About
Mission:
The University of Texas at Austin Supply Chain Management Center of Excellence (SCMC) exists to support and promote scholarly research in supply chain management and related fields.
SCMC brings together financial resources, executives from leading corporations, and faculty and students from multiple disciplines in the McCombs School of Business to develop and communicate new knowledge about supply chain management, conduct and publish research findings, facilitate the development of outstanding academic programs in supply chain management, enable “real world” problem solving for our industry partners, and encourage the development of future industry and academic leaders in this field. SCMC links the McCombs School of Business with industry and other centers of related activities within The University of Texas at Austin.
Return to Top
History:
In 2001, industry representatives approached the Department of Management faculty at the McCombs School of Business and requested the creation of a program in supply chain management. In turn, the Supply Chain Management Consortium was established in 2002 by several corporate participants and faculty members.
As a result of the Consortium’s efforts, supply chain management specializations were developed for the MBA and Ph.D. programs, as well as the Engineering Route to Business major. In fall 2006, the undergraduate supply chain management major became one of two flagship majors in the Department of Information, Risk, and Operations Management.
The Consortium transitioned to the Supply Chain Management Center of Excellence in fall 2007. Chartered as a cross-functional and school-wide center, SCMC is virtually the only center focused on a “horizontal” look at the total supply chain. In May 2008, the Center released its strategic plan which focuses on benefiting three constituencies: corporate sponsors, McCombs faculty and McCombs students.
Through the continual development of academic programs, sponsored activities, cutting-edge research, and collaborations between constituents, SCMC is on the path of becoming a globally recognized leader in this area. By February 2009, the Center received support from 13 Executive Sponsors of which 12 are recognized as Founding Sponsors, one Small Company Sponsor, and three Corporate Supporters.
Return to Top
Our Focus:
SCMC brings together executives from leading corporations with Texas faculty and students to identify, document, research, develop and disseminate best practices in supply chain management.
Our goals are to:
- Produce research and information that contribute significantly to the theory and practice of supply chain management
- Provide a forum to help our corporate sponsors to be on the leading edge of supply chain management best practices
- Develop and educate students to become future industry leaders in supply chain management
Return to Top
Industry Partnerships:
Partnerships with industry are critical to SCMC’s success. The involvement of corporate sponsors allows the Center to gain insight and respond to the needs of industry.
Some of SCMC’s key activities include:
- Promoting interaction between executives from leading corporations and McCombs faculty and students
- Hosting symposia and roundtable discussions on cutting-edge supply chain and related issues
- Facilitating faculty-supervised practicum projects for students with sponsoring corporations
- Shaping curriculum for the supply chain management concentration
- Providing scholarships to students interested in supply chain management and related fields
- Encouraging the formation of cross-functional research communities
Return to Top
What is Supply Chain Management?
Supply chain management is the structuring and coordination of relationships and activities across firms to deliver value in an information and technology intensive global environment. This involves the timely flow of materials, information and finances, as well as the management of product development, manufacturing, distribution and service activities in a value chain comprised of multiple tiers of suppliers and customers.
A major challenge of managing supply chains is the presence of inter-firm relationships that are simultaneously cooperative and competitive. Although supply chain partners cooperate to expand the market for their end product, each of them may have its own agenda to advance. Successful management of these complex and seemingly contradictory relationships requires the development of innovative business models, supply chain structures, and analytical approaches.
Return to Top
Why Establish a Center of Excellence?
A Proposal for a Supply Chain Management Center of Excellence by Douglas Morrice, Director, The University of Texas at Austin Supply Chain Management Consortium
Return to Top