Stanley Lim
Eli Broad College of Business
Michigan State University
“As one of the best supply chain programs in the country, MSU’s Broad College of Business stands out amongst a plethora of other prestigious universities within the supply chain realm. As a pillar of this program, Professor Stanley Lim exemplifies the excellence that defines Broad. His teaching was unequivocally among the best I experienced—not only delivering complex material with clarity, but also creating a learning environment that pushed students to think critically, collaborate effectively, and achieve results that exceeded expectations. Professor Lim’s ability to challenge and inspire placed him in a league of his own, setting a standard that surpassed even what one might expect from a top-ranked supply chain program.” – Guilherme Osorio
Stanley Lim is an associate professor in the Department of Supply Chain Management and co-director of the Food Access & Supply Chain Technology (FAST) Lab at Michigan State University’s Broad College of Business. His research examines the economics of distribution services and the operational challenges of downstream, or “last-mile,” supply chains across both digital and traditional retail contexts. His work addresses real-world problems in local package delivery, food waste reduction, food rescue, and retail operations.
Stanley’s research has been published in Management Science, Manufacturing & Service Operations Management (M&SOM), Production and Operations Management, Harvard Business Review, and MIT Sloan Management Review. His practice-oriented work has been recognized as a finalist for the INFORMS Daniel H. Wagner Prize and a semi-finalist for the INFORMS Innovative Applications in Analytics Award, and has received grant support from agencies such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
He has earned multiple Best Paper Awards from the Production and Operations Management Society (POMS), Decision Sciences Institute, and INFORMS, along with reviewer honors from Management Science, M&SOM, and Decisions Sciences. In 2025, Stanley received the POMS College of Service Operations Emerging Scholar Award, recognizing early-career scholars with strong potential to become thought leaders in service operations. A dedicated educator, he is a recipient of the Instructor of Excellence Award (2022–2025) from the Broad College of Business.
BACKGROUND
At current institution since what year? 2021
Education: Ph.D. in Supply Chain Management, University of Cambridge; M.C.S. in Data Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Illinois; M.B.A., Warwick Business School; M.Sc. in Industrial & Systems Engineering, National University of Singapore
List of Undergraduate courses you teach: Logistics and Transportation Management, Global Supply Chain Management
TELL US ABOUT LIFE AS A BUSINESS SCHOOL PROFESSOR
I knew I wanted to be a business school professor when … I realized that solving real-world logistics and retail challenges required both analytical rigor and human understanding. During my doctoral studies, I saw how research could improve the movement of food and goods, reduce waste, and better serve communities. The idea that thoughtful operations design can make everyday systems more efficient and equitable convinced me that academia was the right place to make that impact.
What are you currently researching and what is the most significant discovery you’ve made from it? My co-author, Xuanming Su at The Wharton School, and I study how the timing of performance incentives influences worker productivity in last-mile logistics. In a field experiment with a major logistics company, we found that evaluating drivers weekly rather than monthly increased delivery volume by 20% and reduced variability by 23%, with the largest gains among lower performers. Shorter evaluation cycles made bonuses feel more attainable, boosting motivation and efficiency, offering new insights into how firms can design smarter incentive structures.
These findings challenge a conventional view that broader, less frequent evaluations reduce psychological friction and encourage better long-term decision-making. We reconcile this tension by developing a new conceptual framework: while frequent evaluations can heighten short-term loss sensitivity in risky contexts, in high-frequency, task-based settings like last-mile logistics—where outcomes are largely effort-driven—narrow bracketing sharpens focus, enhances goal engagement, and minimizes effort misallocation.
If I weren’t a business school professor, I’d be … a designer of systems, whether in logistics, urban planning, or sustainability, because I’ve always been captivated by how complex systems can be simplified to serve people better. Teaching and research just happen to be the most rewarding way to do that.
What do you think makes you stand out as a professor? my ability to connect academic rigor with real-world relevance. I help students see how data, models, and everyday decisions intersect—whether it’s how groceries reach homes efficiently or how logistics and operations shape social outcomes like food access and waste reduction. I try to make learning both intellectually challenging and personally meaningful.
One word that describes my first time teaching: Humbling
Here’s what I wish someone would’ve told me about being a business school professor: That being a business school professor means balancing three full-time roles (researcher, teacher, and mentor) all at once, and that the most rewarding part often comes from how these roles intersect rather than compete.
Professor I most admire and why: Professor Melvyn Sim at the National University of Singapore: he embodies intellectual rigor, humility, and perseverance. I admire how he approaches complex problems with clarity and ambition, showing what it truly means to aim high and work hard toward meaningful goals. I’ve also been fortunate to learn from many generous mentors (and co-authors) throughout my time at Cambridge University, Arizona State University, the University of San Diego, and Michigan State University—you know who you are. Thank you.
TEACHING BUSINESS SCHOOL STUDENTS
What do you enjoy most about teaching business students? I love showing students how theory meets practice—how data, technology, and human judgment come together in real supply chain decisions. Their “aha” moments keep me inspired.
What is most challenging? Staying continuously inspired and fresh for each new cohort. It’s a good challenge that keeps me learning as much as I teach.
In one word, describe your favorite type of student: Grit
In one word, describe your least favorite type of student: Entitled
When it comes to grading, I think students would describe me as … demanding but fair (I hope?). I recognize effort, not just outcomes.
LIFE OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
What are your hobbies? I enjoy photography, writing, exploring cities through their local food and logistics systems, and experimenting with creative projects that blend art and data, like my recent book: the little handbook of logistics haikus.
How will you spend your summer? I’ll be advancing research projects at the FAST Lab on food logistics and supply chain innovation, mentoring student teams, and finding time to recharge through travel and photography.
Favorite place(s) to vacation: Japan and Switzerland. I admire how both combine precision, reliability, and scenic beauty in everything from transport systems to daily living.
Favorite book(s): The Goal by Eliyahu Goldratt and Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman—both explore how systems and people make decisions under constraints.
What is currently your favorite movie and/or show and what is it about the film or program that you enjoy so much? The Three-Body Problem: I’m fascinated by how it weaves science, strategy, and human behavior into a story about complexity and survival. It’s a brilliant reminder of how systems, whether cosmic or organizational, respond to uncertainty and cooperation.
What is your favorite type of music or artist(s) and why? I enjoy country and classic pop music—artists like Rod Stewart, Lionel Richie, and Toby Keith for their storytelling and timeless melodies.
THOUGHTS AND REFLECTIONS
If I had my way, the business school of the future would have much more of this … hands-on, data-driven learning experiences that connect analytics with purpose, where students solve real problems in food, logistics, and sustainability systems.
In my opinion, companies and organizations today need to do a better job at … using data not just to optimize efficiency, but to design systems that are fair, sustainable, and resilient for people and communities.
I’m grateful for … having the privilege to work at Michigan State University; surrounded by inspiring students and colleagues. Go Green, Go White!
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