Supply Chain

APICS, the world’s largest and most respected association for supply chain and operations management professionals, today announced its research organization, the APICS Foundation, will begin an important new research initiative in partnership with Michigan State University (MSU). The study will identify and examine the capabilities necessary for Supply Chain success, thus redefining the future of global supply chain management.

“Supply Chain Management: Beyond the Horizon,” is an industry-focused initiative with research and educational components conducted by the APICS Foundation and MSU’s Department of Supply Chain Management, with the support of the MSU Executive Development Programs and the Broad College of Business. The study is being carried out over a two-year period, with initial results to be published in 2014. Support is being provided by the APICS Foundation and the John H. McConnell Chair in Business Administration at MSU.

The study examines factors in three areas: an organization’s business model, management, and the interrelationship between the business model and supply chain operations.

“Supply chain optimization goes far beyond being better, faster and cheaper,” said David Closs, John H. McConnell chaired professor of business administration and chair of the department of supply chain management at Michigan State University. “We need to understand the factors that facilitate and inhibit the transformation of a supply chain from tactical to strategic. While previous studies have demonstrated the importance of supply chain management and helped to identify the capabilities that positively contribute to supply chain performance, a crucial question remains: How does a supply chain become strategic? ‘Beyond the Horizon’ will provide a blueprint that enables such a progression.”

“This major undertaking, in partnership with the team of esteemed educators and researchers from MSU as well as APICS members, will generate relevant, actionable insights that promise to advance the design and execution of supply chain operations going forward,” said Sharon Rice, executive director of the APICS Foundation. “We are especially honored to work with the faculty at MSU, named the top-ranked undergraduate supply chain management program in the nation byU.S. News & World Report in 2011 and 2012.”

The research employs a multi-method approach including a detailed literature review, case studies, Delphi surveys and academic publications, along with educational components involving workshops and practitioner-targeted publications.

Upon completion of the study, the research team will generate a final report in addition to papers and presentations for both professional and academic audiences.

ABOUT APICS

Founded in 1957, APICS builds and validates knowledge in supply chain and operations management. It provides training, certification, and comprehensive educational resources in the areas of production, inventory, materials management, purchasing and logistics for more than 36,000 members in 70 countries. For more information, visit http://apics.org, join the APICS LinkedIn group at apics.org/linkedin, and follow APICS on Twitter at http://twitter.com/Tweet_APICS.

ABOUT THE APICS FOUNDATION

The APICS Foundation advances supply chain and operations management and innovation through research, educational programs and curriculum development. Business leaders, academia and global enterprises gain valuable insights, information and actionable data through the foundation’s unrivaled supply chain network and resources. For more information, visit http://apicsfoundation.org.

ABOUT MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

Michigan State University has been working to advance the common good in uncommon ways for more than 150 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU focuses its vast resources on creating solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges, while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges. For more information, visithttp://supplychain.broad.msu.edu.

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