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. His research area is behavioral service operation and optimization. His paper has been published in leading journals such as MS, MSOM, POM, EJOR, and TRE.

     Dr. Li does not have any quota nor is eligible for international Master/PhD/Post-Doc supervision during any semester in 2025-2030. Interested international students shall contact another professor for the application.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

    Research area: experience design and service optimization

    Methodologies: mathematical psychology modeling, combinatorial optimization, game theory 

    Research topics:

                                1. Service experience & behavior modeling and big data analysis

                                2. Service scheduling, recommendation, routing, matching and optimization

                                3. Video game design and service gamification applications

ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE

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

EDUCATION

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

    Visiting Ph.D. Student in Operations Management, Johns Hopkins University

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

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

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

    1. Guo Qiuwei+, Li Yifu*, Liu Lindong, Sheng Lifei. (2025). Maximizing Customer Retention in Multisession Training Service: Model and Algorithm. Forthcoming in Production and Operations Management (UTD-24)

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

    3. 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)

    4. 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: Logistics and Transportation Review 71, 103036: 1-20. (ABDC A*)
    5. 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)
    6. Zhong Yi, Li Yifu#, Luo Peng, Jie Shuijing*. (2026). Knowledge sharing in crowdsourcing contests: The impact of reference information on submission quality. Forthcoming in International Journal of Information Management (ABDC-A*)

    7. Bo Hongguang, Zheng Yuangang, Li Yifu*, He Shiqi. (2025). Manufacturing outsourcing via cloud platform: Equilibrium evolution and service mode selection. Journal of Operational Research Society. 76(4):772-789. (ABS3)

    8. Zhang Xuelan, Lin Jun*, Li Yifu#. (2025). Dual pricing with purchase hassle. International Journal of Production Economics 280(2025):109479. (ABS3).

    9. Li Yifu, Luo Peng, Zhang Wei*, and Fan Xiaowei+. (2024). Performance enhancement in two-stage innovation contests: Feedback and elimination schemes. International Transaction in Operational Research 31(2024): 3061–3089. (SSCI, SCI)

    10. Jing Fei, Lin Jun*, Li Yifu#, Wen Xin. (2026) Firms’ Technology Innovation Momentum and Profit Loss under Geopolitical Disruptions in Global Supply Chains. Forthcoming in Journal of Systems Science and Systems Engineering. (SCI)

    11. Li Yifu, Zhang Weiwen, Luo Peng*, Jie Shuijing, Fang Jianxin. (2026) Innovation Tournament Design with Grouping Decisions. Forthcoming in Journal of the Operations Research Society of China. (Chinese Mathematical Society T1 Journal)

    12. Xun Jiyao, Round Griff, Wang Yicheng, Chong Woon Kian*, Liang Weihan, Li Yifu*. (2026). From Interaction to Experience: The Sequential Roles of Rapport and Swift Guanxi in Driving Affective Brand Experience. Forthcoming in Journal of University of Science and Technology of China.

    13. Xun Jiyao, Li Yifu#, Fan Xiaowei*. (2025). Hotspots of new retailing and new logistics research: A comparison analysis based on CiteSpace knowledge graphs. Journal of University of Science and Technology of China. 55: 1-15.

    14. Fan, Xiaowei+, Xun Jiyao, Dolega Les, Li Yifu, and Chong Woon Kian. (2025). Immersive technologies in retailing: a CiteSpace bibliometric analysis. EuroMed Journal of Business, 1-24.

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

GRANTS

    1. Principal investigator, An Investigation of the Digitalized Service Modeling and Scheduling Optimization Methodology Considering the Customer Participation Behaviors, National Natural Science Foundation of China (General Program),  300K RMB, 2023.1-2025.12.    

    2. 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.

    3. 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.

    4. 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.

    5. 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. Mozi Young Scholar, Universtity of Science and Technology of China, 2023

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

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

    5. Excellent Paper, Shanghai Jiaotong University Doctor Student Forum, 2025 (As supervisor)

    6. Meritorious Winner, Mathematical Contest in Modeling, COMAP 2026 (As supervisor)

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

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