Supply-Chain Management:
Interpretations, Reflections & Predictions

Paul Zipkin
Duke University


This talk presents one observer’s status report on supply-chain management. I believe it is an important and exciting field, for both academic research and industrial practice. The opportunities for creative work are great and will continue to grow.

The talk begins with an historical overview and then discusses several areas in which progress has been made and/or challenges remain. These areas include performance analysis, incentives and contracts, market structures, standards, and quality.