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Hau L. Lee

Hau L. Lee
Professor, Operations, Information & Technology
Contact Info
HauL.Lee
Thoma Professor of Operations, Information and Technology
Director of the Strategies and Leadership in Supply Chains Executive Program

Research Statement

Hau Lee’s research focuses on value chain innovations to develop new business models and networks for value creation through effective management of the value chain. His works spans both global enterprises in developed and emerging countries, as well as entrepreneurs in developing economies.

Research Interests

  • Supply chain management, entrepreneurship, information technology, value chain innovations

Bio

Hau L. Lee is the Thoma Professor of Operations, Information and Technology at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. His areas of specialization include global value chain innovations, supply chain management, global logistics, inventory modeling, and environmental and social responsibility.  He is also the faculty director of the Stanford Institute for Innovations in Developing Economies, and is a co-director of the Stanford Value Chain Innovation Initiative.

Professor Lee has published widely in journals such as Management Science, Operations Research, Harvard Business Review, Sloan Management Review, Supply Chain Management Review, IIE Transactions, and Interfaces, etc. He has served on the editorial boards of many international journals, such as Operations Research, Manufacturing and Service Operations Management, IIE Transactions, Supply Chain Management Review, Sloan Management Review, and the Journal of Production and Operations Management. From 1997-2003, he was the Editor-in-Chief of Management Science.

Professor Lee was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2010. He received the Harold Lardner Prize for International Distinction in Operations Research, Canadian Operations Research Society, 2003. He was elected a Fellow of Manufacturing and Service Operations Management, INFORMS, 2001; Production and Operations Management Society, 2005; and INFORMS, 2005. In 2006, he was President of the Production and Operations Management Society. His article, “The Triple-A Supply Chain,” was the Second Place Winner of the McKinsey Award for the Best Paper in 2004 in the Harvard Business Review. In 2004, his co-authored paper in 1997, “Information Distortion in a Supply Chain: The Bullwhip Effect,” was voted as one of the 10 most influential papers in the history of Management Science.  In 2014, his co-authored paper in 2013, “The Impact of Logistics Performance on Trade,” received the Wickham Skinner Best Paper Award from the Production and Operations Management Society.

Professor Lee has consulted extensively in the public and private sectors. He is a co-founder of DemandTec, which went public in 2007. He is on the board and advisory board of several logistics services and supply chain software companies. He has also given executive training workshops on supply chain management and global logistics in Asia, Europe, and America.

Professor Lee obtained his B.Soc.Sc. degree in Economics and Statistics from the University of Hong Kong in 1974, his M.Sc. degree in Operational Research from the London School of Economics in 1975, and his MS and PhD degrees in Operations Research from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1983.

Academic Degrees

  • PhD, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, 1983
  • MS, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, 1979
  • MSc, London School of Economics, 1975
  • BS, University of Hong Kong, 1974
  • Honorary Doctorate, Erasmus University of Rotterdam, 2008
  • Honorary Doctor of Engineering, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 2006

Academic Appointments

  • At Stanford since 1983
  • Assistant Professor – Professor, Stanford University, 1983-present
  • Lecturer, University of Pennsylvania, 1982-1983
  • Lecturer, University of Hong Kong, 1975-1977

Professional Experience

  • Project Engineer, Hewlett-Packard Company, 1989-1990

Awards and Honors

  • Codirector, Value Chain Innovation Initiative, Stanford GSB, 2015
  • GSB Trust Faculty Fellow for 2014-2015
  • National Academy of Engineering, 2010
  • Fellow, INFORMS, 2005
  • Fellow, Production and Operations Management Society, 2005
  • Fellow, Manufacturing and Service Operations Management, INFORMS, 2001
  • Paper voted as one of ten most influential papers in the history of Management Science, 2004
  • Best Paper Award, Production and Operations Management Society, 2014
  • Distinguished Teaching Award, Stanford GSB, 2007

Publications

Journal Articles

Erica Plambeck, Hau L. Lee, P. Yatsko. Sloan Management Review. December 11, 2012, Vol. 53, Issue 2, Pages 43-52.
Hau L. Lee, Erica Plambeck, P. Yatsko. The European Business Review. May 2012.
Hau L. Lee. Harvard Business Review. October 2004.
Hau L. Lee, V. Padmanabhan, Seungjin Whang. Management Science. April 2004, Vol. 50, Issue 12 Supplement, Pages 1875-1886.
Susan Cohen Kulp, Hau L. Lee, Elie Ofek. Management Science. 2004, Vol. 50, Issue 4, Pages 431-444.
Hau L. Lee, Martin Christopher. International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management. 2004, Vol. 34, Issue 5, Pages 388-396.
Hau L. Lee, Michael Wolfe. Supply Chain Management Review. January 2003, Vol. 7, Issue 3, Pages 12-20.
Hau L. Lee, Seungjin Whang. Management Science. 2002, Vol. 48, Issue 6, Pages 719-731.
Hau L. Lee, Seungjin Whang. Sloan Management Review. 15, 2001.
Hau L. Lee, V. Padmanabhan, Terry A. Taylor, Seungjin Whang. Management Science. 2000, Vol. 46, Issue 4, Pages 467-482.
Corey Billington, Hau L. Lee, Christopher S. Tang. Sloan Management Review. 1998, Vol. 39, Issue 3.
Hau L. Lee, Christopher S. Tang. Management Science. 1998, Vol. 44, Issue 2, Pages 162-172.

Books

Hau L. Lee, Chung-Yee Lee New York: Springer, October 31, 2006.

Working Papers

Courses Taught

Degree Courses

2015-16

This course is about how to use entrepreneurship and innovations in the value chains to create values in developing economies. The course will cover important principles and ways in which the value chains can be re-engineered or new business...

Globalization of businesses has resulted in companies having to manage global networks of suppliers, integrators, contract manufacturers, logistics service providers, distributors, and service support operators in geographically dispersed...

This course addresses how firms should structure and exploit their value chains as a competitive strategy. Structuring the value chain could involve decisions such as vertical integration which requires the firm to acquire key supply or customer...

2014-15

This course is about how to use entrepreneurship and innovations in the value chains to create values in developing economies. The course will cover important principles and ways in which the value chains can be re-engineered or new business...

Globalization of businesses has resulted in companies having to manage global networks of suppliers, integrators, contract manufacturers, logistics service providers, distributors, and service support operators in geographically dispersed...

This course addresses how the increasingly large number of firms that use or provide outsourcing and "offshoring" can create a sustainable competitive advantage. Students who complete the course will have a framework and a set of concepts that...

2013-14

This course focuses on basic managerial issues arising in the operations of both manufacturing and service industries. The objectives of the course are to familiarize students with the problems and issues confronting operations managers and to...

Globalization of businesses has resulted in companies having to manage global networks of suppliers, integrators, contract manufacturers, logistics service providers, distributors, and service support operators in geographically dispersed...

Programs and Non-Degree Courses
  • Strategies and Leadership in Supply Chains focuses on the innovative ways in which organizations can leverage the supply chain to create and capture the most value.
  • The Executive Program for Growing Companies offers a general management curriculum customized for organizations facing the opportunities and challenges of growth.

Stanford Case Studies

Mekelle Farms Poultry Entrepreneurship in Ethiopia | IDE05
Hau Lee, Michael Kennedy, Jonathan Elist2014
McDonald's India: Optimizing the French Fries Supply Chain | GS79
Hau L. Lee, Sonali Rammohan2013
PCH International (B) Supply Chain Solutions Take Off | GS61B
David Hoyt, Hau Lee, Michael Marks2013
Crocs (B): Hitting the Skids | GS57B
David Hoyt, Hau Lee, Michael Marks2011
Crocs (C): Back from the Dead | GS57C
David Hoyt, Hau Lee, Michael Marks2011
Ma Jun and the IPE: Using Information to Improve China's Environment | SI115
Hau Lee, Erica Plambeck, Maria Shao2009
Zappos.com: Developing a Supply Chain to Deliver WOW! | GS65
David Hoyt, Hau Lee, Michael Marks2009
Unsafe For Children: Mattel's Toy Recalls and Supply Chain Management | GS63
David Hoyt, Hau Lee, Mitchell Tseng2008
Unsafe For Children: Mattel's Toy Recalls and Supply Chain Management | GS63
David Hoyt, Hau Lee, Mitchell Tseng2008
Crocs (A): Revolutionizing an Industry's Supply Chain Model For Competitive Advantage | GS57A
Charles Holloway, David Hoyt, Hau Lee, Michael Marks, Amanda Silverman2007
Starbucks Corporation Building a Sustainable Supply Chain | GS54
Stacy Duda, LaShawn James, Hau Lee, Zeryn Mackwani, Raul Munoz, David Volk2007
Evolution of the Xbox Supply Chain | GS49
Charles Holloway, David Hoyt, Hau Lee2006
Netafim: Migrating from Products to Solutions | GS46
Hau Lee, Guy Michlin2006
CEMEX: Transforming a Basic Industry Company | GS33
David Hoyt, Hau Lee2005
Intel Corporation Product Transitions and Demand Generation | GS43
Feryal Erhun, Jay Hopman, Hau Lee, Mary Murphy-Hoye, Paresh Rajwat2005
POSCO: Global Supply Chain Management | GS44
Hau L. Lee, Seungjin Whang, David Hoyt2005
Toyota: Demand Chain Management | GS42
Hau Lee, Barchi Peleg, Seungjin Whang2005
Toyota: Service Chain Management | GS41
Hau Lee, Barchi Peleg, Seungjin Whang2005
OnStar: Connecting To Customers Through Telematics | GS38
Peter Koudal, Hau Lee, Barchi Peleg, Paresh Rajwat, Seungjin Whang2004
General Motors: Building A Digital Loyalty Network Through Demand And Supply Chain Integration | GS29
Peter Koudal, Hau Lee, Barchi Peleg, Paresh Rajwat, Richard Tully2003
Hewlett-Packard DeskJet Printer Supply Chain (A) | GS3A
Laura Kopczak, Hau Lee2001
Lucent Technologies: Provisioning and Postponement | GS02
David Hoyt, Hau Lee, Enrique Tello-Lopez2001
Agile Software - I Want My WebTV! | GS20
M. Johnson, Hau Lee2000
Intuit Inc.: From Products to Services in the Information Age | GS21
Lyn Denend, Charles Holloway, Hau Lee, Terry Taylor2000
Note on Logistics in the Information Age | GS19
Laura Kopczak, Hau Lee, Seungjin Whang2000
Adaptec Inc.: Cross-Enterprise Integration | GS8
Hau Lee, Barchi Peleg1999
E-Greetings Network | GS5
Haim Mendelson, Sengjin Whang, Sunil Kuman, Hau Lee1999
Streamline, Inc.: A Lifestyle Solution Through Information-Smart Logistics | GS16
Hau Lee , Terry Taylor, Seungjin Whang1999
Hewlett-Packard Company: Network Printer Design for Universality | GS4
Toni Cupal, Hau Lee, Steven Plous1996
Tong Yang Cement (A): Logistics and Incentives | GS14A
Seungjin Whang, Hau Lee, G. Schmidt1996
Information Flows in Manufacturing under SAP R/3 | OIT13
Seungjin Whang, Hau Lee1995
Hewlett-Packard: DeskJet Printer Supply Chain (B) | GS3B
Hau Lee, Laura Kopczak1994
Steelmaking at POSCO (1992) | GS17
Hau Lee, Seungjin Whang1992

Stanford University Affiliations

Greater Stanford University

In the Media

New York Times, September 2, 2005
EE Times, November 1, 2004
Adapt Ability
The Manufacturer, June 2003
2003 Pros to Know
iSource, March 2003

Insights by Stanford Business

May 1, 2014
Responsible supply chain practices are associated with lower operating costs and improved overall performance, according to a study by Prof. Hau Lee at the Stanford Value Chain Innovation Initiative.
February 5, 2014
By making key changes to the normal supply chain supporting tourism, a group of researchers look to alleviate rural poverty.
February 3, 2014
Experts on supply chain management and intellectual property outline three ways businesses can safeguard their proprietary information.
September 19, 2013
Can well-managed fleets of vehicles increase health worker productivity?
June 6, 2012
Stanford graduates Daniel Spitzer and Justin Finnegan aim to help Bhutan farmers boost their income by growing hazelnuts.
May 9, 2012
A group of scholars, students, and business and nonprofit leaders say yes, but it requires "a thoughtful, systemic approach."
February 7, 2012
Mountain Hazelnuts of Bhutan aims for a triple bottom line: alleviating poverty, restoration of landscape, and gain for investors.
March 1, 2010
Motorcycles can be a key to effective health care for millions of people across Africa.
April 1, 2008
Companies can make money being socially responsible and environmentally friendly ways, says Professor Hau Lee. It just takes the Triple-A approach.
September 13, 2005
The one-day “Effective Disruption Management” seminar was aimed at improving the effectiveness of major international disaster efforts.
February 1, 2005
How shared information and trust can curb irrational worry and prevent inefficiencies.
November 1, 2000
Successful businesses will be the ones who can adapt to changes from globalization, greater product variation, and shorter production cycles.
March 1, 1999
Research looks at how much supply chain data should be kept secret.
March 1, 1995
How shared sales data, computer-based ordering, consolidating deliveries, and other innovations can benefit all stakeholders.

School News

January 31, 2011
Structured trips provide intellectual and emotional experiences with other cultures for Stanford MBA students learning to lead in a global economy.