Product Design and Supply Chain Special Interest Group
The Logistics Institute at Hull University Business School has
formed a special interest group (SIG) to advance knowledge and
evaluate the impact of product design decisions on the supply
chain.
Aimed primarily at business, the group will seek to identify
problems and work together to practically solve issues for a
long-term profitable future. Product design has long been
recognised as a key driver of competitive success in the
marketplace. When Japanese farmers pioneered the square watermelon
which was easier to pack, it became clear that product design was
an important factor for supply chain efficiency.
The aim of the SIG is to connect theory and practice, to help
businesses to review processes and the issues they face when
aligning product and supply chain demand decisions. It is clear
that both business and academics have a lot to learn about product
design in the supply chain.
By joining the SIG, businesses will have access to world-leading
expertise in addition to gaining a real competitive edge through
their supply chain operations. After all, it has been suggested
that competition is no longer between individual companies but
rather between their supply chains.
How does the SIG work?
The Special Interest Group brings together managers, industry
specialists and academic experts to explore new ideas and to share
best practice in product design and supply chain. Members of the
Research Club meet regularly throughout the year – the research
agenda having been previously agreed by the members. Through the
membership subscriptions the Logistics Institute funds an intensive
research programme guided by senior academics and subject matter
specialists.
Particular aims of the SIG are to
- Provide a global forum for practitioners and academics in the
fields of design and supply chain management to openly share and
develop research ideas.
- Create visibility for an emerging research area.
- Advance knowledge in product design and supply chain management
as well as developing future research directions.
- Encourage benchmarking activities and compare best practices
among members.
- Design decision support frameworks to guide managers in
evaluating and quantifying the impact of product design on the
supply chain.
- Create workshops and in-house training that address areas of
specific concern.
Business benefits
The benefits of becoming a member include
- Knowledge sharing at regular meetings and workshops hosted by
the faculty
- Networking opportunities with other SIG members.
- Providing input that will define future research objectives and
priorities.
- Mini projects – projects to help understand and improve the
product and supply chain design decisions.
- Learning from other partners – opportunity to benchmark against
best practice and the latest publication and literature
reviews.
- Privileged access to new tools and methods – tailored to
company strategy.
- Access to all publications/reports that are produced by the
SIG.
- 30% off the cost of joining the Supply Chain Risk and Security
Club and the Transformational Logistics Research Club
Membership
Companies keen be involved in the Product Design and
Supply Chain Special Interest Group are welcome to join. An annual company
membership fee of £7,500 + VAT will apply.
Contact
For any further information on the Special Interest Group,
please contact
Terje Stolte (coordinator), on t.stolte@hull.ac.uk
or Sam Davy (administrator), on s.davy@hull.ac.uk, +44 (0)1482
347524