Dr. Javier Villalba-Diez is a distinguished expert with the unique accomplishment of holding two PhDs from the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM)—both awarded for excellence as the best doctoral theses in their fields. His first PhD in Engineering, Economics, and Organizational Innovation (2016) focuses on Strategic Organizational Design, while his second PhD in Quantum Computational Applications for Industry 4.0 (2022) underscores his cutting-edge expertise in future-ready technologies.

Driven by a mission to empower individuals and organizations to achieve strategic goals while building trust, Dr. Villalba-Diez is a Mechanical Engineer from Technische Universität München and an Industrial Engineer from UPM (2003). Over the past 20 years, he has served as a professor, consultant, and production manager in German, American, and Japanese manufacturing environments, applying his deep technical and strategic knowledge to real-world challenges.

His research interests span transformative areas such as Quantum Computing, Deep Learning, Hoshin Kanri, Strategic Organizational Design, and Business AI. Dr. Villalba-Diez’s work takes him around the globe, collaborating with companies and visiting hundreds of factories to test innovative ideas and share valuable insights.

With his dual PhDs and extensive global experience, he continues to push the boundaries of industry and technology, dividing his time between Germany, the USA, Japan, and Spain.

2024

• Grijalvo, M., Ordieres-Meré, J., Villalba-Díez, J., Aladro-Benito, Y., Martín-Ávila, G., Simon-Hurtado, A., & Vivaracho-Pascual, C. (2024). Sufficiency for PSS tracking gait disorders in multiple sclerosis: A managerial perspective. Heliyon, 10(9), e30001. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30001

2023

• Sterkenburgh, T.R.; Villalba-Diez, J.; Ordieres-Meré, J. (2023) Socio-Technical Analysis of the Benefits and Barriers to Using a Digital Representation of the Global Horse Population in Equine Veterinary Medicine. Animals (2023), 13, 3557. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13223557 
• Ordieres-Meré, J., Gutierrez, M., & Villalba-Díez, J. (2023). Toward the industry 5.0 paradigm: Increasing value creation through the robust integration of humans and machines. Computers in Industry, 150, 103947. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compind.2023.103947

2022

• DIRECTOR DOCTORAL THESIS. SUMMA CUM LAUDE. Schmidt,  Daniel (2022). From data and algorithms to value creation in the Industry 4.0. Thesis (Doctoral), E.T.S.I. Industriales (UPM). ## Download PDF Thesis Manuscript. ## Download PDF PhD Presentation
• Villalba-Diez, J., González-Marcos, A. & Ordieres-Meré, J. Quantum cyber-physical systems. Scientific Reports 12, 7964 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-11691-x
• Villalba-Diez, J., Ordieres-Meré, J., González-Marcos, A., & Larzabal, A. S. (2022). Quantum Deep Learning for Steel Industry Computer Vision Quality Control. 14th IFAC Workshop on Intelligent Manufacturing Systems IMS 2022, 55(2), 337–342. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ifacol.2022.04.216
• BOOK. Villalba-Diez, J., & Ordieres Meré, J. (Eds.). (2022). JIDOKA. Integration of Human and AI within Industry 4.0 Cyber Physical Manufacturing Systems. MDPI. ## Download PDF
• BOOK. Villalba-Diez, J., & Ordieres Meré, J. (Eds.). (2022). Sense and Respond: Industrial Applications of Smart Sensors in Cyber-Physical Systems. MDPI. ## Download PDF
• DOCTORAL THESIS. SUMMA CUM LAUDE. Villalba-Diez,  Javier (2022). Quantum Computation in Industry 4.0 Cyber-Physical Systems. Thesis (Doctoral), E.T.S.I. Agrónomos (UPM). ## Download PDF Thesis Manuscript. ## Download PDF PhD Presentation
• Sánchez-Herguedas, A., Mena-Nieto, A., Rodrigo-Muñoz, F., Villalba-Díez, J., Ordieres-Meré, J. (2022). Optimisation of Maintenance Policies Based on Right-Censored Failure Data Using a Semi-Markovian Approach. Sensors. 2022; 22(4):1432. https://doi.org/10.3390/s22041432
• Sánchez-Herguedas, A., Mena-Nieto, A., Rodrigo-Muñoz, F., Villalba-Diez, J., Ordieres-Meré, J. (2021) Aplicación de Enfoques Semimarkovianos a la Mejora de Políticas de Mantenimiento Predeterminado en Activos Industriales. Actas de las IV Jornadas ScienCity 2021 - Fomento de la Cultura Científica, Tecnológica y de Innovación en Ciudades Inteligentes, 17-19 Noviembre, 2021: 23-26. Huelva, Spain.
• Villalba-Diez, J., González-Marcos, A., Ordieres-Meré, J. (2022). Improvement of Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm for Max–Cut Problems. Sensors, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/s22010244

2021

• Villalba-Diez, J., & Ordieres-Meré, J. (2021). Human–Machine Integration in Processes within Industry 4.0 Management. Sensors, 21(17). https://doi.org/10.3390/s21175928 
• Villalba-Diez, J., Molina, M., & Schmidt, D. (2021). Geometric Deep Lean Learning: Evaluation Using a Twitter Social Network. Applied Sciences, 11(15). https://doi.org/10.3390/app11156777
• Villalba-Diez, J., Gutierrez, M., Grijalvo Martín, M., Sterkenburgh, T., Losada, J. C., & Benito, R. M. (2021). Quantum JIDOKA. Integration of Quantum Simulation on a CNC Machine for In–Process Control Visualization. Sensors, 21(15). https://doi.org/10.3390/s21155031
• Villalba-Diez, J., Losada, J. C., Benito, R. M., & Schmidt, D. (2021). Industry 4.0 Quantum Strategic Organizational Design Configurations. The Case of 3 Qubits: Two Report to One. Entropy, 23(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/e23040426
• Villalba-Diez, J., Losada, J. C., Benito, R. M., & González-Marcos, A. (2021). Industry 4.0 Quantum Strategic Organizational Design Configurations. The Case of 3 Qubits: One Reports to Two. Entropy, 23(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/e23030374 
• Grijalvo Martín, M., Pacios Álvarez, A., Ordieres-Meré, J., Villalba-Díez, J., & Morales-Alonso, G. (2021). New Business Models from Prescriptive Maintenance Strategies Aligned with Sustainable Development Goals. Sustainability, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/su13010216

2020

• Villalba-Diez, J., Benito, R. M., & Losada, J. C. (2020). Industry 4.0 Quantum Strategic Organizational Design Configurations. The Case of Two Qubits: One Reports to One. Sensors, 20(23), 6977. https://doi.org/10.3390/s20236977
• Villalba-Diez, J., & Zheng, X. (2020). Quantum Strategic Organizational Design: Alignment in Industry 4.0 Complex-Networked Cyber-Physical Lean Management Systems. Sensors, 20(20), 5856. https://doi.org/10.3390/s20205856 
• Schmidt, D., Gevers, R., Schwiep, J., Ordieres-Meré, J., Villalba-Diez, J. (2020). Deep learning enabling quality improvement in rotogravure manufacturing. 30th International Conference on Flexible Automation and Intelligent Manufacturing (FAIM2021), 51, 330–336. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.promfg.2020.10.047 
• Sun, S., Zheng, X., Villalba-Diez, J., Ordieres-Meré, J. (2020). Data Handling in Industry 4.0: Interoperability Based on Distributed Ledger Technology. Sensors, 20(11), 3046. https://doi.org/10.3390/s20113046 
• Schmidt, D., Villalba Diez, J., Ordieres-Meré, J., Gevers, R., Schwiep, J., Molina, M. (2020). Industry 4.0 Lean Shopfloor Management Characterization Using EEG Sensors and Deep Learning. Sensors, 20 (10), 2860. https://doi.org/10.3390/s20102860 
• Villalba-Diez, J., Molina, M., Ordieres-Meré, J., Sun, S., Schmidt, D., Wellbrock, W. (2020). Geometric Deep Lean Learning: Deep Learning in Industry 4.0 Cyber–Physical Complex Networks. Sensors, 20 (3), 0763. https://doi.org/10.3390/s20030763  

2019

• Wellbrock, W., Ludin, D., Villalba-Diez, J. (2019). Potentials and Success Factors of Early Supplier Integration into Own Product Development. International Journal of Business and Economic Affairs, 4 (1), 1--11. https://doi.org/10.24088/IJBEA-2019-41001
• Sun, S., Zheng, X., Villalba-Diez, J., Ordieres-Meré, J. (2019). Indoor Air-Quality Data-Monitoring System: Long-Term Monitoring Benefits. Sensors, 19 (19). https://doi.org/10.3390/s19194157 
• Villalba-Diez, Javier, Schmidt, D., Gevers, R., Ordieres-Meré, J., Buchwitz, M., Wellbrock, W. (2019). Deep Learning for Industrial Computer Vision Quality Control in the Printing Industry 4.0. Sensors, 19 (18). https://doi.org/10.3390/s19183987 
• Villalba-Diez, Javier, Zheng, X., Schmidt, D., Molina, M. (2019). Characterization of Industry 4.0 Lean Management Problem-Solving Behavioral Patterns Using EEG Sensors and Deep Learning. Sensors, 19 (13). https://doi.org/10.3390/s19132841 
• Ordieres-Meré, J., Villalba-Diez, J., Zheng, X. (2019). Challenges and Opportunities for Publishing IIoT Data in Manufacturing as a Service Business. Procedia Manufacturing, 39, 185--193. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.promfg.2020.01.308 

2018

• Villalba-Diez, J., Ordieres-Mere, J., Molina, M., Rossner, M., & Lay, M. (2018). LEAN DENDROCHRONOLOGY: COMPLEXITY REDUCTION BY REPRESENTATION OF KPI DYNAMICS LOOKING AT STRATEGIC ORGANIZATIONAL DESIGN. Management and Production Engineering Review, 9(4), 3–9. https://doi.org/10.24425/119541 

2017

• Villalba-Diez, J., DeSanctis, I., Ordieres-Meré, J., Ciarapica, F.E. (2017). Lean Structural Network Resilience. In Cherifi, C., Cherifi, H., Karsai, M.,  Musolesi, M. (Eds.), Complex Networks \& Its Applications VI: Proceedings of Complex Networks 2017 (The Sixth International Conference on Complex Networks and Their Applications) (pp. 609--619). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-72150-7_49 
• BOOK. Villalba-Diez, J. (2017b). The Lean Brain Theory. Complex Networked Lean Strategic Organizational Design. CRC Press. Taylor and Francis Group LLC.
• BOOK. Villalba-Diez, J. (2017a). The HOSHIN KANRI FOREST. Lean Strategic Organizational Design (1st ed.). CRC Press. Taylor and Francis Group LLC.C.

2016

• Villalba-Diez, J., Ordieres-Meré, J. (2016). Improving the Management of Projects through Hoshin Kanri. Direccion y Organitzación, 60, 40--46. 
• Villalba-Diez, J., Ordieres-Meré, J., Rubio-Valdehita, S. (2016). Lean Learning Patterns. (CPD)nA vs. KATA. Procedia CIRP, 54, 147--151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procir.2016.05.101 
• Villalba-Diez, J., Ordieres-Meré, J. (2016). Strategic Lean Organizational Design: Towards Lean World-Small World Configurations through Discrete Dynamic Organizational Motifs. Mathematical Problems in Engineering, 2016, 1--10. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/1825410 
• DOCTORAL THESIS. SUMMA CUM LAUDE. Villalba-Diez,  Javier (2016). Hoshin Kanri Forest : lean strategic organizational design. Thesis (Doctoral), E.T.S.I. Industriales (UPM). https://doi.org/10.20868/UPM.thesis.42976

2015

• Villalba-Diez, J., Ordieres-Meré, J., Nuber, G. (2015). The HOSHIN KANRI TREE. Cross-Plant Lean Shopfloor Management. CIRP, 32, 150--155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procir.2015.02.120 
• Villalba-Diez, J., Ordieres-Meré, J., Chudzick, H., Lopez-Rojo, P. (2015). NEMAWASHI: Attaining Value Stream alignment within Complex Organizational Networks. Procedia CIRP, 37, 134--139. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procir.2015.08.021 
• Villalba-Diez, J., Ordieres-Meré, J., Alba-Elías, F., González-Marcos, A. (2015, July 6). PMO standardization through Hoshin Kanri Improving the Management of Projects by Process Management. 9th International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Industrial Management XXI International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management International IIE Conference 2015, Aveiro, Portugal. 
• Villalba-Diez, J.,  Ordieres-Meré, J. (2015). Improving manufacturing operational performance by standardizing process management. Transactions on Engineering Management, 62 (3), 351--360. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/7103303?arnumber=7103303