𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟳𝟱𝘁𝗵 𝗕𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗿 𝗞𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗿𝘆𝗻 𝗘. 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗸𝗲

𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗣𝗔𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗦

𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟳𝟱𝘁𝗵 𝗕𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗿 𝗞𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗿𝘆𝗻 𝗘. 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗸𝗲

𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹:
International Journal of Production Research

𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿:
Taylor & Francis Group

𝗠𝗮𝗻𝘂𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲:
31 October 2026

𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲

This Special Issue celebrates the remarkable academic legacy of Professor Kathryn E. Stecke, one of the most influential scholars in production research, flexible manufacturing systems (FMS), supply chain management, and production planning.

Professor Stecke’s pioneering contributions have shaped modern manufacturing and operations management through groundbreaking research on machine loading, production planning, supply chain resilience, flexible manufacturing systems, and the integration of production and marketing decisions. Her work has significantly influenced both academic scholarship and industrial practice across the globe.

The Special Issue seeks high-quality research that builds upon, extends, or reflects on Professor Stecke’s contributions while advancing cutting-edge knowledge in manufacturing, supply chains, production systems, and operations management. Researchers are invited to submit innovative empirical, analytical, simulation-based, conceptual, and case-study research addressing current and emerging challenges in production research.

𝗧𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁

Submissions may address, but are not limited to:

• Flexible Manufacturing Systems (FMS) and production optimization
• Machine grouping, loading policies, and resource allocation strategies
• Production planning and scheduling in flexible manufacturing environments
• Reconfigurable and responsive production systems, including Seru systems
• Supply chain resilience, disruption mitigation, and adaptive ordering policies
• Multi-echelon supply chain design and risk management
• Production and marketing interface research
• Advance selling, pre-order systems, and consumer behavior in operations management
• Lead-time quotation, pricing strategies, and make-to-order systems
• Integration of AI, digital twins, analytics, and Industry 4.0 technologies
• Manufacturing efficiency in automotive, electronics, semiconductor, and related industries
• Comparative studies of traditional and emerging production systems
• Sustainable manufacturing and future production paradigms
• Managerial decision-making for production and supply chain excellence

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀

As manufacturing and supply chains continue to evolve in response to digital transformation, geopolitical uncertainty, sustainability pressures, and market volatility, organizations require innovative solutions that enhance flexibility, resilience, and operational efficiency.

This Special Issue aims to inspire future research directions while honoring Professor Kathryn E. Stecke’s lasting impact on production research. It provides a platform for scholars and practitioners to advance knowledge that supports next-generation manufacturing systems and supply chain innovation.

𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗘𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀

Bernie F. Quiroga (Managing Guest Editor)
West Virginia University, USA

Xuying Zhao
Texas A&M University, USA

Oleg Gusikhin
Ford Motor Company, USA

Andrea Matta
Politecnico di Milano, Italy

Yong Yin
Doshisha Business School, Japan

𝗦𝘂𝗯𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀

• Submission opening date: 1 March 2026
• Full manuscript submission deadline: 31 October 2026
• Research may include empirical studies, analytical models, simulations, conceptual papers, and case studies.
• Manuscripts should align with the International Journal of Production Research author guidelines.
• All submissions will undergo the journal’s standard peer-review process.

𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹

International Journal of Production Research is a leading journal publishing high-quality research in production systems, manufacturing engineering, operations management, supply chain management, industrial systems, and emerging production technologies.

𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗦𝗲𝘁𝘂 𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰𝘀 — 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 & 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

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