The interface between Management and Mathematics

The symbiotic relationship between mathematics and management was recently explored in a conference chaired by a Cardiff Business School Professor.

Professor Aris Syntetos is a specialist in forecasting, manufacturing, logistics and supply chains making him an experienced and knowledgeable chair for the 5th Institute of Mathematics and Its Applications (IMA) and the UK Operational Research Society’s (ORS) conference on Mathematics of Operational Research.

The conference took place in Aston University, Conference Aston in Birmingham from April 30, 2025 - Friday May 2, 2025.

Operational Research (OR) is a field that helps businesses make better decisions.  It involves developing mathematical models to examine processes and to find out the best way to operate. By looking at processes in this way it is hoped that time is saved, costs are cut, and businesses can run more efficiently.

This year’s conference exposed the value of Mathematics for Management and decision making, an interface that is largely undervalued, but one that offers tremendous opportunities for meaningful and relevant scientific research with implications for real world practices.

The conference welcomed 100 participants from across the world and included five keynote speeches which covered the entire spectrum of management mathematics. Participants had opportunities to network with old and new colleagues, take part in poster sessions and a scientific programme, listen to panels, find out more about PhD bursaries and attend a gala dinner.

Speaking about the conference, Professor Syntetos said, “It was an absolute pleasure and honour to chair this year’s conference. A highlight was the inclusion of two fantastic panels on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and gender balance in management mathematics.

The interface between mathematics and management offers ample opportunities for meaningful and relevant research, with important implications for operational and strategic decision making in organisations of any kind. This conference exposed that interface and offered an opportunity to celebrate the value and importance of elegant and rigorous mathematics for practical management solutions."

Following the conference there will be a special issue of the IMA Journal of Management Mathematics (IMAMAN) dedicated to the papers presented in the conference, to be published in 2026.