PhD in Business: Operations Management and Information Systems
For Fall 2027, George Mason University’s Costello College of Business is accepting PhD in Business applications for the Operations Management (OMGT) and Information Systems (IS) concentrations.
This page is designed for prospective doctoral students who want to understand the active recruiting areas, faculty research fit, concentration focus, application expectations, and next steps for the current admissions cycle.
Prepare to conduct doctoral research in operations, supply chain management, information systems, technology, analytics, and organizational decision-making.
Application deadline: January 15, 2027
Learn more about students currently enrolled in Mason's PhD in Business program.
Operations Management (OMGT) Concentration
The Operations Management concentration prepares doctoral students to conduct research on the design, operation, and improvement of business processes for product and service delivery. Students examine how organizations manage systems in manufacturing, service delivery, innovation, supply chains, quality management, and sustainability.
Potential research areas may include sustainable operations, innovative business models, supply chain management, service and retail operations, healthcare operations, platform operations, pricing and revenue management, and new product development and innovation, using analytical modeling and empirical methods.
Applicants interested in this concentration should explain the operational problems they want to study, the methods they hope to develop or apply, and how their research interests align with Costello faculty expertise. Applicants from a range of academic backgrounds, including mathematics, economics, engineering, statistics, and computer science, are welcome.
Information Systems (IS) Concentration
The Information Systems concentration prepares doctoral students to investigate the organizational, technological, and managerial questions arising from the development and use of information systems. Students examine how organizations design, build, implement, secure, and use information systems, and how technologies shape decision-making, work practices, strategy, markets, and organizational performance.
Potential research areas may include digital transformation, information security, platform and digital business models, artificial intelligence, fintech, technology strategy, data-driven organizations, analytics, and interaction between technology, organizations, and people.
To strengthen their motivation statements, applicants interested in this concentration should explain the information systems questions they aspire to study, the research methods they envision using, and how their interests would align with current Costello faculty research.
How to Show Research Fit in Your Application
Because the PhD in Business is a research-intensive program, applicants should use the personal statement to identify their intended concentration, research interests, preparation for doctoral study, and potential faculty fit. Applicants do not need to have a fully developed dissertation topic before applying, but they should be able to describe the types of research questions they want to investigate and why Costello is a good fit for their goals.
Strong applicants often show evidence of analytical preparation, writing ability, research curiosity, methodological readiness, and a clear interest in academic or research-intensive career paths.
Meet the Faculty
Hang Ren
Associate Professor, Information Systems and Operations Management
Education
- PhD - Operations Management, University College London
- B.Sc./ M.Sc. (combined) - Electrical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University
Research Interests
- Healthcare Payment Design
- Sustainable Operations and Business Models
- AI- and Data-Driven Supply Chains
- Operations and Marketing Interface
- Consumer and Employee Behavior in Operations
Mehmet Altug
Associate Professor, Information Systems and Operations Management
Education
- PhD - Decision, Risk and Operations, Columbia University
- M - Phil, Decision, Risk and Operations, Columbia University
- MS - Industrial and Systems Engineering, University of Florida
- BS - Industrial Engineering, Bogazici University
Research Interests
- Pricing and Revenue Management
- Retail Operations
- Supply Chain Management
- Innovative Retail Business Models
- Consumer Return Policies
Ioannis (Yannis) Bellos
Associate Professor, Information Systems and Operations Management
Education
- PhD - Operations Management, Georgia Institute of Technology
- Diploma, Mechanical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Areas of Expertise
- Sustainable Operations
- Service Design and Service Operations
- Innovative Business Models
Shun Ye
Associate Professor in the Information Systems and Operations Management
Education
- PhD - Management Information Systems, University of Maryland, College Park
- MS - Management Science, University of Science and Technology of China
- BE - Computer Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China
- BS - Information Systems, University of Science and Technology of China
Research Interests
- Digital Platforms & Innovations
- Crowdsourcing & the Sharing Economy
- Customer Analytics
- IT-Enabled Transparency
Pallab Sanyal
Professor of Information Systems and Operations Management (ISOM)
Education
- PhD, Information and Decision Sciences, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
- MBA, MIS & Finance, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
- BE, Computer Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur, India
Areas of Expertise
- Electronic Markets
- Information Security
- Crowdsourcing
Brad Greenwood
Professor, Information Systems and Operations Management
Education
- PhD – University of Maryland, College Park
- LLM - George Mason University
- JM - George Mason University
- MBA – University of Notre Dame
- MIT – Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
- BS – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Research Interests
- Consequences of Innovation
- Public and Population Health
- Law and Economics
- Digital Platforms
Application Requirements
Applicants should submit the online application, application fee, college transcripts, personal statement with concentration indication, GMAT or GRE score, three letters of recommendation, and current resume. At least one letter should come from a current or former professor when possible. Interviews are by invitation only. International applicants and applicants with degrees from outside the United States may have additional requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I apply for Fall 2027 admission?
Applicants should apply through George Mason University’s graduate application system.
Which PhD in Business concentrations are open for Fall 2027?
For Fall 2027, George Mason University’s Costello College of Business is accepting PhD in Business applications only for Operations Management and Information Systems.
Can I apply to a different PhD in Business concentration for Fall 2027?
No. For Fall 2027, applications are only being accepted for Operations Management and Information Systems. Prospective students interested in other concentrations should complete the request information form to receive updates about future recruiting cycles.
Why are only two concentrations recruiting for Fall 2027?
The PhD in Business recruits by concentration based on program planning, faculty capacity, and the current admissions cycle. For Fall 2027, the recruiting concentrations are Operations Management and Information Systems.
What is the Fall 2027 application deadline?
The Fall 2027 application deadline is January 15, 2027.
Is the Fall 2027 PhD in Business program full time and on campus?
Yes. The PhD in Business is a full-time, on-campus doctoral program.
Operations Management Concentration
What is the Operations Management PhD concentration?
The Operations Management concentration prepares doctoral students to study operational and managerial challenges using analytical and empirical research approaches.
What research topics can I study in Operations Management?
Potential research areas include sustainable operations, innovative business models, supply chain management, service and retail operations, healthcare operations, platform operations, pricing and revenue management, and new product development and innovation.
Who should apply to the Operations Management concentration?
Applicants interested in studying how organizations design, improve, and manage operational systems may be a strong fit. This concentration may appeal to students interested in supply chains, service delivery, innovation, quality, sustainability, analytics, and operational decision-making.
What should I include in my personal statement for Operations Management?
Applicants should describe the operational problems they want to study, the research methods they hope to develop or apply, and how their interests align with Costello faculty expertise.
Information Systems Concentration
What is the Information Systems PhD concentration?
The Information Systems concentration prepares doctoral students to study organizational, technological, and managerial problems related to designing, building, implementing, securing, and using information systems.
What research topics can I study in Information Systems?
Potential research areas include digital transformation, information security, platform and digital business models, artificial intelligence, fintech, technology strategy, data-driven organizations, analytics, and interaction between technology, organizations, and people.
Who should apply to the Information Systems concentration?
Applicants interested in the relationship between technology, organizations, and decision-making may be a strong fit. This concentration may appeal to students interested in analytics, cybersecurity, digital platforms and digital business models, AI, fintech, technology strategy, technology impact, and organizational use of technology.
What should I include in my personal statement for Information Systems?
Applicants should describe the information systems questions they aspire to study, the research methods they envision to use, and how their interests would align with current Costello faculty research.
Research Fit and Faculty Mentorship
How do I show research fit for the Fall 2027 recruiting concentrations?
Applicants should identify their intended concentration, explain their research interests, describe their academic and methodological preparation, and connect their interests to current faculty expertise in Operations Management or Information Systems.
Do I need a fully developed dissertation topic before applying?
No. Applicants do not need to have a fully developed dissertation topic before applying, but they should be able to explain the types of research questions they want to investigate and why those questions fit the concentration.
Should I review faculty research before applying?
Yes. Applicants should review faculty research areas before applying so they can explain their potential fit with the program, concentration, and faculty mentors.
Should I contact faculty before applying?
Contacting faculty is not required, but it may be helpful if applicants have specific questions about research fit, faculty availability, or current research areas.
Application Requirements
What materials are required to apply for Fall 2027?
Applicants should submit the online application, application fee, college transcripts, personal statement with concentration indication, GMAT or GRE score, three letters of recommendation, and current resume. International applicants and applicants with degrees from outside the United States may have additional requirements.
Should my personal statement name my intended concentration?
Yes. Applicants should clearly identify either Operations Management or Information Systems in the personal statement.
How many letters of recommendation are required?
Three letters of recommendation are required. At least one letter should come from a current or former professor when possible.
Is an interview required for Fall 2027 applicants?
Interviews are by invitation only.