
Luk Van Wassenhove
Emeritus Professor of Technology and Operations Management
Biography
Professor Van Wassenhove currently focuses on aligning business models and new technologies with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, e.g. closed-loop supply chains, circular economy, and disaster and health logistics. He recently co-edited special issues on humanitarian operations for the Journal of Operations Management, the Production and Operations Management Journal and the European Journal of Operational Research.
Professor Van Wassenhove is Fellow of the Production and Operations Management Society (POMS 2005). In 2006, he received EURO’s Gold Medal. He is Distinguished Fellow of the Manufacturing and Services Operations Management Society (MSOM 2009), and Honorary Fellow of the European Operations Management Association (EUROMA 2013). In 2018 he was elected Fellow of INFORMS and received an honorary doctorate from the University of Thessaloniki.
At INSEAD Emeritus Professor Van Wassenhove holds the Henry Ford Chair in Manufacturing, as emeritus. He created the INSEAD Social Innovation Center and acted as academic director until 2010. He currently leads INSEAD’s Humanitarian Research Group and its Sustainable Operations Initiative.
Professor Van Wassenhove is Fellow of the Production and Operations Management Society (POMS 2005). In 2006, he received EURO’s Gold Medal. He is Distinguished Fellow of the Manufacturing and Services Operations Management Society (MSOM 2009), and Honorary Fellow of the European Operations Management Association (EUROMA 2013). In 2018 he was elected Fellow of INFORMS and received an honorary doctorate from the University of Thessaloniki.
At INSEAD Emeritus Professor Van Wassenhove holds the Henry Ford Chair in Manufacturing, as emeritus. He created the INSEAD Social Innovation Center and acted as academic director until 2010. He currently leads INSEAD’s Humanitarian Research Group and its Sustainable Operations Initiative.
Latest posts
Planning Matters: Coordination in Humanitarian Relief
I. Parsa, L. Van Wassenhove
In disaster response, humanitarian operations take place under high levels of stress and time pressure. There is no room for bureaucracy and ambiguity.
Can Companies Thrive in Permanent Beta?
Luk Van Wassenhove
When digital service providers come under pressure to put new and innovative services in the market fast, how does it affect the way companies measure service performance?
Humanitarian Versus For-Profit Operations: When Lines Blur
L. Van Wassenhove, I. Parsa, K. Aral
What are the repercussions when humanitarian organisations adopt a commercial structure?
How (Not) to Respond to a Humanitarian Crisis
L. Van Wassenhove, I. Parsa, B. Urlu, K. Aral
Recognising post-disaster realities can enable individuals, media and organisations to help the Turkey-Syria earthquake victims more effectively.
Stakeholder Perspectives on Right-to-Repair Laws
E. Gulserliler, A. Atasu, L. Van Wassenhove
Laws to protect consumers and the environment could be a game-changer for businesses and prompt change in business models.
The Coming of Age of Humanitarian Logistics
Luk Van Wassenhove
We are closer than ever to a holistic supply chain management approach now that the humanitarian sector has recognised the importance of logistics.