Aharon Ben-Tal, a Technion professor, received the 2026 John von Neumann Theory Prize for his groundbreaking research on robust optimization, a framework for making sound decisions under uncertainty. His work has had a lasting impact on the field of operations research and analytics.
James J. Cochran and Enver Yücesan have been awarded the 2026 George E. Kimball Medal for their dedicated service to INFORMS and the operations research profession. The medal recognizes their transformative contributions to expanding access to operations research in developing nations and underserved regions.
The Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS) has elected a new Board of Directors for 2026, including Sheldon H. Jacobson as President-Elect. The new members will take office on January 1, 2027, and join the returning Board members. This election marks a significant milestone for the organization, with ne...
Researchers Vera Traub and Jens Vygen have been recognized for their influential book on the Traveling Salesman Problem, a complex optimization challenge. The book offers a unified approach to multiple variations of the problem, creating a valuable resource for academics, educators, and students.
Ruth J. Williams has enriched the OR/MS community through her research, distinguished professional service, and career-long commitment to mentoring future generations of scholars. Her contributions have extended the reach and impact of operations research into various fields, including telecommunications, manufacturing, and biology.
The Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences has named 12 distinguished leaders as the 2026 class of INFORMS Fellows. These individuals have made pioneering contributions across academia and industry, advancing artificial intelligence, optimization, and decision science. They have tackled consequential problems in ...
A new study suggests that combining human and algorithmic approaches can help the FDA prioritize medical device reviews, reducing recalls and improving efficiency. The system identifies potential safety risks and flags devices that require human expert review, allowing the FDA to focus on the most critical cases.
A new study on pizza delivery found that consumer impatience significantly influences market dynamics, reducing competition and allowing lower-quality providers to survive. Consumer impatience also limits price competition, with a 50% reduction in delivery time worth more than 20% of the order price.
A simple data-driven triage protocol has been developed to identify patients who can safely receive care in a seated treatment area, reducing emergency department length of stay by 11 minutes. The approach uses information already collected during triage and requires no additional staff or resources.
New research suggests dropping standardized testing requirements can expand access to underrepresented groups but worsen academic merit assessments, especially for nontraditional applicants. The study found that removing the test score requirement can have nuanced effects on diversity and merit outcomes.
A new study published in Marketing Science suggests that online reviews can provide valuable information about certain restaurant hygiene problems, such as visible issues like pests and spoiled food. However, these reviews often fail to detect less visible sanitation and safety issues regularly monitored by health inspectors.
A new study finds that counterfeit luxury goods are purchased by both lower- and higher-income consumers, with social and status-related motivations playing a significant role. The research reveals important differences in purchasing habits between the two groups, including a preference for ultra-luxury brands among wealthier consumers.
Researchers found that after five exposures, users' impressions stabilize and shape their response to future information. The study challenges the common assumption that people evaluate information accuracy before forming opinions.
A study of medical residency matching found that unequal outcomes emerge from differences in how applicants seek information, interpret advice, and understand the system. Researchers recommend investing in better explanation, training, and support for users to mitigate inequality.
Microsoft received the 2026 INFORMS Franz Edelman Award for its innovative use of generative AI and advanced analytics in cloud supply chain optimization. The Intelligent Fulfillment Service (IFS) has halved cycle times, generating significant annual savings while mitigating tariff impacts.
INFORMS celebrates the election of John-Paul Clarke and Oleg Gusikhin to the National Academy of Engineering for their pioneering research and transformative contributions to engineering and society. The recognition highlights their outstanding advancements in engineering research, education, and practice.
A recent study found that giving low-wage workers access to their earned wages before payday significantly increases saving behavior, financial monitoring, and long-term planning. The study also identified important environmental factors, such as region and minimum wage, that amplify the benefits of on-demand wage access.
A new study in Management Science found that small operational decisions can increase profits while reducing spoilage. By optimizing product display and discounting strategies, retailers can achieve a rare win-win, benefiting both profitability and sustainability.
A new study published in Information Systems Research finds that when businesses can't silence reviews, consumers tell the truth more honestly and in greater detail. The law increased negative reviews, longer review content, and more detailed criticisms.
Researchers studied 1,163 subjects across 31 queue variations and found that compensation depends on what's ahead, not wait time. The study provides a rigorous baseline for designing future queuing systems.
The six finalists apply advanced analytics to tackle critical challenges in sustainability, supply chain optimization and technology. Their solutions have generated significant value and improved performance across industries.
A new study published in the INFORMS Journal Management Science reveals that combining unisex and gender-specific restrooms can slash wait times and promote true inclusivity. By acknowledging diverse user needs, this approach promotes efficiency and inclusivity simultaneously.
A new study by Di Yuan of Auburn University and co-authors found that equal treatment policies may boost ad platform revenues while improving fairness outcomes. In contrast, an Equal Exposure with Equal Treatment policy can increase competition among advertisers, leading to increased total advertising revenue.
A new study in Marketing Science reveals that gradually releasing TV show episodes leads to higher viewer engagement and substantially higher subscription rates on SVoD platforms. Drip-release strategies keep viewers engaged for weeks, expanding content discovery and strengthening retention.
A new study demonstrates that healthier school schedules are achievable and cost-effective, improving teen well-being and district operations. The interactive analytics model helps districts balance transportation, staffing, and family needs, resulting in savings of over $5 million annually.
New research found that Zestimate boosts efficiency in the residential real estate sector while benefiting lower-income neighborhoods. The algorithm helps alleviate uncertainty about property values, leading to increased buyer surplus and seller profit by an average of 5.94% and 4.36%, respectively.
Researchers found that question-and-answer messaging significantly increased curiosity, topic-specific information seeking, and in some cases promoted healthier behaviors. In controlled experiments with over 49,000 participants, Q&A messages led to increased self-reported adherence to protective health behaviors.
A new peer-reviewed study finds that generic environmental information significantly increases participation in take-back programs, while mentioning profit motives decreases it. Convenient return options also play a crucial role in improving program effectiveness.
A new study found that tourists systematically give restaurants higher online ratings than locals, with a 'tourist bias' that can distort how diners interpret reviews. The researchers analyzed nearly 71,000 restaurant reviews and discovered that consumers were at least 13.4% more likely to leave a higher rating when visiting as tourists.
Researchers from George Washington University and the Meituan Group developed a system to coordinate nighttime transshipment and dynamic pricing, reducing spoilage by 20% and improving profitability. The system transformed perishable inventory from a loss driver to a source of profit and sustainability.
A new study finds that generative AI can help define viable objectives for organizational and policy decision-making, but the overall quality of those objectives falls short without human intervention. The research suggests that AI tools are valuable brainstorming partners, but sound decision analysis still requires a 'human in the loop'.
A new study found that prepopulating e-commerce search bars with trending or personalized keywords increases purchase incidence by 10.4% and overall spending by 8.8%. The research also reveals that these design choices shape the entire online shopping journey, from query to checkout.
Renato D.C. Monteiro has made fundamental contributions to theory in operations research and the management sciences, reshaping optimization and advancing complexity analysis. His work has stood the test of time, impacting fields such as machine learning, control systems, and statistical modeling.
A new study finds that direct-to-consumer advertising for prescription smoking-cessation drugs reduces cigarette use, while OTC nicotine products do not. The research highlights the importance of accessibility and affordability in promoting public health benefits from advertising.
Brian Denton, professor at the University of Michigan, and Les Servi, a six-year member of INFORMS Board of Directors, have been awarded the 2025 George E. Kimball Medal for their exemplary service across various leadership roles. The award recognizes their transformative contributions to operations research and management sciences.
A new study found that safety reviews on Airbnb can reduce bookings and lower nightly prices, but the increased transparency can mitigate this effect. The researchers analyzed 4.8 million guest reviews from five major US cities between 2015 and 2019.
A new study published in Information Systems Research found that emotionally charged social media posts from politicians may not win over followers, especially among diverse audiences. Content with less emotionality tends to yield more engagement with a diverse audience.
A new study published in Management Science found that hiding authors' identities in the peer review process can reduce certain biases, but not eliminate them. The study suggests that both single-blind and double-blind review systems leave room for bias and variability between reviewers.
The Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS) has announced the election results for its Board of Directors. New members will begin their tenure on January 1, 2026.
Anna Nagurney, a trailblazing educator and researcher, is honored with the INFORMS President's Award for her pioneering work in supply chain and transportation networks. Her leadership has inspired future generations of OR/MS leaders and promoted women in the field.
The Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS) has selected 12 distinguished leaders as 2025 INFORMS Fellows, recognizing their outstanding contributions to operations research, analytics, AI, and data science. The 2025 Fellows have advanced breakthroughs in various fields, including artificial intelligence...
A groundbreaking study using machine learning analyzes millions of online ads to uncover patterns linking deceptive job offers to sex trafficking networks. The research reveals a hidden supply chain that can now be exposed and interrupted earlier in the trafficking process.
A study of over 4 million IT job applications reveals that less profitable companies are 22% less likely to interview female applicants after implementing extended paid leave mandates. The research highlights the need for thoughtful policy design that includes cost-sharing mechanisms, gender-neutral benefits and anti-bias safeguards.
A new INFORMS Management Science study reveals AI-powered traffic cameras improve overall road safety by promoting safer driving behavior and reducing accidents. The study estimates that citywide deployment of AI-enabled cameras could prevent approximately 1,190 accidents annually.
A groundbreaking study found that training police officers in procedural justice leads to notable changes in their behavior, including increased patience, neutrality, and transparency. The results suggest that this approach can be a high-impact, low-cost strategy for improving public trust and community relationships.
Researchers found that 'Shall Issue' regulations contribute to a significant increase in handgun purchases, with over 70% driven by repeat gun buyers. In contrast, 'Permitless Carry' policies showed no noticeable effect on gun purchases.
A new study finds that procedural justice training, when supported by leadership, can improve police-community relations. The research conducted in Mexico City showed that such training can reshape how officers engage with the public, leading to increased trust.
A recent study reveals that game developers who adapted quickly to new technology and had a mix of flexibility and expertise were best positioned to succeed. Smaller studios specializing in niche games often stayed loyal to a single console, prioritizing their fanbase over mass-market reach.
A recent study published in Marketing Science found that 95% of influencer posts on Twitter were not disclosed, with undisclosed posts often associated with young brands and large social media followings. The study highlights a potential need for further regulatory scrutiny to ensure transparency in influencer marketing.
Researchers found that ChatGPT makes the same kinds of decision-making mistakes as humans, including biases such as overconfidence and hot-hand fallacy. The study suggests AI needs oversight and ethical guidelines to reduce biases and improve decision-making.