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Meeting of the minds:
Research symposia advance the supply chain management profession
PMAC
As in any profession, new research—combined with real-world experience—drives supply chain management (SCM) forward. In our field of practice, recent developments in supply chain technology, process design and management strategies have created an increasingly complex set of issues to resolve in order to achieve competitive advantage for our organizations.
To discuss these critical issues, and further the ongoing research, the Purchasing Management Association of Canada (PMAC) is jointly sponsoring two upcoming symposia to bring together academic and industry leaders in a lively exchange of ideas.
Sponsoring research symposia aligns with PMAC's vision of being "the recognized leader in the development and advancement of world-class strategic supply chain management."
In addition to competitively-selected, original academic papers and practitioner presentations, the symposia include keynote addresses by senior business executives, open roundtables on popular topics, provocative panel discussions led by experts in the field, and time for informal discussion collaboration, and networking.
Symposia bring together practitioners from the public and private sectors, and academic researchers in a forum that encourages interdisciplinary research in SCM. Goals of the symposia include:
• Improving the understanding of how we can transform supply chains and their associated activities, thereby advancing the competitiveness of business, government and non-profits;
• Motivating involvement in rigorous and applicable research, as well as supporting collaborative research agendas and publications;
• Enhancing interactions among supply chain practitioners and researchers, creating permanent networking opportunities;
• Showcasing research strengths in supply chain management, and encouraging the corporate community to take advantage of these strengths.
Symposia topics cover the broad spectrum of supply chain management. The upcoming 4th International Symposium on Supply Chain Management, co-sponsored by PMAC, includes a special focus on "Competitive Advantage through Information Technology."
The Toronto symposium will explore a wealth of topics, including: new research on business continuity planning for supply chains, RFID in supply chain optimization, vendor relationship management applications, supply chain management software, and reverse auctions.
Among the presenters are practitioners from industries such as oil and gas, healthcare, IT, consulting and automotive. Also participating are academics from the University of Windsor, Ryerson University, Laval University, University of New Brunswick, University of Manitoba and University of Calgary, as well as universities in the US, Australia, Taiwan, Germany, Tunisia and Korea.
Research symposia will allow PMAC to develop beneficial alliances with university business schools, while enhancing the profession's profile in the international academic community.
This elevated status translates into direct benefits for today's supply chain professionals and those that hold the C.P.P. designation by fostering:
• More global market demand for strategic supply chain management professionals;
• Increased market recognition and relevance for C.P.P.s;
• Greater understanding of C.P.P. competencies and the value they hold for the strategic competitiveness of enterprises;
• Growth of the profession through more post-secondary graduates choosing a career in SCM.
Moving forward, to maintain brand leadership as the pre-eminent authority in the field, PMAC must provide members and the corporate community with information on cutting-edge concepts and trends in strategic SCM.
Both the symposia themselves, as well as forthcoming research, will highlight today's best practices and innovations in supply chain technology, organization and management, pointing the way to improved business competitiveness—and enhanced visibility for the strategic supply chain management profession.
Upcoming symposia
4th Annual International Symposium on Supply Chain Management
October 4-6, 2006
Toronto
Sponsored by McMaster eBusiness Research Centre (MeRC) at McMaster University, the Purchasing Management Association of Canada (PMAC) and the Ontario Research Network for Electronic Commerce (ORNEC)
www.pmac.ca
18th Annual North American Research/Teaching Symposium on Purchasing and Supply Chain Management
March 29-31, 2007
Tempe, Arizona
Sponsored by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM), the Center for Strategic Supply Research and the Purchasing Management Association of Canada (PMAC)
www.ism.ws
The above column was provided by the Purchasing Management Association of Canada (PMAC). For more information on the symposia, see www.pmac.ca
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