Dr. Behrouz Arabi
Research Fellow

Profile

Biography

Dr. Behrouz Arabi is an academic and researcher with an extensive 23-year career that bridges the gap between academia and industry. Currently, he serves as a Research Fellow at the School for Business and Society, University of York, where he focuses on the H3 Project. Dr. Arabi's research expertise spans sustainability and UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly within the energy and food sectors. His proficiency in performance management and measurement tools, especially multiple criteria decision making (MCDM), has garnered significant recognition. He has published nine journal papers and possesses six years of university-level teaching experience, demonstrating his dedication to advancing knowledge and education.

Behrouz’s academic journey began with a BSc and an MSc in Applied Mathematics with a focus on Operations Research. He earned his Ph.D. in Performance Management - Energy Management from the University of Malaya, Malaysia, where he established the UM Productivity Research Unit and received the Best PhD Student Excellence Award. His doctoral research, which resulted in five published ISI papers, explored eco-efficiency changes in heterogeneous firms, with a specific application to power plants.

Throughout his career, Behrouz has worked on several high-impact projects, notably in the agri-food sector. At Heriot-Watt University, he contributed to the Sustainable Food Cold Chain (SCC) project, introducing a novel DEA-TOPSIS hybrid model for sustainable refrigeration technology selection in the UK. His work in the Zero Emission Cold Chain (ZECC) project involved organising special sessions on Net-Zero and Circular Economy and leading a participatory workshop on investment in zero-emission food cold chains. These contributions have been instrumental in advancing sustainable practices in food resilience and have earned him nominations for prestigious awards, such as the Prime Award 2024 at Heriot-Watt University for his contribution in the UKRI Circular Chem project.

Behrouz’s excellence in research and service has been recognized through numerous awards and honours. He is a member of the OR Society and the Editorial Board of the Journal of Energy and Economic Development (JEEDEV). His accolades include the Iran National Productivity Network Award, the Best Paper Award at the POMS Operational Excellence College, and the Award for Outstanding Post-Graduate Alumni from the Iran National Elites Foundation. With a robust publication record and a series of successful research grants, He continues to contribute to the fields of performance management, sustainability, and agri-food systems, positioning him as a leading figure in his areas of expertise.

Research

Overview

Dr. Behrouz Arabi's research interests primarily lie at the intersection of sustainability, performance management, and decision-making tools, particularly within the food and agri-food sectors. He is deeply committed to exploring how innovative methodologies such as multiple criteria decision making (MCDM), data envelopment analysis (DEA), and other performance measurement frameworks can drive sustainable practices in the agri-food industry. His work aims to develop models that not only enhance efficiency but also align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on creating sustainable food systems that are resilient and environmentally friendly.

In recent years, Behrouz's research has extensively covered sustainable food cold chain systems, where he has developed and applied advanced hybrid models such as DEA-TOPSIS for evaluating refrigeration technologies. This work is crucial for maintaining food quality and reducing waste, which are significant challenges in the agri-food sector. By optimising the cold chain logistics, he aims to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and promote the adoption of greener refrigeration solutions. His involvement in projects like the Sustainable Food Cold Chain (SCC) and Zero Emission Cold Chain (ZECC) has allowed him to collaborate with industry stakeholders and provide actionable insights for policy and investment in sustainable technologies.

Additionally, Behrouz is keenly interested in the application of data analytics and computer vision within the agri-food sector. These technologies offer tremendous potential for enhancing agricultural productivity and efficiency. By leveraging data-driven approaches, he aims to develop predictive models that can assist in resource management, crop yield optimisation, and overall farm management. His work in this area seeks to integrate technological advancements with traditional agricultural practices to create more sustainable and profitable food production systems.

Behrouz's research also focuses on the broader implications of sustainability in energy and environmental management. This includes developing eco-efficiency models for various industries, with a significant emphasis on power plants and renewable energy systems. By utilising performance management tools, he strives to create frameworks that help organisations achieve their sustainability goals while maintaining high levels of operational efficiency. His overarching goal is to contribute to the global transition towards more sustainable and resilient industrial practices, particularly within the agri-food and energy sectors.

Teaching

Other teaching

Dr. Behrouz Arabi brings over six years of teaching experience to his academic role, having instructed a wide range of courses in operations research, system analysis, design, numerical analysis, and mathematics for management. His teaching philosophy centres around fostering a deep understanding of complex concepts through practical application and student engagement. Behrouz's dedication to his students is evident in his approach to creating an interactive learning environment that encourages critical thinking and problem-solving. He has been recognized for his effectiveness in the classroom, evidenced by being voted Best Instructor of the Year by his students, highlighting his ability to connect with and inspire those he teaches.

Throughout his teaching career, Dr. Arabi has consistently demonstrated a commitment to educational excellence and innovation. He integrates his extensive research background into his teaching, providing students with current and relevant insights into sustainability, performance management, and decision-making tools. His courses are designed to not only impart knowledge but also to prepare students for real-world challenges by equipping them with the skills and methodologies necessary for success in their future careers.

Publications

Selected publications

Arabi B., Toloo M., Yang Z., Zhang Pt., Xu B., “Advancing SDGs through Sustainable Refrigeration Technology Selection: an Innovative DEA-TOPSIS Hybrid Model”, Journal of Environmental Science & Policy

Sousa, R., Camanho, A., Silva, C., da Silveira, G. J.C., Arabi, B., (2023) “Best practices, performance advantage and trade-offs: Insights from frontier analysis”, Journal of Productivity Analysis, JPA..

Arabi B., Munisamy, S., Emrouznejad A., Toloo, M., & Ghazizadeh MS. (2016) “Eco-Efficiency considering the issue of Heterogeneity among Power Plants”, Energy. 1-14.

Arabi B., Munisamy, S., Emrouznejad A., & Khoshroo, A., (2016). Eco-Efficiency Measurement and Material Balance Principle: An Application in Power Plants Malmquist Luenberger Index, Annals of Operations Research, 1-19.

Arabi B., Munisamy, S., & Emrouznejad, A. (2015). A new slacks-based measure of Malmquist–Luenberger index in the presence of undesirable outputs. OMEGA, 51, 29.

Arabi B., Munisamy, S., & Emrouznejad, A., & Shadman, F. (2014). Power industry restructuring and eco-efficiency changes: A new slacks-based model in Malmquist–Luenberger Index measurement. Energy Policy, 68, 132-145.

Munisamy, S. and B. Arabi (2015). "Eco-efficiency change in power plants: using a slacks-based measure for the meta-frontier Malmquist–Luenberger productivity index." Journal of Cleaner Production 105: 218-232.

Khoshroo, A., Mulwa, R., Emrouznejad, A., & Arabi B. (2013). A non-parametric Data Envelopment Analysis approach for improving energy efficiency of grape production. Energy, 63, 189-194. Q1

Ramli, N. A., Munisamy, S., & Arabi B. (2013). Scale directional distance function and its application to the measurement of eco-efficiency in the manufacturing sector. Annals of Operations Research, 211(1), 381-398.

Published Journal articles:Books:

Emrouznejad A., Banker R., Munisamy S., Arabi B., (2014), "Recent Developments in Data Envelopment Analysis and its Applications", ISBN: 9781854494870, DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.1649.3608

Arabi B., H. Vaziri Sabeghi, (2003), "Outsourcing and Job Creation in Tehran Regional Electricity Company", Tehran Regional Electricity Company Press

Selected papers (4 out of 18) presented in refereed conference:

Arabi B., Toloo M., Zhang P., Yang Z., Xu B., “Sustainable Refrigeration System Technology Selection: A Novel DEA-TOPSIS Hybrid Model”, DEA45 Conference, University of Surrey, September 2023.

Arabi B., Toloo M., Ruini Qu, Z., Xu B., “Introducing Stochastic Data Envelopment Analysis Models for Performance Evaluation of Circular Economy in European Countries: Realistic Pathways towards Sustainability”, DEA45 Conference, University of Surrey, September 2023.

Arabi B., Hong Y., Li Y., Kadam S., Yu Z., Yang Z, Xu B., “Customized Assessment and Adoption of Carbon Dioxide Hydrate Refrigeration System Technology”, IGEC 2023, University of Glasgow, June 2023.

Sousa R, Camanho A., Silva M., Giovani S, Arabi B., (2020), “Best practices, performance advantage and trade-offs: Insights from frontier analysis”, 20th Production and Operations Management Society (POMS), Hyatt Regency Minneapolis, USA, Best Paper Award.