Abstract:
Traditionally, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) has been a bastion for human resources and organizational behavior professionals. However, its interplay with operations and supply chain management (OSCM) manifests in several different ways, with some understood but many remaining unexplored. Advancing DEI in OSCM represents a critical endeavor in contemporary business landscapes. C-suite executives, senior managers, policymakers and academic researchers are increasingly delving into this intersection to unearth insights that can drive meaningful change in our society.

Some of the pertinent questions at the juncture of DEI and OSCM include: How can inclusive supplier chains be cultivated to empower marginalized communities, and what are the implications for supply chain resilience and responsiveness? Does inclusive leadership impact supply chain outcomes, and if so, in what ways? How can procurement processes and logistics networks be redesigned to prioritize diversity and equity while maintaining cost-effectiveness and superior quality? This discussion will delve into these inquires, exploring how OSCM professionals can foster more inclusive and equitable supply chains, ultimately benefiting marginalized populations in our society.

About the Speaker:

Dr. Dwaipayan (Dwai) Roy is an assistant professor of business administration at the Darden School of Business, University of Virginia, USA. At Darden, Dr. Roy teaches operations management in the first year core MBA program and a second year elective on strategic sourcing. Prior to joining Darden, Dr. Roy earned his PhD in supply chain and operations management from The Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota, USA. In his research, Dr. Roy studies socially responsible operations with a strong emphasis on examining the issues of diversity and inclusion in operations and supply chain management. This interest is deeply rooted in his personal experiences as a member of a marginalized community in both his home country, India, and his adopted country, USA. This background has resulted in two research streams: (a) investigating supplier diversity initiatives within public procurement settings, and (b) analyzing the influence of inclusive leadership on supply chain outcomes.

Dr. Roy’s research is inherently inter-disciplinary in nature, and it integrates perspectives and contributes to research across operations, public policy and human resources. He regularly engages with industry professionals and policy makers, including those from the US federal government, which underscores the managerial relevance of his research endeavors. His research has been published (or is forthcoming) in peer-reviewed academic journals such as Manufacturing and Service Operations Management, Production and Operations Management, and Data and Policy, and in practitioner outlets like Harvard Business Review.

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