- Professor
- Associate Professor
- Arel, Barbara Ph.D.
- Bonifield, Carolyn M Ph.D.
- Cats-Baril, William L. Ph.D.
- Dempsey, Stephen J. Ph.D.
- Hughes, Susan B. Ph.D.
- Jones, David A. Ph.D.
- Lucas, Marilyn T. Ph.D.
- Novak, David Ph.D.
- Parke, E. Lauck Ph.D.
- Tomas III, Michael J. Ph.D.
- Vanden Bergh, Richard G. Ph.D.
- Zhang, Chun Ph.D.
- Assistant Professor
- Lecturer/Sr Lecturer
- Lecturer (Part Time)
- Faculty Emeritus
- Averyt, William F. Ph.D.
- Battelle, Peter E. M.B.A.
- Brandenburg, Richard G. Ph.D.
- Gatti, James F. Ph.D.
- Gurdon, Michael A. Ph.D.
- Jesse, Richard R. Ph.D.
- Kraushaar, James M. Ph.D.
- Laber, Gene Ph.D.
- Savitt, Ronald Ph.D.
- Severance, Malcolm Ph.D.
- Shirland, Larry E. Ph.D.
- Tashman, Len J. Ph.D.
Marilyn T. Lucas, Ph.D. Associate Professor
Contact Information
Office: 202 Kalkin
Phone: 656-8276
E-Mail: Marilyn.Lucas@uvm.edu
Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 11AM-12PM or by appointment
Dr. Lucas completed her Bachelor of Science in 1988 in Dijon, France, then moved to the United States. She completed her MS at Michigan Technological University, followed by her Ph.D. in Operations Management from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1997. She has taught previously at Bentley College, and at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and teaches Production and Operations Management. Dr. Lucas grew up on Reunion Island, which is off the East Coast of Africa.
Publication History
Journal Article, Academic Journal
- Lucas, M. T.; Monahan, G. E. - "Optimal Product Design with Market-based Learning and Manufacturing Flexibility" (Refereed)
- International Journal of Operations and Quantitative Management
- 2011 - v. 17, no. 3, pp. 211-237
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Abstract: There is value associated with market information generated when the flexibility of a production system allows for the economic deployment of diverse product lines. When consumer preferences are unknown, manufacturing flexibility is exploited to both adjust to market demand and gain information about the market. We investigate the market-based learning approach by a firm that wants to improve its knowledge about the market and focus on the impact of manufacturing flexibility on the firm's product design strategies under demand uncertainty in a simple setting.
- Lucas, M. T.; Kirillova, O. - "Reconciling the Resource-based and Competitive Positioning Perspectives on Manufacturing Flexibility" (Refereed)
- Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management
- 2011 - v. 22, no. 2, pp. 189-203
[Show/Hide Abstract]
Abstract: We examine the role of manufacturing flexibility from the perspective of the resource-based view of the firm as a complement to the competitive positioning view of strategic management. Our goal is to reconcile the divergent perspectives on manufacturing flexibility as found in the operations management literature. Traditionally viewed as a reactive means to environmental uncertainty, this approach to manufacturing flexibility is, we argue, too narrow and, through the resource-based view, we emphasize its proactive role as a strategic weapon. We conclude that these two theories must be integrated to gain a more complete picture of the role of manufacturing flexibility in operations processes and we discuss implications of such integration on future research, especially in explaining inter-firm performance differences.
- Lucas, M. T. - "Understanding Environmental Management Practices: Integrating Views from Strategic Management and Ecological Economics" (Refereed)
- Business Strategy and the Environment
- 2010 - v. 19, pp. 543-556
[View publication]
[Show/Hide Abstract]
Abstract: This paper proposes an integrating framework, based on theoretical concepts from the field of strategic management and ecological economics, to enhance our understanding of environmental management practices (EMPs) and their relationship to sustainable competitive advantage. Starting with an expansion of the resource-based view of the firm to include the natural environment, the article next engages the interdisciplinary field of ecological economics and its thermodynamic approach to "joint production" to provide additional insights into the challenges and opportunities brought by a bio-physically constrained economy. Informed by this understanding, the article then categorizes examples of EMPs drawn from the literature and discusses their potential impact on competitiveness. The paper concludes with a discussion of implications for future research in the hope that the proposed framework will stimulate debate and lead to a fuller understanding of th eimpact of environmental management in the 21st century.
- Lucas, M. T.; Wilson, M. A. - "Tracking the Relationship between Environmental Management and Financial Performance in the Service Industry" (Refereed)
- Service Business
- 2008 - v. 2, no. 3, pp. 203-218
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[Show/Hide Abstract]
Abstract: Attention to the relationship between environmental management and performance has been growing. Research in this area has, however, tended to focus primarily on manufacturing industries. Our goal in this study is to analyze the relationship between environmental management and financial performance in the context of the service industry. Using a cross-sectional sample of 1228 service organizations spanning a wide range of business activities, we test a series of five hypothesized relationships using both univariate and multivariate analyses. The results are robust across the dataset and show conclusively that the implementation of environmental management is indeed positively associated with improved financial performance in the service sector.
- Lucas, M. T.; Chhajed , D. - "Applications of Location Analysis in Agriculture: A Survey" (Refereed)
- Journal of Operational Research Society (JORS)
- 2004 - v. 55, pp. 561-578
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[Show/Hide Abstract]
Abstract: This article presents a survey of applications of OR-based techniques to location problems in agriculture. From the early work in the field to more recent applications, researchers have successfully applied, adapted and improved theoretical location models to fulfil the field's specific needs.
The article discusses earlier work in agricultural location theory starting with the seminal work by von Thunen. It then introduces diverse and innovative applications of location models from the 1950s and 1960s. The authors then identify distinguishing features of location problems in agriculture, and discuss their impact on the analysis. In order to illustrate these features and the variety of OR-based applications to agricultural location, the article turns to six real-world examples. It then considers, in conclusion, some of the directions agricultural location theory may take in the future.
- Hess, J. D.; Lucas, M. T. - "Doing the Right Thing or Doing the Thing Right: Allocating Resources between Marketing Research and Production" (Refereed)
- Management Science
- 2004 - v. 50, no. 4, pp. 521-526
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Abstract: Matching production with sales potential is essential for survival in volatile markets. Manufacturing and marketing managers compete for staff, space, cash, and other assets as they struggle both to determine what and how many products ought to be produced and to actually produce them. We develop an analytical framework to answer one simple question, "How much marketing research should a firm do when it takes resources away from manufacturing the goods that generate revenue?" To understand the costs and benefits of marketing research, we account for the lost opportunities to produce these goods. Some analytical findings are striking: firms without initial knowledge of their potential customers should allocate 1/3 of all the firm's resources to marketing research. The model suggests a host of issues to be more deeply studied by management scientists.
- Lucas, M. T.; Nicholson, C. F. - "Subsidized Vehicle Acquisition and Earned Income in the Transition from Welfare to Work" (Refereed)
- Transportation
- 2003 - v. 30, no. 4, pp. 483-501
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Abstract: Availability and affordability of reliable transportation either through public transportation or individual ownership of automobiles appears necessary to support a successful transition from welfare to work. One approach adopted by state and local governments is to subsidize vehicle acquisition by welfare recipients in transition. To date there are no empirical studies that analyze the impacts or effectiveness of these vehicle subsidy programs. The objective of this study is to examine the extent to which participation in a small-scale vehicle donation-and-sales program in Vermont increases earned income by individuals in transition from welfare to work.
Using reduced-form random effects and censored regression models to account for the simultaneity of decisions to work and participate in welfare programs, we examine the impacts of this vehicle acquisition program for a small group of individuals. Our analyses indicate that the program results in a statistically significant increase in both earned income and the probability of employment.
- Buescher, M.; Sullivan, P.; Halbrendt, C.; Lucas, M. T. - "The Community-Business Matching Project: New Tools for Rural Development" (Refereed)
- Journal of Sustainable Agriculture
- 2001 - v. 17, no. 4, pp. 57-74
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[Show/Hide Abstract]
Abstract: Sound rural development strategies must consider the
delicate tradeoffs necessary between economic, environmental, and social
goals or run the risk of unintended long-term effects, such as sprawl
at the expense of the environment. This paper introduces Community-
Business Matching, a step toward the creation of a more holistic methodology
for identifying appropriate economic development opportunities
for rural communities and small towns. This paper presents the
CBM framework and describes its application in a pilot case, where a
small preservation land trust used CBM to identify development opportunities
that would help them ensure the long-term preservation of three
historic barns. The pilot study found, contrary to the land trust???s expectations,
that wood products would be more promising businesses for the
site than traditional agricultural firms.
- Frendewey, J. O.; Jambekar , A. B.; Lucas, M. T. - "Measuring the Relative Efficiency of the Small Business Development Centers in Michigan using Data Envelopment Analysis" (Refereed)
- Midwestern Journal of Business and Economics
- 1997 - v. 10, no. 3 (Part I),
Conference Proceeding
- Lucas, M. T.; Noordewier, T. G. - "Environmental Management Practices in Services: When Does it Pay to be Green?" (Refereed)
- International Research Symposium in Service Management/University of Mauritius
- 2010
- Lucas, M. T.; Nicholson , C. F. - "On the Evaluation of a Small Vehicle Donation-and-Sales Program" (Refereed)
- Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Northeast Decision Science Institute
- 2003 - pp. 381-383
- Halbrendt, C.; Lucas, M. T.; Sullivan, P.; Zheng, Y. - "A Framework for Matching Communities with Businesses in Planning for Sustainable Economic Development" (Refereed)
- Proceedings of the 31 st Annual Meeting of the Midwest Decision Science Institute
- 2000 - pp. 7-9
- Franza , R.; Lucas, M. T. - "New Product Development: A Mathematical Model of the Time-to-Market versus Product Performance Trade-off" (Refereed)
- Proceedings of the 31st Annual Meeting of the Decision Science Institute
- 2000 - v. 3, pp. 1019-1021
- Lucas, M. T.; Franza , R. - "Improving Time-to-Market or Product Quality? Impact of Market Environment on the Firm's New Product Development Strategy" (Refereed)
- Proceedings of the 30th Annual Meeting of the Decision Science Institute
- 1999 - v. 3, pp. 1163-1165
- Lucas, M. T.; Hess, J. D. - "Resource Allocation Issues between Marketing Research and Production" (Refereed)
- Proceedings of the International POMS Meeting
- 1998 - pp. 186-192
Written Case with Instructional Material
- Lucas, M. T.; Hoffman, A. - "The COGNEX Corporation: Play Hard, Work Hard"
- Strategic Management: Competitiveness and Globalization/South-Western College Publishing
- 2000 - no. 4th edition,
Technical Report
- Lucas, M. T. - "The Impact of Vehicle Acquisition through the Good News Garage on PATH Support Payments and Earned Income - Preliminary Results"
- The Good New Garage
- 2000
