict all remain critical security issues for the United States. He captures in a few pages volumes of information on the Middle East as he crafts and weaves the history of United States' involvement from 1783 to the present, highlighting the key policy-making decisions concerning the Middle East. The historical review provides the novice reader new understanding of the Middle East and the knowledgeable reader an excellent overview.

Intelligence in Denied Areas: New Concepts for a Changing Security Environment

Russell Howard's paper focuses on intelligence operations within denied areas and how these operations today differ from those of the Cold War period. Today, the preeminent threat is transnational, violent terrorist groups that operate under the cover of failed or weak states, as well as under the civil protections afforded in western liberal democracies. Howard focuses on the operational environments in failed or weak states as he discusses ways to improve intelligence targeting and collection in these challenging areas.

Private Security Infrastructure Abroad: Criminal-Terrorist Agendas and the Operational Environment

Worldwide private security organizations, ranging from unarmed security guards to "combat-capable" paramilitary groups, can act as a force multiplier to enhance security. A critical component of official and nonofficial security regimes is the role of government oversight in ensuring criminals and terrorists are unable to hijack private security organizations for their own objectives. A major problem is the ability of governments to manage or oversee these security elements, which varies significantly from country to country and region to region. In many countries, government control is almost nonexistent, creating an environment in which private security organizations are ripe for criminal or terrorist manipulation.

Block by Block: Civic Action in the Battle of Baghdad

This monograph describes one facet of the Battle for Baghdad during the period January through November 2006. The story is based on the recollections, notes, and reports of the author, who served with the Multi-National Division, Baghdad (MND¿B) as the G9-the principal staff officer responsible for civic action, Special Operations Forces integration, and counterinsurgency training. In this timeframe MND-B treated civic action as a maneuver function inherent to its operations, and it employed task-organized combat forces to conduct Phase IV (Stability Operations) and Phase V (Enable the Civil Authority) in order to achieve U.S. and Iraqi military objectives.

A Theory of Special Operations: The Origins, Qualities, and Use of SOF

Building on Rear Admiral William McRaven's seminal work "Spec Ops: Case Studies in Special Operations Warfare: Theory and Practice," Dr. Spulak expands McRaven's theory beyond direct action and small raid concepts and builds a theory of SOF looking at SOF as a whole and across the spectrum of operations. He focuses on SOF attributes and how they allow SOF to accomplish missions beyond the capabilities of conventional forces. Through the prism of the principles of war, the author argues SOF's inherent capabilities allow them to overcome the risk and obstacles that would preclude conventional forces from undertaking the mission.

Hunting Leadership Targets in Counterinsurgency and Counterterrorism Operations: Selected Perspectives and Experience

This monograph reviews selected foreign experience in targeting insurgent and terrorist leadership. The intent is to provide a limited illustration of many efforts in various countries to locate and neutralize key combatant leaders or support cadres whose capture or death was judged contributive to eliminating a guerrilla or terrorist threat. As a dimension accompanying other counterinsurgency (COIN) measures or more developed COIN and counterterrorist strategies, the emphasis placed on leadership targeting has ranged from central to peripheral.

Executive Report- JSOU Second Annual Symposium: Irregular Warfare

The symposium presentations and discussions clearly showed no current consensus exists on the topic of irregular warfare. Some participants embraced it as a new, more effective way to describe the long-term conflict for which the U.S. and its partners are engaged, while others challenge whether it is even a type of warfare. These disagreements aside, a consensus was achieved concerning the need to emphasize our opponents' "logic of action" versus their tactics.

2007 JSOU and NDIA SO/LIC Division Essays

JSOU is pleased to offer this selection of essays from the 2007 contest. The JSOU intent is that this compendium will benefit the reader professionally and encourage future PME students to enter the contest. Feedback is welcome, and your suggestions will be incorporated into future JSOU reports.

Psychological Operations: Learning is Not a Defense Science Project

This paper intends to demystify Psychological Operations (PSYOP) by framing the analysis in terms of certain cultural biases, organizational challenges, and troubles with terminology. The objective is twofold: a. Make PSYOP more understandable by looking at how it is defined in today's information environment and its relationship to other information activities. b. Create an understanding that PSYOP is truth-based, is an amalgam of many media and marketing tactics and techniques, and requires a closer alliance with Public Affairs to communicate a more comprehensible message.

The Israeli Approach to Irregular Warfare and Implications for the United States

The purview of this study is not large-scale conventional wars such as Israel's 1948, 1956, 1967, or 1973 conflicts or America's Persian Gulf War or its Kosovo bombing campaign. The emphasis is on Israel's practice of counterinsurgency and counterterrorism, and the IDF generally and its SOF in particular are rich in experience in these most difficult forms of conflict. Even before Israel's declaration of independence, there have been specialized Jewish forces that date back to the 1930s. With World War II, Great Britain (who ruled Palestine under a League of Nations mandate) trained and equipped unconventional forces from among the Jewish population to combat Nazi armies and their Arab sympathizers in the Middle East.

Educating for Strategic Thinking in the SOF Community: Considerations and a Proposal

The image of tactical "snake eaters" and individual and small unit tactical focus appear to be in direct contrast to the increasing stra-tegic role of SOF senior leaders and staff members. Equally important, increasingly SOF will be placed in situations where poor tactical decisions can have significant negative strategic consequences or the fleeting opportunity for positive strategic effect is revealed. How well are SOF personnel prepared for these roles and how best can the SOF "operator" acquire strategic awareness and appreciation and develop strategic thinking abilities for his level? The objective of this monograph is to examine the issue of "strategic thinking" in SOF-what is the future need and how should the community develop and better inculcate strategic thinking in its members.

Filling Special Operations Gaps with Civilian Expertise

This monograph looks at leveraging civilian personnel outside USSOCOM who possess unusual skills that can enhance and support special operations-designated activities. It also suggests solutions for bringing these uniquely skilled people in for a brief period and addresses using technology to aid in locating, assessing, managing, and retaining these experts. Filling existing and emerging special operations-related gaps in skills and competencies with civilian expertise affords the most innovative and cost-effective means of mission support while ensuring Special Operations Forces (SOF) remain focused on core competencies and congressionally mandated special operations activities.

Beyond Draining the Swamp: Urban Development and Counterterrorism in Morocco

In this paper civil affairs officer Lieutenant Colonel Steve Dalzell discusses ways that the Kingdom of Morocco is addressing some of the fundamental social and physical needs of its growing population in order to preempt social unrest-and the potential for support to extremist groups. Morocco's campaign against Islamic extremism merits study because of its importance for the global war on terrorism and the apparent linkages between urban conditions and domestic terrorist groups.

Special Operations Aviation in NATO: A Vector to the Future

Special operations air/aviation in NATO is coming of age. Within the alliance, NATO member nations have devoted significant resources to enhance the capabilities and maintain the relevance of their ground and maritime Special Operations Forces (SOF). That has not always been the case with the special operations air and aviation elements, though. The good news is that times are changing. It is encouraging to note that air-oriented SOF within NATO are growing in numbers and in capabilities. This bodes well for our alliance as we transform defense capabilities to enable an expeditionary force.

2006 JSOU/NDIA SO/LIC Chapter Essays

The Joint Special Operations University (JSOU) partnered with the Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict (SO/LIC) Chapter of the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) in sponsoring the annual chapter essay contest. The first-place winner is recognized each year at the NDIA SO/LIC Symposium in mid-February, and the prize is $1,000 cash. The runner-up receives $500. The competition is open to resident and nonresident students attending Professional Military Education (PME) institutions and has produced outstanding works on special operations issues. These essays provide insights on what our PME students see as priority national security issues today affecting special operations.

One Valley at a Time

The 2004 counterinsurgency campaign in Afghanistan was historic. Service personnel of general purpose, special operations, coalition, and irregular forces worked in unison to defeat the insurgency in a country stricken by war. Their unwavering trust, cooperation, close integration, collaborative planning, and nested execution were in many cases, textbook. In recognition of their professional effort, this case study captures many of the lessons learned in their planning and operations. Success in Afghanistan also came from the determination of millions of Afghans who were supported by these gallant sailors, soldiers, Marines, and airmen.

Blogs and Military Information Strategy

A blog is a journal available on the Web that comes in many forms of potential influence: political, online diary, video, spam, mobile (Internet postings from a mobile phone, etc.), or travel, among others. The authors offer a balanced critique of the positive and negative aspects of blogging, and then offer the opportunities of this trend for influence operations.

Executive Report- JSOU First Annual Symposium: Countering Global Insurgency

This report provides a summary of the Joint Special Operations University (JSOU) first annual symposium. The symposium theme was "Countering Global Insurgency," the choice based on its relevancy to the ongoing worldwide conflict and recently published results of the Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR). Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, and we believe the symposium was a great success. Noteworthy is that the symposium was an academic forum. The views of the participants are their own and do not represent the U.S. Government or their respective organizations.

Narcoterrorism in Latin America: A Brazilian Perspective

Narcoterrorism in Latin America: A Brazilian Perspective builds a case for giving greater attention to the narcoterrorism threat. General Alvaro suggests that security conditions in Colombia and the Tri-Border Area (TBA), where Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay meet, deserve the immediate attention of security officials of the Hemisphere's more capable countries. In this paper, General Alvaro provides a review of Colombia's security situation-the history and current situation-and details his thoughts about the United States' support of the government of Colombian President Alvaro Uribe Velez.

Implications for Network-Centric Warfare

In this paper, Dr. Jessica Glicken Turnley helps the planner to consider the challenge of how a bureaucratically organized force might assess a network-centric enemy and develop appropriate strategies. Implications drawn here by Dr. Turnley relate to USSOCOM strategic priorities for winning the war on terror and ensuring a competitive advantage in the future. These priorities include leading the planning for the DoD Global War on Terrorism as well as command-specific counterterrorism operations. The paper also implies considerations for force readiness and developing USSOCOM's next-generation capabilities.

Civil-Military Operations and Professional Military Education

In this monograph, the author addresses the historical, legal, doctrinal, and operational reasons CMO should be included in core PME. He discusses the impacts of this omission on the SOF assigned to the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and suggests that the time to correct the oversight is now.

The Changing Nature of Warfare, the Factors Mediating Future Conflict, and Implications for SOF

This paper challenges the prevailing sentiment regarding the nature of war. Designed to generate discussion on topics where little or none has been acceptable, it pushes the envelope of traditional political and military science thinking. It argues that the nature of war has changed at a fundamental level-that of definition. Further, information technology is so pervasive and interpenetrating that its impact cannot be relegated to mere alteration in the techniques by which war is prosecuted. Rather, information technology facilitates new social structures, exacerbates competing hierarchical beliefs, and, combined with other factors, enhances the ability of powerful nations, or other philosophical organizations, to impose their will on adversaries.

The War on Terrorism: Countering Global Insurgency in the 21st Century

This paper adds to the growing debate concerning the challenges of the United States strategic engagement strategy and recommends options for the emerging 21st Century. This author envisions a national interagency structure to integrate every instrument of national power. This structure will focus, collaborate and coordinate at four strategic levels: global, multi-regional, regional and national, and will implement three regional engagement strategy options. These are Conflict/Unilateral Operations, Support to Insurgencies and Security Assistance (SA) utilizing the principles of Foreign Internal Defense (FID) that will effectively facilitate the execution of the global war on terrorism (GWOT).

Coast Guard SOF

This paper examines the Coast Guard's historic participation in special operations and posits a requirement for the Coast Guard to designate a special operations force today-Coast Guard SOF. Lieutenant Commander Bowen advances a timely argument for the formation of additional SOF units, Coast Guard (CG) SOF units, at a time when USSOCOM is under pressure to expand SOF capabilities. Bowen argues that the Coast Guard has considerable experience fighting terrorists, insurgents, and criminal networks, all of which have the cellular, compartmented structures that describe the current threats in the global war on terrorism. These are the same threats that US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) seeks to thwart by means of its global campaign plan to synchronize the counterterrorism efforts of the Department of Defense.

Dividing Our Enemies

Henriksen's paper invites the SOF reader to revisit established doctrine for Foreign Internal Defense and Internal Defense and Development along with the complex issues about how to divide and conquer. It is likely that the intelligence needed for exploiting the differences among our enemies will result from these on-the-ground operations. And while lacking the glamour of direct action missions, the effects of special operations teams on the ground conducting unconventional warfare, psychological operations, and civil military operations are absolutely central to achieving an end-state of realizing democratic and viable governments. These are the special operations ways and means that can lead to successfully "leveraging inherent human fault lines to counter terrorism", as Henriksen writes. SOF warriors will agree that having our enemies eliminate each other offers advantages over slug-it-out methodologies.

Logistic Support and Insurgency: Guerrilla Sustainment and Applied Lessons of Soviet Insurgent Warfare: Why It Should Still Be Studied

This is a pertinent and timely study of a critical issue facing the United States military today: how do insurgents logistically sustain and expand their operations? Graham H. Turbiville, Jr. appropriately mentions Martin Van Creveld's excellent treatise, Supplying War: Logistics from Wallenstein to Patton but argues persuasively that a similar study on the role of logistics in unconventional or "small" wars is sorely needed. Dr Turbiville's essay discusses logistics and sustainment of guerillas operating in the Soviet Union behind German lines during World War II. The paper is a significant step in addressing the research shortfall on insurgency logistics.

Theoretical Perspectives of Terrorist Enemies as Networks

Social and physical networks have many similarities, and many differences. And while network analysis can be useful for defeating an adversary's physical networked infrastructure, such as power grids or transportation systems, it is only a piece of a larger toolkit when working with a human system. Indeed, human will and adaptability are critical aspects of a network that might otherwise be viewed as purely technical. We compare and contrast approaches from the physical and social sciences, using networks to highlight the advantages and disadvantages of using the same analytic perspective for significantly different targets. We conclude with a discussion of the networks suggested by the National Military Strategic Plan for the War on Terrorism.

Operationalizing COIN

In this paper, Colonel Joseph D. Celeski, U.S. Army, Retired, provides his thoughts on how we might think about, plan and conduct operations in the new threat environment of "Terro-Insurgency." In this environment insurgents are joined by various terrorists, drug traffickers and other criminals to create what he calls the "Gray Stew" mix that confronts us today in Afghanistan and elsewhere. Based on his understanding of the new environment, Colonel Celeski posits a theory of counterinsurgency (COIN) and suggests techniques for developing the COIN plan and executing it employing special operations forces. He reinforces his concepts concerning COIN with a review of the war in Afghanistan. This paper is important because it reflects the experiences and thoughts of a recent special operations commander who dealt with the exigencies of COIN combat every day on the battlefield. Through a former 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) commander and two-time commander of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan (CJSOTF-A), the reader, too, can gain a sense of urgency for improving our COIN strategy and doctrine and enhancing our abilities for "Operationalizing COIN."

The Evolving Requirements of the Canadian Special Operations Forces: Future Concept Paper

The current world situation of widespread terror organizations and insurgencies highlights the need for Special Operations Forces (SOF). Canada's decision to establish a SOF capability (CANSOF) in 1992 indicates their desire to possess a strategic SOF resource to meet these threats. Dr. Taillon argues that this need remains and requires a more robust and expanded SOF capability to handle strategic challenges to Canada. He discusses morphing demographics and limited resources available to the Canadian military as critical issues in future CANSOF development. The British and American models of recruiting and training special operations forces offer useful models and he draws a sensible parallel with SOF recruiting in his native Canada.

Russian Special Forces: Issues of Loyalty, Corruption and the Fight Against Terror

Dr. Turbiville assesses Russia's faltering special operations forces and the backdrop of organizational, tactical and operational failures that has characterized their recent performance. He focuses on the relationship of these counterterrorism shortfalls to internal Russian allegations linking members of the special operations community to corruption, crime, and terrorism itself. Turbiville emphasizes that the implications of corrupt, ineffective, or rogue security forces extend beyond Russia and the region, and that continued candid appraisals of Russian counterterrorist effectiveness should influence the extent to which Russia can be regarded as a reliable partner against common security threats.

2004-2005 JSOU/NDIA Essays

I n 2004 and 2005 the Joint Special Operations University (JSOU) partnered with the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) in sponsoring the JSOU/NDIA Essay contest. The competition is open to resident and non-resident students attending PME institutions and has produced some outstanding works on special operations issues. Many submissions have hard-hitting and relevant recommendations that have proven useful to SOF commanders throughout United States Special Operations Command. The Joint Special Operations University is pleased to offer this volume of three essays each from the 2004 and 2005 contests.

JSOU Press Author Submission and Publication Process

Current as of March 2024.

JSOU Press Peer Review Process

JSOU Press Manuscript Submission Format Guidance

Current as of August 2023.

JSOU Press Product Definitions, Purposes, and Parameters

Force Multiplier: Utilization of SOF from a Small State Perspective

From the publication:

The military has always been a key instrument of national power. Its strategic utility for defending the nation and furthering the national interest using direct military force or by assisting friends, allies, coalitions and/or international organizations has earned it a voice in national security policy formulation and implementation. The three traditional services, the Navy, Army and Air Force, have for a long time been recognized as key players in this strategic context. Special Operations Forces (SOF), however, do not share this long history.

Threat and SOF/Special Operations Response

Threat in the national security context can be defined as state or non-state actor actions that can cause disruption, damage and potential ruin of another state’s national security, economic, defence and political stability and/or sovereignty. Threats must be assessed against an adversary’s intent, opportunity and capability. Clearly assessment is as much art as it is science and must be considered within the context of an ambiguous, dynamic and extremely complex security environment. Response to threat(s) must be calibrated accordingly. This volume examines threat through three different lenses: historical, from a macro perspective of “below the threshold of armed conflict” to more specific threats, and finally, potential SOF/SO responses to the myriad of existing and emerging threats that face partner nations.

Classification and Public Release Review Memorandum

This document is to be submitted for all media content submitted to JSOU for print or video distribution.

Current as of 14 July 2023

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Advancements in deep learning techniques for time series forecasting in maritime applications: a comprehensive review.

1. Introduction

2. literature collection procedure.

Search scope: Titles, Keywords, and Abstracts
Keywords 1: ‘deep’ AND ‘learning’, AND
Keywords 2: ‘time AND series’, AND
Keywords 3: ‘maritime’, OR
Keywords 4: ‘vessel’, OR
Keywords 5: ‘shipping’, OR
Keywords 6: ‘marine’, OR
Keywords 7: ‘ship’, OR
Keywords 8: ‘port’, OR
Keywords 9: ‘terminal’
Retain only articles related to maritime operations. For example, studies on ship-surrounding weather and risk prediction based on ship data will be kept, while research solely focused on marine weather or wave prediction that is unrelated to any aspect of maritime operations will be excluded.
Exclude neural network studies that do not employ deep learning techniques, such as ANN or MLP with only one hidden layer.
The language of the publications must be English.
The original data used in the papers must include time series sequences.

3. Deep Learning Algorithms

3.1. artificial neural network (ann), 3.1.1. multilayer perceptron (mlp)/deep neural networks (dnn), 3.1.2. wavenet, 3.1.3. randomized neural network, 3.2. convolutional neural network (cnn), 3.3. recurrent neural network (rnn), 3.3.1. long short-term memory (lstm), 3.3.2. gated recurrent unit (gru), 3.4. attention mechanism (am)/transformer, 3.5. overview of algorithms usage, 4. time series forecasting in maritime applications, 4.1. ship operation-related applications, 4.1.1. ship trajectory prediction, 4.1.2. meteorological factor prediction, 4.1.3. ship fuel consumption prediction, 4.1.4. others, 4.2. port operation-related applications, 4.3. shipping market-related applications, 4.4. overview of time series forecasting in maritime applications, 5. overall analysis, 5.1. literature description, 5.1.1. literature distribution, 5.1.2. literature classification, 5.2. data utilized in maritime research, 5.2.1. automatic identification system data (ais data), 5.2.2. high-frequency radar data and sensor data, 5.2.3. container throughput data, 5.2.4. other datasets, 5.3. evaluation parameters, 5.4. real-world application examples, 5.5. future research directions, 5.5.1. data processing and feature extraction, 5.5.2. model optimization and application of new technologies, 5.5.3. specific application scenarios, 5.5.4. practical applications and long-term predictions, 5.5.5. environmental impact, fault prediction, and cross-domain applications, 6. conclusions, author contributions, institutional review board statement, informed consent statement, data availability statement, conflicts of interest.

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Click here to enlarge figure

Ref.	Architecture	Dataset	Advantage
[ ]	MSCNN-GRU-AM	HF radar	It is applicable for high-frequency radar ship track prediction in environments with significant clutter and interference
[ ]	CNN-BiLSTM-Attention	6L34DF dual fuel diesel engine	The high prediction accuracy and early warning timeliness can provide interpretable fault prediction results
[ ]	LSTM	Two LNG carriers	Enables early anomaly detection in new ships and new equipment
[ ]	LSTM	sensors	better and high-precision effects
[ ]	Self-Attention-BiLSTM	A real military ship	Not only can it better capture complex ship attitude changes, but it also shows greater accuracy and stability in long-term forecasting tasks
[ ]	CNN–GRU–AM	A C11 containership	better accuracy of forecasting
[ ]	GRU	A scaled model test	good prediction accuracy
[ ]	CNN	A bulk carrier	good prediction accuracy

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Wang, M.; Guo, X.; She, Y.; Zhou, Y.; Liang, M.; Chen, Z.S. Advancements in Deep Learning Techniques for Time Series Forecasting in Maritime Applications: A Comprehensive Review. Information 2024 , 15 , 507. https://doi.org/10.3390/info15080507

Wang M, Guo X, She Y, Zhou Y, Liang M, Chen ZS. Advancements in Deep Learning Techniques for Time Series Forecasting in Maritime Applications: A Comprehensive Review. Information . 2024; 15(8):507. https://doi.org/10.3390/info15080507

Wang, Meng, Xinyan Guo, Yanling She, Yang Zhou, Maohan Liang, and Zhong Shuo Chen. 2024. "Advancements in Deep Learning Techniques for Time Series Forecasting in Maritime Applications: A Comprehensive Review" Information 15, no. 8: 507. https://doi.org/10.3390/info15080507

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CBDCs, Payment Firms, and Geopolitics

We analyze the effect of a major central bank digital currency (CBDC) – the digital euro – on the payment industry to find remarkably heterogeneous effects. Stock prices of U.S. payment firms decrease, while stock prices of European payment firms increase in response to positive announcements on the digital euro. Bank stocks do not react. We estimate a loss in market capitalization of USD 127 billion for U.S. payment firms, vis-à-vis a gain of USD 23 billion for European payment firms. Our results emphasize the medium-of-exchange function of CBDCs and point to a novel geopolitical dimension of CBDCs: enhanced autonomy in payments.

We wish to thank Pablo Azar (discussant), Martin Brown, Co-Pierre Georg, Christoph Herpfer, Lars Hornuf (discussant), Charles Kahn (discussant), Christine Parlour (discussant), Pierre-Charles Pradier (discussant), Wenlan Qian (discussant), Christoph Schneider (discussant), Huan Tang (discussant), Jan Toczynski (discussant), Boris Vallée, Yao Zeng, conference participants at the Day-Ahead Workshop on Financial Regulation (Zurich), Conference on Regulating Financial Markets (Frankfurt), EFA Annual Meeting (Barcelona), Queensland Corporate Finance Conference (Brisbane), Bankenworkshop (Münster), NYU Law Fin/Safe-ESCP BS Law & Banking/Finance Conference (Frankfurt), ISB Summer Research Conference (Hyderabad), Annual Meeting of the German Finance Association (Hohenheim), CEMLA/Dallas Fed Financial Stability Workshop (Dallas), Bonn/Mannheim Workshop on Digital Finance (Mannheim), SGF Conference (Zurich), CEPR Webinar on CBDCs and Payments, FIRS (Berlin), and seminar participants at the ABFER Webinar Series, Bayes Business School (London), Deutsche Bundesbank, European Central Bank, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, FGV EBAPE (Rio de Janeiro), Goethe University (Frankfurt), Hong Kong University, Humboldt University (Berlin), Peking University, SMU Cox School of Business (Dallas), Tuck School of Business (Dartmouth), Tulane University (New Orleans), University of Connecticut, University of Iowa, University of Notre Dame, and University of Nottingham. Jan Keil is supported by grant number KE 2661/1-1 (“Geschäftszeichen”) from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Bureau of Economic Research.

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Research: How to Build Consensus Around a New Idea

Devon Proudfoot
Wayne Johnson

Strategies for overcoming the disagreements that can stymie innovation.

Previous research has found that new ideas are seen as risky and are often rejected. New research suggests that this rejection can be due to people’s lack of shared criteria or reference points when evaluating a potential innovation’s value. In a new paper, the authors find that the more novel the idea, the more people differ on their perception of its value. They also found that disagreement itself can make people view ideas as risky and make them less likely to support them, regardless of how novel the idea is. To help teams get on the same page when it comes to new ideas, they suggest gathering information about evaluator’s reference points and developing criteria that can lead to more focused discussions.

Picture yourself in a meeting where a new idea has just been pitched, representing a major departure from your company’s standard practices. The presenter is confident about moving forward, but their voice is quickly overtaken by a cacophony of opinions from firm opposition to enthusiastic support. How can you make sense of the noise? What weight do you give each of these opinions? And what does this disagreement say about the idea?

DP Devon Proudfoot is an Associate Professor of Human Resource Studies at Cornell’s ILR School. She studies topics related to diversity and creativity at work.
Wayne Johnson is a researcher at the Utah Eccles School of Business. He focuses on evaluations and decisions about new information, including persuasion regarding creative ideas and belief change.

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MIT engineers’ new theory could improve the design and operation of wind farms

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The blades of propellers and wind turbines are designed based on aerodynamics principles that were first described mathematically more than a century ago. But engineers have long realized that these formulas don’t work in every situation. To compensate, they have added ad hoc “correction factors” based on empirical observations.

Now, for the first time, engineers at MIT have developed a comprehensive, physics-based model that accurately represents the airflow around rotors even under extreme conditions, such as when the blades are operating at high forces and speeds, or are angled in certain directions. The model could improve the way rotors themselves are designed, but also the way wind farms are laid out and operated. The new findings are described today in the journal Nature Communications , in an open-access paper by MIT postdoc Jaime Liew, doctoral student Kirby Heck, and Michael Howland, the Esther and Harold E. Edgerton Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

“We’ve developed a new theory for the aerodynamics of rotors,” Howland says. This theory can be used to determine the forces, flow velocities, and power of a rotor, whether that rotor is extracting energy from the airflow, as in a wind turbine, or applying energy to the flow, as in a ship or airplane propeller. “The theory works in both directions,” he says.

Because the new understanding is a fundamental mathematical model, some of its implications could potentially be applied right away. For example, operators of wind farms must constantly adjust a variety of parameters, including the orientation of each turbine as well as its rotation speed and the angle of its blades, in order to maximize power output while maintaining safety margins. The new model can provide a simple, speedy way of optimizing those factors in real time.

“This is what we’re so excited about, is that it has immediate and direct potential for impact across the value chain of wind power,” Howland says.

Modeling the momentum

Known as momentum theory, the previous model of how rotors interact with their fluid environment — air, water, or otherwise — was initially developed late in the 19th century. With this theory, engineers can start with a given rotor design and configuration, and determine the maximum amount of power that can be derived from that rotor — or, conversely, if it’s a propeller, how much power is needed to generate a given amount of propulsive force.

Momentum theory equations “are the first thing you would read about in a wind energy textbook, and are the first thing that I talk about in my classes when I teach about wind power,” Howland says. From that theory, physicist Albert Betz calculated in 1920 the maximum amount of energy that could theoretically be extracted from wind. Known as the Betz limit, this amount is 59.3 percent of the kinetic energy of the incoming wind.

But just a few years later, others found that the momentum theory broke down “in a pretty dramatic way” at higher forces that correspond to faster blade rotation speeds or different blade angles, Howland says. It fails to predict not only the amount, but even the direction of changes in thrust force at higher rotation speeds or different blade angles: Whereas the theory said the force should start going down above a certain rotation speed or blade angle, experiments show the opposite — that the force continues to increase. “So, it’s not just quantitatively wrong, it’s qualitatively wrong,” Howland says.

The theory also breaks down when there is any misalignment between the rotor and the airflow, which Howland says is “ubiquitous” on wind farms, where turbines are constantly adjusting to changes in wind directions. In fact, in an earlier paper in 2022, Howland and his team found that deliberately misaligning some turbines slightly relative to the incoming airflow within a wind farm significantly improves the overall power output of the wind farm by reducing wake disturbances to the downstream turbines.

In the past, when designing the profile of rotor blades, the layout of wind turbines in a farm, or the day-to-day operation of wind turbines, engineers have relied on ad hoc adjustments added to the original mathematical formulas, based on some wind tunnel tests and experience with operating wind farms, but with no theoretical underpinnings.

Instead, to arrive at the new model, the team analyzed the interaction of airflow and turbines using detailed computational modeling of the aerodynamics. They found that, for example, the original model had assumed that a drop in air pressure immediately behind the rotor would rapidly return to normal ambient pressure just a short way downstream. But it turns out, Howland says, that as the thrust force keeps increasing, “that assumption is increasingly inaccurate.”

And the inaccuracy occurs very close to the point of the Betz limit that theoretically predicts the maximum performance of a turbine — and therefore is just the desired operating regime for the turbines. “So, we have Betz’s prediction of where we should operate turbines, and within 10 percent of that operational set point that we think maximizes power, the theory completely deteriorates and doesn’t work,” Howland says.

Through their modeling, the researchers also found a way to compensate for the original formula’s reliance on a one-dimensional modeling that assumed the rotor was always precisely aligned with the airflow. To do so, they used fundamental equations that were developed to predict the lift of three-dimensional wings for aerospace applications.

The researchers derived their new model, which they call a unified momentum model, based on theoretical analysis, and then validated it using computational fluid dynamics modeling. In followup work not yet published, they are doing further validation using wind tunnel and field tests.

Fundamental understanding

One interesting outcome of the new formula is that it changes the calculation of the Betz limit, showing that it’s possible to extract a bit more power than the original formula predicted. Although it’s not a significant change — on the order of a few percent — “it’s interesting that now we have a new theory, and the Betz limit that’s been the rule of thumb for a hundred years is actually modified because of the new theory,” Howland says. “And that’s immediately useful.” The new model shows how to maximize power from turbines that are misaligned with the airflow, which the Betz limit cannot account for.

The aspects related to controlling both individual turbines and arrays of turbines can be implemented without requiring any modifications to existing hardware in place within wind farms. In fact, this has already happened, based on earlier work from Howland and his collaborators two years ago that dealt with the wake interactions between turbines in a wind farm, and was based on the existing, empirically based formulas.

“This breakthrough is a natural extension of our previous work on optimizing utility-scale wind farms,” he says, because in doing that analysis, they saw the shortcomings of the existing methods for analyzing the forces at work and predicting power produced by wind turbines. “Existing modeling using empiricism just wasn’t getting the job done,” he says.

In a wind farm, individual turbines will sap some of the energy available to neighboring turbines, because of wake effects. Accurate wake modeling is important both for designing the layout of turbines in a wind farm, and also for the operation of that farm, determining moment to moment how to set the angles and speeds of each turbine in the array.

Until now, Howland says, even the operators of wind farms, the manufacturers, and the designers of the turbine blades had no way to predict how much the power output of a turbine would be affected by a given change such as its angle to the wind without using empirical corrections. “That’s because there was no theory for it. So, that’s what we worked on here. Our theory can directly tell you, without any empirical corrections, for the first time, how you should actually operate a wind turbine to maximize its power,” he says.

Because the fluid flow regimes are similar, the model also applies to propellers, whether for aircraft or ships, and also for hydrokinetic turbines such as tidal or river turbines. Although they didn’t focus on that aspect in this research, “it’s in the theoretical modeling naturally,” he says.

The new theory exists in the form of a set of mathematical formulas that a user could incorporate in their own software, or as an open-source software package that can be freely downloaded from GitHub . “It’s an engineering model developed for fast-running tools for rapid prototyping and control and optimization,” Howland says. “The goal of our modeling is to position the field of wind energy research to move more aggressively in the development of the wind capacity and reliability necessary to respond to climate change.”

The work was supported by the National Science Foundation and Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy.

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Michael Howland gives wind energy a lift

A new method boosts wind farms’ energy output, without new equipment

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Operations Management Research Paper Topics
Operations management research paper topics encompass a wide array of subjects related to the effective planning, organizing, and supervision of business operations. These topics offer a rich field of inquiry for scholars and practitioners alike, reflecting the complexity and centrality of operations management in modern business.
Operations: Articles, Research, & Case Studies on Operations
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Top 50 Operations Management Dissertation Topics for your Next Assignment Reference We have classified the operations management dissertation topics into 10 sub-categories to make the search of the students much easier.
Operations Research : Topics, Impact, and Trends from 1952-2019
This paper is a retrospective look at 68 years of publication output of Operations Research, revealing changes in its publications, its authors, and their impact over time and how these changes might affect researchers and practitioners in the present. A total of 5,440 journal articles from its inception in 1952 to 2019 are used.
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Presents research that advances both theory and practice of operations management. Includes all aspects of operations management, from manufacturing and supply chain to health care and service operations. Welcomes a variety of research methodologies, including case, action, survey, mathematical modelling, simulation, etc.
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This paper is a retrospective look at 68 years of publication output of Operations Research, revealing changes in its publications, its authors, and their impact over time and how these changes might affect researchers and practitioners in the present. A total of 5,440 journal articles from its inception in 1952 to 2019 are used.
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MIT engineers' new theory could improve the design and operation of
The new findings are described today in the journal Nature Communications, in an open-access paper by MIT postdoc Jaime Liew, doctoral student Kirby Heck, and Michael Howland, the Esther and Harold E. Edgerton Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering. "We've developed a new theory for the aerodynamics of rotors," Howland ...

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Topic 2: Analysing the operational risk in outsourcing software projects for international companies.

Topic 3: How do the merger and acquisition of a company affect the performance of its employees? An exploratory study identifying the factors that affect employee's performance. A case study of (Any company or companies can be studied)

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Topic 7: Operation Management- Comparison between different forecast approaches.

Topic 8: An examination of the Effectiveness of RBT in strategic operation management in the UK manufacturing industry.

Topic 9: Humanitarian operation management- A review of Literature

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Topic 12: Analysing the Effects of Lean Six Sigma Methodologies on Reducing Patient Wait Times in Different Healthcare Settings

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Topic 2: Impact of Just-in-time (JIT) inventory on improving supply chain efficiency of large retail outlets

Topic 3: Analysing the pros and cons of outsourcing logistic operation activities in the construction industry of the UK

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