OMIS Workshop - Publishing in Top Journals

The Operations Management and Information Systems (OMIS) Department at Nottingham University Business School recently hosted a two-day mini-conference 15-16 May, the OMIS Workshop on Publishing in Top Journals, organised by Dr Maria Pia Ciano (Assistant Professor in Operations Management). The event attracted researchers at all career stages wanting to learn from leading journal editors about the intricacies of writing and publishing high-quality academic articles. 

About OMIS 

OMIS plays a vital role in bridging the fields of operations management and information systems - two disciplines central to public and private sector success. From operations, logistics and supply chain management to digital transformation, IT systems design, and socially and environmentally responsible supply chains, the department’s interdisciplinary research informs both teaching and real-world practice. 

The OMIS department plays a vital role in advancing key areas critical to both public and private sector organisations. Research and teaching focused on different areas: 

• Responsible and digital innovation: Integrating advanced digital technologies into Operations and Supply Chain Management (OSCM) to enhance efficiency, transparency, and resilience while upholding ethical standards and promoting sustainability
• Data-driven decision support: Using data to enable smarter, more efficient, and sustainable decision-making within OSCM
• OSCM for people and planet: Developing and promoting OSCM strategies that prioritise social responsibility and ecological sustainability, aligning operations with broader goals for human and environmental well-being

Workshop highlights 

The workshop welcomed expert editors from globally recognised journals, many listed in the Financial Times 50 (FT50), Academic Journal Guide 4*, or ABDC rankings: 

• Davide Luzzini - Co-Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Supply Chain Management; Associate Editor, Journal of Purchasing and Supply Management and Operations Management Research 
• Feryal Erhun - Department Editor, Manufacturing and Service Operations Management Journal (M&SOM); Editorial Board Member, Production and Operations Management Society (POMS) 
• Jens Roehrich - Co-Editor-in-Chief, International Journal of Operations & Production Management; Associate Editor, Journal of Operations Management (JOM)  
• Reza Zanjirani Farahani - Co-Editor-in-Chief, Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review; Senior Editor for Disaster Management, Production and Operations Management 

The event featured with one seminar and two panel sessions moderated by Dr Maria Pia Ciano. Contributions to the panel sessions were also made by OMIS colleagues Professor Anne Touboulic (Associate Professor in Operations Management and OMIS Head of Department) and Professor Bartholomew (Bart) MacCarthy (Professor in Operations Management).  

In addition, the event hosted dedicated paper development sessions, which included eight paper presentations and discussions involving editors, led by OMIS colleagues and four one-to-one sessions with journal editors. These sessions provided a focused and supportive environment for constructive feedback and professional learning. 

Session 1: Deconstructing a high-quality publication 

Led by Jens Roehrich, this seminar dissected an FT50 article to explore what contributes to publication success, from article structure and framing to navigating the peer-review process. 

Session 2: The future of the top-tier editorial industry 

An editorial panel explored how journal scopes evolve in response to emerging themes, methodological trends, and global challenges, helping researchers anticipate new publishing opportunities. 

Session 3: Editorial decisions - what makes or breaks a paper? 

This structured editorial panel discussion unpacked the editorial decision-making process. Editors revealed what commonly leads to rejection (even for high-quality work), how to write effective response letters, and what makes a submission stand out. 

Reflecting on the workshop, Professor Touboulic said: 

“This event created a rare and valuable space for open dialogue between researchers and editors, equipping participants with both strategic insights and practical advice. It was a true community-building moment for OMIS and our wider research community.” 

Dr Ciano added: 

“This event was a truly energising moment for our department. We are deeply grateful for the generous and insightful contributions of our guests and equally inspired by the high level of engagement from colleagues across all career stages. The number of paper presentations, feedback requests, and thoughtful discussions spoke to the depth and promise of the research underway in OMIS. Above all, the event reflected the vibrant, collaborative, and ambitious research culture we’re proud to be building." 

The OMIS Workshop reflects Nottingham University Business School’s commitment to building academic excellence and supporting impactful research across its global community.