The 21st century has witnessed an extraordinary technological boom. Over the past decade, advancements in information technology have empowered firms in hospitality industries to develop more flexible ways to sell their resources. More recently, the mobile internet technology has given rise to a new business model known as the gig economy, which has profoundly changed the way we travel, commute, dine, and work. Currently, disruptive technologies such as blockchain are further transforming how firms collaborate, contract, and share data with each other. These technological breakthroughs present novel challenges for researchers in the field of operations management (OM) to explore.

My research interests center around operational innovation, specifically examining how new technologies can be leveraged to develop novel operations strategies. Over the years, my research has evolved with the technological advancements in the industry, leading to the formation of three streams: 1) supply chain innovation with new technologies, 2) operational innovation in the gig economy, and 3) pricing innovation in hospitality industries. My overarching goal is to contribute to the field by pioneering new areas and expanding the frontier of OM research. I believe that the most effective approach to achieve this is by adopting a practice-driven philosophy that identifies novel research questions from the most up-to-date industry practices.

Supply Chain Innovation with New Technologies

• Cui, Y., V. Gaur, J. Liu. 2023. Supply chain transparency and blockchain design. Management Science (forthcoming).

• Cui, Y., M. Hu, J. Liu. 2023. Value and design of traceability-driven blockchains. Manufacturing & Service Operations Management 25(3): 1099-1116. [E-Companion]

• Cui, Y., V. Gaur. 2023. Supply chain transparency using blockchain: Benefits, challenges, and examples. In R. Merkert, K. Hoberg (Eds), Global Logistics and Supply Chain Strategies for the 2020s: Vital Skills for the Next Generation (pp. 307-326), Springer Series in Supply Chain Management.

• Cui, Y., M. Hu, J. Liu. 2022. Impact of blockchain-driven accountability in multi-sourcing supply chains. In V. Babich, J.R. Birge, G. Hilary (Eds), Innovative Technology at the Interface of Finance and Operations (pp. 73-96), Springer Series in Supply Chain Management.

• Chen, L., Y. Cui, H.L. Lee. 2021. Retailing with 3D printing. Production and Operations Management 30(7): 1986-2007.

• Chen, L., Y. Cui, H.L. Lee. 2020. On-demand customization and channel strategies. In S. Ray, S. Yin (Eds), Channel Strategies and Marketing Mix in a Connected World (pp. 165-192), Springer Series in Supply Chain Management.

Operational Innovation in the Gig Economy

• Lee, W.K., Y. Cui. 2024. Should gig platforms decentralize dispute resolution? Manufacturing & Service Operations Management 26(2): 519-536. [E-Companion]

• Cui, Y., A.M. Davis. 2022. Tax-induced inequalities in the sharing economy. Management Science 68(10): 7202-7220.

• Cui, Y., Z. Jiang, Q. Li. 2023. Unlocking the value of real-time AI assistance: Who benefits, and why?

• Chen, L., Y. Cui, J. Liu, X. Liu. 2023. Bonus competition in the gig economy.

• Cui, Y., A.Y. Orhun, M. Hu. 2020. Shared lodging and customer preference: Theory and empirical evidence from Airbnb.

• Lee, W.K., Y. Cui, K. Girotra. 2023. Do predictive scheduling laws work?

• Lee, W.K., Y. Cui, Q. Li. 2023. Freelancers or employees? A field experiment with a food-delivery platform.

• Cui, Y., J. Liu. 2023. Resale with non-fungible tokens.

Pricing Innovation in Hospitality Industries

• Cui, Y., A.Y. Orhun, I. Duenyas. 2019. How price dispersion changes when upgrades are introduced: Theory and empirical evidence from the airline industry. Management Science 65(8): 3835-3852.

• Cui, Y., I. Duenyas, O. Sahin. 2018. Unbundling of ancillary service: How does price discrimination of main service matter? Manufacturing & Service Operations Management 20(3): 455-466.

• Cui, Y., I. Duenyas, O. Sahin. 2018. Pricing of conditional upgrades in the presence of strategic consumers. Management Science 64(7): 3208-3226.

• Cui, Y., I. Duenyas, O. Sahin. 2014. Should event organizers prevent resale of tickets? Management Science 60(9): 2160-2179.

• Arslan, H.A., Y. Cui, O. Yilmaz. 2023. The impact of exchangeable sports tickets on customer purchasing behavior.