University Of Tennessee

Beyond the forecast: Rethinking demand-driven planning

Wednesday, May 6, 2026 · Mike Burnette Benchmark supply chains are shifting from internally driven planning to a Right-to-Left model synchronized with actual consumption. The result: lower inventory, stronger service, and measurable gains in total value.

Beyond the headache: Smarter returns management with the 5Ps

Wednesday, April 1, 2026 · Huseyn Abdulla and Tom Goldsby The 5Ps of returns management framework helps supply chain leaders reduce reverse logistics costs and improve customer loyalty by aligning people, policies, processes, products, and partners into a coordinated strategy.

America wants to reshore manufacturing—but who will do the work?

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 · Alan Amling Reshoring manufacturing in the U.S. is accelerating, but a severe shortage of skilled labor across technical, operational, and leadership roles threatens to undermine its long-term viability.

Boosting new product launches with supplier know-how in pharma

Wednesday, August 13, 2025 · Rachel Cooper In the pharmaceutical industry, partnering with experienced suppliers, especially those familiar with your target market, can accelerate product launches, improve regulatory navigation, and drive innovation.

What’s next for procurement? Five priorities from UT’s research

Thursday, July 17, 2025 · Dan Pellathy To shape their future, procurement teams must position themselves as strategic partners that drive customer value and contribute to the organization’s overall success. Here are five priority areas to help do that.

Identifying major opportunity areas for procurement

Thursday, July 10, 2025 · University of Tennessee Global Supply Chain Institute From optimizing structure and spend to enabling ESG and innovation, it’s time to rethink traditional roles and embrace collaborative, capability-driven strategies to unlock future-ready performance.

Analyzing today’s procurement landscape

Thursday, July 3, 2025 · University of Tennessee Global Supply Chain Institute Despite a rapidly changing business environment, many procurement teams are locked in organizational silos that were established a generation ago.

Securing critical minerals during a global trade war

Monday, June 9, 2025 · University of Tennessee Global Supply Chain Institute Within the world of supply chain management, your competitive advantage might have been making the lowest-cost product at the fastest possible speed. Today’s ability to achieve competitive advantage depends on end-to-end upstream visibility and the ability to secure critical…

Six best practices for supply chain organizations to get the most out of younger employees

Wednesday, January 15, 2025 · University of Tennessee Global Supply Chain Institute The challenges to global supply chains during the first quarter of the 21st century have leaders refocusing their efforts on building effective workforces.

Refocusing on talent as North American labor faces generational transition

Friday, January 10, 2025 · University of Tennessee Global Supply Chain Institute Supply chain disruptions persist, creating challenges for managers that have led to changes in network design, material sources, and automation. But talent management remains an existential challenge.

Can supply chain managers embrace an entrepreneurial mindset?

Monday, November 11, 2024 · University of Tennessee Global Supply Chain Institute Fostering a culture of entrepreneurship within SCM encourages leaders to explore new opportunities, innovate processes, and think more dynamically about partnerships, logistics, and risk mitigation.

How to improve demand forecasts for new product families

Wednesday, November 6, 2024 · University of Tennessee Global Supply Chain Institute When managers foster collaboration among forecasting, production, and marketing teams, they can align on demand expectations and share insights across various functions, improving demand forecasts.

Understanding organized labor’s impact on our supply chain

Thursday, October 17, 2024 · University of Tennessee Global Supply Chain Institute A long-term U.S. port strike may have been adverted, but another deadline looms in January. Don Maier from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, explains the impact organized labor has on the supply chain.

The 3 types of cyberattacks affecting global supply chains

Monday, October 7, 2024 · Seongkyoon Jeong Cybercriminals exploit the relationships between companies and suppliers to infiltrate critical systems, often causing significant operational and financial damage. Businesses must assess the specific risks they face and the role their suppliers play in these scenarios.

Why global businesses must consider climate change risks to their supply chains

Friday, September 27, 2024 · Sara Hsu Extreme weather events are on the rise, posing significant challenges to supply chain managers, who must make rapid decisions and pivot to alternative suppliers or different logistic routes while adhering to climate-related regulations.