Daniel Solow, PhD, professor of operations, pursues several streams of research. The first area is complex systems, which are systems made up of a number of individual “agents” that interact in complex ways. He has developed mathematical models that provide insight on how much interaction among employees and managers is good for performance and the role and value of leadership. Related research identifies when, how and how much central control benefits a complex system. Solow's second research area involves developing computer programs for solving decision problems in business, engineering, economics, mathematics and computer science. His third focus is in developing systematic teaching methods to help college and graduate students learn advanced mathematics.
In addition, Solow is the author of numerous books, including The Keys to Linear Algebra, The Keys to Advanced Mathematics, How to Read and Do Proofs, and Linear Programming: And Introduction to Finite Improvement Algorithms, 2nd Edition. His academic publications focus on deterministic optimization and complex adaptive system and have appeared in numerous journals including Management Science, Organization Science, Computational and Mathematical Organization Theory and International Journal of Operational Research.
Since his appointment to Case Western Reserve University in 1978, Solow has presented at numerous conferences and institutions including Asian Simulation and Modeling Conference, Naval Postgraduate School and the Canadian Mathematical Society. Solow earned a PhD from Stanford University, a MS from University of California at Berkeley, and his BS from Carnegie-Mellon University.
In the classroom, Solow teaches the use of quantitative methods such as statistics and modeling for use in decision making to Weatherhead School of Management MBA and master's students. Solow is the 1981, 2010 and 2015 recipient of the Weatherhead Teaching Excellence Award, which is based on graduate student nominations.
Initially Appointed: 1978
Education
Teaching Information
Teaching Interests
Solow teaches the use of quantitative methods such as statistics and modeling for use in decision making to Weatherhead's MBA, master's and PhD students.
Courses Taught
- Foundations of Python Programming
- Operations Analytics: Deterministic
- Optimization Analytics for Supply Chain
- Probability, Statistics, and Quantitative Methods
- Statistics and Decision Modeling
Office Hours
Wednesday 12–1 p.m. or by appointment
Research Information
Research Interests
Solow uses mathematical models, analysis and computer simulations to study how properties emerge in complex adaptive systems, with applications to teams and leadership in organizations. He also does basic research with linear, combinatorial and nonlinear optimization.
Awards and Honors
- Weatherhead Teaching Excellence2015Weatherhead School of Management
- Weatherhead Teaching Excellence2010Weatherhead School of Management
External Appointments
- Committee Member, Ad Hoc SIS Evaluation Committee, 2017
- Committee Member, Ad Hoc Committee for an Online MBA Program, 2016 - 2017
- Reviewer, Journal Article, INFORMS Journal on Computing, 2016
- Committee Chair, Recruitment, 2015 - 2022
- Committee Member, Ad Hoc Darwin Committee, 2006 - 2009
Publications
- Solow, D. , Fu, F.
On the Roots of Convex Functions Journal of Convex Analysis - Solow, D. (2022).
In Models We Trust—But First, Validate (vol. 111, pp. 42-49) The American Scientist - Solow, D. , Szmerekovsky, J. , Krishnakumar, S. (2021). In Mikhail Posypki (Ed.)
An Evolutionary Justification of the Emergence of Leadership Using Mathematical Models (vol. 9, issue 2271, pp. 23) Mathematics - Solow, D. , Magri, D. , (2021). In John Wang (Ed.)
An Application of Integer Programming to Producing Aircraft Engine Parts (vol. 13, issue 1, pp. 1 - 14) International Journal of Applied Management Science - Solow, D. , Yucesan, E. , Szechtman, R. (2021).
Novel Approaches to Feasibility Determination (vol. 31, issue 1, pp. 1 - 25) Transactions on Modeling and Computer Simulation - Solow, D. , Ning, J. , Zhu, J. , Cai, Y. (2020).
Improved Heuristics for Finding Balanced Teams (vol. 52, issue 12, pp. 1312-1323) IISE Transactions - Solow, D. , Szmerekovsky, J. , Dimitrov, N. , Guo, J. (2017).
Emergency Relocation of Items Using Single Trips: Special Cases of the Multiple Knapsack Assignment Problem European Journal of Operational Research - Solow, D. (2014).
Linear Programming: An Introduction to Finite Improvement Algorithms, 2nd edition Dover Publications - Solow, D. , Szmerekovsky, J. (2014).
Setting Leadership Goals and Getting Those Goals Accomplished: Insights from a Mathematical Model Computational and Mathematical Organization Theory - Millhiser, W. , Coen, C. A., Solow, D. (2011).
Understanding the Role of Worker Interdependence in Team Selection (vol. 22, issue 3, pp. 772-787) Organization Science - Solow, D. (2009).
How to Read and Do Proofs, 5th edition (pp. 301) New Jersey: John Wiley and Sons - Solow, D. , Halim, H. H. (2009). In Prof. Angappa Gunasekaran (Ed.)
Improving the Efficiency of the Simplex Algorithm Based on a Geometric Explanation of Phase 1 (vol. 5, issue 4, pp. 408 - 428) International Journal of Operational Research - Solow, D. , Szmerekovsky, J. (2008).
Factors that Affect the Optimal Amount of Central Control in Complex Systems Naval Research Logistics - Solow, D. , Vairaktarakis, G. , Piderit, S. , Tsai, M. (2002).
Managerial Insights into the Effects of Interactions on Replacing Members of a Team (vol. 48, issue 8, pp. 1060-1073) Management Science
Presentations
- Solow, D. (Presenter & Author) Departmental Seminar, "Visionary vs. Charismatic Leadership: Insights from a Mathematical Model", Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, UT Austin, Austin, TX. (2015).
- Solow, D. (Presenter & Author) Winter Meeting of the Canadian Math Society, "What a Transition Course Should (and Should Not) Be …In My Opinion", Canadian Mathematical Society, Hamilton, ON, Canada. (2014).
- Solow, D. (Presenter & Author) Naval Postgraduate School, "What makes a Combinatorial Optimization Problem Easy or Hard to Solve?", Department of Operations Research, Monterey, CA. (2012).
- Solow, D. (Presenter & Author), Szmerekovsky, J. (Author Only) Naval Postgraduate School, "What makes a Combinatorial Optimization Problem Easy or Hard to Solve?” ", Department of Operations Research, Monterey, CA. (2012).
- Solow, D. (Presenter & Author) High School Outreach, "On the Nature of Mathematical Proofs", Montessori High School, Cleveland, OH. (2011).
- Solow, D. (Presenter & Author), Szmerekovsky, J. (Author Only) Naval Postgraduate School, "Mathematical Models Justifying the Emergence of Leadership", Department of Operations Research, Monterey, CA. (2010).
- Solow, D. Asian Simulation and Modeling Conference, "Factors that Affect the Optimal Amount of Central Control in Complex Systems", Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand. (2009).