2025 Best 40-Under-40 MBA Professors: Weiming Zhu, HKU Business School, The University of Hong Kong

Weiming Zhu
HKU Business School, The University of Hong Kong

“His teaching was nothing short of transformative. The content he delivered was not only highly practical but also remarkably forward-thinking, perfectly aligned with the demands of today’s fast-evolving world. For instance, he introduced us to coding with ChatGPT—a skill that has become indispensable in the modern era. What truly set him apart, however, was his exceptional teaching style. Weiming was a master storyteller, effortlessly weaving complex ideas into engaging narratives that made every class interactive, dynamic, and deeply enjoyable.

Beyond his technical expertise, Weiming was an inspiring mentor who ignited a genuine curiosity in his field. His passion for teaching and his ability to connect with students left a profound impact on me, reshaping my perspective on technology and its role in business. To this day, I consider him one of the most exceptional professors I’ve ever had the honor of learning from. He is a true inspiration, and his influence continues to drive my growth long after the course ended.” – Becca Duan

Weiming Zhu, 36 is an Associate Professor in Innovation and Information Management at HKU Business School, where he also serves as the Programme Director for the Open Programme of Executive Education.

Prior to joining the University of Hong Kong, he was an Associate Professor in IESE’s Department of Production, Technology and Operations Management, and has also been a visiting professor in the Institute for Data, Systems, and Society (IDSS) at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Weiming’s research focuses on marketplace operations, urban mobility, and supply chain finance. He collaborates closely with industry partners in retail, ridesharing, and bikesharing, where his research outcomes, including a real-time coupon allocation algorithm and a bikeshare simulation system, have been integrated into their daily operational decision-making.

His work has appeared in top journals including Management Science, M&SOM, and the Journal of International Economics, and has received recognition in best paper award competitions from M&SOM, POMS, Service Science, and CSAMSE.

Weiming teaches courses on Operations Management, Operations Strategy and Data Analytics for Managers at both MBA and Executive levels. He is also the recipient of the Faculty Outstanding Teacher Award (Postgraduate Teaching) at The University of Hong Kong.

BACKGROUND

At current institution since what year? 2022

Education: Ph.D., Operations Management, Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland;  B.Sc., Physics, HKUST

List of MBA courses you currently teach: Data Analytics for Managers

TELL US ABOUT LIFE AS A BUSINESS SCHOOL PROFESSOR

I knew I wanted to be a business school professor when…  I realized how much I enjoy research and teaching during my Ph.D. Since then, I decided to pursue a career as a professor.

What are you currently researching and what is the most significant discovery you’ve made from it? I design data-driven solutions for mobility companies (like bike-sharing platforms) to optimize operations and minimize negative impacts during service delivery. Our research highlights two key insights: first, firms can unlock tremendous potential by leveraging real-time data for real-time decision making; second, reducing algorithm aversion within organizations can be more important than developing more sophisticated algorithms. After all, even the best solutions are ineffective if people aren’t willing to embrace them.

If I weren’t a business school professor… If I had the liberty to choose, I would be a designer or manga artist. I’ve always had a passion for drawing and storytelling.

What do you think makes you stand out as a professor? I would say it’s my ability to explain deep concepts using a series of seemingly intuitive and fun questions. This is especially helpful when it comes to explaining queueing theory or the central limit theorem to the MBA students.

One word that describes my first-time teaching: Fun.

Here’s what I wish someone would’ve told me about being a business school professor: My mother is an outstanding business school professor, I’ve observed her preparing for teaching, writing papers, and visiting companies from a young age – so nothing about it has really been too surprising to me!

Professor I most admire and why: Two professors that I admire most have had the profound impact on my academic journey – one shaped me as a researcher, the other as a teacher. My Ph.D. advisor, Professor Tunay Tunca, taught me (among countless other lessons) how to approach research with uncompromising rigor and craft papers with meticulous precision. Then there’s Professor Eduard Calvo, my teaching mentor at IESE and an absolute maestro of the classroom. Watching him elevate case-based teaching to an art form really changed how I engage with students. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the guidance from both professors.

TEACHING MBA STUDENTS

What do you enjoy most about teaching business students? One of the most rewarding aspects of teaching MBA students the opportunity to engage with an exceptionally diverse cohort. Students bring a mosaic of professional backgrounds, cultural perspectives, and global experiences into the classroom. They infuse discussions with fresh insights and a healthy dose of unpredictability, both of which keep sessions lively and dynamic.

What is most challenging? Maintaining the relevance and usefulness of the course content amid rapid technological advancements 

In one word, describe your favorite type of student: Curious

In one word, describe your least favorite type of student: Entitled

When it comes to grading, I think students would describe me as… Fair

LIFE OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM

What are your hobbies? Reading, Street Photography, Painting 

How will you spend your summer? Traveling, a lot of traveling

Favorite place(s) to vacation:  Lucerne (for summer), Barcelona (for the rest of the year)

Favorite book(s): I’m a big fan of biographies as they offer an intimate glimpse into the personal journeys of remarkable individuals. My top two favorites are Einstein and Steve Jobs: A Biography, both by Walter Isaacson.

What is currently your favorite movie and/or show and what is it about the film or program that you enjoy so much? Work has kept me away from movies and TV shows lately, but I used to watch plenty of Rick and Morty (especially the first three seasons). I just can’t get enough of its dark humor, clever meta jokes, and those masterful shifts between laugh-out-loud chaos and heartfelt moments.

What is your favorite type of music or artist(s) and why? I listen to all genres, from classical to rap.

THOUGHTS AND REFLECTIONS

If I had my way, the business school of the future would have much more of this… the business school of the future would be more deeply embedded in the business community, and serve as a co-creator of vision, strategy and day-to-day operations.

In my opinion, companies and organizations today need to do a better job at… (1) Train employees to work with AI tools (e.g., prompt engineering, AI-augmented workflows) while still encourage them to think critically and independently. (2) Preserve the human touch within the organization.  

I’m grateful for… My family and colleagues, they are wonderful.

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