The Hindu Business Line : ‘Managers should have understanding of supply chain risks’

The centre for Global Logistics and Manufacturing Strategies (GLAMS) at the Indian School of Business is planning to focus on research pertaining to supply chain risks.

“The knowledge of supply chain management and its inherent risks are very important for future managers and the industry. We want to build up a comprehensive research data base on various aspects of these risks,” Prof N. Viswanadham, Execu tive Director, GLAMS, told The New Manager.

The effectiveness of the supply chain could be adversely impacted by infrastructural, political and economic risks.

“For example, the Tatas lost time and investment due to the political fallout of the proposed Nano plant in Bengal. Similarly, a virus such as H1N1 could lead to supply chain issues, which is, in fact, happening,” he said.

A special focus area for the centre is the interplay between regular supply chain management and the counterfeit supply chain in view of the increasing incidence of counterfeits.

COLLABORATION WITH IBM

GLAMS is executing a collaborative research partnership with IBM, which was recently announced.

It will work in association with researchers from IBM to further research in the science of the services sector.

The collaboration will bring together a team of 10 full-time researchers, five each from ISB and IBM Research – India.

The team would focus on developing foundational techniques in service science, including the modelling, measurement and optimisation of service systems.

“We will get Rs 1 crore a year as support from IBM, which will be utilised for research projects. After three years, the collaboration may lead to setting up of a Service Science Institute at ISB. However, this is only in the planning stage,” Prof Viswanadham said.

PROJECTS

GLAMS, which has conducted projects with GM, IBM and Hero earlier, is now planning to take up projects on issues pertaining to the emerging markets.

“In a country like India, cost considerations are of paramount importance. We are currently working on projects on the pattern of change in the General Elections in India, health and hygiene and provision of affordable, safe drinking water,” he said.

The centre, which has focussed mainly on the manufacturing sector till recently, is now shifting its attention to the services sector.