Dr Imran Ishrat
Senior Lecturer and researcher specialising in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management and Industrial Engineering, with a particular research interest in transformative and sustainable supply chains.
Academic Profile
I am a Senior Lecturer with more than 20 years of academic and professional experience across Industrial Engineering, Operations Management and Supply Chain Management.
My academic work combines teaching, research, postgraduate supervision, academic leadership and industry engagement. I am particularly interested in understanding how operational and supply-chain systems can be transformed to deliver stronger economic, environmental and social outcomes.
My current research focuses on transformative supply chains, sustainability, luxury and natural-fibre industries, traceability, emerging technologies and responsible supply-chain governance.
Academic Journey
Industrial Engineering
My professional foundation is in Industrial Engineering, developing an enduring interest in systems thinking, process improvement, quality and operational performance.
Operations Management
This foundation developed into a broader focus on Operations Management, examining how organisations design, manage and improve their operational systems.
Supply Chain Management
My research and teaching subsequently expanded towards supply-chain management and the interrelationships between organisations, processes, technologies and markets.
Sustainable Transformation
More recently, my work has increasingly focused on sustainability and transformation, examining how supply chains can create broader economic, social, environmental and cultural value.
Doctoral Research
I completed my PhD at Massey University, where my doctoral research examined the effects of industry changes on quality and sustainability in luxury apparel value chains, with particular focus on the cashmere industry in India.
PhD Research
Effect of Industry Changes on Quality and Sustainability in the Luxury Apparel Value Chains: The Case of the Cashmere Industry in India
The research examined the interaction between industry transformation, supply-chain practices, quality, sustainability and the communities involved in cashmere production.
The doctoral thesis received recognition as an Exceptional Doctoral Thesis and was included on the Dean's List at Massey University.
Academic Leadership
In my current academic role, I contribute to teaching, research leadership, postgraduate education and programme development within business and management education.
Research Leadership
Leading and supporting research activity, research planning, research outputs and research development within the department.
Postgraduate Education
Teaching and supervising postgraduate students across management, operations and research methods.
Programme Development
Contributing to postgraduate programme development, curriculum design, course leadership and academic quality processes.
Academic Service
Contributing to academic committees, moderation, programme evaluation, research activities and institutional academic initiatives.
Teaching
My teaching interests include Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Project Management, Research Methods and related areas of business and management.
I emphasise applied and problem-based learning, collaborative learning and the integration of industry-relevant examples and analytical approaches into teaching.
Explore teaching and supervision →Research Identity
From Efficiency to Transformation
My academic journey has progressively moved from Industrial Engineering and operational efficiency towards a broader understanding of how supply chains can contribute to sustainability, resilience, inclusion and transformation.
This trajectory now informs my research programme in transformative supply chains, with cashmere and other luxury natural-fibre supply chains providing an important context for investigating these challenges.
Academic Book
Introduction to Aviation Operations Management
Academic book published by CRC Press in 2023, examining operational management principles within the aviation sector.
Research & Practice
My broader work connects academic research with practical supply-chain, operations and sustainability challenges.
Academic Collaboration
I welcome opportunities for international research collaboration, postgraduate research engagement, invited seminars and interdisciplinary projects in supply chains, sustainability, luxury natural fibres and related areas.
Get in touch →