2026 Best 40-Under-40 Business Professors: Yuqian Xu, Kenan-Flagler Business School, University of North Carolina 

Yuqian Xu
Kenan-Flagler Business School
University of North Carolina

“I attended Prof. Xu’s Project Management course in my second year of MBA. She did something that I will never forget in my life. On the last day of class, she asked who all are looking for job opportunities. Along with me, 10 – 15 students raised their hands. Later, she gave 15 minute slots to each student and inquired about our profiles and background.

“She said I would be a great fit for a leadership role at on unicorn startup where she is doing research with the executive team. As she promised, I got an interview invite for a rotational leadership program for a $4 billion startup without applying and my round 1 was completed even without the application for the role being open, She put in a word for me to the leadership team. I later knew that she has helped several students this way.” – Vamshi Krishnan

Yuqian Xu, 36, is Associate Professor of Operations at Kenan-Flagler Business School at University of North Carolina.

Her research focuses on human–AI interaction and emerging technologies in service operations, with an emphasis on designing more effective systems such as chatbot platforms and autonomous delivery networks through an operations lens. She examines how organizations can better integrate AI into real-world processes, improving efficiency, decision-making, and user experience. 

Her work is grounded in the belief that many of today’s business challenges in AI adoption stem from the complexities of human–AI interaction, such as trust, delegation, behavioral responses, and performance feedback. By combining empirical analysis with analytical modeling, her research provides actionable insights into how firms can deploy AI systems that are not only technologically advanced but also aligned with human behavior and organizational goals. 

Xu’s work has been published in leading academic journals, including Management Science, Operations Research, Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, Information Systems Research, and Production and Operations Management. It has received recognition from journals or professional organizations, including the MSOM iFORM SIG Best Paper Award, INFORMS Conference on Service Science Best Conference Paper Award, and the CSAMSE Best Paper and Practice Awards, and multiple finalist recognitions for awards such as the Management Science Best Information Systems Paper Award. It also has earned recognition in major academic competitions organized by professional organizations such as INFORMS and POMS. 

In terms wider impact, Xu’s work on chatbot design has been implemented in industry, improving platform efficiency and user engagement. She has collaborated with organizations across different countries, and her study on mobile payment adoption has been widely covered by outlets including The Economist, NPR, TIME, Forbes, NBC News, and USA Today. 

At UNC Kenan-Flagler, she redesigned the MBA Project Management course to incorporate emerging topics such as AI, digital platforms, and fintech, integrating original cases and industry partnerships. Beyond the classroom, she is deeply engaged in mentorship and academic service. She has advised and mentored students across multiple institutions, with mentees earning competitive awards and placements in academia and industry.  

She is Associate Editor of Management Science, Operations Research, Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, Senior Editor of Production and Operations Management, and Department Editor of Decision Sciences Journal. She has also received multiple distinguished and meritorious service awards from Management Science and M&SOM. 

BACKGROUND 

At current institution since what year? 2021 

Education: Ph.D. in Business Administration from NYU Stern School of Business; Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Nanjing University 

List of MBA/graduate business courses you currently teach: MBA Project Management; this is an elective course for the second-year MBA students. 

TELL US ABOUT LIFE AS A BUSINESS SCHOOL PROFESSOR 

I knew I wanted to be a business school professor when … I realized I could use mathematical tools to solve real business problems and make a broader impact. I started out studying mathematics as an undergraduate, and I was drawn to the challenge of applying rigorous analytical methods to complex, real-world decisions. That curiosity naturally led me to pursue a PhD. 

During my doctoral studies at NYU Stern, I saw more clearly how research could bridge theory and practice in business. My early work focused on stochastic control models for managing operational risk, which gave me a strong foundation in analytical modeling. At the same time, I discovered how much I enjoyed teaching and engaging with students on these ideas. 

As my research evolved, I became increasingly interested in the role of human behavior in shaping operational outcomes, especially in technology-driven environments. This led me to focus on the intersection of people and emerging technologies such as AI. At that point, it became clear to me that being a business school professor, combining research, teaching, and real-world impact, was exactly the path I wanted to pursue. 

What are you currently researching and what is the most significant discovery you’ve made from it? My current research focuses on how AI systems, such as chatbots, autonomous delivery vehicles, and digital platforms, can be designed and deployed more effectively in real-world operations. I work closely with industry partners including Alibaba, JD.com, and Instacart to study how these technologies reshape decision-making, productivity, and user experience. 

One of the most significant insights from my work is that the success of AI adoption is often not constrained by the technology itself, but by how humans interact with it. For example, in my work on voice chatbot design, we show that relatively subtle design choices, such as whether a chatbot adopts human-like features, can meaningfully affect user trust, engagement, and ultimately operational performance. These findings were implemented in practice, leading to measurable improvements in platform efficiency and user interaction. 

More broadly, my research shows that many challenges in deploying AI, such as low adoption rates, user resistance, or unintended behavioral responses, can be addressed through thoughtful operational design that accounts for human behavior. Whether it is using incentives to encourage adoption of autonomous delivery or designing feedback systems that shape worker decisions, the key takeaway is that integrating AI into operations is as much a behavioral and organizational problem as it is a technological one. 

If I weren’t a business school professor… I would likely start my own company at the intersection of AI and operations with the goal to improve how businesses operate with technology. 

What do you think makes you stand out as a professor? I would say a combination of passion for research and the people I’ve been fortunate to work with. I am deeply committed to my research, and I genuinely enjoy exploring new ideas, especially at the intersection of AI, operations, and human behavior. 

Here’s what I wish someone would’ve told me about being a business school professor: It’s a lot of work, but it’s also one of the most intellectually exciting and fun careers you could have. 

Professor I most admire and why: I don’t have just one, I’ve been lucky to learn from many exceptional scholars. What stands out to me is their ability to push the research frontier while remaining thoughtful mentors and collaborators. 

What do you enjoy most about teaching business students? I enjoy the interaction the most. Business students come from diverse backgrounds and bring a wide range of experiences, which makes class discussions both insightful and engaging. It’s especially rewarding to see how they connect concepts to real-world problems and learn from each other’s perspectives. 

What is most challenging? Grading 

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

LIFE OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM 

What are your hobbies? I enjoy traveling, as it gives me the opportunity to explore new cultures, gain new perspectives, and recharge outside of work. 

How will you spend your summer? Work 

Favorite place(s) to vacation: Suzhou, my hometown 

Favorite book(s): Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman is one of my favorites for its insights into human decision-making. 

What is currently your favorite movie and/or show and what is it about the film or program that you enjoy so much? I don’t have a specific favorite right now, as I haven’t had much time to watch recently. When I do, I tend to enjoy suspense and mystery genres, especially those with complex plots and psychological elements. 

What is your favorite type of music or artist(s) and why? I enjoy classical music, particularly the works of Ludwig van Beethoven. One of my favorites is Moonlight Sonata, which I find both calming and deeply expressive. 

THOUGHTS AND REFLECTIONS 

If I had my way, the business school of the future would have much more of this… A deeper integration of AI and emerging technologies into both the curriculum and the learning experience. As technology continues to reshape how businesses operate, I believe business schools should place greater emphasis on understanding how AI transforms decision-making, operations, and human behavior, while also equipping students with the tools to apply these technologies responsibly and effectively. 

In my opinion, companies and organizations today need to do a better job at… Integrating new technologies like AI in a way that aligns with human behavior, focusing not just on technical capability, but also on trust, incentives, and how people (e.g., customers and employees) actually interact with these systems. 

I’m grateful for… The support of my family and friends, as well as the opportunity to work with inspiring colleagues, collaborators, and students, and to pursue research and teaching that can make a meaningful real-world impact. 

 

DON’T MISS: THE ENTIRE 2026 ROSTER OF THE WORLD’S BEST 40-UNDER-40 GRADUATE BUSINESS PROFESSORS 

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