Absolutely, Positively Operations Research: The Federal Express Story

Richard O. Mason, James L. McKenney, Walter Carlson and Duncan Copeland
Additional contact information
Richard O. Mason: Edwin L. Cox School of Business, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas 75275
James L. McKenney: Harvard Business School, Soldiers Field, Boston, Massachusetts 02163
Walter Carlson: 216 West Hilton Drive, Bolder Creek, California 95006
Duncan Copeland: School of Business Administration, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 3K7, Canada

Interfaces, 1997, vol. 27, issue 2, 17-36

Abstract: Federal Express Corporation has used operations research (OR) to help make its major business decisions since its overnight package delivery operations began in 1973. An early failure pointed out the need for scientific analysis. Subsequently, a successful origin-destination model followed by models to simulate operations, finances, engine use, personal assignments, and route structures influenced the conduct of business during periods of substantial growth. There were many false starts between the successes. CEO and founder Frederick W. Smith played a central role in the use of OR at the company: he established a relationship with OR and management science personnel and this relationship supported the growth and success of the company.

Keywords: transportation; air; computers; system design and operation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 1997
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