Decision & Information Sciences

The Department of Decision and Information Sciences at RSM is all about connection. On the one hand, there's the connection between its broad content areas of Business Information Management and Supply Chain Management. Even more important: the connection between theory and business relevance, essential for funding as well as knowledge creation.

Major strength in logistics

"One of our major strengths in research and teaching is that we combine supply chain management with business information management," says Dr. Peter van Baalen, Department Chair. This is apparent in the department's focal areas:  Sustainable Closed Loop Supply Chains, Intelligent Demand and Capacity Management, Smart Business Networks, and Smart Port Networks.  

Bridging science and practice

"Our other great strength is bridging science and practice," he says.  "We work on a lot of externally-funded projects - mostly funded by companies," he says. "That really validates our research." Since the 1970's, the department has been a leader in the field of information science and its application for business - notably for The Netherlands' key economic players and infrastructures, like the Port of Rotterdam and the Dutch railway system. 

Unique Master's opportunities  

Two signature MSc programmes of the department -  Supply Chain Management and Business Information Management -   link students to both research and practice. Working in research teams with academics and PhDs provides RSM Masters students experience with "an interesting mixture of people from business and academia," says Dr. van Baalen. "They become part of a community of thought and practice, and see first-hand how research connects to business - valuable whether they want to go into a firm, or further with PhD or MPhil research." he says.