The Alliance

The establishment of an Alliance for Supply Chain Innovation (ASCI) was a result of various institutions expressing the need to collaborate, in a formal way rather than the informal collaboration, which currently exists. To date, there was no dedicated broad based national Logistics and Supply Chain Management research organisation. However, a number of different entities across universities and research institutions within these organisations, regularly undertake Logistics and Supply Chain related research, and indeed from an expertise point of view, through a wide range of different researchers. In general, such research is responsive and applied in nature. Often private consulting firms undertake this type of research on an “as needs” basis for government or industry sector organisations, to meet their requirements. The inherent logic in this Alliance lies in integrating and sharing resources rather the current fragmented, piecemeal approach that leads to huge overheads for each group and often duplicates efforts nationally rather than consolidating and sharing these resources.

• Lack of unified approach to the relevant challenges in the Australian Economy• Lack of Multi-disciplinary Research Skills
• Lack of Research Project Management Skills• Shortage of experienced researchers in this domain
• Fragmented and sometimes insufficient expertise• Absence of an Independent Voice for Researchers

Similar to similar national Alliances in other disciplines of research, in Australia, a more formal structure of collaboration will support and address the issues outlined above.

Key to the success of such national Alliance will be its ability to produce innovations that improve efficiency, quality and safety of supply chain systems in Australia and globally.

The Alliance therefore:

• Focuses on Defined Key Areas of Research
• Secures the Support and Collaboration from Universities and Research Institutions
• Secures Support and Collaboration across the broader Industry, Government and Academic sectors
• Ensures Critical Mass of Researchers
• Secures Long-term Funding for Research

ASCI is regsitered as a Company Limited by Guarentee ACN 154 387 005