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Principles of the ISCM Research Agenda

The ISCM Program brings fresh and useful supply chain findings to the ISCM sponsors through the research agenda. Specifically, the Program brings thse findings to the sponsors by:

» 'Harvesting' supply chain research across MIT. Identifying and bringing relevant research at MIT to the sponsors in research colloquiua, quarterly collaboration and exchange meetings, and through electronic distribution of supply chain research content. In this way, ISCM sponsors benefit from the broad supply chain research activities at MIT.  » Creating new learnings through ISCM-funded supply chain research in one of two ways: a. Sole funding - these are projects where ISCM is the sole funding group, providing a higher level of direction to the work. b. Pooled funding - these are projects where ISCM pools its funding with other groups on a research project, providing high leverage of ISCM funds to derive learnings.

Additionally, individual sponsors can benefit from other MIT research through invitations to participate in various non-ISCM research activities.

Developing the Research Agenda Mix

The ISCM sponsors identify and select the research agenda. The sponsor group meets annually to plan for the subsequent year's activities (research agenda and events). At the planning meeting, the group reviews potential research investments and through consensus the group chooses which researchers and research projects to invest in for the coming period. Ideally, the agenda includes a mix of projects in order to maximize the impact of our research funds, hopefully leveraging its funds by selectively contributing to ongoing research. Doing so enables the Program to stretch research funds as well as participate in research which extends beyond the financial resources of our Program.

While project finding choices are made on an annual basis, project work often extends beyond a one year timeframe. As a result, the research agenda evolves as current projects are completed and new projects commence.

The Research Team

Funded research is conducted by a broad set of faculty and researchers from across the Institute, mainly from the MIT Sloan School of Management and its numerous research centers (including the Leaders For Manufacturing Program, the Center for Coordination Science, the Operations Research Center, the Systems Dynamics Group, among others). We are not limited to working with researchers from MIT, and have developed working relationships with researchers from other leading institutions, leveraging our respective assets and capabilities. We expect to continue and expand this type of collaboration to provide our sponsors with the highest impact research.