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Professor Pervaiz Akhtar

Professor Pervaiz Akhtar
Professor Pervaiz Akhtar
Professor Pervaiz Akhtar

Chair in Business Analytics, Big Data & Supply Chains |PhD and MSc (Supply Chain/ Logistics/Operations), MSc (Business Analytics), MBA, BSc and FSc (Mathematics, Statistics, and Computing), PCAP (Education) & UK HE Senior Fellow

Personal Chair

About
Email Address
pervaiz.akhtar@abdn.ac.uk
Office Address

University of Aberdeen Business School

MacRobert Building

King's College

Aberdeen AB24 5UA

School/Department
Business School
Google Scholar

Biography

Introduction and Expertise

Professor Dr. Pervaiz Akhtar serves as the Chair (Full Professor) of Business Analytics, Big Data, and Supply Chains at the University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom (UK). Professor Akhtar upholds the philosophy of lifelong learning, having graduated from Imperial College London. This principle is central to his expertise in Data Science, Modelling, Machine Learning, Business Analytics, Digital Transformation, and Artificial Intelligence, as well as their innovative applications in Supply Chains, Logistics, and various business operations, aimed at enhancing Social, Operational, and Environmental Performance through the adoption of the Circular Economy and the implementation of Net-Zero strategies. Professor Akhtar frequently delivers keynotes at national and international events and welcomes invitations aligned with his expertise.

PhD students seeking supervision and possessing relevant qualifications and skills are encouraged to apply.

Experience and Leadership Roles

Professor Akhtar leverages over 20 years of international experience in academia, consulting, and industry, working with renowned public, private, and non-profit organizations (e.g., UNICEF, JCCP, Oxfam, MSF, Islamic Relief, Red Cross, Unilever, and Reckitt Benckiser). His previous leadership roles encompass Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, Director of MBA Programs, Director of Data, Analytics, and Digital Integrations, Deputising Dean/Head of Department, Divisional Director of Research, MSc and BSc Program Director, Visiting Professorships and Member of Executive Committees. He has supervised more than 50 research students, including PhDs.

With more than 7 years in industry, he held positions such as Market Expert in Logistics/Supply Chains and Data Science/Analytics, Logistics and Project Manager, and Transportation and Distribution Manager. His dual industrial and academic experience helps him bridge the gap between industry requirements and academic practices.

Prizes and Awards

Key Achievements:

Professor Akhtar’s achievements have set records: he became the youngest professor in 2018 from his country of origin, achieving three consecutive promotions within the same university—a historical record there—along with a professorship offer from a top 10 UK university. His accomplishments also placed him among just over 150 academics across all disciplines in the UK who earned their professorships before the age of 35, according to HESA records.

Research

Research Overview

 

Research Publications/Journals,  Editorial Roles, and Funded Projects

Professor Akhtar has published (Google Scholar) in top-tiered international journals (i.e., A*/FT50/CABS4/Q1)  such as the International Journal of Operations & Production Management, Journal of Product Innovation Management, British Journal of Management, International Journal of Production Economics, Business Ethics, Technological Forecasting and Social Change, IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, Process Safety and Environmental Protection, among others. 

Professor Akhtar served as Senior Associate Editor for the International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management and is affiliated with the editorial boards of the British Journal of Management and the Journal of Knowledge Management. He also reviews for several highly regarded journals.

Professor Akhtar has worked on multiple projects with more than 25 organizations worldwide (e.g., United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, South Asia, Middle East, and Europe). He has completed more than 15 funded projects and received awards – the value more than £5 million.

Research Methodology and Tools

Professor Akhtar employs mixed methods and utilizes a wide range of software tools for consultancy, projects, research, and teaching, including Python, RStudio/R, SAP, Tableau, Power BI, AMOS, Mplus, SmartPLS, Gephi, SPSS, AMPL, SuperDecisions, and Advanced Excel, among others. Examples of his extensive skill set include:

  • Machine learning, AI, and data science techniques
  • Unstructured data mining and analytics
  • Advanced visualization techniques
  • Network analysis
  • Time series analysis
  • Multi-level modeling and panel/longitudinal data handling
  • Data cleansing, feature engineering, and data quality checks
  • Moderating and mediating analysis
  • Structural equation modeling and partial least squares analysis
  • Multiple regression, logistic regression, and discriminant analysis
  • Endogeneity solutions
  • Forecasting
  • Inventory modeling, simulation, and optimization
  • Six Sigma applications
  • Qualitative comparative analysis, among others.
 

 

Teaching

Teaching Responsibilities

Examples of programmes taught/developed/overseen

PhD

MBA (Business Analytics)

MBA

MSc, Big Data and Business Analytics

MSc, Business Analytics/Data Science and Consulting

MSc, Logistics and Supply Chain Management

BSc, Logistics and Supply Chain Management

BSc, Project Management

BSc, ICT

Modules taught/developed/overseen

Applied Data Analytics and Visualisation

Big Data Analytics and Visualisation

Operations Management and Digital Transformation

Business Analytics

Data Science

Information Management and Big Data

Supply Chain Analytics

Text Mining and Machine Learning

Network Analysis

Modelling and Analysis

Decision Making Techniques for Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Multivariate Analysis

Logistics Technology

Operations Management

Enterprise Systems Enterprise Systems and Business Intelligence/SAP

Supply Chain Planning and Control (optimization, simulation and other quantitative tools for measuring quality)

Procurement & Supply Chain Management

Business Project Management

 
Publications

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Chapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings

Contributions to Journals

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