College of Electrical & Mechanical Engineering
Researches Project & Operations Management

Project & Operations Management

The Project and Operations Management research group focuses on advancing knowledge and practice in the planning, execution, and optimization of projects and operational systems across diverse sectors. The Project Management dimension examines methodologies, tools, and governance mechanisms that enable effective project planning, scheduling, risk management, stakeholder engagement, and performance evaluation in complex and dynamic environments. The Operations Management dimension emphasizes the design, control, and continuous improvement of processes to enhance productivity, quality, efficiency, and service delivery. While each dimension retains its distinct focus, they are closely interconnected: projects serve as vehicles for implementing operational improvements and strategic change, while efficient operations provide the foundation for successful project execution. This integrated perspective enables the group to address contemporary challenges such as digital transformation, sustainability, and resilience in both project-based and process-oriented contexts. The group is committed to generating rigorous, practice-oriented research that supports informed decision-making in industry, public sector organizations, and development initiatives.

Objectives

Project Management

  • To investigate advanced project planning, scheduling, and control techniques for improving project performance in terms of time, cost, quality, and scope.
  • To examine risk management practices, stakeholder engagement strategies, and governance frameworks in complex and multi-stakeholder projects.

Operations Management

  • To analyze process design, capacity planning, and quality management approaches for enhancing operational efficiency and effectiveness.
  • To explore the role of digital technologies and data-driven methods in optimizing operations and enabling continuous improvement.

Integrated Perspective

  • To examine the alignment between project execution and operational performance, and how integrated approaches can support organizational agility, resilience, and sustainable outcomes.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Improving productivity and organizational performance through effective project and operations management practices
  • SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure – Enhancing efficient project delivery and operational systems to support industrial development and innovation.
  • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – Supporting effective project execution and operations in infrastructure, urban development, and public service systems.
  • SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Promoting efficient use of resources and sustainable operational practices.

Group Head

  • Dr Asjad Shahzad

Other Members

  • Dr Afshan Naseem
  • Dr Yasir Ahmad
  • Dr Leena Anum
  • Dr Sundus Younis
  • Dr Muhammad Jahanzaib

Research Collaborations

  • Swinburne University of Technology, Australia
  • University of the West of Scotland, United Kingdom
  • United Arab Emirates University, UAE

Research Scholar Achievement

  • PhD Scholar “Muhammad Awais Akbar” (under supervision of Dr Afshan Naseem), achieved the fully funded scholarship under International Research Support Initiative Program (IRSIP) by Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan for his research work at Laboratoire de Conception, Fabrication, Commande (LCFC), École Nationale Supérieure d’Arts et Métiers ParisTech (Ranked 101 in the world QS 2024), France.

Postgraduate Research Theses

PhD Theses – Under supervision of Dr Asjad Shahzad

  • A Hybrid Framework for Resilient, Sustainable and Agile Automotive Supply Chains: Classical Models, Digital Twin and Machine Learning
  • Industry 4.0 Adoption and Its Influence on Manufacturing Operational Performance: A Mixed-Methods Analysis
  • Designing a Robust Blockchain Security and Privacy Framework for Healthcare Data Governance

PhD Thesis – Under supervision of Dr Afshan Naseem

  • Integrated Decision Support System for Risk Identification & Mitigation in Zero Defect Manufacturing

PhD Thesis – Under supervision of Dr Yasir Ahmad

  • Quality 4.0 in Service Industry: Adoption and Transition Framework

PhD Thesis – Under supervision of Dr Leena Anum

  • To Develop a Win-Win Model for Public Private Partnership Projects in Robotics and Automation Industry
  • The Role of Emerging Robotic Technologies in Transforming Manufacturing Project Management Outcomes
  • Sustainability vs Survivability of SMEs in Developing Countries: A case study of Pakistan’s Automobile Sector

MS Theses – Under supervision of Dr Asjad Shahzad

  • Role of Artificial Intelligence in transforming Project management in the textile industry
  • Principal Drivers of implementing Building Information Modeling in the Construction Projects: A developing world perspective
  • Impact of Process Innovation on Cost Performance in Construction Projects
  • Impact of project manager leadership styles on project delays: The moderating role of Agile project management principles
  • Ambidextrous Leadership and Project Performance: The Role of Motivation, Knowledge-Seeking Behavior, Mindfulness, and Virtuality
  • The impact of CSR on Sustainable performance in Project-based Organizations: Exploring the Moderating role of Organizational Policies
  • The impact of Servant Leadership on Team Effectiveness? Role of Intellectual stimulation and Perceived Supervisor Support
  • Using Agile Practices to enhance Project Performance of Virtual Projects using effective communication as a Moderator
  • Using SVM-Based Technique for Identifying Impact of Team Diversity Factors on Cost Performance of University Biomedical Research Projects Examining the Influence of Project-Based Learning in Higher Education on Students’ Career Trajectory: A Project Management Perspective
  • The Role of Scrum Master Leadership in improving the resource efficiency using innovation in Engineering Procurement and Construction Projects

MS Theses – Under supervision of Dr Afshan Naseem

  • An AI-Driven Decision Support System for Predictive Risk Management in Agile Software Projects
  • Design and Development of an AI-Based Risk Management System for Aviation Operations
  • Fault Interaction Analysis in Manufacturing Process with Extended FMEA Model using Cloud Model Theory and DEMATEL: A Novel Approach to Risk Assessment
  • Fault Management in Manufacturing Processes: A Novel FMEA Approach Using Fuzzy DEMATEL And Cloud Model Theory
  • Evaluation of Manufacturing Process in Low Variety High Volume Industry: A Case of Tobacco Industry of Pakistan
  • Integration of Quality Function Deployment, Monte Carlo Simulation and DMAIC for Risk Prioritization and Improvement in Production Processes of Textile Sector
  • Work demand and Prevalence of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Case Study of Pakistan Aviation Maintenance Workers
  • Time Study Based Model to Optimize the Assembly Line Efficiency and Labor Cost Considering Human Factor
  • An integrated Approach to determine the Interrelationship among Faults in Production Process with Extended FMEA Model using DEMATEL and Cloud Model Theory in Textile Sector
  • Impact of Remote E-Working on Work Exhaustion: Role of Technostress and Problem-Focused Coping Strategies
  • Impact of Industry 4.0 on Organizational Performance in IT Sector
  • Impact of Green Intellectual Capital on Environmental Performance: Role of Employee Pro Environmental Behavior and Green Self-efficacy
  • Organizational Cronyism and Employee Performance in Telecom Sector Going Green Together: Impact of Green Transformational Leadership on Green Health and Safety in Manufacturing Sector
  • Distributed Deployment and Centralized Management Solar System
  • Impact of Transformational Leadership on Job Performance: With the Mediating Effect of HPWS and Green HRM
  • A Model for Sustainable Performance: Impact of Green Innovation and Moderating effect of Green Human Capital on Sustainability
  • Linking Quality Management Practices, Organizational Ambidexterity, and Green Innovation: The Drivers of Sustainable Performance
  • Identification and categorizing risks for new entrants in Automobile sector of Pakistan
  • Supervisory Phubbing at workplace: A study on its effect on Employee Performance in Telecom Sector
  • Psychological Contractual Violations in Manufacturing Industry: The Role of Organizational Cynicism and Work Disengagement

MS Theses – Under supervision of Dr Yasir Ahmad

  • Effect of Organizational culture on delays in the construction industry of Pakistan
  • Emotional Intelligence abilities and construction Project Performance: The mediating role of Trust and Stress
  • Analysis of Intangible Resources for success in Virtual Project Management: A case of services industry
  • Privatization of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs)- Case Study of Pakistan’s Airports
  • Optimizing Gas Management System through Underground Gas Storage Facilities: A Case of Securing Energy Resources in Pakistan
  • Impact of Entrepreneurial Orientation, Marketing Orientation, and Marketing Self-Efficacy on the Performance of Tech Startups
  • Post Implementation Analysis of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System Quality of Public Sector Organization

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