Dr. Wenqing Zhang Academic Photo

Labovitz School of Business and Economics, University of Minnesota Duluth

Dr. Wenqing Zhang

Associate Professor in Operations and Supply Chain Management

IonE Fellow | Inaugural Kjell R. Knudsen Faculty Fellow | Coordinator of Labovitz Leadership Academy

My Focus

My work centers on Prescriptive Analytics and Operations Research to address real-world challenges, particularly in Responsible Operations and Supply Chain Management, and improving access to essential resources for underserved communities.

Current Position

Associate Professor, Operations and Supply Chain Management

Labovitz School of Business and Economics

University of Minnesota Duluth

Education

  • Ph.D., Mgmt Science/Ops Mgmt (McGill University, 2012)
  • M.S., Mgmt Science and Engineering (Nankai University, 2006)
  • B.S., Information Mgmt and IS (Nanchang University, 2003)

Research Themes

  • Responsible Operations & Supply Chain Mgmt
  • Access to Essential Resources for Underserved Communities
  • Prescriptive Analytics, Algorithm Design, and Machine Learning
  • Game Theoretical Models & Simulation
  • Revenue Management & Service Operations

Refereed Publications Timeline

A selection of high-impact journal articles demonstrating my contribution to Operations Research and Supply Chain Management.

ResearchGate Profile Google Scholar

2025

Winning Markets via Live-streams

Yu, J., Wang, L., Zhang, W., & Zhou, C. (2025). "Competitive manufacturers' channel strategies." Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 87, 104391.

2024

Supplier R&D Collaboration Strategy

Yang, J., Zhang, W., & Zhao, X. (2024). "How can suppliers strategically involve downstream manufacturers..." European Journal of Operational Research, 314(1), 122-135.

2023

Dynamic Decisions in Second-Hand Trading

Gu, W., Luo, J., Yu, X., Zhang, W., & Li, B. (2023). "Dynamic decisions between sellers and consumers..." Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, 177, 103257.

Complete List of Refereed Articles

  • Yu, J., Wang, L., Zhang, W., & Zhou, C. (2025). "Winning markets via live-streams: Competitive manufacturers' channel strategies." Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 87, 104391.
  • Yang, J., Zhang, W., & Zhao, X. (2024). "How can suppliers strategically involve downstream manufacturers in research and development collaboration? A knowledge spillover perspective." European Journal of Operational Research, 314(1), 122-135.
  • Gu, W., Luo, J., Yu, X., Zhang, W., & Li, B. (2023). "Dynamic decisions between sellers and consumers in online second-hand trading platforms: Evidence from C2C transactions." Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, 177, 103257.
  • Cai, J., Sun, H., Hu, X., & Zhang, W. (2023). "How reverse information sharing supports pricing and sales effort decisions: Signaling game-based incentive mechanism design." Computers & Industrial Engineering, 177, 108992.
  • Rajaguru, R., Matanda, M. J., & Zhang, W. (2022). "Supply chain finance in enhancing supply-oriented and demand-oriented performance capabilities–moderating role of perceived partner opportunism." Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, 37(11), 2396-2413.
  • Zhang, X., Hou, W., & Zhang, W. (2022). "Simultaneous or sequential? Multihoming launch strategies for mobile applications with consideration of promotion and switching costs." International Journal of Production Research, 60(3), 977-998.
  • Alemu, A., & Zhang, W. (2019). "Is Sino-Africa Bilateral Trade More than Resource Focused? The Rhetoric and the Reality." African and Asian Studies, 18 (4), 362-394.
  • Gu, W., Wei, L., Zhang, W., & Yan, X. (2019). "Evolutionary game analysis of cooperation between natural resource- and energy-intensive companies in reverse logistics operations." International Journal of Production Economics, 218, 159-169.
  • Zhang, W., Padmanabhan, P., Huang, C.-H. (2018). "Firm level offshoring activities, pollution regulation, triple bottom line, and market structure: What do they have in common?" Journal of Cleaner Production, 195, 618–624.
  • Zeng, J., Zhang, W., Matsui, Y., & Zhao, X. (2017). "The Impact of Organizational Context on Hard and Soft Quality Management and Innovation Performance," International Journal of Production Economics 185, 240-251.
  • Qiu C, Zhang, W. (2016). "Managing long queues for holiday sales shopping," Journal of Revenue and Pricing Management. 15(1), 52–65.
  • Zhang, W., Padmanabhan, P., Huang, C. (2015). "Sequential capital investment decision making under extreme cash flow situations: evidence using Monte Carlo simulation." Journal of Business Economics and Management, 16(5), 877–900.
  • Zhang, W., Li, S., Zhang, D., & Hou, W. (2014). "On the impact of advertising initiatives in supply chains." European Journal of Operational Research, 234(1), 99-107.
  • Tamburrini, G. and W. Zhang (2014). "Entrepreneurship in Time of Crisis: The Outsourcing of Services Through Franchise Arrangements in the Italian Food Service Industry." Journal of Foodservice Business Research, 17 (1), 28-47.
  • Huang, C., Padmanabhan, P., & Zhang, W. (2013). "Mitigating the Impact of Managerial Anchoring: The Case for Management by Committee for Major Corporate Financial Decisions." Multinational Finance Journal, 17 (1/2), 1-29.
  • Awan, M. A., Zhang, W. (2013). "Export Marketing Performance (EMP) of Pakistan SMEs impacted by the Internet." GSTF Business Review, 2(3), 174.
  • Tamburrini, G. & Zhang, W. (2012). "Startup Strategies: the (International) Franchisor in the Italian Food Service Industry." Tourism Research, 37 (5), 61-92. (Korean SSCI Journal)
  • Awan, M. A., Khan, H. U., Zhang, W. (2012). "A Comparative Study on Online Service Quality Perception of Two Major Regional Economies. " International Journal of e-Education, e-Business, e-Management and e-Learning, 2(6), 529-533.
  • Li, S., D. Zhang, W. Zhang. (2010). "A Study of Corporate Social Responsibility Activities of 12 Giant Food Companies (1980 – 2008) in Promoting Healthy Food." Obesity Prevention: The Role of Brain and Society on Individual Behavior. Elsevier Inc.

Selected Working Papers

  • "A Monte Carlo Simulation Approach to Measuring the Impact of Decision Maker Behaviors on Supply Chain Resilience."
  • "Equitable Resource Allocation: A Prescriptive Model for Mobile Health Clinics in Rural Settings."

Community-Engaged Research

  • (2025 - ) Cull Cow to Food Shelf: Supply Chain Modeling for Wabasha County.
  • (2024 - 2025) Milkweed Economic Network.
  • (2023 - ) Resilient Roots: Strengthening Food Systems in Indigenous Communities.

Teaching Portfolio

I focus on decision modeling, supply chain strategy, and business analytics across undergraduate and graduate programs.

Optimization and Decision Making

Advanced Elective (Undergraduate)

In-depth study of mathematical programming, optimization theory, and computational techniques for complex decision problems.

Production and Operations Management

Core Course (Undergraduate)

Covers process analysis, capacity planning, quality management, supply chain integration, and operational strategies.

Supply Chain Management

Graduate/Advanced Core

Explores advanced concepts in global sourcing, risk management, sustainability, and competitive supply chain strategy.

Advanced Decision Modeling

Graduate/Advanced Core

Application of complex mathematical and computational models to solve large-scale business problems.

Project Management

Graduate/Advanced Core

Introduces the principles, methods, and tools used to initiate, plan, execute, monitor, and close projects, with emphasis on scope, schedule, cost, risk, team coordination, and stakeholder communication.

International Supply Chains

Faculty-led Study Abroad Program

Hands-on experience analyzing international trade, logistics, and operations through on-site visits and cultural context.

Additional & Previous Course Offerings

  • Decision Making in Operations (Graduate Level)
  • Principles of Management Science (Graduate Level)
  • Project Management (Graduate and Undergraduate Level)
  • Business Decision Analysis (Undergraduate)
  • Mathematics for Business and Economics (Undergraduate)
  • Problem Analysis and Decision Modeling (Undergraduate)
  • Statistics for Business (Undergraduate)
  • Applied Research (Undergraduate)
  • Doing Business in China (Undergraduate)
  • East Meets West: The Dynamics of Business & Economics (Study Abroad Program)
  • Bridging Borders: Exploring International Supply Chain (Study Abroad Program)

Service & Engagement

Contributing to the academic community and key non-profit organizations through various governance, advisory, and outreach roles.

Academic & University Leadership

  • Chair, LSBE Intellectual Contributions and Faculty Development Committee (2018 - 2025)
  • Research, Scholarship & Creative Activities Committee, UMD Faculty Governance (2022 - 2028)
  • Study Abroad Faculty Advisory Committee, UMD (2022 - 2025)
  • Board of College of Service Operations, POMS (2022 - 2024)
  • Sustainability Education Committee, UMD (2022 - )

Community & Outreach

  • Board of Directors, American Indian Community Housing Organization (2025 - Present)
  • Board of Directors, Minnesota Indigenous Business Alliance (2023 - 2025)
  • Board of Directors, True North Goodwill (2022 - Present)
  • Chapter Advisor, Beta Gamma Sigma International Business Honor Society - UMD Chapter (2022 - )

Academic & General Resources

A collection of relevant tools, journals, societies, and learning platforms.

Core Academic Tools & Journals

Learning & Professional Links

Connect with Me

I am available for research collaborations, student advising, and media inquiries.

Contact