Why Do Supplier Codes of Conduct Fail to Improve Supply Chains?
Supplier codes of conduct are widely used but often ineffective because they enforce compliance instead of enabling collaboration across the supply chain.
05/26/2026 | By Remko van Hoek
Do Truck Safety Technologies Improve Driver Behavior? New Research Suggests It Depends
Truck safety technologies improve driver behavior when paired with effective coaching and communication—but may backfire if they lead to avoidance, overreliance, or reduced vigilance.
04/21/2026 | By Satabdi Hazarika, Marc Scott, Brian Fugate, and Rajiv Sabherwal
What Supply Chain Disruptions Reveal about Speed, Cost, and Business Continuity
This research shows how firms adjust transportation mode decisions during supply chain disruptions, using logistics flexibility to manage delays and uncertainty.
03/17/2026 | By Rodney Thomas & Matthew Waller
Designing Driver Feedback Systems That Actually Improve Fuel Efficiency
This research examines how driver ranking systems can boost or reduce fuel efficiency depending on how that feedback is delivered, indicating the importance of feedback design and delivery for logistics leaders.
02/10/2026 | By Christian Hofer & Ha Lam
How Purchase Limits Can Backfire During Disaster Preparedness
This research shows that retailer-imposed purchase limits before natural disasters can unintentionally increase consumer stockpiling, highlighting how behavioral responses like anchoring can undermine well-intended supply chain policies.
01/13/2026 | By Adriana Rossiter Hofer
Aligning Hospitals and Suppliers: A Data-Driven Path to Lower Procurement Costs
This research from David D. Dobrzykowski provides a data-driven framework that helps hospitals and GPOs optimize vendor tier contracts to significantly reduce procurement costs while strengthening supplier relationships.
12/09/2025 | By David Dobrzykowski
The $31 Billion Question: What AI and Machine Learning Really Do for Supply Chains
AI and machine learning revolutionize supply chain logistics, delivering best results when combined with robust information sharing and coordinated operations.
09/30/2025 | By Meghan Perry; Janeth Gabaldon
Breaking the Texting Habit: Why Young Drivers Take the Risk
Even though young drivers know that texting while driving is dangerous, many still do it. New research uncovers why this occurs, shaping future interventions.
04/29/2025 | By Alyssa Riley; Janeth Gabaldon
No Check Swings: Walton College Goes Big on AI and Supply Chain
Walton College's Daniel Stanton and Janeth Gabaldon discuss how their course equips students with the skills and mindset to thrive in an AI-enhanced world.
03/18/2025 | By Meghan Perry; Daniel Stanton and Janeth Gabaldon
Going the Extra Mile for Last-Mile Delivery
A three-step framework of LMD— pre-delivery, delivery, and post-delivery— examines how stakeholder interactions shape the success of online retail.
02/18/2025 | By Alyssa Riley; Nicolò Masorgo, David D. Dobrzykowski, and Brian S. Fugate
What Role Can AI Play in Your Procurement Strategy?
Research reveals actual AI adoption rates in procurement, offering insights for managers on implementation barriers, benefits, and strategic considerations.
01/14/2025 | By Ryan Sheets; Remko van Hoek
Understanding How COVID Disrupted Air Freight Markets
Discover how COVID-19 disrupted air freight markets and transformed supply chain strategies, from initial shock through industry adaptation and recovery
10/22/2024 | By Victoria Hernandez, Rodney Thomas
CSR in the Spotlight: Balancing Compliance and Innovation
Growing consumer awareness and demand have pushed companies to adopt robust CSR practices, influencing their supply chain partners to align with these values.
08/20/2024 | By Kaslyn Tidmore; Jason Ridge
Finding the Goldilocks Zone: How Government Contracts Boost (or Hinder) Firms’ Profitability
Doing business with the government creates challenges & unexpected effects on firms' bottom lines; finding the right balance and customer mix is crucial.
08/15/2024 | By Mitchell Simpson; Brian Fugate and Matt Waller
Helping Disaster Relief Employees Navigate Trauma
Disaster relief workers deal with demanding, traumatic work environments; supervisor support & collaborative, synchronized organizations help immensely.
04/23/2024 | By Alyssa Riley; Iana Shaheen and David Dobryzkowski
Steppingstones and Comfort Zones: How the Pandemic Changed Supply Chain Risk Scenarios
New research identifies five lessons learned from COVID-19 that can help managers develop supply chain resiliency to prepare for future potential disruptions.
03/12/2024 | By Alyssa Riley; Remko van Hoek
Using Automation as a Tool in Forecasting
The future of automation doesn’t necessarily need to be zero-sum. Instead, integrating automation with human inputs can improve quality and response times.
12/07/2023 | By Mitchell Simpson, John Aloysius
Lessons for a Sustainable Supply Chain from Bayer
Working sustainability into a company’s supply chain is easier said than done. New research highlights the role of Bayer's supplier code of conduct.
12/05/2023 | By Mitchell Simpson, Remko van Hoek
Food Banks: The New Hub for Innovation Practices
In times of resource scarcity and disruption, food banks and other humanitarian organizations turn to innovation to increase efficiency and attract new donors.
09/26/2023 | By Nabiha Khetani, Iana Shaheen
Market or Roadway Mayhem? A Fundamental Supply Chain Dilemma
Rigidities in the supply of truck drivers and truck availability have a lot in common with Greek tragedies because of the market's boom-and-bust nature.
09/12/2023 | By Andrew Balthrop, Jonathan Phares
You Might Need a Safety Net(work) When Working With the Government
Some organizations are better poised than others to resist the downsides of contracting with the largest consumer in the world: the U.S. government.
08/22/2023 | By Jack Travis, Brian Fugate
Intermodal Provides a Greener Option for Freight, but Barriers Remain
Intermodal transportation is environmentally promising, but infrastructure, competition, regulatory, and network efficiency barriers still remain.
07/07/2023 | By Matt Waller and Andrew Balthorp
A WISER Future for Supply Chains
Women Impacting Supply Chain Excellence asks how students, faculty, and industry leaders can help build a more robust, dynamic future for supply chains.
03/09/2023 | By Stephanie Thomas
Nudging Consumers for More Sustainable Last-mile Delivery
What if businesses could increase their sustainability while reducing strain on their supply chains? Read about low-cost green nudges aimed at consumers.
02/21/2023 | By Mitchell Simpson, Rodney Thomas
Action Principle Research for Emergent Problems
Sometimes, it takes supply chain researchers too long to produce practical recommendations. Could an action principles research model provide the solution?
02/09/2023 | By Mitchell Simpson, Remko van Hoek, Mary Lacity
Why Inflation is Bad for Your Health
Inflation impacts healthcare supply chain infrastructure and creates asymmetrical price stickiness. Could SCM education be key to fighting these effects?
12/01/2022 | By Ryan Sheets, David Dobrzykowski, Claudia Rosales, Andrew Balthorp
Taking the Robot Out of the Human: Strategic Supply Chain Process Automation
Employees are wary of automation, but a streamlined supply chain is a huge asset to most companies. How does robotic process automation respond to this problem?
09/15/2022 | By Ryan Sheets, Remko van Hoek, Mary Lacity
Is Scarcity the Mother of Innovation? Nonprofits’ Response to the Pandemic
Necessity's the mother of invention, but is scarcity the mother of innovation? Hunger relief NFPs' response to dire operating circumstances prove it is.
07/19/2022 | By Miranda Stith, Iana Shaheen
The Deeper Value of Being Ranked #1
Gartner ranked U of A's undergraduate supply chain program #1 for two consecutive cycles. Find out why students, and the companies that hire them, should care.
06/23/2022 | By Stephen Caldwell
The Unseen Benefits of E-commerce
Policies addressing highly visible e-commerce problems may do more harm than good, especially if they reinforce the status quo and foreclose on new ideas.
06/21/2022 | By Mitchell Simpson, Robert Jensen, Brent Williams
Think Big: Using Supply Chain Complexity to Increase Financial Returns
For some firms, a more horizontally complex - aka diversified - supply chain allows them to more efficiently turn inventory over and provides needed resiliency.
05/17/2022 | By Mitchell Simpson, Claudia Rosales
Doing the Smart Thing: The Effect of Female Decision Makers in the Supply Chains
New research discusses the benefits of women’s inclusion in the supply chain team dynamic and shows that women supply chain professionals are more collaborative.
03/30/2022 | By Ryan Sheets, Evan Wordlaw, John Aloysius
Learning from the Past to Manage Future Crises
The pandemic is global, and our efforts to mitigate its effects must also be global. Find out how marketing, retail, and other sectors can act effectively.
03/15/2022 | By Emilija Sarma, Scot Burton
Closing the Loop on a Cracking Whip: Viewing Port Congestion Through the Lens of System Dynamics
From the outside, supply chains can seem simple and straightforward. Find out how recent events have affected them and why they can be so hard to safeguard.
02/23/2022 | By Travis Tokar, Andrew Balthrop, and Ron Gordon
How’d That Get in My Cart? How Recommendations and Discounts Affect Online Shoppers’ Trust and Purchase Decisions
Sometimes the way to a shopper's heart is a good recommendation. Read this article to see the effects product recommendations can have on consumer trust.
01/10/2022 | By Emilija Sarma, John Aloysius
From Homemade Sign to Supply Chain Superstar
Read about the latest star in the field of supply chain management and see how the University of Arkansas has used the opportunity to reach and teach.
01/06/2022 | By Stephen Caldwell
Supply Chain Department Develops Expertise in Trucking
Trucking has never mattered more in Arkansas - and trucking research expertise has never been higher than now, thanks to the Walton College's efforts.
11/04/2021 | By Ron Gordon, Andrew Balthrop, Brian Fugate, Rod Thomas, Stephanie Thomas, Donnie Williams
Sustainable Profitability: The Benefits of Sustainability in Trucking
It's not just virtue signaling: shippers prefer carriers to invest in environmental & social sustainability - so long as it doesn't hurt economic sustainability.
10/29/2021 | By Ron Gordon, Rodney Thomas
How Maracas, 15-Minute Meetings, and a Product Mindset Strengthened Our Team: Three Tips for Using Product Management in Your Office
Ever wonder if a different approach would energize a team? Same here - these product mindset and product management changes have helped us have better meetings.
10/22/2021 | By Ron Gordon, Brent Williams
The Overlooked Secrets to J. B. Hunt’s Sustained Success
Instead of focusing on short-term wins & route profitability, JB Hunt succeeded by analyzing the whole trucking system & by constantly innovating its operations.
09/28/2021 | By Stephen Caldwell
Supply Chain Professors on Policy: Uncertainty, Buffers, and Trade-offs
Nobody doubts the value of supply chain resilience; but have policymakers fully considered the tradeoffs for incentivizing or coercing greater resilience?
09/14/2021 | By Ron Gordon, Brent Williams, Brian Fugate, Andrew Balthrop
Building Bridges to the Future: The Recent Development of Northwest Arkansas’ Supply Chain Cluster
Northwest Arkansas is a very different place than it was 90 years ago.
05/13/2021 | By Ron Gordon
‘Those People Bought Walmart Stock Early’: The Development of Northwest Arkansas’ Supply Chain Cluster, 1975-2010
Many of the developments that boosted Arkansas’ national profile were inseparable from the growth of its northwestern corner’s supply chain cluster: a concentrated set of supply chain-related business activities.
04/16/2021 | By Ron Gordon
The Land of Opportunity: The Beginnings of Northwest Arkansas’ Supply Chain Cluster
Between 1930 and 1975, the seeds were sown for Northwest Arkansas to emerge as a global business powerhouse.
04/05/2021 | By Ron Gordon
Women and Collaboration in the Supply Chain
The implications are that beyond just diversity initiatives, there may be a business case for more women in supply chain roles that span firm boundaries.
03/05/2021 | By John Aloysius
Supply Chain Master’s Degree Provides Flexibility for Working Professionals
With the critical role supply chains are playing in the success of modern organizations, a master’s-level education in the field provides a competitive advantage.
03/04/2021 | By Stephen Caldwell
Making the Pieces Fit’ Key for Supply Chain Management Students
A degree in supply chain management provides a broad range of career opportunities – inventory analysts, demand planners, purchasing managers, warehouse supervisors, logistics specialists and account representatives, just to name a few.
11/12/2020 | By Stephen Caldwell
SCMRC White Paper Addresses Truck Driver Burnout
The report – Truck Driver Burnout: Ways Carriers Can Fight Stress-Related Turnover – is a collaboration of SCMRC Executive Director Donnie Williams; Stephanie Thomas, an associate professor of practice in the Department of Supply Chain Management; and communications specialist Ron Gordon.
10/21/2020
COVID-19: The Wake-Up Call for Supply Chain Management
Supply chain management has played a critical role in the pandemic, coordinating shipments of life-saving PPE and medical devices to hospitals around the world – but not without complications. Improving the resilience of these supply chains by closing the gap between literature and practice will help us greatly when the next crisis comes around.
10/16/2020 | By Ryan Decker, Remko Van Hoek
If You Give A Shopper a Shipping Fee: The Logic Behind Logistics
Online shoppers want their cake and to eat it, too; they want premiere logistics services, but they don’t want to pay for it.
08/28/2020 | By Michael Adkison, Brian S. Fugate, Brent D. Williams
How We Became the No. 1 Undergraduate Supply Chain Management Program
When Gartner announced that it had ranked our undergraduate program No. 1 in North America, we were pleasantly surprised, to say the least.
08/13/2020 | By Brian Fugate
Child Labor and Corruption in the Congo. 2 Tips to Ensure Your Supply Chain Has Integrity
A full two-thirds of the world’s supply of cobalt is found in the Congo, and tech companies need it to make the lithium-ion batteries in phones, computers and almost every other rechargeable gadget.
07/08/2020 | By Cindy Moehring
Who Needs an Advanced Degree in Supply Chain, Anyway?
Supply chain managers are connect-the-dots sort of people, so they tend to understand just about every aspect of a business and how they fit together.
05/29/2020 | By Stephen Caldwell
Temporary Supply Chain: How a Global Group of Volunteers Rallied to Address the PPE Shortage for Hospitals in the United States
Spring Break typically finds me in China, but this year I was relaxing on the farm – until an unexpected opportunity arose to contribute to a unique collaboration that now is helping supply hospitals with nearly a million dollars’ worth of much-needed equipment in their fight against COVID-19.
04/16/2020 | By John Kent
Study Shows How Green Technology Influences Carrier Selection
The demand for environmental sustainability is high enough that shippers will choose carriers who use green weigh station and tollbooth bypass technology in their trucks, even when those carriers charge slightly more than their less environmentally friendly competitors.
04/10/2020 | By Ron Gordon, Rod Thomas
4 Ways Investing in Supply Chain Research Benefits the Bottom Line
Stock analysts aren’t yet fully applying network theory in their work, but they do understand the importance of digging deeper into the connections that form a supply network.
03/05/2020 | By Marat Davletshin
7 Ways Network Theory Is Reshaping Supply Chain
By applying network theory to the challenges of modern supply chains, we can better understand and manage the information and systems that move products from source to market.
02/25/2020 | By Marat Davletshin
5 Supply Chain Insights from a Conversation with Walmart’s Greg Smith
Greg Smith has witnessed a great many groundbreaking innovations in supply chain management over the past 35 years, but not as a passive observer.
02/04/2020 | By Donnie Williams
Thanks for the Information. When Does it Expire?
Information Disclosure Programs provide great information to consumers, but often present challenges for supply chain managers. The pressures and effects were the subject of a research project by Walton College professors.
01/24/2020 | By Jeff L. Wright, Jason W. Miller, Brian S. Fugate, Susan L. Golicic
Is Data Science a Fleeting Fad?
Many new companies have been founded by applying data science, predictive analytics, and big data to supply chain management.
01/23/2020 | By Matt Waller
How Procurement Professionals Can Add Value to the Enterprise
Procurement is a maturing field that faces challenges with meeting its changing (and growing) roles in organizations. One of those challenges is changing the perceptions about the value procurement adds to an enterprise.
01/23/2020 | By Ryan Decker, Remko Van Hoek, Carlos Mena, John Gattorna
What JB Hunt Looks for In Supply Chain Management Recruits
Great people have made J.B. Hunt a great company. Those people represent many different disciplines, but as a leader in the supply chain industry, we obviously depend heavily on leaders with expertise in supply chain management.
01/21/2020 | By Kirk Thompson
Thanks for the Information. When Does it Expire?
Although it is just a date and string of other numbers, a “Sell By” date matters to grocery shoppers and affects their purchasing decisions.
12/20/2019 | By Jeff L. Wright, Brian Fugate
Being the Bridge: Drop-Shipping and the New Terms of the Triad
Drive for convenience puts great pressure on suppliers and manufacturers.
11/15/2019 | By Jeff. L. Wright and Ryan Sheets
From One-Trick Pony to Workhorse: How Procurement Can (and Already Does) Add Value to the Enterprise
The future identity of procurement and its place at the strategic table depend on these proactive efforts.
09/11/2019 | By Ryan Sheets, Remko Van Hoek
Delivering Decisions: Response to Trends in Domestic Freight Transportation
The supply chain involves a wide range of business activities – transportation, customer service, inventory management, order processing, payments, warehousing, packaging, purchasing, and maintenance, to name few.
08/05/2019 | By Matthew Waller