Linkages Global Supply Chain Management
Spring 2024 Vol. 16, Is s u e 1
Managing Supply Chains in a Post-Pandemic World Prior to 2020, global supply chains were humming along rather smoothly. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and recent geopolitical conflicts exposed vulnerabilities in many supply chains, resulting in widespread and lingering shortages and frequent price hikes, raising serious doubts about globalization. Firms worldwide are currently under greater political and competitive pressures to increase their domestic production and reduce their dependence on sources that are perceived as risky. As the world economy continues to stabilize and recover, it’s time to consider alternative supply chain strategies best suited to the realities of the new era. The primary challenge for firms is to make their supply chains more resilient without incurring exuberant costs and weakening their competitiveness. To meet that challenge, managers should first understand their supply chain vulnerabilities and consider strategies Prof. Farzad Mahmoodi that identify hidden risks by mapping the full supply chain for critical products. That information can then be used to either diversify the supply base or stockpile key materials or items, preferably as upstream in the supply chain as possible. Furthermore, transplanting a production line or setting up a new one may result in significant process improvements. Finally, in many industries, new technologies would allow firms to replace large plants serving global markets with a network of smaller, geographically distributed plants to enhance supply chain resiliency. Our interdisciplinary supply chain management program covers the essential topics to educate today’s professionals to successfully navigate future challenges. In this issue of Linkages, you will read about our program, our alumni and faculty’s latest achievements and research, including: new research projects in drone-assisted truck delivery in urban areas, carbon footprint reduction in supply chains, and supply chain network design for hyperlocal grocery delivery (p. 2); how alumna Kaley (Johnson) Russell ’13 creates an efficient gas turbine supply chain for GE Verona (p. 3); how Patrick Becker ’07, MBA’09 has built a successful career in logistics in the defense industry (p. 6); Professor Bebonchu Atems’ investigation into the impacts of shocks to global supply chains on U.S. entrepreneurship (p. 7); and why Clarkson students’ experience with SAP, Salesforce and other IS systems help them stand out in a competitive job market. We hope you enjoy this issue and welcome your feedback (fmahmoodi@clarkson.edu). — Professor Farzad Mahmoodi Joel Goldschein ’57 Endowed Chair in Supply Chain Management & Director of Clarkson’s GSCM Program
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