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Harwin de Vries is Associate Professor at the Technology and Operations Management department at RSM. His research focuses on health & humanitarian logistics, with a particular focus on disaster relief logistics and the logistics behind enhancing access to essential medicines and health services in LMICs. Harwin has collaborated closely with more than twenty humanitarian/ health organizations, studying how key decisions in health/ humanitarian supply chains (e.g., location, inventory, routing, planning, allocation, or assignment decisions) affect patients or beneficiaries and how they could be improved. He particularly explores the potential role of data and prescriptive analytics and new business and operating models in the sectors (e.g., service delivery through mobile health units). Harwin's current teaching portfolio includes courses on Health & Humanitarian Logistics (MSc & MBA), Business Analytics (EMBA), and Spreadsheet Modelling (BSc & Pre-MSc). 

Harwin won several prizes with his research, including the 2021 ERIM Award for Outstanding Performance by a Young Researcher and attracted several research grants, including the 2022 NWO VENI grant. Harwin published academic papers in leading scientific journals, including Production and Operations Management, Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, International Journal of Operations & Production Management, Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Omega, PLoS Computational Biology, and European Journal of Operational Research. Several of his research projects have been transformed in teaching cases. Harwin also serves on the board of the POMS College of Humanitarian Operations & Crisis Management (HOCM). 

Before joining RSM, Harwin worked at INSEAD (France) as postdoctoral researcher and manager of the INSEAD Humanitarian Research Group. Harwin holds a PhD degree in Operations Research from the Erasmus University Rotterdam.

Publications

Academic (17)
  • Saïah, F., Vega, D., de Vries, H., & Kembro, J. (2023). Process modularity, supply chain responsiveness, and moderators: The Médecins Sans Frontières response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Production and Operations Management, 32(5), 1490-1511. https://doi.org/10.1111/poms.13696

  • van Oorschot, K. E., Van Wassenhove, L. N., Jahre, M., Selviaridis, K., & de Vries, H. (2022). Drug shortages: A systems view of the current state. Decision Sciences, 53(6), 969-984. https://doi.org/10.1111/deci.12583

  • Frennesson, L., Kembro, J., de Vries, H., Jahre, M., & Van Wassenhove, L. (2022). “International humanitarian organizations’ perspectives on localization efforts”. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 83, Article 103410. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2022.103410

  • Karamshetty, V., de Vries, H., Van Wassenhove, LN., DeWilde, S., Minnaard, W., Ongarora, D., Abuga, K., & Yadav, P. (2022). Inventory Management Practices in Private Healthcare Facilities in Nairobi County. Production and Operations Management, 31(2), 828-846. https://doi.org/10.1111/poms.13445

  • Alban, A., Blaettchen, P., de Vries, H., & Van Wassenhove, L. N. (2021). Resource Allocation with Sigmoidal Demands: Mobile Healthcare Units and Service Adoption. Manufacturing and Service Operations Management. https://doi.org/10.1287/msom.2021.1020

  • de Vries, H., Jahre, M., Selviaridis, K., van Oorschot, K. E., & Van Wassenhove, L. N. (2021). Short of drugs? Call upon operations and supply chain management. International Journal of Operations and Production Management, 41(10), 1569-1578. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOPM-03-2021-0175

  • Vries, H., Klundert, J., & Wagelmans, A. (2021). Toward Elimination of Infectious Diseases with Mobile Screening Teams: HAT in the DRC. Production and Operations Management, 30(10), 3408-3428. https://doi.org/10.1111/poms.13440

  • De Vries, H., Swinkels, L. E., & Van Wassenhove, L. N. (2021). Site Visit Frequency Policies for Mobile Family Planning Services. Production and Operations Management, 30(12), 4522-4540. https://doi.org/10.1111/poms.13484

  • Frennesson, L., Kembro, J., de Vries, H., Van Wassenhove, LN., & Jahre, M. (2020). Localisation of logistics preparedness in international humanitarian organisations. Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management, 11(1), 81-106. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHLSCM-06-2020-0048

  • de Vries, H., Meyer, J., Van Wassenhove, LN., & Von Bernuth, N. (2020). Strategic Challenges as a Learning Vehicle in Executive Education. Journal of Management Education, 18(3), Article 100416. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2020.100416

  • Vries, H., Van de Klundert, JJ., & Wagelmans, A. (2020). The Roadside Healthcare Facility Location Problem: A Managerial Network Design Challenge. Production and Operations Management, 29(5), 1165-1187. https://doi.org/10.1111/poms.13152

  • de Vries, H., & Van Wassenhove, LN. (2019). Do Optimization Models for Humanitarian Operations Need a Paradigm Shift?. Production and Operations Management. Production and Operations Management, 29(1), 55-61. https://doi.org/10.1111/poms.13092

  • Wang, X., Fan, Y., de Vries, H., & Van Wassenhove, LN. (2019). Augmenting fixed framework agreements in humanitarian logistics with a bonus contract. Production and Operations Management, 28(8), 1921-1938. https://doi.org/10.1111/poms.13024

  • de Vries, H., & Duijzer, E. (2017). Incorporating driving range variability in network design for refueling facilities. Omega, 69, 102-114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.omega.2016.08.005

  • de Vries, H., Wagelmans, A., Hasker, E., Lumbala, C., Lutumba, P., de Vlas, S., & van de Klundert, J. (2016). Forecasting Human African Trypanosomiasis Prevalences from Population Screening Data Using Continuous Time Models. PLoS Computational Biology (online), 12(9), Article e1005103. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1005103

  • Nunez Ares, J., de Vries, H., & Huisman, D. (2016). A column generation approach for locating roadside clinics in Africa based upon effectiveness and equity. European Journal of Operational Research, 254, 1002-1016. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2016.04.031

  • de Vries, H., Carrasco-Gallego, R., Yuan-Farenhorst, T., & Dekker, R. (2014). Prioritizing replenishments of the piece picking area. European Journal of Operational Research, 236(1), 126-134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2013.12.045

Popular (1)
  • de Vries, H., Jahre, M., Selviaridis, K., van Oorschot, K. E., & van Wassenhove, LNJL. (2021). A review of scientific and grey literature on medicine shortages and the need for a research agenda in Operations and Supply Chain Management. Unknown.

Internal (1)
  • de Vries, H. (2017). Evidence-Based Optimization in Humanitarian Logistics. [Doctoral Thesis, Erasmus University Rotterdam]. Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam (EUR).

Academic (1)
Academic (1)
Academic (4)
  • Nunez Ares, J., de Vries, H., & Huisman, D. (2015). A Colom Generation Approach for Locating Roadside Clinics in Africa bases on Effectiveness en Equity. (EI report serie EI2015-19 ed.) Econometric Institute. EI report serie Vol. EI2015-19

  • de Vries, H., van de Klundert, J., & Wagelmans, A. (2014). Health Benefits of Roadside Healthcare Services. (EI report reeks EI 2014-01 ed.) Econometric Institute. EI report reeks Vol. EI 2014-01

  • de Vries, H., van de Klundert, J., & Wagelmans, A. (2014). The Roadside Healthcare Facility Location Problem. (EI report serie EI 2014-09 ed.) Econometric Institute. EI report serie Vol. EI 2014-09

  • de Vries, H., Carrasco-Gallego, R., Yuan-Farenhorst, T., & Dekker, R. (2012). Prioritizing Replenishments of the Forward Reserve. (EI report serie EI 2012-06 ed.) Econometric Institute. EI report serie Vol. EI 2012-06

Popular (2)
  • de Vries, H., Meyer, J., Van Wassenhove, LN., & Von Bernuth, N. (2019). Crafting a Successful Executive Education Programme. Web publication/site, The EFMD Business Magazine.

  • Van Wassenhove, LN., & de Vries, H. (2019). What Firms Can Learn From NGOs in Africa. Web publication/site, INSEAD Knowledge.

Courses

Past courses

Health & Humanitarian Logistics

  • Study year: 2023/2024, 2022/2023, 2021/2022, 2020/2021, 2019/2020
  • Code: BMME142
  • Level: Master, Master, Master, Master

OLD STYLE - Research Methods and Skills

  • Study year: 2023/2024, 2022/2023, 2021/2022, 2020/2021
  • Code: BMRM3SCM
  • Level: Master

SCM Honours Class

  • Study year: 2023/2024
  • Code: BMHONSCM
  • Level: Master

Spreadsheet modelling

  • Study year: 2022/2023, 2021/2022, 2020/2021
  • Code: BK1212
  • Level: Bachelor 1

Spreadsheet Modelling

  • Study year: 2022/2023, 2021/2022
  • Code: BPE1105

Spreadsheet Modelling

  • Study year: 2022/2023, 2021/2022
  • Code: BPN1105

Spreadsheet Modelling

  • Study year: 2022/2023, 2021/2022, 2020/2021
  • Code: BT1212
  • Level: Bachelor 1

Spreadsheet modelling

  • Study year: 2020/2021, 2019/2020
  • Code: BK1112
  • Level: Bachelor 1

Spreadsheet Modelling

  • Study year: 2020/2021
  • Code: BP1104
  • ECTS: 3

Spreadsheet Modelling

  • Study year: 2020/2021, 2019/2020
  • Code: BT1112
  • Level: Bachelor 1

ICT

  • Study year: 2019/2020
  • Code: FEB11013
  • Level: Bachelor 1, Bachelor 1, Bachelor 1

ICT (IBEB)

  • Study year: 2019/2020
  • Code: FEB11013X
  • Level: Bachelor 1

Skills 1: IT

  • Study year: 2019/2020
  • Code: BAP065

Combinatorial Optimisation

  • Study year: 2015/2016
  • Code: FEB22002
  • ECTS: 4 Level: Bachelor 2, Pre-master

Combinatorial Optimisation

  • Study year: 2015/2016
  • Code: FEB22002X
  • ECTS: 4 Level: Bachelor 2, Bachelor 3, Pre-master

Introduction to Statistics

  • Study year: 2015/2016
  • Code: FEB21006X
  • ECTS: 4 Level: Bachelor 1, Bachelor 1

Featured in the media

Featured on RSM Discovery

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The latest issue of RSM Discovery magazine highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in supply chain management, as well as the need for timely and reliable availability of components.

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Explore how last-mile distribution strategies impact Covid vaccine uptake. Learn about key factors such as appointment delays, travel time, and decentralisation that influence vaccination rates, based on research from RSM.

Humanitarian logistics

Discover how businesses can enhance supply chain resilience by adopting strategies from humanitarian organisations. Learn valuable lessons on preparedness, risk management, and crisis response to navigate ongoing disruptions and build competitive advantage.