Business Analytics & Value Network (BAVN)
We live in a world that constantly moving and evolving due to digital transformation, distances are shrinking, connections become more intense, and we are facing the depletion of natural resources.
Studying this new complex environment, with the numerous interconnected factors, as described: « what is woven together » according to Edgar Morin – requires new methodologies that offer a holistic, end-to-end vision, that integrates various perspectives and fields, and harnesses the power of data analytics.
In the BAVN cluster, we have chosen to study these changes through the prism of value creation. Research results from a multitude of our courses and research studies are dedicated to this. Advanced analytics strategy, supply chain field, risk management, financial engineering, behavioral economics, decision theory, approaching the problem from a multidisciplinary perspective, with topics that compliment each other.
As this new world is no longer linear but on the contrary presents numerous ramifications of all kinds interconnectiveness, interdependency, and interoperability we use the term “value network”.
This value, what form does it take, how is it created, how is it allocated, how does it directly or indirectly benefit the different players, how do we measure it?
That’s what we aim to address, on both strategic, tactical, and operational levels.
Harness data analytics to create value in Africa.
Mixing Quantitative and qualitative analysis
is a great way to enhance & transform organizations.
Designing applicable transformational tools & methodologies
for creating value involving a network of players
Two fundamental questions, on a network with multiple stakeholders:
Then, modeling the interactions between these stakeholders, formalizing the rules of the game of a given value network and analyzing the role of supply chain management are drivers of our research.
Inclusive Value Network in African agro-food sectors.
Role of end-to-end supply chain models in value networks. Application to sea freight and ground transportation for phosphate products in Eastern Africa.
Enable SMEs in Africa to strengthen their working capital management and handle cash flow disruptions efficiently to recover faster.
Enhance firms’ capabilities to better analyze the investment risks and include sustainability factors in their investment decision making and planning
Next Generation Supply Chains. The guide for business leaders.
Fender M. The Choir Press. London (2020)
Does investor attention to energy stocks exhibit power law?
Ranjan, R. P., & Bhattachharyya, M., Energy Economics (2018).
When and how does Information Demand Peak?
Ranjan R.P. Bhattachharyya, M.,
(Under review in the Journal of Forecasting)
Artificial Intelligence Innovation in Healthcare:
A Review and Lessons, Zahlan, A. Ranjan, R.P., Hayes, D.
(Submitted to Technological Forecasting and Social Change)
Beyond the value equation definition, the operating systems of a given value network have to deliver the expected performance to sustain the promised value to the ecosystem. Here the main questions are:
How to structure decision-making processes within organizations to reach optimal and sustainable performance?
How to optimize operations especially when the system is subject to uncertainties, from supply and/or demand side?
If a firm faces a negative cash flow shock, how should it manage their operations effectively to recover from the shocks faster.
Logistics operations
Raw materials procurement scheduling
Freight Analytics (prediction and scheduling)
Production operations
Robust scheduling of fertilizers production
Financial operations:
Risk management and working capital management
Gestion et pilotage des stocks –
Outils analytiques et méthodologies d’optimisation.
Fender M., Gorge A. Dunod. Paris (Septembre 2022)
Firms Responses to Operating Cash Flow Volatility,
Ranjan R.P., Dabadghao, S.D,
(To be submitted to the Journal of Operations Management)
The purpose is to deepen customers’ & markets’ knowledge through analytical tools. The main question is to assess the reaction of the market to a new value proposition (new products or services, pricing, channel, technologies) considering customers’ and competitors’ reactions.
Real-time demand forecasting using online consumer behavior data
Estimate blenders’ willingness to pay
Understanding adoption process of new technologies like AI and blockchain in healthcare and financial markets in Africa.
To ensure we can share our research, BAVN cluster offers several courses in different programs at ABS. For example –
Business Analytics I and II
(Executive MBA, Online MBA)
Introduction to Business Analytics and Value Networks – (Ph.D.)
Operations and Supply Chain Management
(Executive MBA, Online MBA)
Statistical Methods for Finance
(Master’s in Quantitative and Financial Modeling)
Supply chain 
Analytics(Statistics, machine learning, operations research, simulation, …)
Management(Strategy, organizational science, decision theory, … )
