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Steven Day 史文博

My name is Dr Steven Day 史文博, Fellow of Higher Education Academy and currently employed as tenured Teaching Fellow in the Warwick Manufacturing Group, University of Warwick, UK.

I am passionate about cutting-edge developments in operations management, marketing, business research methods, and the higher education sector at large.

What I Do

Research

My research interests focus on how production and consumption change due to the development of new sustainability and technology paradigms. These topics I primarily approach from the angle of an operations management researcher, but seek to integrate current advances in strategy and marketing to contribute to shape the future of business and management.

Collaborate

Beyond my work in the university, I also collaborate with researchers and educators engaged in their own projects. Here I lend my own expertise, particularly in the area of (quantitative) research designs, structuring academic work, and academic writing and style.

Teach

In my role as an educator, I empower the future leaders of business to make transdisciplinary decisions underpinned by rigorous thinking and a full consideration of their various stakeholder inside and outside of the organisation. These skills I foster through my engagement in two broad teaching areas - operations management and research methods.

Supervise

As a supervisor of student-led research projects I fulfil a variety of roles. Central to my thinking are the goals of the individual. The opportunity to conduct research at Bachelor and Master level may be used to forge a career path, acquire new skills or answer burning questions. Here I guide and advise my supervisees to enable them to achieve their respective goals.

Research

Research Interests

Research Connecting to Megatrends

On an abstract level, my research must connect to mega trends - a perspective that I have adopted from Professor Stefano Puntoni of the Rotterdam Business School. In my work this is reflected in that I look at sustainability and technology, which are currently two large influences on how operations management and marketing evolve in research and practice. I have therefore published on topics such as closed-loop supply chains, business models enabled by the Internet-of-Things, or the sharing economy. Tying these topics together are Servitisation and service business models - one of the major developments of marketing that has spilled over into operations management research. Apart from this, I am also happy to collaborate with other researchers to publish on other topics, as is evident on my resume, for example on healthcare operations, project management or teaching.

Current Projects

I am working on several different projects right now, mainly using qualitative methods and associated to the research areas mentioned previously. Also, I am working on a quantitative paper on learning styles and game-based teaching methods. Should you be interested in collaborating on research, in particular related to my skills mentioned below, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Research Skills

Quantitative

Concerning quantitative skills, I have experience with different designs based on modelling, regression and experiments. The software I have used includes SPSS to do regressions, t-tests, ANOVA, MANOVA, exploratory factor analysis and factor reduction, Hayes' PROCESS plugins to do moderated mediation, etc. Furthermore, I used AMOS to do confirmatory factor analysis, structural equation modelling with latent factors and composite factors, moderators via multiple group analysis or via simple moderators, as well all associated procedures. Associated to these, I also have knowledge of constructing complex surveys and experimental designs on Qualtrics software.

Qualitative

Looking at qualitative skills, I have significant training in case study methods, including process-tracing, ethnographic case studies, and the embedded unit of analysis case study designs commonly used in operations management. Case study methods are a speciality of Warwick and the UK in general when it comes to management, and I have benefitted from an environment that values case-based research, including workshops in the Warwick Business School led by Professor Chris Voss. Furthermore, I have extensive experience and training in systematic literature reviews, including attendeding a workshop organised by Dr Colin Pilbeam of Cranfield University.

Training

Research Method Workshops

Beyond the longer training seminars and courses I describe below, I also attended various shorter workshops throughout the UK and Europe. These include a doctoral seminar as part of the EurOMA conference in 06/2018 during which doctoral research was discussed by students and professors, software training in SPSS, AMOS and NVivo, research philosophy and logic training workshops in the London School of Economics, case study training in the Warwick Business School and Saïd Business School in the University of Oxford.

Postgraduate Certificate in Social Science Research

As part of my scholarship during my doctoral studies, I also completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Social Science Research organised by the Learning and Development Centre in the University of Warwick from 10/2016 - 10/2017. Its modules were taught to doctoral students from across Warwick's departments, with modules focusing on different research methods, ethics, philosophies, etc. The modules were assessed through exams and assignments.

European Institute for Advanced Studies in Management

The European Institute for Advances Studies in Management (EIASM) is an international research and teaching network headquartered in Brussels, Belgium. I was funded to attend two research methodology seminars, taught by a number of professors from leading business schools throughout Europe. Each seminar lasts for five days and includes discussions and presentations with the participants (about 20 per seminar at a cost of about £1,000 per participant) and is scheduled as part of EAISM's doctoral education network (EDEN). I attended one seminar in 02/2017 on research methodologies in Operations Management, and another in 11/2017 on research methods in Consumer Research. Both seminars were highly informative and I can recommend them whole-heartedly - they aided me tremendously in refining my methodological knowledge.

Teaching

Experience

Teaching Fellow

Shortly after submitting my doctoral thesis for examination, I applied and was employed by WMG, University of Warwick, as a tenured, full-time Teaching Fellow in 06/2019. As part of this position, I continued and expanded my responsibilities for the Logistics and Operations Management and Supply Chain Integration MSc modules, focusing on different operations management and supply chain topics. As part of these modules, I taught about 400 students per year in lectures as well as seminars with a team of colleagues. Furthermore, I was involved in much of the administration to convene these modules, including collating marks, updating online learning materials. I also advised course leaders in the redesign of the MSc in Engineering Business Management and MSc in Supply Chain and Logistics Management based on research I did with current student and alumni, as well as a competitor analysis in the UK. Beyond this, I delivered research methods workshops and lectures to students from across the department, including workshops on various topics (for example how to apply to a PhD programme in the UK).

Associate Teaching Fellow

I began teaching in WMG, University of Warwick, in 02/2017 exactly one year after beginning my doctoral studies. Initially, I assisted part-time in facilitating group-based exercises with MSc students in the Logistics and Operations Management module. This module attracts about 400 MSc students annually, which are taught in lectures and smaller seminar groups. As I was being trained up by more experienced staff, I began assessing student presentations after several months and leading sessions on that module. Other opportunities cropped up across the department, and I contributed similarly to other MSc modules (Product Design and Development Management, Supply Chain Integration). Furthermore, I delivered tutorials and marked exams with BEng students in a Business Management module and assisted in developing and then delivered a serious game for a Logistics module. I also conceptualised and assisted in implementing one-on-one assignment workshops with doctoral students and MSc students, and delivered research methods workshops to MSc students. Throughout this journey until working as tenured Teaching Fellow, I was gradually given more responsibility and progressed in terms of payment, eventually being remunerated similar to external, visiting lecturers in the academic year 2018/2019.

Training

Experience Pathway Training

The experience pathway programme was a formal training programme I attended organised by the Learning and Development Centre by the University of Warwick. It consisted of several workshops and seminars, during which attendants were prepared to apply for Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (HEA). Preparing my application materials took about two months in late 2019 and included writing about 3,000 words reflecting on my adherence to the UK Professional Standard Framework (UKPSF). These reflections were divided into the five areas of activity: designing materials/activities, teaching, assessment, learning environments, and continuing professional development. Furthermore, two letters of support from other Fellows or Senior Fellows were required. My application was successful and I was awarded Fellow of the HEA in 02/2020.

Postgraduate Researchers Who Teach Training

This programme was aimed at doctoral students who wished to gain Associate Fellowship with the Higher Education Academy (HEA). It was organised by the Learning and Development Centre in the University of Warwick and lasted little over six months, and I began in 10/2017 and finished in 05/2018 when I was made an Associate Fellow of the HEA. The programme consisted of four mandatory workshops, four elective workshops, two teaching observations, several letters of support, and a reflective teaching journal and porfolio, all assessed against the UK Professional Standards Framework (UKPSF) for teaching and learning in HE. To participate in the programme, applicants also had to evidence that they were engaged in multiple areas of activity, for example, design of teaching, delivery, assessment, support, and so on. The focus of the programme was on the concept of reflective practice and continuous improvement.

Teaching in HE Introduction

The first formal training I received was in the University of Warwick's Learning and Development Centre in 10/2016. The training consisted of a formal one-day workshop to familiarise doctoral students with all aspects of teaching and learning in HE and was mandatory to assist with any kind of teaching work. It served as a good introduction; I had already attended some other teaching workshops so this one tied previous knowledge together.

Awards and Qualifications

Warwick Award for Teaching Excellence

The Warwick Award for Teaching Excellence is awarded annually to up to ten members of the university who make exceptional contributions to learning and teaching. The award requires several nominations by students who comment on the individual's contribution, departmental support, and, lastly statements by the nominee on his/her teaching practice and philosophy are evaluated by a panel of experts. I was very proud when I was commended with the award as the first Postgraduate researcher of my department since the award's inception in the academic year 2017/2018 (and I have been nominated again in 2019/2020).

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

The Higher Education Academy (HEA) is a British professional membership organisation to promote excellence in the higher education sector, with a focus on teaching and learning. Most universities in the UK require staff with teaching responsibilities to apply for membership to fulfil their duties. This requires attending teaching training, engaging in continuing professional development, evidencing excellent teaching practice, and being assessed against various quality criteria via interviews or exams. I became Associate Fellow of the HEA in 05/2019 and Full Fellow in 02/2020.

Certified Management and Business Educator

The Chartered Association of Business Schools (Chartered ABS) is more commonly known for its academic journal ranking list. However, the association also acts a professional membership, with members with at least three years HE teaching experience committing to undertake 40 hours of continuing professional development per year. I became a member in 04/2020 to benefit from the training opportunities, networking, and the commitment to develop my skills further.

Collaboration

Working together

I am always interested to work with fellow academics of all ranks. My motto is that for things to be exciting to me, they must either benefit my career, teach me something new, or earn money. As long as a collaboration matches any of these goals, I would be happy to engage and lend my expertise. Concerning research, apart from the subject and methodology knowledge evident in my publications, I am especially skilled at writing up and framing research outputs for different audiences. Concerning the latter, I see my specialism in serious games and other engaged approaches, as well as making research methods accessible to students.

Supervision

Supervision of student research

Experience

I began supervising MSc student dissertations in 09/2017 in the second year of my doctoral studies in WMG, University of Warwick. Given that I had completed my own MSc in the same department with a high distinction, I was familiar with the general process and expectations, but was formally trained and mentored by two senior members of the department. Since then, I have supervised multiple students each year on a variety of projects, with some supervisions resulting in conference publications and PhD applications.

My supervision style

I adjust how I supervise to the goal of the student. While I am especially happy to work with students who have ambitions of progressing to doctoral studies and support them in publishing the outputs of their dissertation, any supervision can be satisfying and rewarding. Therefore, I try to find out what the student wants to gain from the project itself, as well as expects of me as a supervisor. If there is a significant gap here, I recommend the student to apply to a different supervisor to avoid issues in the future. Afterwards, I support the student however I can within the constraints of the supervisory and pastoral care role. Most students require more fundamental input in the beginning, especially on identifying relevant literature and justifying a suitable research methodology. A major obstacle for student research is access to valid and ethically collected data, and this is where I spend considerable care to advise the student on suitable data sources. Later, I focus on giving detailed feedback on written drafts to motivate the student to write - another challenge that any researcher faces.

Dissertation topics

Past projects

In the past, I have supervised and second-examined projects on operations management, marketing, project management, and e-business management topics for a variety of different MSc degrees. Because each student and project I supervise is unique, there is a huge diversity in terms of the topics and research methodologies in the projects I have supervised. The following is an indicative and incomplete list:

Future projects

While I am open to suggestions, many students find it easier to work on a topic that is already defined to a greater or lesser degree. I therefore prepare several topics each year that meet the subject criteria of different degree programmes and have a solid data collection strategy in place. When advertising these projects to students, I structure them into a) background of the topic, b) goal of the research, c) benefits to the student, d) recommended methodology, and e) required skills (if any). Should you be interested in having me as your supervisor, please contact me for a current list of topics that I can recommend, or let me know your career goals, interests, and skills.

Contact

Get in Touch

Email

me@stevenday.com

Wechat

Jackil09121989