Benton honored by Decision Sciences Institute

In recognition of his scholarly contributions and service to the Decision Sciences Institute (DSI), Fisher’s W.C. Benton has been named the organization’s 2024 DSI Fellow.

Benton, professor of operations and supply chain management, was honored for his accomplishments as an “eminent” scholar in his field, as evidenced by his “contributions include high-quality publications, research awards, citation counts, editorial positions, keynote speeches at academic conferences and invitations by research universities to present research colloquia.”

The distinction also honors Benton’s work as an engaged contributor to the DSI. Over the course of his career as a researcher, Benton has presented, refereed, or served as a panelist for more than 130 DSI events.

“It is an honor to earn the recognition of the DSI and my colleagues who continue to shape industry through academic excellence and scholarly curiosity,” Benton said. “I am humbled to join such an elite group of researchers who have contributed so much to the study of operations.”

Benton, who was appointed the Edwin Dodd Professor of Management at Fisher in 2006, is the 14th Ohio State-affiliated researcher to earn recognition as a Fellow. 

Throughout Benton’s academic career, he has developed multiple research streams in operations management including inventory management, purchasing, outsourcing, health care, information sharing and supply chain management. 

Among his many notable contributions, Benton, as a graduate student, was the first to determine the effects of differential power on the implementation of effective supply chain execution. According to his findings, power differences have implications on the type of opportunistic behaviors in which suppliers engage, e.g., poaching versus shirking. His articles are required readings for scholars interested in understanding how buyer-supplier relationships evolve when power differences exist. A paper co-authored with Sean Handley in 2013 was the most cited article in the Journal of Operations Management from 2013-2016. 

Benton teaches undergraduate, graduate and PhD students at Fisher. He has served as chairperson for 14 dissertation candidates and co-chair or committee member on 12 dissertations.

“This remarkable achievement reflects the significant contributions of Dr. W. C. Benton,” said James Hill, chair of the Department of Operations and Business Analytics at Fisher. “His research in purchasing and supply chain management has played a crucial role in addressing some of the most complex issues in the field.”