Prof. Dr. Mohsen Afsharian

Mohsen Afsharian is Professor of Production and Logistics at Leibniz FH, University of Applied Sciences, Germany. 

Dr. Afsharian holds an MSc and PhD in Applied Mathematics from Iran University of Science and Technology and PhD in Business and Economics Sciences from University of Magdeburg, Germany. He had the privilege of being awarded by Technische Universität (TU) Braunschweig - after completion of his Habilitation - the highest university degree ("PD Dr.") in Germany in the field of "Business Administration".

His areas of interest include theoretical concepts and methods as well as practical applications in Production & Logistics as well as Supply Chain Analytics in teaching and research. In these areas, he also has extensive experience as an analyst or consultant in several industrial projects and received various national and international grants (such as DFG and DAAD). 

Dr. Afsharian presents regularly his research contributions at several international conferences. He has also published more than 30 papers in leading international journals such as European Journal of Operational Research, OR Spectrum, Journal of the Operations Research Society, Annals of Operations Research, Omega, International Journal of Production Research, Economics Letters. He has also served as referee, department editor, associate editor, guest editor of several international journals.

His teaching experience is based on several years of participation in the teaching programs of TU Braunschweig, University of Magdeburg, Technical University of Sofia as well as St. Petersburg State University of Economics. This includes rich experience in course development, theoretically and practically oriented forms of teaching, co-teaching, seminars, colloquia and different forms of examinations (also digital due to the Covid situation).

• 09/2022 +              Professor of Production and Logistics, Leibniz FH, University of Applied Sciences

• 04/2023 +              Guest Professor, Department of Business Sciences, TU Braunschweig

• 04/2021 – 08/2022 Akademischer Rat, Department of Business Sciences, TU Braunschweig

• 10/2012 – 03/2021 Research Associate, Department of Business Sciences, TU Braunschweig

• 02/2021 – 08/2022 Guest Professor, Technical University of Sofia

• 02/2016 – 03/2022 Guest Professor, St. Petersburg State University of Economics

• 10/2013 – 03/2014  Guest Professor, University of Magdeburg

• 04/2011 – 09/2012  Research Associate, Faculty of Economics & Management, University of Magdeburg

• 01/2018 + Decision and Business Analyst, Center for Performance Management at iTUBS mbH

• 05/2018 + Decision and Business Analyst, Lopes-Ahn & Consultores Associados

• 07/2020 – 01/2021 Performance Analyst, KONE GmbH

• 12/2015 – 12/2019 Performance Analyst, KONE GmbH

• 09/2008 + Managing Director, Parda Pazhooh Rahyar GmbH.

• 04/2006 – 07/2010 Systems Analyst, Behin-Cara GmbH, International Institute of Operations Research

• 01/2022    Habilitation Business Administration, Technische Universität (TU) Braunschweig, Germany

• 12/2012    Ph.D. Business & Economics Sciences, University of Magdeburg, Germany

• 12/2010    Ph.D. Applied Mathematics, Iran University of Science and Technology, Iran

• 11/2006    M.Sc. Applied Mathematics, Iran University of Science and Technology, Iran

• 06/2004    B.Sc. Mathematics, Tarbiat Moallem University, Iran

02/2022 – 03/2022     

• Department of Economics, Miami University, USA

• Department of Business Systems and Analytics, La Salle University, USA

• Department of Information Systems & Business Analytics, Florida International University, USA

11/2021 – 12/2021

• Department of Production Engineering, University of Minas Gerais, Brazil

04/2019 – 06/2019     

• Copenhagen Business School, Denmark

• School of Business and Economics, Loughborough University, UK

02/2019 – 03/2019

• Department of Production Engineering, University of Minas Gerais, Brazil

04/2018 – 06/2018     

•  Department of Economics, Rice University, USA

• Department of Industrial Engineering, Texas A&M University, USA

09/2018 – 10/2018

• Department of Economics, University of Minas Gerais, Brazil

05/2017 – 06/2017

• Aston Business School, Aston University, UK

01/2017 – 02/2017

• Department of Economics, University of Minas Gerais, Brazil

• Optimization (e.g. Linear, Nonlinear, Quadratic Programs, Heuristic Algorithms)

• Statistical Approaches (e.g. Descriptive Statistics, Estimation & Inference, Regression)

• Machine Learning Algorithms (e.g. Techniques of Associations, Classification, Clustering)

• Data Enabled Analytics, Multi-Objective & Multi-Criteria Analysis (e.g. DEA, SFA, StoNED)

• 01/2022 – 12/2022      DAAD research grant, ID: 57598225, 11.7T€

• 01/2021 – 03/2022      DFG research grant, ID: AH90/5-3, 158.3T€

• 01/2020 – 12/2021      DAAD research grant, ID: 57518920, 24.2T€

• 10/2018 – 09/2020      DFG research grant, ID: AH90/5-2, 118T€

• 01/2018 – 12/2019      DAAD research grant, ID: 57391086, 23T€

• 10/2015 – 09/2018      DFG research grant, ID: AH90/5-1, 156.5T€

• 08/2015                      DFG grant (for organization of conference), ID: AH90/4-1, 16.2T€

• 2023 +     Co-Editor: “Supply Chain Analytics” (Elsevier).

• 2022 + Department Editor, “Healthcare Analytics” (Elsevier). 

• 2021 + Department Editor, “Decision Analytics Journal” (Elsevier). 

• 2023 + Associate Editor “Modern Supply Chain Research and Applications” (Emerald)

• 2022 + Associate Editor “Space Mission Planning and Operations”

• 2021 Guest Editor (SI: Performance Analytics in Incentive Regulation), “Decision Analytics Journal”

• 2020 + Editorial Board Member “Quarterly Journal of Quantitative Economics”

• 2017 + Editorial Board Member “International Journal of Information and Decision Sciences”

• 2017 + Associate Editor, “International Journal of Data Analysis Techniques and Strategies”

• 2015   Guest Editor (SI: Recent developments on DEA in the public sector), “Socio-Economic Planning Sciences”

Annals of Operations Research, Asia Pacific Management Review, Benchmarking: An International Journal, Central European Review of Economics and Management, Computers & Industrial Engineering, Computers & Operations Research, Data Envelopment Analysis Journal, Decision Analytics, Economic Modelling, Energy Economics, European Journal of Operations Research (Outstanding peer reviewer, 2017), Healthcare Analytics, International Journal of Production Research, International Journal of Systems Science, Journal of Business Economics, Journal of Productivity Analysis, Journal of the Operational Research Society, Mathematics, Measurement: Journal of the International Measurement Confederation, Omega: The International Journal of Management Science, Operational Research: An International Journal, OR Spectrum, Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Utilities Policy.

S: Seminar, L: Lecture, T: Tutorial, EN: Delivered in English, DE: Delivered in German

Leibniz FH, University of Applied Sciences

• • SS2024 + Logistik und Supply Chain Planung (BSc./L/DE) 

  • SS2014 + Unternehmenslogistik, (BSc./L/DE) 

  • WS2023 + Green Logistics, (MSc./L/EN) 

  • WS2022 + Transportlogistik, (BSc./L/DE)

  • SS2023 + Produktion und Logistik, (BSc./L/DE)

  • SS2023 + Mathematik (Analysis) für Informatik and IT-Security, (BSc./L/DE)

  • WS2022 + Mathematik für BWL/BE, (BSc./L/DE)

  • WS2022 + Supply Chain Management im Handel, (BSc./L/DE)

  • WS2022 + Betriebswirtschaftliche Grundlagen der Industrie 4.0, (BSc./L/DE)

Technische Universität Braunschweig

• • WS2019/20 +                  Methods of Data Science for Business, (MSc./L/EN)

  • SS2022                        Machine Learning in Performance Analytics with R, (MSc./S/EN)

  • WS2014/15 – 2021/22 Advanced Performance Analytics, (MSc./L/DE)

  • SS2014 – 2022             Performance Analytics, (MSc./L/DE)

  • WS2021/22                 Data-driven Approaches for Mergers & Acquisitions, (MSc./S/EN)

  • SS2021                       Benchmarking in der Standortanalytik und im Netzwerkdesign, (MSc./S/DE)

  • WS2020/21                 Methods and Applications of Queuing Theory, (MSc./S/EN)

  • WS2019/20                 Challenges & Solutions for Location of Healthcare Facilities, (MSc./S/EN)

  • WS2017/18 – 2018/19 Selected Topics in Business Analytics, (MSc./L/EN)

  • SS2017                       Introduction to Business Decision Analysis, (BSc./L/EN)

  • WS2016/17                 Multi-Criteria Analysis, (MSc./L/EN)

  • WS2016/17                 Benchmarking in Economic Regulation, (MSc./L/EN)

  • WS2014/15 – 2016/17 Advanced Decision Making, (MSc./L/EN)

  • SS2014 – 2016             Decision Making, (MSc./L/EN)

  • SS2015                       Performance Benchmarking and Operations Research, (MSc./S/EN)

  • WS2014/15                 Performance Measurement and Control, (MSc./S/EN)

  • WS2013/14                 Performance Measurement by Data Envelopment Analysis, (MSc./S/EN)

Technical University of Sofia

• • SS2021                            Controlling, (MSc./L/DE)

St. Petersburg State University of Economics

• • SS2022                       Business Analytics for Decision Making, (MSc./L/EN)

  • SS2017 – SS2021         Introduction to Managerial Decision Modeling, (MSc./L/EN)

  • SS2016                       Decision Analysis under Risk, (MSc./L/EN)

University of Magdeburg

• • WS2013/14                 Decision Analysis, (BSc./L/EN)

  • SS2012                       Production Management and Operations Research, (BSc./T/EN)

  • SS2011 – 2012             Case Studies in Operations Research, (BSc./L-Co-teaching/EN)

  • WS2011/12                 Data Envelopment Analysis, (BSc./L/EN)

• 2023 DEA45: International Conference on Data Envelopment Analysis, Guildford.

• 2023 OR 2023: International Conference on Operations Research, Hamburg.

• 2023 POMS 2023 - International Conference, Paris.

• 2022 17th European Workshop on Efficiency and Productivity Analysis, Porto. 

• 2022 5th International Workshop on Benchmarking in Economic Regulation, Vitoria.

• 2022 32nd Annual POMS Conference (online), Orlando.

• 2022 Jahrestagung des Verbandes der Hochschullehrer (VHB), online, Düsseldorf.

• 2021 4th International Workshop on Benchmarking in Economic Regulation, Florianópolis.

• 2021 OR 2021: International Conference on Operations Research, Bern.

• 2021 12th (virtual) North American Productivity Workshop, Miami.

• 2019 16th European Workshop on Efficiency and Productivity Analysis, London. 

• 2018 Herbsttagung der Wissenschaftlichen Kommission für Produktionswirtschaft, Braunschweig.

• 2018 OR 2018: International Conference on Operations Research, Brussels, Belgium.  

• 2018 10th North American Productivity Workshop, Miami. 

• 2018 DEA40: International Conference on Data Envelopment Analysis, Birmingham.

• 2017 Workshop on Efficiency and Productivity Analysis, Aston Business School, Birmingham.

• 2017 15th International Conference on DEA, Prague.

• 2017 15th European Workshop on Efficiency and Productivity Analysis, London.

• 2016 28th EURO Conference, Poznan.

• 2016 9th North American Productivity Workshop, Quebec City.

• 2016 14th International Conference on DEA, Wuhan.

• 2015 13th International Conference on DEA, Braunschweig.

• 2015 27th EURO Conference, Glasgow.

• 2015 14th European Workshop on Efficiency and Productivity Analysis, Helsinki.

• 2014 OR 2014: International Conference on Operations Research, Aachen, Germany, 

• 2014 20th IFORS Conference, Barcelona, Spain. 

• 2013 12th International Conference on Data Envelopment Analysis, Kuala Lumpur.

• 2013 OR2013: International Conference on Operations Research, Rotterdam.

• 2013 26h EURO-INFORMS Joint International Conference on Operational Research, Rome. 

• 2012 EURO Summer Institute on Cutting and Packing, Porto. 

• 2011 9th International Conference on Data Envelopment Analysis, Thessaloniki. 

• 2010 8th International Conference on Data Envelopment Analysis, Beirut, Lebanon. 

• 2010 3rd International Conference of Iranian Operations Research Society, Tehran.

• 2009 2nd International Conference of Iranian Operations Research Society, Babolsar.

• 2007 1st International Conference of Iranian Operations Research Society, Kish.

• 2007 5th Industrial Engineering Conference, Tehran.

• 2023: Afsharian, M. Bogetoft, P. Limiting Flexibility in Nonparametric Efficiency Evaluations: An ex post k-centroid Clustering Approach. European Journal of Operational Research (In press).

• 2023: Afsharian, M.A Supply Chain Waste Reduction Optimization Model using Beam Search Algorithms for Two-dimensional Cutting Problems with Defects. Supply Chain Analytics, 2, 100006.

• 2023: Afsharian, M. Ahn, H., Thanassoulis, E. Incentivizing Centrally Regulated Units to Improve Performance: Pitfalls and Requirements. Journal of the Operational Research Society. (In press)

• 2022: Afsharian, M. The p-efficient Problem in Location Analytics: Definitions, Formulations, Applications, and Future Research Directions. Healthcare Analytics. 

• 2022: Afsharian, M., Ahn, H., Kamali, S. Performance Analytics in Incentive Regulation: A Literature Review of DEA Publications. Decision Analytics Journal.

• 2021: Afsharian, M. A Frontier-based Facility Location Problem with a Centralized View of Measuring the Performance of the Network. Journal of the Operational Research Society. 72, 1058-1074.

• 2021: Afsharian, M., Ahn, H. Harms, S.G. A Review of DEA Approaches Applying a Common Set of Weights: The Perspective of Centralized Management. European Journal of Operational Research. 294, 3-15.

• 2021: Le, M.H., Afsharian, M., Ahn, H. Inverse Frontier-based Benchmarking for Investigating the Efficiency and Achieving the Targets in the Vietnamese Education System. Omega. 103, 102427.

• 2020: Afsharian, M., Bogetoft, P. Identifying Production Units with Outstanding Performance. European Journal of Operational Research. 287, 1191-1194.

• 2020: Afsharian, M. A Metafrontier-based Yardstick Competition Mechanism for Incentivising Units in Centrally Managed Multi-Group Organisations. Annals of Operations Research. 288, 681-700.

• 2019: Afsharian, M., Ahn, H. Harms, S. G. Performance Comparison of Management Groups under Centralised Management. European Journal of Operational Research. 278, 845-854.

• 2019: Afsharian, M., Ahn, H., Thanassoulis, E. A Frontier-based System of Incentives for Units in Organisations with Varying Degrees of Decentralisation. European Journal of Operational Research. 275, 224-237.

• 2019: Afsharian, M. Ahn, H., Lopes, A., Vilela, B. Pitfalls in Estimating the X-factor: The Case of Energy Transmission Regulation in Brazil. Socio-Economic Planning Sciences. 65, 1-9.

• 2018: Afsharian, M., Ahn, H. Harms, S. G. A Non-convex Meta-Frontier Malmquist Index for Measuring Productivity Over Time. IMA Journal of Management Mathematics. 29, 377-392.

• 2018: Afsharian, M., Podinovski V.V. A Linear Programming Approach to Efficiency Evaluation in Nonconvex Metatechnologies. European Journal of Operational Research. 268, 268-280.

• 2017: Afsharian, M. Metafrontier Efficiency Analysis with Convex and Non-convex Metatechnologies by Stochastic Nonparametric Envelopment of Data. Economics Letters. 160, 1-3.

• 2017: Boloori, F., Afsharian, M. Consistent Proportional Trade-offs in Data Envelopment Analysis. Computers & Industrial Engineering. 113, 445-458.

• 2017: Afsharian, M., Ahn, H. Multi-period Productivity Measurement under Centralized Management with an Empirical Illustration to German Saving Banks. OR Spectrum. 39, 881-911.

• 2017: Afsharian, M., Ahn, H., Thanassoulis, E. A DEA-based Incentives System for Centrally Managed Multi-Unit Organisations. European Journal of Operational Research. 259, 587-598.

• 2016: Afsharian, M., Ahn, H., Neumann, L. Generalized DEA: An Approach for Supporting Input/Output Factor Determination in DEA. Benchmarking: An International Journal. 23, 1892-1909.

• 2016: Boloori, F., Afsharian, M., Pourmahmud, J. Equivalent Multiplier and Envelopment DEA Models for Measuring Efficiency under General Network Structures. Measurement. 80, 259-269.

• 2015: Afsharian, M., Ahn, H. The Overall Malmquist Index: A New Approach for Measuring Productivity Changes Over Time. Annals of Operations Research. 226, 1-27.

• 2015: Afsharian, M., Ahn, H., Alirezaee, M. R. Developing Selective Proportionality on the FDH Models: New Insight on the Proportionality Axiom. International Journal of Information and Decision Sciences. 7, 99-114.

• 2015: Afsharian, M., Kryvko, A., Reichling, P. Efficiency and its Impact on the Performance of European Commercial Banks. International Journal of Operations and Quantitative Management. 21, 241-263.

• 2014: Afsharian, M., Niknejad, A., Wäscher, G. A Heuristic, Dynamic Programming-based Approach for a Two-Dimensional Cutting Problem with Defects. OR Spectrum. 36, 971-999.

• 2014:Afsharian, M., Ahn, H. The Luenberger Indicator and Directions of Measurement: A Bottoms-up Approach with an Empirical Illustration to German Saving Banks. International Journal of Production Research. 52, 6216-6233.

• 2014: Afsharian, M., Ahn, H., Vazquez Novoa, N. Behavioral Performance Evaluation. Encyclopedia of Business Analytics and Optimization. IGI Global, Hershey, 251-264.

• 2012: Afsharian, M., Reichling, P., Alirezaee, M. R. The Master Malmquist Index Measurement Using DEA-based Weighted Average Efficiency. International Journal of Data Analysis Techniques and Strategies. 4, 21-42.

• 2011: Alirezaee, M. R., Afsharian, M. Measuring the Effect of the Rules and Regulations on Global Malmquist Index. International Journal of Operational Research and Information System. 2, 64-78.

• 2010: Alirezaee, M. R., Afsharian, M. Improving Discrimination of DEA Models in Multiple Time Periods Evaluation. International Transaction in Operational Research. 17, 667-679.

• 2007: Alirezaee, M. R., Afsharian, M. Model Improvement for Computational Difficulties of DEA Technique in the Presence of Special DMUs. Applied Mathematics and Computation. 186, 1600-1611.

• 2007: Alirezaee, M. R., Afsharian, M. A Complete Ranking of DMUs Using Restrictions in DEA Models. Applied Mathematics and Computation. 189, 1550-1559.

Other Publications

• 2022: Afsharian, M., Costa, M. (Eds). Performance Analytics in Incentive Regulation. Decision Analytics Journal. DAJOUR 100135.

• 2018: Ahn, H., Afsharian, M., Emrouznejad, A., Banker, R. (Eds). Recent developments on the use of DEA in the Public Sector. Socio-Economic Planning Sciences. 61, 1-3.

• 2016: Emrouznejad, A., Banker, R., Ahn, H., Afsharian, M. Data Envelopment Analysis and its Applications – Proceedings of the 13th International Conference of DEA, 24.-27.08.2015, Braunschweig. (Eds).

• 2013: Afsharian, M. The Two-dimensional, Rectangular, Guillotineable-layout Cutting Problem with Defects. (PhD thesis published as a book), Shaker Verlag, Aachen.

• AIMMS, GAMS    (for the solution of optimization problems)

• XLSTAT, R            (for the application of data science methods)

• QGIS                     (for the view, edit, and analysis of geospatial data)

• DEAOS                 (for the application of benchmarking models, one of the developers, 2006-2013)

• Experience also with C, Python, SPSS, KNIME, QPR-BSC, QPR-BPM.