Morris A. Cohen

Dr. Cohen’s research interests include analysis of the current drivers of global supply chain sourcing strategy and product-service system modeling with a focus on performance based incentives and buyer-supplier coordination to support a Servicization strategy.  His recent application and consulting work includes development of a machine-learning based methodology to support operations planning decision making.  He has also developed and implemented advanced optimization tools for strategic and tactical planning systems for service supply chains in industries such as Aerospace & Defense, Consumer Electronics, Health Care Technology, Oil and Gas, Automobile, Semiconductor Equipment, Computers, and Telecommunications.  Professor Cohen holds a B.A.Sc. in Engineering Sciences from the University of Toronto, and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Operations Research from Northwestern University.

All Courses

• OIDD2200 - Operations Management Analytic

  This course introduces basic concepts of operations management and application of the same in business practice today. We will examine the theoretical foundations of operations management and how these principles or models can be employed in both tactical and strategic decision making. Topics covered in detail are forecasting techniques, planning under deterministic and uncertain demand, operations planning and scheduling, queuing theory, service operations management, newsvendor models, risk pooling strategies in firms, capacity and revenue management, and supply chain coordination. We will conclude by discussing how supply chains evolve under technological change.

• OIDD3800 - Operations Analytics Practicum

  This course focuses on the management of operations at manufacturing and service facilities located in Israel that are used either by domestic corporations or by multinational companies. The emphasis is on the evolving patterns of operations strategies adopted by firms for producing products, sourcing manufacturing, distributing products, delivering services and managing product design as well as on programs for enhancing quality, productivity and flexibility and managing technology. We will focus on formulation and execution of such strategies for established Israeli multinationals with world class operations and innovative strategies as well as start-ups and smaller companies that are scaling their global supply chain infrastructure to support growth. The course will consist of a set of site visits in Israel during Winter Break that will provide the opportunity to observe company processes directly and in-class sessions which include lectures, case discussions and management speakers who will describe their companies' current strategy. NOTE: THIS COURSE REQUIRES YOU TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION. Enrollment will be limited. Please contact Stacie Anderson at staciea@wharton.upenn.edu for more information. Application available at https://global.upenn.edu/pennabroad/pgs OIDD 1010 is recommended but not required.

• OIDD3990 - Supervised Study

  This course number is currently used for several course types including independent studies, experimental courses and Management & Technology Freshman Seminar. Instructor permission required to enroll in any independent study. Wharton Undergraduate students must also receive approval from the Undergraduate Division to register for independent studies. Section 002 is the Management and Technology Freshman Seminar; instruction permission is not required for this section and is only open to M&T students. For Fall 2020, Section 004 is a new course titled AI, Business, and Society. The course provides a overview of AI and its role in business transformation. The purpose of this course is to improve understanding of AI, discuss the many ways in which AI is being used in the industry, and provide a strategic framework for how to bring AI to the center of digital transformation efforts. In terms of AI overview, we will go over a brief technical overview for students who are not actively immersed in AI (topic covered include Big Data, data warehousing, data-mining, different forms of machine learning, etc). In terms of business applications, we will consider applications of AI in media, Finance, retail, and other industries. Finally, we will consider how AI can be used as a source of competitive advantage. We will conclude with a discussion of ethical challenges and a governance framework for AI. No prior technical background is assumed but some interest in (and exposure to) technology is helpful. Every effort is made to build most of the lectures from the basics.

• OIDD6800 - Ops Strategy Practicum

  This course will focus on the management of operations at manufacturing and service facilities of domestic corporations and foreign multinational companies. Our emphasis will be on the evolving patterns of operations strategies adopted by firms for producing products, sourcing manufacturing, distributing products, delivering services and managing product design as well as on programs for enhancing quality, productivity and flexibility. The course will focus on the formulation and execution of such strategies for a collection of firms in the context of the current dynamics of global competition. The course consists of a set of site visits and in-class sessions which include lectures, case discussions and management speakers who will describe their company's current strategy.

• Plenary Speaker, International Symposium, Japanese Operations Management and Strategy Association, 2019
• Advisory Board, Center for Transportation & Logistics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2019
• Teaching Commitment and Curricular Innovation Award, The Wharton School, 2015
• INFORMS Fellow, Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences, 2013
• Plenary Speaker, German Operations Research Society, 2008
• Inaugural POMS International Distinguished Lectureship Award, 2007
• Tibbets Award, National Science Foundation – SBIR, 2007
• Senior Fellow, Manufacturing and Service Operations Management Society, INFORMS, 2004
• Institute of Industrial Engineers Best Paper Published in IIE Transactions, 1999
• Fellow, International Academy of Management, 1998
• Edelman Prize for best practice in Operations Research (finalist), 1990
• S.J. Hardy Award for Best Paper in Operations Management, Decision Sciences Institute, 1990
• Lauder Institute Prize for Advances in Theory and Practice of International Management, 1989

Knowledge at Wharton

• The Tariff Toolkit: Wharton Professor Shares Essential Strategies for Business Leaders, Knowledge at Wharton - 12/5/2024
• How Will AI Impact the Supply Chain?, Knowledge at Wharton - 4/4/2024
• Will Reshoring Chip Production Help Fix the Supply Chain?, Knowledge at Wharton - 8/22/2022
• Coronavirus and Supply Chain Disruption: What Firms Can Learn, Knowledge at Wharton - 3/17/2020
• What Drives Israel’s Startup Success?, Knowledge at Wharton - 11/19/2018
• Will the New NAFTA Deliver?, Knowledge at Wharton - 10/9/2018
• Want to Avoid a Trade War? Let Firms Do What Comes Naturally, Knowledge at Wharton - 9/17/2018
• The Auto Bailout 10 Years Later: Was It the Right Call?, Knowledge at Wharton - 9/12/2018
• Tariff Troubles: Will Consumers Feel the Pinch?, Knowledge at Wharton - 7/30/2018
• When Will Electric Cars Go Mainstream?, Knowledge at Wharton - 1/6/2017