Jas Kalra

I am an Assistant Professor of Operations Management at Alliance Manchester Business School (Alliance MBS), University of Manchester. Before joining Alliance MBS, I held academic positions at Newcastle University, University College London, University of Bath, and Manchester Metropolitan University. My industry experience includes diverse roles in supply chain, project management, and process improvement across major projects, infrastructure, strategy consulting, banking, electronics manufacturing, and FMCG sectors.

My current obsession is driving innovation, collaboration, and social value in major infrastructure projects and service delivery systems through data-driven supply chain strategies.

My research investigates the mechanisms and process through which firms acquire, implement, and leverage technology, whilst driving social value in inter-organisational service, projects, and supply chain networks. Primarily a qualitative researcher, I draw on variance-based case studies, process studies, and engaged scholarship methodologies to study these organisational and inter-organisational phenomena.

My research has been published in top academic journals in the discipline, including Journal of Operations Management (FT50/ABS 4*), International Journal of Operations & Production Management (ABS 4), Production Planning & Control (ABS 3), Journal of Purchasing and Supply Management (ABS 3), California Management Review Insights (ABS 3), and Supply Chain Management: An International Journal (ABS 3).

I have also published a book chapter in the prestigious Oxford Handbook of Supply Chain Management. Additionally, I have published a range of articles for in practitioner and policy-facing outlets, including, The Conversation, Association for Project Management (APM) Project Journal, and Retail Gazette. I have been invited for interviews and panel discussions by Al Jazeera, Australian Broadcasting Network News, Association for Project Management, ACostE, Institute of Asphalt Technology, Tata Steel, UCL’s Grenfell Inquiry Seminar Series, and Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution.

I serve on the Editorial Review Board for International Journal of Operations & Production Management (IJOPM), and regularly review for top journals such as IJOPM, Supply Chain Management, Production Planning & Control, Journal of Purchasing and Supply Management, and Industrial Marketing Management. I have received awards for my reviewing services by IJOPM and Academy of Management.

My consulting and executive development experience spans organisations such as Arcadis, National Highways, McKinsey, EDF Energy, Hinkley Point C, Mace, Sellafield Limited, Citibank, PZ Cussons, Manchester Airport Group, Exicom Tele-Systems, and Koovs. This industry expertise enriches my teaching across modules in Operations Management, Project Management, Supply Chain Management, and Service Operations, delivered at Executive, MBA, Masters, and undergraduate levels. I have also been invited to guest lecture at University College London, Imperial College London, Bayes Business School (formerly Cass), Alliance Manchester Business School, University of Bath School of Management, Tilburg University, and the University of San Diego.

My research straddles the boundaries of (1) Professional and Technology Service Operations, (2) Strategic Supply Chain and Relationship Management, and (3) Innovation and Project Management. The fundamental question motivating my research is how clients can become better at managing a variety of complex inter-organisational operations. Specifically, I focus on:

1. The acquisition and implementation of technology in service operations and projects
2. Orchestration of social value in inter-organisational project networks

I welcome inquiries from prospective PhD students around my research areas. I expect the candidates to be highly self-motivated, passionate, and interested in conducting impactful, engaged, and empirical research.

I have led courses in Strategic Supply (Chain) Management, Project Management, Service Operations Management, Digital Strategy, and Qualitative Methods. My teaching has been recognised with nominations for several awards, including the UCL Student’s Choice Awards and the Times Higher Education Awards.

Specialising in the Harvard Case Method, I have published multiple case studies on Operations and Supply Chain Strategy in the Case Centre, Ivey Business Publishing, and Harvard Business Review. These cases have been widely taught in the UK and international business schools, and have received award nominations for their impact.