2016
Selected by the editors of the International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management for the paper "Improving the Quality of Environmental Management: Impact on Shareholder Value."

Recipient, Emerald Literati Network Award for Excellence

2015
Presented case at the INFORMS Annual Meeting in Philadelphia.

Second Place, INFORMS Annual Case Competition

2014
Selected by the editors of the International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Marketing for the paper "Resell Versus Direct Models in Brand Drug Distribution."

2013
Selected by the editors of the International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Marketing for the paper "Resell Versus Direct Models in Brand Drug Distribution."

Recipient, Highly Commendable Paper Award

2013
Determined by University of Scranton students.

Recipient, "KSOM Professor of the Year" Award

Data Analytics, Statistics and Operations Consultant, Fortune 50 Company

Member, Institute for Operations Research and Management Science (INFORMS) 

Member, Decision Sciences Institute (DSI) 

Member, The Association for Operations Management (APICS)

Using Analytics to Gain Insights on U.S. Prescription Drug Prices: An Inductive Analysis

Why Brand Drugs Priced Higher Than Generic Equivalents

The Point of Purchase Decision in a Supply Chain With Value-Added Reselling

Resell Versus Direct Models in Brand Drug Distribution

A Multiple Regression Model to Explain the Cost of Brand-Drugs

Villanova University was founded in 1842 by the Order of Saint Augustine. To this day, Villanova’s Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition is the cornerstone of an academic community in which students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. Villanova prepares students to become ethical leaders who create positive change everywhere life takes them.


The strength of the Villanova experience comes in part from the University’s welcoming community. All members are bonded together by a shared responsibility to uphold the ideals of Saint Augustine and let the principles of truth, unity and love guide their lives. The Villanova community helps students grow intellectually, professionally and spiritually, and challenges them to reach their full potential.


The University’s rigorous academic experience, rooted in the liberal arts, forms an environment in which students and professors are partners in learning. The Villanova community is dedicated to providing a personalized experience that fosters every student’s intellectual and spiritual well-being. As part of their education, students are encouraged to enrich their own lives by working for those in need. Through academic and service programs, students use their knowledge, skills and compassion to better the world around them.


There are more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students in the University’s six colleges—the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Villanova School of Business, the College of Engineering, the College of Nursing, the College of Professional Studies and the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. These colleges are the setting for an experience that develops both the heart and the mind, and creates the atmosphere where students are called to ignite change.


Villanova University is located in a suburban community 12 miles west of Philadelphia, Pa.

Villanova University

Dr. Kathleen Iacocca is adept at explaining the complexities of the U.S. healthcare economy and pharmaceutical drug pricing system in a way that provides clarity and understanding for her audience. Her research primarily centers on the healthcare industry, with specific focus on supply chains and optimization. She also more generally completes research in operations and analytics.

Business

Operations Management

Supply Chain Management

Pharmaceutical Industries

Pharmaceutical Drug Pricing

Healthcare Industry

Healthcare Economics and Policy

Applications in Healthcare

Business Analytics

Analytics Applications

Inspiring Minds Podcast: A Prognosis for Prescriptions

Amazon Delivery Drivers in Skokie, Six Other Facilities Go on Strike: "We're the Ones Who Move the Packages Every Day"

How the Dockworker Strike Could Impact the Philadelphia Region

Baltimore Bridge Collapse Raises Questions About Safety Around Philly-Area Bridges

Guest View: The Healthcare Industry Is Sick. But Can It Afford to Get Better?

Pharma Seeks Growth in Eyecare

supply-chain-disruption-continues-due-to-the-pandemic

Associate Professor of Management & Operations | Villanova School of Business

During the pandemic, the global supply chain began experiencing major disruptions. Kathleen Iacocca, PhD, an associate professor of management and operations in the Villanova School of Business, says that this issue is currently more severe than at the beginning of COVID's spread. 

Per the professor, the supply chain relies on effective forecasting, inventory control and logistics of supply and demand. At the start of the pandemic, the supply and demand scale became off-balance due to panic purchasing. Today, one reason it's much worse is that the supply went down. 

"You can try and push supply back up, which is what President Biden is doing with having ports operating 24/7. [But] Costco or Target can make as many phone calls as they want to Hasbro asking for Barbies, and if they don't have them, they can't just wave a wand and get them," says Dr. Iacocca.

One option, if there's an imbalance, is to push demand down. "As a retailer, you can raise prices. That will help bring the supply and demand into a balance until the logistics part can catch up," says Dr. Iacocca. "But that can lead to dangerous issues. The people that can afford things are going to continue buying product, and it will exaggerate the differences in socioeconomic status."

Dr. Iacocca predicts, with the upcoming holiday season, supply will simply not be able to meet demand. "In a normal world, retailers can forecast and build up inventory. In the future, demand will continue to go up while the supply doesn't get any larger and will just increase the gap between the two."

In the meantime, small businesses can expect challenges. "If there's a short supply of lumber, Home Depot can afford it more than Mom and Pop's Lumberyard. Raising prices are a risk for those that can't necessarily afford things, but also the small businesses," says Dr. Iacocca.  

Ultimately, Dr. Iacocca predicts that supply could catch up with demand by March (at the earliest), depending on two things: "First, that the labor force doesn't remain as is. If you're playing the game of catchup, you’re working overtime. Second, you’re counting on factories not shutting down again because of COVID. March is the assumption that you have the means—and you just need the time and a period where demand does not continue to go up."



Supply Chain Disruption Continues Due to the Pandemic

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