HEC Professor Aflaki Rewarded for Putting Sustainability at Heart of his Teaching

The US-based publication Poets & Quants has named Sam Aflaki as one of the world’s top 50 undergraduate business professors. The HEC professor in the Information Systems and Operations Management department, Prof. Aflaki also holds the CMA CGM Chair of Sustainability and Supply Chain Analytics. The academic combines outstanding teaching with research aimed at enhancing sustainability and resilience.

“Sam is one of the school’s most impactful professors with a critical focus on sustainability.” Yann Algan, HEC Dean of Pre-experience Programs was full of praise on hearing the news of P&Q’s recognition of Sam Aflaki’s teaching skills. “He’s one of our youngest Chair holder and was the first professor to design and teach the Sustainable Operations Management course at HEC.” Aflaki’s work on energy transition and sustainable supply chain practices has been widely recognized. At 43, he continues to shape the future of business education with a focus on sustainable practices.

Since joining HEC Paris in 2011, Aflaki has combined his teaching with groundbreaking research on pressing environmental and social concerns. The academic’s research addresses the barriers and incentives for adopting sustainable practices within supply chains. From renewable energy and closed-loop systems (aka circular economy) to policies encouraging gender equality, his work has appeared in leading management and economics journals, earning accolades in prestigious competitions held by ORMS, the international operations research society.

A Scholar Rooted in Sustainability

Sam Aflaki’s path to academia was not an immediate one, despite being drawn to the power of quantitative models during his undergraduate studies. “It only really clicked when the Dean of INSEAD told us on my very first day of my PhD: ‘You’re here to become professors at top business schools’”! 

Nowadays, Aflaki’s academic work focuses on understanding how various stakeholders - companies, consumers, and policymakers - can collectively foster sustainable value chains. His findings have emphasized the complexity of incentivizing sustainable decisions and the interconnected ripple effects these choices have across ecosystems. Aflaki argues that sustainable practices require a deep, multifaceted understanding of their costs, benefits, and externalities. “To truly harness the potential of sustainable solutions while minimizing unintended consequences, all stakeholders must adopt a nuanced approach,” he explains. This perspective not only drives his research but also informs his teaching philosophy.

Recent Research on Wind Turbines

One of Aflaki’s most recent studies, published in Harvard Business Review, delves into the long-term costs associated with wind turbines. Co-authored with Atalay Atasu and Luk N. Van Wassenhove, the research underscores a critical issue in the renewable energy sector: the hidden costs of larger wind turbines built farther offshore.

While these larger turbines capture wind more efficiently and reduce the amount needed for equivalent energy output, the study reveals that the associated maintenance and decommissioning costs could diminish these projects’ long-term economic viability. As strong proponents of renewable energy transition, the three researchers draw parallels to the oil rush in 19th-century Pennsylvania, where unchecked industrial expansion led to thousands of abandoned wells, leaving communities with environmental and financial burdens. Thus, they argue for a reexamination of current trends in wind farm design using a lifecycle approach.

Through mathematical modeling of wind turbines’ lifetime costs and benefits, the research challenges the assumption that bigger turbines are always better. Instead, it advocates for a lifecycle approach to wind farm design, factoring in end-of-life costs and maintenance. Aflaki’s findings suggest that smaller turbines closer to shore may often be more cost-effective, underscoring the importance of a sustainable transition to renewable energy. Leanr more about this research in an interview with Sam Aflaki by Knowledge@HEC, here.

Redefining the Classroom Experience

Still, teaching remains central to Aflaki’s work. He designed and introduced HEC’s first course on Sustainable Operations Management and has since expanded his curriculum to cover topics such as supply chain resilience and operational analytics. His courses are offered across HEC’s diverse programs, from undergraduate and MBA cohorts to executive education. His dynamic teaching style blends storytelling with data-driven insights and has garnered widespread praise. He was the recipient of the 2021 BNP Paribas-Vernimmen Award for Teaching Excellence and Innovation and is known for fostering environments where debate and exploration thrive. “I aim to create a classroom where curiosity is celebrated,” Aflaki explains. “When students engage deeply with concepts or challenge ideas, those moments are truly rewarding.”Aflaki is also a digital pioneer, having developed a popular MOOC on "Scaling Up Operations," which has extended his teaching impact beyond traditional classrooms into the virtual world.

Leadership Beyond Academia

As the Academic Director of the Operations module in HEC’s Executive MBA program, Aflaki combines practical insights with strategic foresight to prepare future leaders. Outside of his teaching commitments, the French Iranian scholar is an active member of pioneering initiatives such as Hi! PARIS, HEC’s interdisciplinary AI research center, and the school’s Society & Organizations Institute, which focuses on responsible leadership and sustainability. Aflaki also serves as the French Director of the Industrial Excellence Award, a prestigious competition recognizing operational excellence across Europe. His role underscores his commitment to bridging academic research and industry practice.

Aflaki’s outlook on business education is clear: it must evolve to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world. He believes institutions should embrace openness to new ideas, encouraging students and faculty alike to question assumptions and explore unconventional approaches. “Business schools have a responsibility to prepare students for an uncertain future,” he says. “By fostering flexibility and curiosity, we can equip them with the tools they need to navigate complex global issues.”

Harmonizing Work and Personal Interests

Despite the demands of academia, Aflaki balances his professional life with personal passions. An avid cyclist and environmental enthusiast, he finds solace with his family in nature, whether skiing in the mountains or sailing tropical waters. His interests extend to literature and film, with a particular fondness for thought-provoking works by Werner Herzog and Haruki Murakami.

For Aflaki, the true measure of success lies in making a lasting impact. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to inspire future leaders who can contribute to a more sustainable and equitable world,” he reflects. As he continues to redefine the boundaries of teaching and research in sustainability, Sam Aflaki exemplifies the role of a modern business school professor - one who combines intellectual rigor with a commitment to solving the world’s most pressing challenges.