About
Behzad Hezarkhani is a Professor of Operations Management at Southampton Business School, where he leads the Operations and Project Management group. His academic expertise centers on operations research, mathematical modeling, and game theory, with a particular focus on addressing complex challenges in global supply chains. His research spans multiple sectors, including food and agri-business, transportation, logistics, and production management. Behzad’s work seeks to explore the intricate dynamics of cooperation and competition in supply chains, helping to shape innovative solutions for contemporary logistical and operational challenges.
Currently, Behzad’s research focuses on two primary areas. The first is trade and international supply chain management, where he investigates issues in global trade and supply chain operations, offering both theoretical and practical insights. The second area of focus is waste reduction in food supply chains, where he develops strategies to minimize food loss, particularly through the study of supply chain mechanisms and the role of imperfect or "ugly" produce.
Behzad’s scholarly contributions have been widely recognized, with key publications in leading journals. These include his 2023 article in Production & Operations Management titled Global Agricultural Supply Chains under Tariff Rate Quotas, which examines the complexities of agricultural trade under quota systems, and another in the European Journal of Operational Research exploring whether "ugly veg" supply chains can effectively reduce food loss. His work has also contributed to advancing servitization in operations, as seen in his 2022 study on the optimal design of uptime-guarantee maintenance contracts. Beyond academic journals, Behzad has published impactful commentary in The Conversation, addressing pressing issues like rising food prices and the potential of imperfect produce to tackle waste and alleviate supply shortages.
In addition to his academic achievements, Behzad plays an active role in shaping the field through his professional contributions. He serves on the Expert Advisory Board for the Government Office of Science’s Future of Global Supply Chains Foresight Project, a role that underscores his thought leadership in supply chain management. His work has also been recognized with funding awards, including the 2019 ANZAM and British Academy of Management Collaborative Research Award.