Akhil Kumar
Professor
Department Supply Chain & Information Systems
Office Address 420 Business Building
Phone Number
814-863-0034
Email Address
axk41@psu.edu
Akhil Kumar

Professor
Department Supply Chain & Information Systems
Office Address 420 Business Building
Phone Number
814-863-0034
Email Address
axk41@psu.edu
Akhil Kumar joined the Smeal faculty in June 2002. He received his Ph.D. from Berkeley and has previously been on the faculties at Cornell University and University of Colorado. He also spent a sabbatical year as a scientist at Bell Labs, Murray Hill, NJ. He has published more than 60 papers in academic journals and international conferences. He was coauthor of a paper which received the best paper award at the INFORMS Conference on Information Systems and Technology in November 2001. Akhil serves on the editorial boards of Information Systems Research, INFORMS Journal on Computing and Information and Technology Management Journal. He has been a principal investigator for National Science Foundation, and also received support from IBM, Sun Microsystems and other organizations for his work. Akhil Kumar has taught the following courses at Penn State. MIS431: Database Systems (Fall 2002)MIS434: Internet Technologies (Spring, Fall 2004)MIS436: Business Data Communications (Fall 2003)BA523: Introduction to Information Technologies (Spring 2003)MIS/SCIS597: PhD seminar course (Spring 2003, Spring/Fall 2004)
Expertise
His current research is in workflow management systems, E-business and distributed information systems. His research interests are in workflow systems, e-services, various aspects of database systems, distributed information systems and intelligent systems, e.g., replication and concurrency control, data mining, online analytical processing, data structures for spatial data. ( Publications)
Education
Ph D, Information Systems, University of California, Berkeley, 1988
MS, Computer Science, University of California, Berkeley, 1986
Information Systems, Indian Institute of Management, 1980
BS, Electrical Engineering, Indian Institutes of Technology, 1978
Courses Taught
MIS 479W – Entrprse Info Sys (3)
Management and implementation of enterprise information systems for business integration and supply chain management. MIS 479 Management of Operations Information/ERP ( 3) This course examines enterprise-wide information systems architecture for the business setting and examines current commercial systems, with a special focus on SAP R/3 development tools and techniques. Topics include: - The acquisition, installation and operation of integrated Enterprise Information Systems [EIS], formerly referred to as Enterprise Resource Management [ERP] systems- The strategic decisions regarding approaches business organizations select for the acquisition and integration of EIS components and how executive level support for such endeavors is obtained- The overall management and coordination techniques used in the design, development and implementation of an organization's EIS, including the role that software vendors and other third party's play in the acquisition and implementation of enterprise systems- The coordination and control of multi-party relationships. Specific analysis and design techniques are taught, including tools and methodologies for analyzing business processes in preparation for implementation of EIS, as well as database and data warehousing requirements.- The methods of determining data communication network requirements- The practical implementation concerns are addressed, such as preparing internal organizational units for migration to a new EIS architecture and to the maintenance and operation of EIS including concerns involving security and control.- The managerial and technical issues involved in the developing and testing of applications and user interfaces and customization of commercial packages.- The career planning issues and ways of obtaining training for specialization and advancement in careers involving EIS. This course will be writing intensive. As such, student evaluations will consist of, at a minimum: examinations, position papers, case studies (written and oral), and homework assignments. Both individual and group assignments will be used. The objective is to enhance writing ability relevant to students preparing for careers in business. Group report writing, brief technical writing, technical documentation, end-user documentation, and memo writing will be covered. The major group writing assignments will be required throughout the semester, as well as individual assignments that will be prepared in preparation for the group. Peer assessments and instructor feedback and evaluation will be provided on a regular basis. This is a prescribed course for the M I S major and will be provided in fall and spring semester in sections of nor more than 30 students.
MIS 494H – Research Project (Variable)
Supervised student activities on research projects identified on an individual or small-group basis.
MIS 479 – Entrprse Info Sys (3)
Management and implementation of enterprise information systems for business integration and supply chain management. MIS 479 Management of Operations Information/ERP ( 3) This course examines enterprise-wide information systems architecture for the business setting and examines current commercial systems, with a special focus on SAP R/3 development tools and techniques. Topics include: - The acquisition, installation and operation of integrated Enterprise Information Systems [EIS], formerly referred to as Enterprise Resource Management [ERP] systems- The strategic decisions regarding approaches business organizations select for the acquisition and integration of EIS components and how executive level support for such endeavors is obtained- The overall management and coordination techniques used in the design, development and implementation of an organization's EIS, including the role that software vendors and other third party's play in the acquisition and implementation of enterprise systems- The coordination and control of multi-party relationships. Specific analysis and design techniques are taught, including tools and methodologies for analyzing business processes in preparation for implementation of EIS, as well as database and data warehousing requirements.- The methods of determining data communication network requirements- The practical implementation concerns are addressed, such as preparing internal organizational units for migration to a new EIS architecture and to the maintenance and operation of EIS including concerns involving security and control.- The managerial and technical issues involved in the developing and testing of applications and user interfaces and customization of commercial packages.- The career planning issues and ways of obtaining training for specialization and advancement in careers involving EIS. This course will be writing intensive. As such, student evaluations will consist of, at a minimum: examinations, position papers, case studies (written and oral), and homework assignments. Both individual and group assignments will be used. The objective is to enhance writing ability relevant to students preparing for careers in business. Group report writing, brief technical writing, technical documentation, end-user documentation, and memo writing will be covered. The major group writing assignments will be required throughout the semester, as well as individual assignments that will be prepared in preparation for the group. Peer assessments and instructor feedback and evaluation will be provided on a regular basis. This is a prescribed course for the M I S major and will be provided in fall and spring semester in sections of nor more than 30 students.
SCIS 505 – M I s Res (3)
Research problems and issues in supply chain and information systems. SC&IS 505 Management Information Systems Research (3) This is a Ph.D. level course designed to familiarize students with information systems theories and research methodologies. Special emphasis is given to the design science paradigm and, specifically, to process and data modeling of information systems problems using techniques like UML, XML, and Petri-nets. In addition, workflow systems as an application of process modeling will be studied. After completing this course, students will have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to discuss and critically reflect on:a) Information system research paradigms b) Information system modeling techniques c) Coordination theory d) Workflow models, management and architectures e) Information systems in supply chainsThis is a prescribed research foundation course. Student evaluations are based on class participation, individual and group assignments, and exams. This course will be offered during Fall semester for 5-10 students.
SC&IS 505 – Management Information Systems Research (3)
Research problems and issues in supply chain and information systems.
MIS 434 – Internet Technologies (3)
Technical foundations of the eBusiness environment and web applications development to support internet-based commerce.
SC&IS 596 – Individual Studies (variable)
Creative projects, including nonthesis research, that are supervised on an individual basis and which fall outside the scope of formal courses. A specific title may be used in each instance and will be entered on the student's transcript.
M I S 434 – Internet Technologies (3)
Technical foundations of the eBusiness environment and web applications development to support internet-based commerce.
SC&IS 496 – Independent Studies (variable)
Creative projects, including research and design, that are supervised on an individual basis and that fall outside the scope of formal courses.
B A 574 – Business Research (variable)
A project paper, comparable in quality and scope of work to a graduate thesis, on problems of a company.
SC&IS 597E – Information Systems (3)
Formal courses given on a topical or special interest subject which may be offered infrequently; several different topics may be taught in one year or semester.
M I S 597A – Foundations of Information Systems (3)
Special topics course.
SC&IS 494H – SC&IS Senior Honors Thesis (variable)
Supervised student activities on research projects identified on an individual or small-group basis.
M I S 436 – Business Data Communications (3)
Introduction to the principles and techniques of business data communication encompassing transmission concepts, network analysis, design, implementation, and administration.
M I S 496 – Independent Studies (variable)
Creative projects, including research and design, which are supervised on an individual basis and which fall outside the scope of formal courses.
MS&IS 496 – Independent Studies (variable)
Creative projects, including research and design, which are supervised on an individual basis and which fall outside the scope of formal courses.
MS&IS 596 – Individual Studies (variable)
Creative projects, including nonthesis research, which are supervised on an individual basis and which fall outside the scope of formal courses.
Selected Publications
Not ranked by department.
Published online in Articles in Advance, March 10, 2011. DOI: 10.1287/ijoc.1100.0444http://joc.journal.informs.org/cgi/content/abstract/ijoc.1100.0444v1
The 5-year impact factor of this journal is more than 2.
acceptance rate: 16 % (27 out of 170)
Published online: 20 October 2009. http://www.springerlink.com/content/h328hjq7686t1673.
Papers are peer reviewed. Acceptance rate approx. 35%Proceedings are informally publishedThis paper was 1 of 5 finalists for the ***Best Paper Award***
Papers are peer reviewed. Acceptance rate approx. 35%Proceedings are informally published