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Strengthening the Empirical Base of Operations Management

Operations and Information Management Department, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
fisher{at}wharton.upenn.edu

Isuggest that the prospering fields of physics, medicine, and finance illustrate the value of a strong empirical dimension to research that is well integrated with theoretical research. I use empirical research in these fields to formulate a framework for classifying empirical research and illustrate that framework with a few selected examples in operations management. I offer some advice on data sources and approaches to conducting empirical research and suggest ways strengthening empirical research in operations management. This is obviously a partial treatment of a large subject and represents my personal point of view. This paper should encourage comments by others to further develop the topic and to offer alternative points of view.

Key Words: empirical research; econometrics; experiments; case research; data sources
History: Received: December 24, 2005; accepted: February 21, 2007.