Dr. Yifu Li is an Associate Professor at the School of Management, University of Science and Technology of China. He obtained his Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering and Logistics Management from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in 2018. His research area is behavioral service operation and optimization.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

    Research area: behavioral service operation and optimization

    Research interests: service behavior modeling, service design and optimization, service operations management

    Methodologies: mathematical psychology modeling, combinatorial optimization, game theory 

    Applications: entertainment service (e.g., live streaming shows and video games), training service (e.g., rehabilitation and fitness programs), R&D service (e.g., innovation contest and bidding program), logistic service (e.g., delivery, manufacturing outsourcing)

ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE

    Tenure-track Associate Professor, School of Management, University of Science and Technology of China, 2022-Now

    Assistant Professor, International Business School Suzhou, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, 2020-2022

    Research Fellow, National University of Singapore, 2019-2020

EDUCATION

    Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering and Logistics Management, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 2018

    Visiting Ph.D. Student in Operations Management, Johns Hopkins University, Feb - May 2018 

    B.Eng. in Computer Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, 2013

    B.B.A. in Logistics Management, Dalian University of Technology, 2012

PUBLICATIONS

    1. Li Yifu*, Ryan Christopher Thomas, Sheng Lifei. (2023). Optimal sequencing in single-player games. Management Science 69(10):6057-6075. (UTD-24/A1) 

    2. Li Yifu, Dai Tinglong, Qi Xiangtong. (2022). A theory of interior peaks: Activity sequencing and selection for service design. Manufacturing & Service Operations Management 24(2):993-1001. (UTD-24/A1)

    3. Li Yifu, Zhou Chenhao*, Yuan Peixue, Ngo Thi Tu Anh. (2023). Experience-based territory planning and driver assignment with predicted demand and driver present condition. Transportation Research Part E 171, 103036: 1-20. (ABS-3/ABDC-A*/A3)

    4. Li Yifu*, Qi Xiangtong. (2022). A geometric branch and bound algorithm for the service-bundle design problem. European Journal of Operational Research. 303(3):1044-1056.   (ABS-4/ABDC-A*/A3)

    5. Zhang Xuelan, Lin Jun*, Li Yifu*. (2025). Dual Pricing with Purchase Hassle. Online avaliable. International Journal of Production Economics. 280(2025):109479.  (ABS-3/ABDC-A/B1) 

    6. Bo Hongguang, Zheng Yuangang, Li Yifu*, He Shiqi. (2025). Manufacturing resource outsourcing and matching: Service mode selection and equilibrium evolution. Journal of the Operational Research Society 76(4):772-789.   (ABS-3/ABDC-A/B1) 

    7. Li Yifu, Luo Peng, Zhang Wei*, Fan Xiaowei*, Jie Shuijing. (2024). Performance Enhancement in Two-stage Innovation Contests: Feedback and Elimination Schemes. International Transaction in Operational Research 31: 3061–3089.  (ABS-1/ABDC-B/C1) 

    8. Xun Jiyao, Fan Xiaowei*, Li Yifu#. (2024). Hotspots of New Retailing and New Logistics Research: A Comparison Analysis Based on CiteSpace Knowledge Graphs. Accepted. Journal of University of Science and Technology of China. (D)

WORKING PAPERS

    1. Li Yifu, Ryan Christopher Thomas, Sheng Lifei, Wong Benny. Optimal World Design in Video Games. https://christopher-thomas-ryan.github.io/papers/world-design.pdf

    2. Guo Qiuwei+, Li Yifu*, Liu Lindong, Sheng Lifei. Retention Optimization in Maintenance Training Programs. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4811915 

    3. Liu Xucheng, Liu Lindong, Li Yifu, Li Anran. Sewage Discharging in a Line: Global Optimization and Grand Cooperation. https://arxiv.org/pdf/2309.13300

    4. Jie Shuijing, Li Yifu#, Luo Peng*, Ou Jiaying. Supply Chain Narratives and the Success of Crowdfunding. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5074240 

    5. Jing Fei, Lin Jun*, Li Yifu#, Wen Xin. The effects of long-term technology disruptions in supply chains on firms' technology investment and profit.

    6. Fan Xiaowei+, Jie Shuijing, Li Yifu*, Luo Peng, and Zhang Wei. The design of innovation tournament with registration and invitation expenses. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4941245 

    7. Fan Xiaowei, Xun Jiyao*, Dolega Les, Li Yifu. Metaverse Technology and Retailing: A CiteSpace Bibliometric Analysis.

Note：“*” is for the corresponding author(s), “#” is for the first author(s), “+” is for my student。

GRANTS

    1. Principal investigator, Modeling and scheduling problem of the coproductive service considering customer participation and experience, National Natural Science Foundation of China (Youth Program),  300K RMB, 2023.1-2025.12.

    2. Participant, An Investigation on New Energy Vehicle Battery Resource Scheduling Algorithm and Methodology, Department of Education Anhui Province-The University Synergy Innovation Program of Anhui Province, 260K RMB, 2024.9-2027.8.

    3. Principal investigator, An Investigation of the Innovative Crowdsourcing Contest Design Problem Considering Participation Behaviors, University of Science and Technology of China (Youth  Key Research Program),  300K RMB, 2024.1-2025.12.

    4. Principal investigator, Automatic Cargo Bidding Analysis and Evaluation Model Project, Anhui ANTECH Lixin Engeneering Management Co., Ltd.. 178K RMB, 2024.11-2025.4.

AWARDS

    1. Xiaomi Young Scholar, The Xiaomi Foundation，2023

    2. Honorable Mention, Best Student Paper Competition, The Ninth POMS-HK International Conference 2018

    3. Finalist, The INFORMS 2017 IBM Service Science Best Student Paper Award Competition, INFORMS Service Science Section 2017

    4. Meritorious Winner, Mathematical Contest in Modeling, COMAP 2013

    5. Meritorious Winner, Interdisciplinary Contest in Modeling, COMAP 2011 & 2012