Robert P Swinney

Robert Swinney is the Senior Associate Dean for Executive MBA and Quantitative Management Programs and a professor in the Operations Management area of the Duke University Fuqua School of Business.

His research focuses on strategic problems in operations management, including the impact of strategic consumer behavior on operational decisions, disruption risk in supply chains, social and environmental responsibility, and platform operations.

His work has been published in academic journals such as Management Science, Operations Research, Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, and Marketing Science, and he holds or has held editorial positions at Management Science, Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, and Production & Operations Management.

At Fuqua, he teaches a core course on Technological Transformation of Business as well as an elective on Operations Strategy in the MBA program.

Current Appointments & Affiliations

Professor of Business Administration · 2023 - Present Fuqua School of Business

Senior Associate Dean of Executive MBA and Quantitative Management Programs · 2025 - Present Fuqua School of Business

In the News

Published August 14, 2023

Faster Supply Lines Doesn't Have to Carry Many Environmental Costs

Published January 18, 2023

A Better Revenue Sharing System for Food Delivery Services

Published December 15, 2021

Three Reasons Why Supply Chain Problems May Hold Up Your Holiday Gift

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Recent Publications

Sustainability Implications of Supply Chain Responsiveness

Journal Article Manufacturing and Service Operations Management · November 1, 2023 Problem definition: A critical decision made by firms is whether to adopt a responsive supply chain (prioritizing speed) or an efficient supply chain (prioritizing cost). We consider the environmental implications of this choice, distinguishing between res ... Full text Cite

Designing rewards-based crowdfunding campaigns for strategic (but distracted) contributors

Journal Article Naval Research Logistics · February 1, 2023 In rewards-based crowdfunding, entrepreneurs solicit donations from a large number of individual contributors. If total donations exceed a prespecified funding target, the entrepreneur distributes nonmonetary rewards to contributors; otherwise, their donat ... Full text Cite

Managing Relationships Between Restaurants and Food Delivery Platforms: Conflict, Contracts, and Coordination

Journal Article Management Science · February 1, 2023 Restaurant delivery platforms collect customer orders via the Internet, transmit them to restaurants, and deliver the orders to customers. They provide value to restaurants by expanding their markets, but critics claim they destroy restaurant profits by ta ... Full text Cite

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Education, Training & Certifications

University of Pennsylvania · 2008 Ph.D.

California Institute of Technology · 2002 B.S.

External Links

Personal Page Fuqua Faculty Profile