Professor Jian-Bo Yang

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Personal Profile

Research Activities

Research Projects

Journal Papers

Books and Book Chapters

Conference Papers

Research Projects

Current projects

  1. Lord Alliance Follow-on DART (Lord Alliance Strategic Fund, The University of Manchester, 01/06/2022 to 31/10/2022).
  2. Reputation advisor based on ESG performance analysis – RepAdvisor (Postdoctoral Research Associate Project, Innovate UK, 01/04/2022 to 31/10/2023)
  3. Corporate ESG practice and disclosure: separating fact from fiction (Co-Investigator, the Faculty Research Recovery Fund, The University of Manchester, 01/01/2022 to 31/07/2022).
  4. Developing a collision risk assessment system for heterogeneous ships (with Dr Tsz Leung YiP of Hong Kong Polytechnic University, HK Research Grant Council, 01/01/2022 to 01/01/2024).
  5. The methodologies of traceability and profit allocation for agri-food supply chain based on internet of things and blockchain (with Professor Xianpei Hu of Zhejiang University, Natural Science Foundation of China Grant, 01/2021 to 31/2025).
  6. Likelihood inference and interpretable machine learning for risk analysis and loan decision making (Postdoctoral Research Associate Project, with City University of Hong Kong, InnoHK Grant, 01/2021-31/2025).
  7. Hybrid ensemble modelling for fraud detection in insurance industry (Postdoctoral Research Associate Project, with City University of Hong Kong, InnoHK Grant, 01/2021-31/2025).
  8. Investigating information security awareness among developing universities sector (PhD project, funded by the government of Saudi Arabia, 2021-2025).
  9. Forecasting of data envelopment analysis based efficiency and productivity (PhD project, funded by AMBS Studentship, 2020-2024).
  10. Federated machine learning and smart transportation (PhD project, funded by ESRC Studentship and Tech Valley Information Technology Ltd, 2020-2024).
  11. Decision support model for complex IT project planning and scheduling under uncertainty via evidential reasoning (PhD project, self-financed and AMBS GTA, 2020-2024).
  12. Productivity Institute and Productivity Lab on data analysis, machine learning and decision support (Postdoctoral Research Associate Project, ESRC, 09/2020-08/2025).
  13. AI claims handler in Legal and Insurance Services (Postdoctoral Research Associate Project, Innovate UK, 11/2019-03/2022).
  14. Risk analysis and performance assessment of AI firms (PhD project, ESRC Studentship, 2019-2023).
  15. Supply chain modelling and optimisation for perishable materials (PhD project, self-funded and AMBS GTA, 2019-2023).
  16. ReMESH: research network on emergency resources supply chain (EU Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions project, 10/2019 – 09/2023).
  17. Information fusion methods for condition monitoring and fault diagnosis of marine electric propulsion systems (with Professor Xiaobin Xu of Hangzhou Dianzhi University of Technology, Natural Science Foundation of China and Zhejian Province Joint Fund, 01/2018 to 12/2021).
  18. DART: DAta-driven modelling and inference to transform evidence-based decision support (Postdoctoral Research Associate Project, the University of Manchester Alliance Strategic Investment Fund, 10/2017 to 03/2021).
  19. An empirical study on the industry and stock selection for equity investment in China (DBA project, self-funded, 2016-2022).
  20. Decision modelling and analysis of decentralised green energy systems and their impact on power network (PhD project, funded by EPSRC PhD studentship with Professor Dong-Ling Xu, 2015 to 2020).

Projects completed since 2000

  1. Smart Transportation: Credit Assessment and Risk Analysis Using Multi-Source Big Data (Postdoctoral Research Associate Project, Tech Valley Information Technology Ltd, 01/09/2019-31/01/2020).
  2. Demonstrating and quantifying the impact of a complex natural language processing system in an investment use case (FinTech Seed Fund of The University of Manchester, 01/04/2018 – 30/10/2018).
  3. Probabilistic machine learning and decision support for fraud detection (Postdoctoral Research Associate Project, Innovative UK and Kennedys Law LLP, 01/04/2018 – 31/05/2020).
  4. Intelligent modelling and transparent machine learning for financial credit risk analysis (FinTech Seed Fund of The University of Manchester, 01/01/2018 – 31/03/2018).
  5. Research on risk assessment and maintenance decision of high-end equipment based on Internet of Things (with Professor Chao Fu of Hefei University of Technology, China, Natural Science Foundation of China, 01/2016 to 12/2019).
  6. The X-dimensions Data Envelopment Analysis and its practice at Supply Chain Finance efficiency assessment (PhD project, funded by the government and industry of China, 2015 to 2019).
  7. Effects of biased news on willingness of social media users to support governments’ initiatives (PhD project, funded by the government of Ecuador, 2015 to 2019).
  8. Development of revenue management model under oligopoly competition with dynamic games (PhD project, funded by the government of Indonesia, 2015-2019).
  9. Assessing and Improving Trauma Outcome Prediction Models (PhD project, funded by the government of Saudi Arabia, 2015-2019)
  10. Rapid Early Diagnostic System for Sepsis Based on Evidential Reasoning (PhD project, self-financed and MBS GTA, 2014-2018).
  11. FUME: Investigation into new business models and intelligent decision support systems for Future Mobile tElecoms (Postdoctoral Research Associate Project, UK Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC) Impact Acceleration Account, 10/2016 to 03/2017).
  12. Prediction of product success by evidential reasoning and machine learning (Simon Industrial & Professional Fellowship of the University of Manchester, 07/2016 to 08/2016).
  13. Establishing a business value for data (with Professor Dong-Ling Xu, Alliance Manchester Business School Research Support Fund, 08/2015 to 07/2016).
  14. Business analytics, scenario planning and decision support (Alliance Manchester Business School Research Support Fund, 08/2015 to 07/2016).
  15. Exploring theory of evidential reasoning under uncertainty (Research project funded by Air Force Office of Scientific Research - AFOSR, USA, 2015 to 2016).
  16. Using Data envelopment analysis in bank branches performance assessment and target setting (PhD project, self-financed and MBS GTA, 2013-2017.
  17. Prognostic Rules of Asthma Control Stages and the Correlation between Different Medication Given an Asthma Control Stage (PhD project, self-financed and MBS GTA, 2013-2017).
  18. Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis for Real Estate Selection (PhD project, self-financed, 2013-2017).
  19. Private equity investments: assessing the probability of a successful divestment (PhD project, self-financed, 2013-2017).
  20. Resource collaborative optimisation and organisation management theory and methods of Internet of things (with Professor Xinbao Liu of Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, China, National Natural Science Foundation of China from 2013 to 2017).
  21. Analysing Uncertainty and Managing Delays in Aircraft Heavy Maintenance (PhD project, funded by Mexican Government, 2012-2016).
  22. The Impact of Strategic Planning on Banks in Cameroon (DBA project, self-financed and by industry in Cameron, 2012 to 2019).
  23. Evaluating aggregate production planning strategies under uncertainty: A stochastic multi-stage multi-objective nonlinear programming approach (PhD project funded by an MBS PhD Scholarship, 2012 to 2016).
  24. Research Network on Flexible Risk Assessment and Decision Science – REFERENCE (EC- GPF-314836, European Commission FP7 Marie Curie Actions – International Research Staff Exchange Scheme - IRSES - FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IRSES, 2012 to 2016).
  25. Dynamic capabilities in new product development and its effects on firm performance (PhD project partially funded by Research and Development Management Ltd - RADMA, partially self-financed and MBS GTA, 2011 to 2015)
  26. Multi-objective Vehicle Routing Problems in Retail Logistics (PhD project funded by the Government of Pakistan and MBS GTA, 2011 to 2015).
  27. Consumer preferences and sensory attributes prediction (EPSRC DTA PhD Studentship from 2011 to 2015).
  28. Intelligent decision making systems in European business and economics (EC-FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IEF, European Commission FP7 Marie Curie Grant from 2012 to 2014).
  29. Development of an integrated evidential reasoning approach using both belief and disbelief structures with validation in multi-criteria assessment of organizational innovation management (with Dr Kwai-Sang Chin of City University of Hong Kong, China, Hong Kong Research Grant Council RGC RGF project from 2012 to 2014).
  30. Application of belief rule-based methodology to support consumer preference analysis in sustainable new product development (with Dr Yu-Wang Chen, EPSRC KTA and Unilever Joint Research Grant from 2012 to 2013).
  31. Development of an evidential reasoning based information security risk assessment model (CUHK SRG：7002700, with Dr Kwai-Sang Chin of City University of Hong Kong, ChinaCity University of Hong Kong funded SRG project from 2011 to 2013).
  32. Investigation into online fault prediction and optimal maintenance for dynamic systems under environmental influence (with Dr Zhijie Zhou of High-Tech Institute of Xi'an, China, funded by the Natural Science Foundation of China under grant No.: NSFC 61004069, 2011-2013).
  33. A new theory of searching for information in decision making under uncertainty (with Professor A Howes, one postdoctoral research associate at RA IA level, funded by MBS Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship from 2010 to 2012).
  34. Knowledge transfer fellows scheme in decision sciences, cognitive sciences, information systems, operations management and business strategy (with Dr Dong-Ling Xu, one research fellow at RF level, funded by EPSRC KTA project in The University of Manchester, 2010 to 2012).
  35. A novel belief rule based guidelines and clinical decision support system for diagnostic and therapeutic decision making (with Dr Dong-Ling Xu, one postdoctoral research associate at RA IA level, funded by EPSRC KTA project in The University of Manchester, 2010 to 2011).
  36. Determining staffing requirements of non-stationary queuing systems based on the efficient frontier (PhD project, funded by an MBS PhD Scholarship, 2009 to 2013).
  37. The assessment of corporate sustainability based upon the Evidential Reasoning approach: the case of sugar manufacturing in Thailand (PhD project, funded by the Government of Thailand, 2009 to 2013).
  38. Development of a double combinatorial auction mechanism for multi-item goods (with Dr Kwan-Sang Chin of City University of Hong Kong, China, funded by City University of Hong Kong, under Grant No.: CUHK: SRG7002504, 2009 to 2011).
  39. Enabling security and risk-based operation of container line supply chains (CLSCs) under high uncertainties (one postdoctoral research associate at RA IA level, funded by EPSRC under Grant No.: EP/F024606/1, 2008-2011).
  40. Research in the theory and application of analyzing, controlling and information aggregating large-scale complex compound sensing networks (with Professor Hongwei Wang of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China, funded by the Ministry of Schience and Technology of the People's Republic of China, 2008-2011).
  41. Investigation into theory and critical technology for fault prediction and predictive maintenance of complex engineering systems (with Professor Donghua Zhou of Tsinghua University, China, funded by the Natural Science Foundation of China under grant No.: NSFC 60734026, 2008-2011).
  42. Development of a novel belief rule-based methodology for assessing entrepreneurship project risks (with Dr Kwan-Sang Chin of City University of Hong Kong, China, funded by City University of Hong Kong, under Grant No.: CUHK: 7002363, 2008 to 2010).
  43. Information technology and decision making in the UAE: a case study in the commercial banking sector (PhD research project, self-financed, 2005-2010).
  44. DEA and MOLP for performance analysis (PhD research project, funded by University of Bahrain, 2005-2010).
  45. Development of online group clinical decision support system (PhD research project, funded by MBS PhD Scholarship, 2006-2010).
  46. Multiple objective optimisation for project portfolio management (DBA research project, self-financed, 2006-2011) .
  47. An investigation into the modeling and assessment of risk and security in supply chains (PhD research project, funded by ORS and MBS, 2007-2011).
  48. Decision making under risk and uncertainty for better project management (PhD research project, funded by Syria Government, 2007-2011).
  49. Improving the efficiency of airport security operations (PhD research project, funded by the MBS PhD Scholarship, 2009-2013).
  50. Multi-criteria sustainability assessment integrated product quality perspective: A framework for Tailand sugar manufacturing industry (PhD research project, funded by Tailand Government, 2009-2013).
  51. Development of novel models and new methods for performance improvement and sustainability (PhD research project, funded by EPSRC DTA Studentship, 2009-2012).
  52. Computatioinal models for human decision making under uncertainty (with Professor A Howes, PhD research project, funded by the MBS/DCS PhD Scholarship, 2010-2013).
  53. Study of complex supply chain games and collaboration contract based on evidential reasoning models (with Dr Ming Guo of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China, funded by the Natural Science Foundation of China under grant No.: NSFC 70572033, 2006-2008).
  54. Prioritising product groups to maximise return from carbon-labelling (funded by Tesco SCI, Project No. 16, 2008).
  55. UK-China network: intelligent automation, computing and manufacturing (including 17 UK universities and 32 Chinese universities and research institutes, funded by EPSRC under Grant No.: GR/S90461/01, 2004-2008).
  56. Improving group decision making in risk assessment of new product design under uncertainties: An Evidential Reasoning Based Preference Programming Approach (with Dr Kwan-Sang Chin of City University of Hong Kong, China, funded by the Hong Kong Research Grant Council under grant No: CERG Project No.: CityU-111906. 2006 to 2007).
  57. Decision making under uncertainty - identification of key voices of customer through surveys (one postdoctoral research associate at RA IA level, funded by General Motors Corporation under the grant No.: GM ISL-105/CL-06-08, 2006-07).
  58. Development of a risk-based new product design assessment tool: a Bayesian network with approximate reasoning approach (with Dr Kwan-Sang Chin of City University of Hong Kong, China, funded by City University of Hong Kong under grant No: CUHK: 7001971, 2006 to 2007).
  59. Multicriteria decision analysis under uncertainty and supply chain decision support system (Two Base project in joint direction with Professor Hongwei Wang of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China, funded by the Natural Science Foundation of China, 2005-2007).
  60. A novel and advanced decision support tool for offshore operations – theory and methodology (one postdoctoral research associate at RA IA level, funded by EPSRC under Grant N.o: GR/S85498/01, 2004-2007).
  61. A novel and advanced decision support tool for offshore operations – system investigation and modelling (one postdoctoral research associate at RA IA level in direction with Professor Jin Wang of the Liverpool John Moores University, funded by EPSRC under Grant No.: GR/S85504/01, 2004-2007).
  62. Group decision making in determining customer-oriented product attributes: approximate reasoning based group decision modeling and analysis under interval uncertainties (a Hong Kong Competitive Earmarked Research Project, one senior research associate in joint direction with Dr Kwai-Sang Chin of City University of Hong Kong, funded by Hong Kong Research Grant Council under Grant No: HKRGC Ref. No: 9040914, 2004-2006).
  63. Development of a novel belief rule-based methodology for measuring and assessing food and drink quality (one postdoctoral research associate at RA IA level, funded by DEFRA under Grant No: AFM222, 2005-2006).
  64. Investigating the latest developments in multi-criteria decision analysis under uncertainty (funded by EPSRC under Grant No: EP/C014723/1, 2005-2006).
  65. Multiple objective optimisation and data envelopment analysis in supply chain, finance and retail (PhD research project, funded by ORS and UMIST scholarships, 2002-2005).
  66. Development of a novel approximate reasoning based multiple attribute decision analysis methodology for product design assessment (a Hong Kong Competitive Earmarked Research Project, one senior research associate in joint direction with Dr Kwai-Sang Chin of City University of Hong Kong, funded by  Hong Kong Research Grant Council under Grant No: HKRGC Ref. No:  9040786, 2003-2005).
  67. Interactive multiple objective optimisation (visiting scholar research project, funded by the Spanish Government, 2004).
  68. Supply chain management and modelling (visiting scholar research project, funded by the Chinese Government, 2003-2004).
  69. Comparison and investigation of best practices in the use of soft OR methods in problem formulation (Co-investigator, funded by Manchester Centre of Applied Management Research (CAMaR), 2003).
  70. Goal programming and group decision making (visiting scholar research project, funded by the Spanish Government, 2003).
  71. Fuzzy reasoning and decision making (visiting scholar research project, funded by the Spanish Government, 2003).
  72. Fuzzy multiple objective mathematical programming, decision analysis and game theory (visiting scholar research project, funded by the China Scholarship Council, 2003-2004).
  73. A hybrid methodology for multiple criteria decision analysis under various types of uncertainties (one postdoctoral research associate at RA IA level, funded by EPSRC under Grant No: GR/N65615/01, 2001-2003).
  74. Application of approximate reasoning methodologies to the offshore design process - system design and modelling (one postdoctoral research associate at RA IA level, funded by EPSRC under Grant No: GR/R32413/01, 2001-2003).
  75. Application of approximate reasoning methodologies to the offshore design process - design process and safety modelling (one postdoctoral research associate at RA IA level in direction with Professor Jin Wang of the Liverpool John Moores University, funded by EPSRC under Grant No: GR/R30624/01, 2001-2003).
  76. Entering Tailored Innovation Management in Very Small Enterprises (ENTERTAIN) ( one research fellow at RA II level and one postdoctoral research associate at RA IA level, funded by European Community under Grant No: EC Contract No IPS-2000-00030, 2001-2004).
  77. Simulation modelling of contentious scientific knowledge claims in society (co-supervise one postdoctoral research associate at RA IA level in collaboration with Dr Simon Shackley of the MSM, funded by ESRC under Grant No: GR/L144250008, 2002-2003).
  78. An investigation into organisational self-assessment process and decision modelling (PhD research project, funded by industry, 1999-2002).
  79. An integrated QFD and case based reasoning framework for new product development (one visiting fellow, funded by EPSRC under Grant No: GR/R96187/01, 2002).
  80. Measuring and assessing business performance using self-assessment and decision modelling (one postdoctoral research associate at RA IA level, funded by EPSRC under Grant No: GR/N27453/01, 2000-2002).
  81. Discrete event simulation and system dynamics modelling for health services and supply chain management (PhD research project, funded by ORS and UMIST Scholarships,1999-2002).
  82. Utility estimation for multiple criteria decision analysis under uncertainties (PhD research project, funded by the Turkish Government, 1998-2002).
  83. Rough set theory and multiple criteria decision analysis (visiting scholar research project, funded by the China Scholarship Council, 2001-2002).
  84. Constructing a decision model for self-assessment against the EFQM excellence model (MPhil research project, 1999-2001).
  85. Simulation of the patient flows of an Accident and Emergency Department of an NHS hospital in the North West England (funded by NHS, 2000).
  86. Application of the evidential reasoning approach to watershed restoration planning (PhD research project funded by Oregon State University of USA, 2000).
  87. System dynamics modelling for the management of the Costa Rican electric power industry (MPhil research project, funded by the British Council, 1999-2000).
  88. Interactive parametric minimax method in multiobjective optimisation (funded by British Council 's UK/Hong Kong Joint Research Scheme under Grant No: JRS 99/23, 1999-2000).