Research - This Week in Supply Chain Management (19 / 2012)

This week ended for me with a discussion of the possible congruence of research and practice and if one could really believe that “models” are even applicable to any real-life situation.

I would like the chance to stress my point of view again here:

1. I think in scientific research the selection of the methodology or approach is usually guided more by the needs of the research subject than by the efficiency restrictions set in practice. So of course, a scientific study may very well contain all aspects which would also be part of the same task in practice.
   Let me give you an example: In one part of my dissertation thesis I analyzed the structure of the supply chain risk management processes and strategies used to reduce supply chain risks within several companies. Based on the different environments of the questioned companies, recommendations were given on the optimal design of the processes and strategies.
2. Models of a given system (e.g. supply chain) have to be tailored both to the system in focus and the case of application. Models are applied in a variety of industries: Banking shows some of the weaknesses of relying too much on models which are too abstract. On the other hand in logistics, production and supply chain design models are used successfully in everything from route-, shop-floor or location-planning.

Right now I am sitting on a train on my way back from Stuttgart, listening to Philip Glass. I am looking forward to two days in Berlin, visiting my former roommate.
But now, let’s have a look at what was worth reading this week.

Articles

• First off, Forbes discusses the question “Can Your Business Survive the Butterfly Effect?” (Forbes)

  We’re seeing a growing interest from companies who are looking for ways to leverage these technologies and the social aspects of business networks to predict supplier risk and help improve supplier performance across the n-tier supply chain.

• Furthermore Tom Groenfeldt presents supply chain risks from the point of view of an insurer (Zurich Financial). (Forbes)

Hope you have a nice weekend.