Introduction to the special issue on the role of operational research in future epidemics/ pandemics

Reza Zanjirani Farahani; Rubén Ruiz; Luk N Van Wassenhove

doi:10.1016/j.ejor.2022.07.019

Introduction to the special issue on the role of operational research in future epidemics/ pandemics

Eur J Oper Res. 2023 Jan 1;304(1):1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ejor.2022.07.019. Epub 2022 Jul 16.

Authors

Reza Zanjirani Farahani¹, Rubén Ruiz², Luk N Van Wassenhove³

Affiliations

¹ Rennes School of Business, 2 rue Robert d'Arbrissel, Rennes, 35065 France.
² Grupo de Sistemas de Optimización Aplicada, Instituto Tecnológico de Informática, Ciudad Politécnica de la Innovación, Edifico 8 G, Acc. B. Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, València, 46021, Spain.
³ INSEAD Technology and Operations Management Area, Blvd de Constance, Fontainebleau, 77305 France.

Abstract

In this special issue, 23 research papers are published focusing on COVID-19 and operational research solution techniques. First, we detail the process from advertising the call for papers to the point where the best papers are accepted. Then, we provide a summary of each paper focusing on applications, solution techniques and insights for practitioners and policy makers. To provide a holistic view for readers, we have clustered the papers into different groups: transmission, propagation and forecasting, non-pharmaceutical intervention, healthcare network configuration, healthcare resource allocation, hospital operations, vaccine and testing kits, and production and manufacturing. Then, we introduce other possible subjects that can be considered for future research.

Keywords: Epidemic; Operational research; Outbreak; Pandemic; SARS-CoV-2.

Publication types

Editorial