Survey of graduate supply chain courses: content, coverage and gaps

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather Lutz ◽  
Laura Birou ◽  
Joe Walden

PurposeThis paper aims to provide the results of a survey of courses dedicated to the field of supply chain management in higher education. This research is unique because it represents the first large-scale study of graduate supply chain management courses taught at universities globally. Design/methodology/approachContent analysis was performed on each syllabus to identify the actual course content: requirements, pedagogy and content emphasis. This aggregated information was used to compare historical research findings in this area, with the current skills identified as important for career success. This data provides input for a gap analysis between offerings in higher education and those needs identified by practitioners. FindingsData gathering efforts yielded a sample of 112 graduate courses representing 61 schools across the world. The aggregate number of topics covered in graduate courses totaled 114. The primary evaluation techniques include exams, projects and homework. Details regarding content and assessment techniques are provided along with a gap analysis between the supply chain management course content and the needs identified by APICS Supply Chain Manager Competency Model (2014). Originality/valueThe goal is to use this data as a means of continuous improvement in the quality and value of the educational experience on a longitudinal basis. The findings are designed to foster information sharing and provide data for benchmarking efforts in the development of supply chain management courses and curricula in academia, as well as training, development and recruitment efforts by professionals in the field of supply chain management.

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Birou ◽  
Heather Lutz ◽  
Joseph L. Walden

Purpose This paper aims to provide the results of a survey of supply chain management (SCM) courses in higher education. This research is unique because it represents the first large-scale study of undergraduate SCM course syllabi taught at universities. Design/methodology/approach The unit of analysis is an SCM syllabus. Content analysis was performed on each syllabus to identify the actual course coverage including requirements, pedagogy and content emphasis. This aggregated information was used to compare historical research findings in this area, with the current skills identified as important for career success. This data provides the input for a gap analysis between offerings in higher education and those needs identified by practitioners. Findings Data gathering efforts yielded a sample of 109 undergraduate courses representing 79 schools across North America. The aggregate number of topics covered in undergraduate courses totaled 120. The primary evaluation techniques include exams, projects and homework. Details regarding content and assessment techniques are provided along with a gap analysis between the coverage of supply chain courses and the needs identified by previous academic research. Originality/value This study is the first large-scale content analysis of undergraduate SCM course syllabi. The goal is to use this data as a means of continuous improvement in the quality and value of the educational experience on a longitudinal basis. The findings are designed to foster information sharing and provide data for benchmarking efforts in the development of SCM courses and curricula in academia, as well as training, development and recruitment efforts by professionals in the field of SCM.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Guilherme F. Frederico ◽  
Vikas Kumar ◽  
Jose Arturo Garza-Reyes

PurposeThis research investigates the impact of the strategic sourcing process on the supply chain response to COVID-19. The paper presents practitioners' perspectives (experts in supply chain management, especially involved in the procurement field) on the strategic sourcing process's impact on the supply chain response.Design/methodology/approachThe study follows a survey-based approach for data collection. It uses a descriptive survey methodology where questions related to the impact of the strategic sourcing process on the supply chain response in the face of the coronavirus pandemic were explored by practitioners.FindingsIn total, 130 valid responses were obtained. The results showed that the majority of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that strategic sourcing positively impacts the supply chain response amid the COVID-19 effects. Also, for the five phases of the strategic sourcing process, the majority of respondents considered them as a high and very high impact on the supply chain response.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper provides timely insights for practitioners and academics, especially those involved in the supply chain management area, showing how the strategic sourcing process plays an important role in making supply chains more responsive amid disruption situations.Practical implicationsFindings of this paper clearly shows the impact of the phases of the strategic sourcing process on the responsiveness of the supply chains amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This can encourage supply chain leadership to devote more time to strategic sourcing initiatives to generate improvements on the supply chain performance.Originality/valueThis paper is unique since it brings an unexplored relation in respect to strategic sourcing amid disruption situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, from a practitioner's perspective. It also significantly contributes to developing new directions for the supply chain management domain to deal with large-scale disruptions, such as the coronavirus pandemic.


2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 176-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huy Quang Truong ◽  
Maria Sameiro ◽  
Ana Cristina Fernandes ◽  
Paulo Sampaio ◽  
Binh An Thi Duong ◽  
...  

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide an empirical evidence about the relationship between practices of supply chain management (SCM) and operational performance (OP). Design/methodology/approach Based on a comprehensive literature review, a set of SCM practices has been identified and selected to develop a conceptual model as well as to establish their relationship to companies’ OP. The measurement scales of the practices were developed in four steps: identification and development of initial instrument; personal interviews and Q-sort; large-scale data collection; and large-scale analysis in order to ensure unidimensionality, reliability and validity. Structural equation modeling was used to validate the model with the data were collected in Vietnamese garment enterprises. Findings The study consolidated relationships between the SCM practices and OP. According to the research results, these practices have a “resonant” influence on OP that can explain 52.6 percent variance of this output concept. In particular, customer focus and supplier management both direct and indirect impact on OP while top management support and process control/improvement only have indirect and direct influences on OP, respectively. Research limitations/implications There are some limitations that can guide academics to new lines of future research: to extend the scope of the survey to include different countries and new situations, so results can be generalized; to consider the impacts of the SCM practices on the entire supply chain performance; and to explore additional factors that can further explain OP, such as operational environment, capital, technology, human resource, etc. Practical implications The authors suggest that the SCM practices should be implemented as an integrated system rather than independent practices, in which they interact with each other and improve OP. Originality/value The empirical results of this study provide an evidence to consider the SCM practices as reliable predictors for OP. According to the research, these practices interact with each other and have both direct and indirect effects on OP. In other words, through the mutual interaction among the SCM practices, they have the “resonant” influence on improving OP. Moreover, the proposed research model analyzing the relationship among SCM practices and OP and its validation using the Vietnam garment industry provided valuable insights both from theoretical and practical perspectives.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonardo Keiti de Godoy Tominaga ◽  
Vitor William Batista Martins ◽  
Izabela Simon Rampasso ◽  
Rosley Anholon ◽  
Dirceu Silva ◽  
...  

Purpose This paper aims to critically analyze the engineering education focused on sustainability in supply chain management, in courses offered by Brazilian higher education institutions. Design/methodology/approach Topics related to sustainable supply chain management were listed from the literature and used as a framework to gather professors’ opinions on how well these topics are covered in engineering courses offered in Brazil. Data analysis was performed via frequency analysis and comparative ordering using the Fuzzy technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution technique. Findings It was possible to evidence that most of the topics are superficially presented within other subjects and that there are few associated practical activities that enable greater learning. Comparatively, issues related to ISO standards (related to quality and environmental management systems) and compliance with environmental laws, regulations and standards were highlighted. Additionally, it was possible to verify that there is a need for further study on issues related to energy efficiency, worker training and corporate governance. Originality/value No similar study was found in the literature. The findings presented in this paper can contribute to the improvement of engineering education in Brazil and other countries.


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 122-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Torsten Doering ◽  
Nallan C. Suresh ◽  
Dennis Krumwiede

Purpose Longitudinal investigations are often suggested but rarely used in operations and supply chain management (OSCM), mainly due to the difficulty of obtaining data. There is a silver lining in the form of existing large-scale and planned repeated cross-sectional (RCS) data sets, an approach commonly used in sociology and political sciences. This study aims to review all relevant RCS surveys with a focus on OSCM, as well as data and methods to motivate longitudinal research and to study trends at the plant, industry and geographic levels. Design/methodology/approach A comparison of RCS, panel and hybrid surveys is presented. Existing RCS data sets in the OSCM discipline and their features are discussed. In total, 30 years of Global Manufacturing Research Group data are used to explore the applicability of analytical methods at the plant and aggregate level and in the form of multilevel modeling. Findings RCS analysis is a viable alternative to overcome the confines associated with panel data. The structure of the existing data sets restricts quantitative analysis due to survey and sampling issues. Opportunities surrounding RCS analysis are illustrated, and survey design recommendations are provided. Practical implications The longitudinal aspect of RCS surveys can answer new and untested research questions through repeated random sampling in focused topic areas. Planned RCS surveys can benefit from the provided recommendations. Originality/value RCS research designs are generally overlooked in OSCM. This study provides an analysis of RCS data sets and future survey recommendations.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Taschner ◽  
Michel Charifzadeh

Purpose Despite growing interest in the intersection of supply chain management (SCM) and management accounting (MA) in the academic debate, there is a lack of understanding regarding both the content and the delimitation of this topic. As of today, no common conceptualization of supply chain management accounting (SCMA) exists. The purpose of this study is to provide an overview of the research foci of SCMA in the scholarly debate of the past two decades. Additionally, it analyzes whether and to what extent the academic discourse of MA in SCs has already found its way into both SCM and MA higher education, respectively. Design/methodology/approach A content analysis is conducted including 114 higher education textbooks written in English or in German language. Findings The study finds that SC-specific concepts of MA are seldom covered in current textbooks of both disciplines. The authors conclude that although there is an extensive body of scholarly research about SCMA concepts, there is a significant discrepancy with what is taught in higher education textbooks. Practical implications There is a large discrepancy between the extensive knowledge available in scholarly research and what we teach in both disciplines. This implies that graduates of both disciplines lack important knowledge and skills in controlling and accounting for SCs. To bring about the necessary change, MA and SCM in higher education must be more integrative. Originality/value To the best of the authors knowledge, this study is first of its kind comprising a large textbook sample in both English and German languages. It is the first substantiated assessment of the current state of integration between SCM and MA in higher education.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhaleh Memari ◽  
Abbas Rezaei Pandari ◽  
Mohammad Ehsani ◽  
Shokufeh Mahmudi

PurposeTo understand the football industry in its entirety, a supply chain management (SCM) approach is necessary. This includes the study of suppliers, consumers and their collaborations. The purpose of this study was to present a business management model based on supply chain management.Design/methodology/approachData were collected through in-depth interviews with 12 academic and executive football experts. After three steps of open, axial and selective coding based on grounded theory with a paradigmatic approach, the data were analysed, and a football supply chain management (FSCM) was developed. The proposed model includes three managerial components: upstream suppliers, the manufacturing firm, and downstream customers.FindingsThe football industry sector has three parts: upstream suppliers, manufacturing firm/football clubs and downstream customers. We proposed seven parts for the managerial processes of football supply chain management: event/match management, club management, resource and infrastructure management, customer relationship management, supplier relationship management, cash flow management and knowledge and information flow management. This model can be used for configuration, coordination and redesign of business operations as well as the development of models for evaluation of the football supply chain's performance.Originality/valueThe proposed model of a football supply chain management, with the existing literature and theoretical review, created a synergistic outcome. This synergy is presented in the linkage of the players in this chain and interactions between them. This view can improve the management of industry productivity and improve the products quality.


Author(s):  
Craig R. Carter ◽  
Marc R. Hatton ◽  
Chao Wu ◽  
Xiangjing Chen

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to update the work of Carter and Easton (2011), by conducting a systematic review of the sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) literature in the primary logistics and supply chain management journals, during the 2010–2018 timeframe. Design/methodology/approach The authors use a systematic literature review (SLR) methodology which follows the methodology employed by Carter and Easton (2011). An evaluation of this methodology, using the Modified AMSTAR criteria, demonstrates a high level of empirical validity. Findings The field of SSCM continues to evolve with changes in substantive focus, theoretical lenses, unit of analysis, methodology and type of analysis. However, there are still abundant future research opportunities, including investigating under-researched topics such as diversity and human rights/working conditions, employing the group as the unit of analysis and better addressing empirical validity and social desirability bias. Research limitations/implications The findings result in prescriptions and a broad agenda to guide future research in the SSCM arena. The final section of the paper provides additional avenues for future research surrounding theory development and decision making. Originality/value This SLR provides a rigorous, methodologically valid review of the continuing evolution of empirical SSCM research over a 28-year time period.


Computers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 89
Author(s):  
Annegret Henninger ◽  
Atefeh Mashatan

The global supply chain is a network of interconnected processes that create, use, and exchange records, but which were not designed to interact with one another. As such, the key to unlocking the full potential of supply chain management (SCM) technologies is achieving interoperability across participating records systems and networks. We review existing research and solutions using distributed ledger technology (DLT) and provide a survey of its current state of practice. We additionally propose a holistic solution: a DLT-based interoperable future state that could enable the interoperable, efficient, reliable, and secure exchange of records with integrity. Finally, we provide a gap analysis between our proposed future state and the current state, which also serves as a gap analysis for many fractional DLT-based SCM solutions and research.


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