Research in the Decision Sciences for the Service Economy

EDSI, a regional subdivision of the Decision Sciences Institute (DSI), is a nonprofit professional organization of European researchers, managers, educators, and students interested in decision-making techniques and processes in private and public organizations. EDSI was founded in August 2009 by approval of the board of DSI under its President, Ram Narasimhan, and President-Elect, G. Keong Leong. EDSI works toward accomplishing DSI's vision of becoming the premier society for decision-making professionals based on the following key principles: Focus on Relevant Academic Research and Knowledge Dissemination EDSI aims to promote research about business decisions in the European context. It endorses research that meets the requirements of academic rigor and business relevance. The institute disseminates research of its members within the academic and the business community by means of publications, conferences, and other services. Target audiences are the academic community--both graduate students and faculty--as well as business practitioners who are interested in cutting-edge research. Use a Multidisciplinary Research Approach For EDSI, business decisions are not restricted to the classical Decision Sciences, but are seen in a wider context, ranging from operations to marketing and finance, as well as other areas. EDSI provides a forum for research that approaches complex business-decision problems with a multidisciplinary perspective, using accepted, rigorous research methodologies. Create a Truly European Network EDSI wants to foster multinational research in Europe, giving the academic community from the Atlantic to the Urals, from the Polar Circle to the Mediterranean, a forum to network and engage in joint research projects. In doing so the network also aims to foster efforts of its members to obtain research funds from national and transnational institutions such as the European Commission. EDSI is also committed to linking the European community to its peers around the globe. Emphasize Teaching and Research EDSI sees excellence in teaching as a key enabler to disseminate its research and have impact in the business community. To achieve this objective, EDSI provides a platform for dissemination of research related to the pedagogical dimension of business-decision problems. Collaborate with Established European Research Networks EDSI defines itself as a complement to established European research networks and, as such, it supports and welcomes collaboration with different organizations. Carmela Di Mauro is Associate Professor of Business and Management Engineering at University of Catania, Italy. After graduating from the University of Catania, she earned a Graduate Diploma from the Johns Hopkins University and a M. Sc. in Project Analysis and Investment at York University in the U.K. She holds a D.Phil. in Economics from the University of York. Her current research focuses on Health Care Management, Organization, Behavioral Operations Management, and Public Procurement. Her recent publications on these topics have appeared in Social Science and Medicine, International Journal of Operations and Production Management, European Journal of Operations Re