Centre for Supply Chain Excellence

<h2>About Us </h2> The Centre for Supply Chain is dedicated to supply chain excellence in education, research, and practice through collaboration with academics, industry partners, government entities, and other research institutes. The focus of the Centre is on the following five pillars: <h2>Research</h2> Research is a core part of what we do at the Centre. The Centre's cross-disciplinary team of researchers from leading Universities and organizations undertake cutting-edge and impactful research to develop and disseminate world-class knowledge and practices in supply chain. Our team actively publishes in the top-ranked business, operations, supply chain, and logistics journals. <h2>Knowledge Exchange &amp; Applied Learning</h2> The Centre provides a platform for students, alumni, faculty, and industry professionals to collaborate and share ideas, latest developments, and best practices in supply chain. Throughout the year, the Centre organizes several events such as conferences, seminars, and symposiums to promote knowledge exchange. Also, the Centre disseminates knowledge and latest insights through various publications, newsletters, blogs, and podcasts. For students, the Centre promotes applied learning through industry guest speakers, site visits, case competitions, and more. <h2>Training and Consultancy</h2> The Centre undertakes corporate training, advisory services, and consulting projects for public and private sector entities and inter-governmental organizations in various supply chain domains. The Centre also plays an active role in the professional development of academics and students through training programs and workshops. <h2>Promoting Women in Supply Chain</h2> The Centre is committed to empowering women to enter and take the lead in the supply chain and logistics profession and meet the need for more women professionals and leaders in the supply chain. We have several supply chain women leaders in our team, and much can be learned from their inspiring journeys, including breaking barriers and overcoming obstacles. <h2>Partnerships and Collaboration</h2> We constantly reach out to research institutions, businesses, and the supply chain community to build partnerships and forging interdisciplinary collaborations to advance the Centre's activities. We also work with other Universities and research centres for co-organizing events and joint application of research grants. If you are interested in being part of a community eager to understand and solve real-world supply chain issues, sign up to become a member of this Centre. If you would like further information, please get in touch with Dr. Sreejith Balasubramanian (<a href='mailto:s.balasubramanian@mdx.ac.ae'>s.balasubramanian@mdx.ac.ae</a>)

<h2>Our Team</h2> <h2>Head of Centre for Supply Chain Excellence</h2> Dr Sreejith Balasubramanian Head &amp; Founder – Centre for Supply Chain Excellence Senior Lecturer - Supply Chain and Logistics &amp; Chair of the Research Committee Middlesex University Dubai Email: <a href='mailto:s.balasubramanian@mdx.ac.ae'>s.balasubramanian@mdx.ac.ae</a> LinkedIn: <a href='http://www.linkedin.com/in/Dr-Sreejith-Balasubramanian'>www.linkedin.com/in/Dr-Sreejith-Balasubramanian</a> <h2>Core Team</h2> Dr Vinaya Shukla Senior Lecturer in Management Middlesex University London Email: <a href='mailto:V.Shukla@mdx.ac.uk'>V.Shukla@mdx.ac.uk</a> Dr Supriya Kaitheri Senior Lecturer, Data Analytics Middlesex University Dubai Email: <a href='mailto:s.kaitheri@mdx.ac.ae'>s.kaitheri@mdx.ac.ae</a> Mr Rory McConnon Senior Lecturer &amp; Campus Programme Coordinator, Business School Middlesex University Dubai Email: <a href='mailto:r.mcconnon@mdx.ac.ae'>r.mcconnon@mdx.ac.ae</a> <h2>Affiliated Members &amp; Research Associates</h2> Associate Prof. Dr. Janya Chanchaichujit Faculty of Environmental Management Prince of Songkla University, Thailand E-Mail:<a href='mailto:janya.chanchaichujit@gmail.com' target='_blank' title='mailto:janya.chanchaichujit@gmail.com'>janya.chanchaichujit@gmail.com</a> Albert&nbsp;Wee Kwan Tan, PhD Associate Professor Academic Program Director Asian Institute of Management Email:&nbsp;<a href='mailto:ATan@aim.edu' contenteditable='false' title='mailto:ATan@aim.edu'>ATan@aim.edu</a> Dr Sushmita A Narayana Assistance Professor, Operations &amp; Supply Chain Management National Institute of Industrial Engineering Email: <a href='mailto:sushmitan@nitie.ac.in'>sushmitan@nitie.ac.in</a> Dr Cody Paris Associate Professor &amp; Deputy Director Academic Planning &amp; Research Middlesex University Dubai Email: <a href='mailto:C.Paris@mdx.ac.ae'>C.Paris@mdx.ac.ae</a> Dr Krishnadas Nanath Associate Professor in Data Science &amp; Head of InsightsX Lab Middlesex University Dubai Email: <a href='mailto:K.Nanath@mdx.ac.ae'>K.Nanath@mdx.ac.ae</a> Mr Jaspreet Singh Sethi Senior Lecturer Computer Engineering and Informatics Middlesex University Dubai Email: <a href='mailto:J.Sethi@mdx.ac.ae'>J.Sethi@mdx.ac.ae</a> Mr Stephen King Lecturer, School of Media Middlesex University Dubai Email: <a href='mailto:s.king@mdx.ac.ae'>s.king@mdx.ac.ae</a> Ms Meike Schulte Sustainability Researcher Alumna, Middlesex University Dubai Email: <a href='mailto:mnschulte@hotmail.com'>mnschulte@hotmail.com</a> Dr Mostain Belal Supply Chain Researcher Alumnus, Middlesex University London Email: <a href='mailto:mostain_belal@yahoo.co.uk'>mostain_belal@yahoo.co.uk</a>

<h2>Advisory Board</h2>The Centre for Supply Chain Excellence is supported by an industry advisory board and an academic advisory board to support the linkage between industry/government and academia.&nbsp; The committee provides support and strategic guidance to the Centre's activities as well as proposes forward-thinking initiatives. Senior professionals and researchers from private organizations, governmental agencies, and research institutions interested in supply chain management are welcome to join our advisory committee. <h2>Industry Advisory Board</h2> Dr Raman Kumar Managing Director – Al Futtaim Logistics Mr. Michael Stockdale Chief Executive Officer B2C Logistics Mr. Prakash Rao Group Head of Supply Chain Projects Landmark Group of Companies Mr. Ritesh Somani Director - Supply Chain and 3PL Trans, Middle East and North Africa Amazon Mr. Marwan Mubarak Commercial and Chartering,&nbsp;Mubarak Marine <h2>Academic Advisory Board</h2> Dr Cedwyn Fernandes Pro-Vice Chancellor, Middlesex University Director, Middlesex University Dubai Email:&nbsp;<a href='mailto:e.reyes@mdx.ac.ae'>e.reyes@mdx.ac.ae</a> Associate Prof. Dr. Janya Chanchaichujit Faculty of Environmental Management Prince of Songkla University, Thailand E-Mail:&nbsp;<a href='mailto:janya.chanchaichujit@gmail.com' target='_blank' title='mailto:janya.chanchaichujit@gmail.com'>janya.chanchaichujit@gmail.com</a> <div> <div> <div dir='ltr'> <div dir='ltr'> Albert&nbsp;Wee Kwan Tan, PhD Associate Professor Academic Program Director Asian Institute of Management Email:&nbsp;<a href='mailto:ATan@aim.edu' contenteditable='false' title='mailto:ATan@aim.edu'>ATan@aim.edu</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> Dr Cody Paris Associate Professor &amp; Deputy Director Academic Planning &amp; Research Middlesex University Dubai Email: <a href='mailto:C.Paris@mdx.ac.ae'>C.Paris@mdx.ac.ae</a> Dr Sushmita A Narayana Assistance Professor, Operations &amp; Supply Chain Management National Institute of Industrial Engineering Email: <a href='mailto:sushmitan@nitie.ac.in'>sushmitan@nitie.ac.in</a>

<h2>Our Research & Publications</h2>Our Centre undertakes cutting-edge policy and practice-influencing research to solve complex, real-world supply chain issues. Our research projects and interests are mainly in the areas of: <ul> <li>Sustainability/Green Supply Chains, Green Innovation, and Circular economy</li> <li>Construction and Manufacturing Supply Chains</li> <li>Tourism, Hospitality, and Retail Supply Chains</li> <li>Medical, Health Care, and Pharmaceutical Supply Chains</li> <li>Application of Industry 4.0 Technologies in Supply Chain</li> <li>Supply Chain Analytics</li> <li>Logistics and Supply Chain Modelling and Optimization</li> <li>Supply Chain Resilience and Risk Mitigation</li> <li>Ethical Sourcing</li> </ul> <h2>Publications</h2> Our academic colleagues and affiliated members are actively publishing in top ranked logistics and supply chain management journals. Some of the selected recent publications are: Balasubramanian, S. (2020). Stakeholders' role in delivering sustainable supply chains in the construction sector. International Journal of Society Systems Science, 12(2), 165-184. <a href='https://doi.org/10.1504/IJSSS.2020.108415'>https://doi.org/10.1504/IJSSS.2020.108415</a> Balasubramanian, S., &amp; Shukla, V. (2020). Foreign versus local firms: implications for environmental sustainability. Benchmarking: An International Journal, 27(5), 1739-1768. <a href='https://doi.org/10.1108/BIJ-12-2019-0526'>https://doi.org/10.1108/BIJ-12-2019-0526</a> Balasubramanian, S., &amp; Shukla, V. (2020). Leadership Strategies for Global Supply Chain Management: The Case of UAE's Construction Sector. In Leadership Strategies for Global Supply Chain Management in Emerging Markets (pp. 54-77). IGI Global. <a href='https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-7998-2867-9.ch003'>https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-7998-2867-9.ch003</a> Balasubramanian, S., Gharehdash, M., Gharehdash, M., Shukla, V., &amp; Upadhyay, A. (2020). Supply chain network design models for a circular economy: a review and a case study assessment. Circular Economy for the Management of Operations, 247-265. <a href='https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003002482'>https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003002482</a> Balasubramanian, S., Kaitheri, S., Nanath, K., Sreejith, S., &amp; Paris, C. M. (2021). Examining post COVID-19 tourist concerns using sentiment analysis and topic modeling. In Information and Communication Technologies in Tourism 2021 (pp. 564-569). Springer, Cham. <a href='https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-65785-7_54'>https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-65785-7_54</a> Balasubramanian, S., Shukla, V., &amp; Chanchaichujit, J. (2020). Firm size implications for environmental sustainability of supply chains: evidence from the UAE. Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, 31(5), 1375-1406. <a href='https://doi.org/10.1108/MEQ-01-2020-0004'>https://doi.org/10.1108/MEQ-01-2020-0004</a> Balasubramanian, S., Shukla, V., Mangla, S., &amp; Chanchaichujit, J. (2021). Do firm characteristics affect environmental sustainability? A literature review‐based assessment. Business Strategy and the Environment, 30(2), 1389-1416. <a href='https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2692'>https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2692</a> Balasubramanian, S., Shukla, V., Sethi, J. S., Islam, N., &amp; Saloum, R. (2021). A readiness assessment framework for Blockchain adoption: A healthcare case study. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 165, 120536, 1-16. <a href='https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2020.120536'>https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2020.120536</a> Chanchaichujit, J., Balasubramanian, S., &amp; Charmaine, N. S. M. (2020). A systematic literature review on the benefit-drivers of RFID implementation in supply chains and its impact on organizational competitive advantage. Cogent Business &amp; Management, 7: 1818408, 1-20. <a href='https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2020.1818408'>https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2020.1818408</a> Chanchaichujit, J., Balasubramanian, S., Shukla, V., &amp; Rosas, J. S. (2020). Multi-objective decision model for green supply chain management. Cogent Business &amp; Management, 7: 1783177, 1-33. <a href='https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2020.1783177'>https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2020.1783177</a> Dsilva, J., Balasubramanian, S., Ajayan, S., &amp; Paris, C. (2020). An Expectation-Experience Analysis of Service Quality of Business Travelers in Low-Cost Airlines. e-Review of Tourism Research, 18(3), 375-392. <a href='https://ertr-ojs-tamu.tdl.org/ertr/index.php/ertr/article/view/727/231'>https://ertr-ojs-tamu.tdl.org/ertr/index.php/ertr/article/view/727/231</a> Rao, P., Balasubramanian, S., Vihari, N., Jabeen, S., Shukla, V., &amp; Chanchaichujit, J. (2021). The e-commerce supply chain and environmental sustainability: An empirical investigation on the online retail sector. Cogent Business &amp; Management, 8(1), 1938377, 1-29. <a href='https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2021.1938377'>https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2021.1938377</a> Schulte, M., &amp; Paris, C. (2020). A Qualitative Study Exploring Retailers Perspectives of the Significance of Supply Chain Transparency and Ethical Sourcing in the UAE Diamond Industry. International Journal of Intelligent Enterprise (In Press). Schulte, M., Balasubramanian, S., &amp; Paris, C. M. (2021). Blood diamonds and ethical consumerism: an empirical investigation. Sustainability, 13(8), 4558, 1-18. <a href='https://doi.org/10.3390/su13084558'>https://doi.org/10.3390/su13084558</a>

<h2>Training and Consultancy</h2>The Centre undertakes corporate training, advisory services, and consulting projects for public and private sector entities and inter-governmental organizations in various supply chain and related domains. Completed Projects Advanced Training of Trainers for MEKONG Institute&nbsp;on Green Freight and Logistics&nbsp; Dr. Sreejith Balasubramanian, Dr. Janya Chanchaichujit &amp; Dr. Albert Tan has co-designed and delivered a 3-week training program for MEKONG Institute, an intergovernmental organization run by six governments in the Greater Mekong Sub-region. The hands-on training saw 30+ participation from both public and private sector employees from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. The training covered key aspects of global Freight and Logistics, Supply Chain Analytics, Smart Logistics, Green SCOR in the context of ongoing and post COVID-19 scenarios End of Project Evaluation - Green Freight and Logistics Development in Mekong Countries&nbsp; Dr. Sreejith Balasubramanian, Dr. Janya Chanchaichujit &amp; Dr. Albert Tan has undertaken a 3-month multi-method end of project evaluation of the Mekong Institute's (MI) three-year project on 'Green Freight and Logistics Development in the Mekong Countries' funded by the Republic of Korea through the Mekong – Korea Cooperation Fund (MKCF). The evaluation using the REESI Framework involved a rigorous desk review of project documents, materials, budget allocation, meeting minutes, software, etc., along with 37 stakeholder interviews at the government, company, and association level to assess the success of the project in terms of its relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability and impact against its intended objectives, outputs, outcomes. Based on the evaluation, we also provided recommendations to Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Viet Nam, and Thailand (CLMVT) governments to improve their green freight and logistics and a new proposal for improving green freight and logistics in MEKONG countries. Bridgestone's Supply Chain Network Redesign Project&nbsp;&nbsp; Dr. Sreejith Balasubramanian and his students had undertaken a 4-month consulting project to help support Bridgestone's Global Supply Chain Network Redesign Project.&nbsp;This included a review of Bridgestone's existing logistics network in the MEA region and supported them in the redesign of the logistics network in accordance with the latest situation and best practices.

<h2>Events</h2>The Centre organizes several events throughout the year such as conferences, seminars, symposiums to bring together academics and practitioners to explore and strengthen our understanding of the current supply chain challenges and opportunities. Upcoming Events Centre for Supply Chain Excellence and Help Logistics Joint Panel Session on “The Role of Women Leaders in Building Resilient Supply Chains” at the Sixth Emerging Research Paradigms in Business and Social Sciences conference (ERPBSS 2022) – 25th February, 2022 “The Role of Women Leaders in Building Resilient Supply Chains” Friday, 25th February 2022 16:00 – 17:00, Dubai - GMT + 4 Panel Moderator: Dr Sreejith Balasubramanian Head, Centre for Supply Chain Excellence, Middlesex University Dubai &nbsp; Panel Members <img src='https://mdxdubai.blob.core.windows.net/prod/images/default-source/default-album/bouran085b9260c81962bca3fcff00006281dd.jpg?sfvrsn=3f42f001_0' data-displaymode='Original' alt='bouran' title='bouran' style='float: right;'>Ms. Bouran Najem Head of Supply Chain, World Food Programme (WFP) Ms. Bouran Najem has served 24 years in United Nations organizations mainly WFP including UNRWA for 4 years. During her international career with UN, she has been assigned to many important positions like WFP Head of procurement in Yemen, logistics officer in Amman for the Syrian emergency, Afghanistan, Pakistan and UNHRD emergency hub in Dubai. She played an important role within the Dubai International Humanitarian City for more than 3 years, setting the Operational unit, expanding the facilities, and playing a very active role in responding to COVID 19 emergency response in 2020/2021. <img src='https://mdxdubai.blob.core.windows.net/prod/images/default-source/default-album/alia.jpg?sfvrsn=2b42f001_0' data-displaymode='Original' alt='Alia' title='Alia' style='float: right; margin: 2px;'>Alia Gharaibeh Regional Director – Middle East, HELP Logistics Alia is the Middle East Regional Director for HELP Logistics, a Kuehne Foundation Program. The program aims to provide best-in-class supply chain and logistics knowledge to enable humanitarian actors to deliver effective and efficient emergency relief operations. Alia holds a Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering and has 15 years of experience in managerial positions in the Middle East. As an entrepreneur and business consultant, she advised and trained shipping and retail SME's. For several years, Alia Gharaibeh lectured at the German Jordanian University (GJU) where she mentored the new generation of young logistic professionals on topics of supply chain, logistics, and operations management. <img src='https://mdxdubai.blob.core.windows.net/prod/images/default-source/default-album/janya.jpg?sfvrsn=742f001_0' data-displaymode='Original' alt='Janya' title='Janya' style='float: right; margin: 2px;'>Dr. Janya Chanchaichujit Associate Professor, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Prince of Songkla University, Thailand Dr. Janya Chanchaichujit is an Associate Professor in Logistics and Supply Chain Management in the Faculty of Environmental Management, Prince of Songkhla University in Thailand. Prior to work at Prince of Songkhla University, she was a Director of Center for International Affairs and Head, of Logistics and Business Analytics Center of Excellence at Walailak University, Thailand. Dr. Chanchaichujit holds a PhD in Logistics and Supply Chain Management from Curtin University in Australia, an MSc in Operational Research from the University of Hertfordshire in the UK, and BSc in Mathematics from Mahidol University in Thailand.&nbsp; Dr. Chanchaichujit’s research interest focuses on incorporating various aspects of operational research applications, mathematical modelling techniques, and technologies into the design and operation of logistics and supply chain management. Her aim is to enhance industry competency to assist with decision analysis and problem solving to support sustainable logistics and supply chain management. Outside the university professor, Dr. Chanchaichujit is also an active entrepreneur, founded AC Plus Consultants Co. Ltd, a consulting firm, working with public and private organizations providing consulting service on supply chain technology transformation, feasibility study and business model. Her client’s business varies from freight and transportation, to manufacturing, retail and healthcare. <img src='https://mdxdubai.blob.core.windows.net/prod/images/default-source/default-album/siti.jpg?sfvrsn=7442f001_0' data-displaymode='Original' alt='Siti' title='Siti' style='float: right; margin: 2px;'>Dr Siti Norida Wahab Department of Technology and Supply Chain Management Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malayisa Siti Norida Wahab is a Senior Lecturer in the operations management program at the Faculty of Business and Management, UiTM Puncak Alam. She has more than 15 years of experience in both the industrial and educational fields. Her previous leadership positions include roles at the managerial level in multinational logistics companies and renowned private universities. Her research interest includes sustainable adoption in logistics and supply chain management. She managed national and international grants and has published her research works in high-rated journals, proceedings and book chapters. Besides, she supervised a number of MSc and PhD candidates. For excellence, she has won a platinum, diamond, gold and bronze medallist for the innovation competitions. She also actively serves as a reviewer for journals and academic conferences. Currently, she is a professional technologist of the Malaysia Board of Technologists and a chartered member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport. Past Events <a href='https://www.mdx.ac.ae/supply-chain-research-symposium-with-walailak-university'></a><a href='https://www.mdx.ac.ae/souq-economics-and-centre-for-supply-chain-excellence-joint-symposium'>Souq Economics and Centre for Supply Chain Excellence Present Joint Symposium</a> Walailak University and Middlesex University Dubai Joint Supply Chain Research Symposium - September 07, 2021

<h2>Become a Member</h2>Centre for Supply Chain offers free annual membership to faculties, researchers, professionals, students, and alumni interested in the area of supply chain and logistics. The membership will be valid for one year. Here are some of the benefits if you sign-up as a member: <ul> <li>Membership with the Centre will provide affiliated members with a platform for networking and knowledge exchange with fellow supply chain professionals</li> <li>Provide members with the opportunity to get involved with our Centre's activities</li> <li>Provide affiliated researchers will the opportunity to forge interdisciplinary collaborations</li> <li>Get access to the latest research insights from our publications, blogs, and resources</li> <li>Be the first to get notifications and invitations to events organized by the Centre</li> </ul> If you are interested in becoming a member of the Centre, sign up using the following link: <a href='https://mdx.jotform.com/212265753861863' class='btn btn-primary btn-large' target='_blank'>Sign Up Now</a>