12th Annual Behavioral Operations Conference, 2017

BOC Banner Massachusetts Institute of Technology

About BOC

The Sloan School of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is proud to host the 12th annual Behavioral Operations Conference in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on July 12-14, 2017. The conference will begin with a one-day Young Scholars Workshop on Wednesday, July 12, 2017, and the main conference will be held on Thursday and Friday, July 13-14, 2017.

The goal of the conference is to bring together researchers with a common interest in the intersection of human behavior and operations, with the aim of sharing current work, fostering research development and developing relationships among scholars in the field.

We look forward to seeing you at MIT!

Contact

Please contact Karen Zheng with any questions or inquiries.

Past Conferences

Young Scholars Workshop

The Young Scholar’s Workshop is open to all interested conference participants. It is designed to be especially useful for PhD students and faculty new to Behavioral Operations. Experienced scholars are also encouraged to attend to help build community and to provide constructive feedback.

In addition to focused discussion groups on early- and mid-stage research, Kyle Hyndman, Associate Professor of Finance and Managerial Economics, from the Naveen Jindal School of Management at the University of Texas at Dallas, will give a tutorial on “The Econometrics of Experiments.”

The tutorial is based on a chapter of the same title in the forthcoming Handbook of Behavioral Operations Management. Kyle will discuss the basics of experimental design, with an eye to subsequent data analysis. He will introduce various techniques for analyzing data, from classical hypothesis testing, to regression methods and structural econometric modeling. The goal of the tutorial is to introduce the most important tools and techniques used in experimental research and to highlight current best- practices, some common pitfalls, and ongoing methodological debates.

Young Scholar’s Workshop Schedule

Conference Schedule

Main Conference Schedule

The main conference will be held on Thursday and Friday, July 13-14th. Presentations are held in a single-track in Room 345, Building E51 (Tang Center). Please see the registration page for submission instructions. The conference dinner will be on Thursday at the Samberg Conference Center, located at Building E52 (Morris and Sophie Chang Building), 7th floor.

This year, our keynote speaker is John D. Sterman, the Jay W. Forrester Professor of Management at the MIT Sloan School of Management. He is also the Director of the MIT System Dynamics Group and the MIT Sloan Sustainability Initiative.

Professor Sterman’s research centers on improving decision-making in complex systems, including corporate strategy and operations, energy policy, public health, environmental sustainability, and climate change. It ranges from the dynamics of organizational change and the implementation of sustainable improvement programs to climate change and the implementation of policies to promote a sustainable world. His research also includes systems thinking and organizational learning, computer simulation of corporate strategy and public policy issues, and environmental sustainability. Professor Sterman pioneered the development of “management flight simulators” of corporate and economic systems which are now used by corporations, universities, and governments around the world. One of these is the Beer Game, a building block of the behavioral operations field.

Professor Sterman is the author of many scholarly and popular articles on the challenges and opportunities facing organizations today, including the book, Modeling for Organizational Learning, and the award-winning textbook, Business Dynamics: Systems Thinking and Modeling for a Complex World.

Professor Sterman has been recognized for his work with an honorary doctorate from the Università della Svizzera italiana, Switzerland. He has twice been awarded the Jay W. Forrester Prize for the best published work in system dynamics; has won an IBM Faculty Award as well as the Accenture Award for the best paper of the year published in the California Management Review; has seven times won awards for teaching excellence; and was named one of MIT Sloan’s “Outstanding Faculty” by the BusinessWeek Guide to the Best Business Schools. His research has been featured in media around the world including the New York Times, the Boston Globe, Public Television’s News Hour, National Public Radio’s Marketplace, WGBH, and other media for his innovative use of interactive simulations in management education and policymaking, particularly climate change and energy policy.

Professor Sterman holds an AB in engineering and environmental systems from Dartmouth College and a PhD in system dynamics from MIT.

Travel and Area Information

Air Travel

There is one airport located in Boston, and several nearby that have buses or trains that travel to Boston.

Logan Airport
- You will need to utilize taxi, subway (Silver Line) or shuttle service (if provided by hotel) to travel between airport and downtown.
Worcester Airport
- You will need to utilize taxi, buses, or MBTA Commuter Rail to downtown Boston (Check Ground Transportation Options on massport.com.)
Manchester-Boston Regional Airport
- You will need to utilize taxi or shuttle service.

NYC and its airports are accessible through Amtrak.

Need a Ride?

Hotel Shuttles: Many hotels offer complimentary shuttle transportation. For more information, inquire directly with the hotel at the time of reservation.

Bus or T : Check the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.

Uber: Boston has UberX and UberPool. Download the app to use this as a transportation option.

Taxi:

Metro Cab : 617-782-5500
Boston Cab: 617-536-5010

Boston Cab Association: 617-536-3200
Top Cab: 617-536-5100

Area info: Downtown Boston

Boston is the capital and largest city of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This unique shopping, dining, entertainment and business district is home to hundreds of shops, boutiques, galleries, restaurants, pubs and taverns, many locally owned, plus museums and cultural destinations.

City of Boston: Visiting Boston Guide
Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau
Visit Boston

MIT Sloan School of Management

The MIT Sloan School of Management, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is one of the world’s leading business schools. MIT Sloan is devoted to its mission: to develop principled, innovative leaders who improve the world and to generate ideas that advance management practice..

MIT Sloan has a rich history of global engagement, with a global footprint that today spans seven major international regions. Our global reach reflects the school’s emphasis on learning by doing and innovation through collaboration. The breadth and depth of these relationships range from formal partner programs with academic and research institutions in key regions around the world, to academic and industry conferences, Action Learning projects, and other ventures that facilitate cross-cultural exposure and idea sharing. MIT Sloan draws on its international convening power to bring thought leaders together to affect global management practices and improve the world.

Hotel Information

A limited number of rooms have been reserved with a conference rate at the Boston Marriott Cambridge. This is the closest hotel and within walking distance of the Sloan School of Management. Other hotels nearby are: The Kendall Hotel, The Windsor Inn, Hyatt Regency Cambridge, and Residence Inn Marriott.

AirBnB is also popular in Boston and will offer a variety of accommodations at much more affordable rates than local hotels.

Boston Marriott Cambridge

50 Broadway
Cambridge, MA 02142
(617) 494-6600

An exceptional hotel stay awaits you at the Boston Marriott Cambridge. Perfectly placed in Cambridge’s vibrant Kendall Square, just minutes from MIT, Harvard University and many top landmarks in Boston, our hotel provides homelike comforts for business and leisure travelers alike. Relax after a day of exploration in your spacious, thoughtfully appointed hotel room; each one provides a flat-screen TV, designer bedding, high-speed Wi-Fi access and a well-lit work desk. Satisfy your cravings with first-rate dining at our hotel restaurant, stay in shape on your own schedule at our 24-hour fitness center or take a swim in our indoor pool. Treat yourself to a memorable experience at the Boston Marriott Cambridge.

Reservation Information:

To Reserve: Call (617) 494-6600 and mention MIT Behavior Operations Conference or ask for MIT Rates
Rate: $315/Night
Must Reserve By: June 24, 2017
Cancellation Policy:3 p.m. prior to day of arrival/ 24 hours in advance.
Check-in: 4 p.m.
Checkout: Noon
Distance to Conference: 0.4 miles
Parking:Valet Parking $47/day

Kendall Hotel

350 Main Street
Cambridge MA 02142
(866) 566-1300

Enjoy the proximity of this Cambridge Hotel located across the street from the Boston Marriott Cambridge and only minutes away from MIT Sloan

Reservation Information:

To Reserve:Call (866) 566-1300 or visit website
Cancellation Policy: 24 hours in advance
Check-in: 3 p.m.
Checkout: 11 a.m.
Distance to Conference: 0.4 miles

Residence Inn Marriott

120 Broadway, Six Cambridge Center
Cambridge MA 02142
(617) 349-0700

Rest and relax in spacious suites featuring high-tech amenities and a host of free perks when you book a stay at Residence Inn Boston Cambridge. Enjoy the East Coast ambiance from our modern extended-stay hotel and explore the area in style. From the local eateries and shops of Kendall Square to the campuses of surrounding colleges and nearby Fenway Park, our pet-friendly hotel situates you in the heart of it all. After an exciting day of adventure, retreat to your suite with 50 percent more space than traditional hotel rooms plus a fully equipped kitchen. Be sure to connect to our free high-speed Wi-Fi and share photos of your getaway. A good night’s rest awaits in a modern bedroom featuring cotton-rich linens and plush pillows. Wake up in the morning to our complimentary breakfast buffet. In downtime, head to our refreshing indoor pool or hit the 24-hour fitness center with cardio equipment and free weights. Residence Inn Boston Cambridge welcomes you to the City on a Hill.

Reservation Information:

To Reserve: Call (617) 349-0700 or visit website
Check-in: 4 p.m.
Checkout: Noon
Distance to Conference: 0.5 miles
Parking: Off-site parking $40/day

Hyatt Regency Cambridge

575 Memorial Drive
Cambridge MA 02139
(617) 492-1234

Situated along the scenic Charles River, our contemporary hotel in Cambridge, MA offers one of the most impressive meeting venues in the area. Featuring over 25,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, Hyatt Regency Cambridge, Overlooking Boston is the perfect place for hosting a conference, wedding, meeting or event that you want to make special. Business travelers will enjoy state-of-the-art meeting facilities, a 24-hour business center and easy access to downtown Boston, major highways, Logan Airport and The Hynes and BCEC Convention Centers.

Reservation Information:

To Reserve:
- Online: Call (617) 492-1234 or visit website
- Check-in:4 p.m.
- Checkout:Noon
- Distance to Conference: 1.4 miles

The Windsor Inn

87 Windsor Street
Cambridge MA 02139
(617) 901-5159

Reservation Information:

To Reserve:
- Online: (617) 901-5159
- Cancellation Policy:Varies according to room type
- Check-in:3 p.m.
- Checkout:Noon
- Distance to Conference: 0.8 miles