Articles
Rob Handfield on Amazon’s Struggle with Bad Business Practices in China
Rob Handfield, professor of operations and supply chain management, explains why quality control has become Amazon’s logistical downside with its suppliers in China. “Amazon’s whole business model is about distribution, not sourcing, so they never developed capabilities like auditing or […]
Rob Handfield Sees Significant Impact in Plastic Industry After Hurricane Ida
Rob Handfield, professor of operations and supply chain management, predicts a future of shortages and inflation following the devastation in the Gulf Coast following hurricane Ida. “It’s going to impact plastics. It’s going to impact packaging. It’s going to impact […]
Q: Why so many product shortages? A: The Perfect Storm
I have had a number of calls this past week with various media outlets, including the Associated Press, WRAL, Forbes, and even the New York Times! All of these reporters are asking the same question, which was best captured by […]
An Economic Impact Analysis of U.S. Biobased Industries
A report co-authored by Professor Rob Handfield analyzes the economic and environmental impact of biobased product industries.
Sebastian Heese Assesses the Financial Impact of Supply Chain Glitches on Social Media
Sebastian Heese, professor of supply chain management, analyzed whether or not social media reaction to supply chain glitches, like an overbooked flight, can affect a company’s financial performance. “While there wasn’t empirical evidence, there have been cases where it seems […]
Behind the Numbers of the SCRC Supply Management Index
The SCRC’s Supply Management Maturity Index was highlighted in a recent Wall Street Journal article, that identified the companies best prepared to weather the storm ahead in terms of supply chain disruptions. In this blog, I’ll explain a bit more […]
Rob Handfield Exposes the Underground Economy of Counterfeit Goods
Rob Handfield, professor of operations and supply chain management, breaks down how millions of fake goods ranging from laundry detergent to running shows make their way to Amazon shoppers. “Anywhere you can make a buck selling something at high volume […]
Major I-40 Bridge in Southeast Closed Indefinitely
The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) has shut down the Hernando de Soto Bridge on 1-40 indefinitely. The bridge connects Arkansas with Memphis, Tennessee. While conducting a routine inspection on May 11, an ARDOT engineer noticed a fractured beam, and immediately […]
Rob Handfield Sees Indian Drug Production at Risk Due to COVID Outbreak
Rob Handfield, professor of operations and supply chain management, says drug production in India is at risk given the the current status of the COVID-19 outbreak. “I’ve got to believe that the number of cases is going to hurt them,” […]
State of Emergency: Rob Handfield Comments on Gas Shortage in North Carolina
Governor Roy Cooper issued a state of emergency on May 10 in response to the recent cyberattack on Colonial Pipeline causing a shutdown. Around North Carolina, many citizens are lining up at local gas pumps to fill up in preparation for a […]