INFORMS: What inspired you to research this particular topic?

BELLOS: I always found the idea of decoupling economic growth from physical production and customer value from product ownership very intriguing. The increasing popularity of car sharing and its positioning as a viable alternative to car ownership naturally drew my attention to the automotive industry.

INFORMS: Did any of your results surprise you?

BELLOS: The fact that, although providing car sharing can lead to lower environmental impact, it can also reduce a manufacturer’s ability to comply with existing environmental regulation (e.g., CAFE standards) as currently written. This happens because car sharing can lead to a reduction in the number of high-efficiency cars produced, which can also lead to a reduction in the average fuel economy. This issue can possibly be addressed via the use of incentive multipliers.

INFORMS: What is the most important take-away you hope readers will learn from your paper?

BELLOS: Auto manufacturers increasingly view themselves as providers of mobility solutions, and to that end they have been adopting new business models such as that of car sharing. The choice of business model also affects more traditional considerations such as product design and compliance with environmental regulation. The good news is we find that car sharing can enable manufacturers to provide vehicles of higher efficiency. Current regulation, however, may need to be better aligned to support the adoption of car sharing by manufacturers (e.g., via the use of incentive multipliers in CAFE standards to manufacturers providing car sharing).

INFORMS: Tell us why you think more manufacturers aren’t adopting car sharing programs.

BELLOS: That’s exactly the question we asked ourselves when we first started working on this paper. Although there is evidence that auto manufacturers increasingly view themselves as mobility solutions providers, one of the main fears discouraging many of them from providing car sharing services is probably the issue of demand cannibalization—that is, the risk of customers foregoing buying a car and switching to car sharing instead.

INFORMS: More specifically, can you speak to how operations research deals with and promotes sustainability?

BELLOS: Operations research has been addressing issues pertaining to sustainability ranging from green business models, to sustainable sourcing, energy planning, remanufacturing, green product design, and several more. These are real problems with real implications for companies, the environment, and society. What I find very interesting is that research interest in such areas has always been growing. For the past three years, I have been attending the Early-Career Sustainable Operations Workshop sponsored by Ray C. Anderson Center for Sustainable Business of Georgia Tech’s Scheller College of Business. The number of researchers participating and the diversity of topics covered have been steadily increasing.

INFORMS: Tell us about the process of writing this paper.

BELLOS: This paper is a collaborative effort with Mark Ferguson (University of South Carolina) and Beril Toktay (Georgia Tech). The general idea dates back to my PhD years at Georgia Tech. One of the most fascinating aspects of this process is that when we started considering a possible link between manufacturers and car sharing the only car sharing provider was Zipcar. Shortly thereafter, Daimler (through Car2Go) became the largest car sharing provider in the world. The paper evolved significantly based on feedback we received after presenting it at the MSOM Sustainable Operations SIG and at conferences such as the INFORMS Annual Meeting.

INFORMS: Why was it important for you to publish in MSOM?

BELLOS: Publishing in an INFORMS journal represents a great achievement for most researchers in my field. Given that the focus of our paper was on manufacturers adopting an innovative service model, we always felt that there was strong fit with the scope and audience of MSOM.

MSOM’s constructive review process really helped us to improve and transform the paper. We are grateful to the anonymous reviewers and Associate Editor, as well as Chris Tang and Steve Graves.

INFORMS: How do you yourself keep up-to-date on the latest research in your field?

BELLOS: I subscribe to Management Science, Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, and other journals in my field. I also regularly attend and organize sessions in conferences. Reviewing has been another way to keep up-to-date with the latest research.

INFORMS: What about your career might surprise us?

BELLOS: I studied mechanical engineering as an undergraduate. Toward the end of my studies, I became fascinated with manufacturing processes and production planning methods. Subsequently, I did an internship at a consulting firm. One of the first things they asked me to do was document the business process of a local daycare center. I thought that was an odd request, so I exclaimed, “But there are no machines or products....” An awkward silence ensued. This exchange was the preamble to my subsequent PhD studies focused on the economic and environmental implications of service and solution-based business models.

INFORMS: Are you currently doing any research? If so, can you tell us a little bit about what you’re working on?

BELLOS: Among other projects I am finalizing a piece on service design thinking. This paper offers insights to providers on how to design services that comprise multiple service steps.

INFORMS: It looks like you are a member of several INFORMS communities, including the ENRE Section, MSOM Society, JFIG, the Service Science Section, and Technology, Innovation Management & Entrepreneurship Section. Tell us which community you are most involved with and why.

BELLOS: The MSOM Society is probably the natural home of most researchers in the broader field of operations management. However, I feel that my research has also benefited from interactions I’ve had with and knowledge I’ve acquired through the rest of the sections mentioned. I view the benefits that someone can derive from the different INFORMS sections as mutually reinforcing. For that reason, I always try to participate in events sponsored by any of these communities.

INFORMS: When you’re not using your OR superpowers to try to make the world a better place, what are some of the ways you like to spend your time?

BELLOS: Mostly family-based activities, including learning toddler negotiation tactics.

INFORMS: Which INFORMS event do you most look forward to attending?

BELLOS: The INFORMS Annual Meeting is always one of the most anticipated events, as it provides everyone the opportunity to stay up-to-date with the latest research, meet in person with collaborators, or catch up with colleagues. I try to attend as many technical sessions as possible. I have also found panels (e.g., meet the editors, innovations in teaching) to be particularly insightful and informative.

INFORMS: Tell us something that not many people know about you.

BELLOS: Despite my research interest in the automotive industry, my preferred mode of transportation has always been walking. In fact, it was only a few months ago that I broke down and got a driver’s license!

INFORMS: Who would win in a fight between Superman and Batman?

BELLOS: Clearly it’s Superman, because when my two-year-old puts on his Superman pajamas, he can leap tall sofas in a single bound! But coming from a small town in Greece with a rich history (Thebes), and having studied at a school that is not very far from Mount Olympus (Aristotle University), I would also root for Hercules!