Dr Farhad Shafti
- Senior Lecturer in Management Science and Service Operations (Management)
telephone:
01413302026
email:
[email protected]
Biography
Within Business Studies, Farhad's expertise lies in Management Science (OR) and the analytical thinking that OR provides in the areas of Service Operations Management and Performance Measurement/Management. He has a BSc and MSc in industrial engineering, respectively from the University of Science and Technology and University of Tarbiat Modares in Iran. He holds a PhD in Management Science (OR) from the University of Strathclyde. Farhad has a second PhD in Theology from the University of Edinburgh which extends his expertise beyond Business Studies, while also helping to enhance his thinking in teaching and research in Management by adding synthesis to analysis.
Before joining the Adam Smith Business School, Farhad worked as a lecturer in the Department of Management Science, University of Strathclyde, where he held a variety of academic responsibilities, mostly focusing on teaching and learning excellence. Farhad has extensive experience in designing and delivering classes on service operations, performance measurement, management science, and simulation for both UG and PG levels. He has taught MBA modules in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Switzerland, Greece, Malaysia and Singapore. He has also designed and delivered distance learning teaching modules for postgraduate studies.
Farhad's research concentrates on a number of inter-related areas, including service quality and productivity management, performance measurement and application of OR and qualitative methods in approaching these subjects. He has published papers and been involved in a number of research projects in these areas.
Prior to joining academia, Farhad worked for the National Iranian Productivity Organisation and was Iran’s Liaison Officer for Asian Productivity Organisation.
Research interests
Farhad is a member of the Services and Operations Management research cluster.
Areas of expertise within the subject of Management:
- Management Science - Operational Research (OR)
- Service Operations Management
- Performance Measurement in Services
- Service Productivity and Quality Management
Other areas of expertise:
- Theology and Islamic Studies
Therefore also interested in any research subjects that connect the above two areas!
Grants
- Co-Investigator, ‘Managing the Manage Processes’, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), 2005 – 2008, £372,945
- Team leader: ‘Collaborative study of Service Science’, University of Strathclyde Research Enhancement Scheme, £8000, 2007 - 2008
- Academic member: ‘Funded Project for the Scottish Highlands and Islands Centre for Business Process Outsourcing (CBPO)’ 2006 – 2008
- Co-Investigator, ‘Teaching and learning of performance measurement on MS/OR degrees’, LTSN- Maths, Stats and OR Network, 2000 – 2001, £5000
Supervision
Farhad is interested in supervising works in the following areas:
- Application of non-financial measures, including qualitative methods, in performance measurement and management in services
- Conceptualising productivity and its links with quality in services
- Effect of culture and ethical/religious systems on management and performance
- Application of performance measurement for CSR
- New methods for managing and measuring customer satisfaction
He is also open to proposals on any other areas that fulfill the same interests and aspirations that the above topics cover.
A particular subject for a PhD proposal:
My colleague Dr Farsan Madjdi has developed an interesting research idea that could be pursued as a PhD project. I have agreed to collaborate with him as a co-supervisor if we are successful in recruiting a suitable PhD student, and will contribute aspects of my own research interests where possible.
For this purpose we are keen to recruit a strong, self-funded PhD candidate to pursue the following research idea:
This PhD research project delves into the transformative journey of social media entrepreneurs who transition from passionate enthusiasts to dedicated professionals, building sustainable ventures on YouTube. It contributes to the body of knowledge in this under-researched area by examining how individuals, initially driven by their love for specific interests, gradually harness their passion into a viable digital enterprise. It will explore the strategies they employ to refine content, engage diverse audiences, and navigate the commercial aspects of the platform, understanding what the typical processes, risks, and opportunities are, ultimately shedding light on turning personal interests into professional pursuits. The methodology is based on collecting qualitative data, utilising appropriate analytical and illustrative tools to reach the objectives of the research project. This research project is particularly relevant as it not only offers insights into the evolving nature of digital entrepreneurship as a growing segment of the digital economy but also provides a nuanced understanding of how passion is converted into enduring business success on modern online platforms that contribute to innovation, job creation, and broader economic development.
Note: Please provide your CV, academic transcript, and a proposal that builds on the outlined research and explains how your academic interests align with it.
Current supervision:
- Otepbergen, Aigerim
Employee performance in operations management in higher education: case of Kazakhstan -
Alqorashi, Nada Yosuf S
The Impact of organisational culture on academics' performance measurement system
- Otepbergen, Aigerim
Employee performance in operations management in higher education: case of Kazakhstan
Completed PhD students
- Performance Management for CSR in higher education
- Productivity of Knowledge Workers in the Nigerian Finacial Sector
- Performance Management in Thai R&D Organisations
Teaching
- Service and Operations Management
- Performance Measurement
- (Soft) Operational Research
- Simulation
Additional information
Topics taught before joining the University of Glasgow:
- Operations Management, MBA (Iran, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Switzerland, Greece, Singapore, Malaysia)
- Service Operations and Simulation, MBA elective (Glasgow, Abu Dhabi)
- Service Operations Management, MSc (Campus and Distance Learning)
- Performance Measurement & Management, MSc (Campus and Distance Learning)
- Becoming an Effective Business Analyst, MSc
- Modelling Service operations, Honours Year
- Operations Strategy: Honours Year
- Discrete Event Simulation, MSc (Campus and Distance Learning)
- Introduction to Management Science, 1st Year UG
- Research Methodology, Honours Year
- Management Development Programme, Years 1-3, UG
Professional Development and Training Courses:
- Executive Academy: Leading with Impact, EFMD
- Research Supervision Induction Course, University of Strathclyde
- Teaching, Learning & Assessment in Higher Education Course, University of Strathclyde
- Research Methodology Course, University of Strathclyde
- Asian Productivity Organisation (APO) Observational Study Mission to Japan, Taiwan and Malaysia
