ASCI News
Mon, Jan 24 2011
UOW joins Alliance of Supply Chain Experts
An initiative aiming to shape the national research agenda for supply chain innovation has brought together leading researchers from universities, industry and government from across the country.
Called the Alliance for Supply Chain Innovation, it brings together the leaders within the field of logistics and supply chain research in Australia. The University of Wollongong has been invited to enter into a formal alliance with other prominent institutions such as the Victoria University, the University of Western Sydney, the University of Tasmania, Curtin University, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Bond University, Monash University, University of South Australia as well as The Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport Australia (CILTA), GS1 Australia and CSIRO.
The University of Wollongong is represented by Professor Tim Coltman at the Institute for Innovation in Business and Social Research (IIBSoR) in the Faculty of Commerce. The alliance aims to influence the national supply chain agenda, determining where research needs to take place.
“By collaborating with research institutions from across Australia, we will be able to address the larger supply chain problems and challenges that are of national interest”, Professor Coltman said.
“As an example, we have just been awarded a contract with the Port Kembla Port Corporation, a project that would not have been possible if it wasn’t for the expertise in the alliance”.
There are several alliances in Australia where academics successfully collaborate with industries, including the mining, energy, and health industries. Despite the fact that the logistics and supply chain sector forms as much as 15% of the Australian GDP, nothing like this has previously existed for the sector.
Up until now, universities and research organisations have carried out supply chain projects on an ‘as needed’ basis for different companies or government organisations, operating in a responsive manner. This alliance changes that, being the first of its kind in logistics and supply chain expertise in Australia.
Professor Coltman said the alliance would address national issues to improve and build a sustainable logistics position for Australia, assisting in testing new business concepts as well as support particular training and education needs of the industry in collaboration with its partner institutions.
“This initiative brings together the top researchers in supply chain and logistics, which will lead to a more co-ordinated approach to solutions for businesses.
“The alliance will ensure a national strength in logistics and supply chain research and support industry as well as government collaboration. Ultimately, this will result in the industry being able to manage their business critical supply chains more effectively and competitively.
“The universities involved in this alliance are considered to be the leaders in supply chain research. Integrating UOW’s resources such as the SMART Infrastructure and centres and institutes within the Faculties of Informatics and Commerce will enable us to identify the need or opportunity for change and formulate an informed response to such a need or opportunity.
“UOW is in a prime position to take on both theoretical and commercial research within this area“, Professor Coltman said.
UOW researchers have previously gained international industry recognition for several projects within the field, such as the partnering with logistics company DHL to identify the needs of supply chain customers; resulting in new business models which have been successfully used by the company.
“The involvement in the Alliance for Supply Chain Innovation further highlights UOW as being a leader in this key area of research, which is important to business,” Professor Coltman said.
For further information contact Professor Tim Coltman on phone (02) 4221 3912 or
email tim_coltman@uow.edu.au