A new research-driven supply chain alliance registers, lands its first project to investigate the interface between port and vessels at Port Kembla
By Anna Game-Lopata | March 29, 2011
A new research-driven supply chain alliance has been registered and landed its first project to investigate the interface between port and vessels at Port Kembla.
The Alliance for Supply Chain Innovation (ASCI) will launch at the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) International Convention on the 2nd of May in Sydney.
Participating researchers, who represent academic and non-academic institutions across Australia, say the alliance will “address national issues to improve and build a sustainable Logistics position for Australia and its states”.
ASCI will also develop the knowledge base in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, assist in testing new business concepts.
Victoria University Senior Strategy Advisor in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Dr Pieter Nagel is Interim Executive Director for the Alliance.
He has been instrumental in developing the concept with support from Victoria University from inception.
Nagel says until now, the Australian supply chain sector has lacked a formal collaborative structure that can facilitate the synergies that exist to enable the full spectrum of industry research in the supply chain domain.
“Given funding and resources limitations, it is difficult for any one institution to build expertise and critical mass across a significantly wide enough spectrum of the supply chain,” he says.
Committed
institutions include Wollongong University, Victoria University, the Universities of Western Sydney and Tasmania, GS1 Australia, the University of South Australia, Bond University, Curtin University, Sydney University of Technology and the CSIRO.
“There are still a few more institutions that have indicated their interest in participating in the alliance,” Nagel enthuses.
“Each participant institution has a delegate on our ASCI Research Steering Committee which will form working groups to address the five major streams of research we have identified,” Nagel explains.
“We want the collaboration process to be completely transparent so that we can have an objective offer to the market.”
Nagel contends the five areas of research chosen by the ASCI to focus on represent the most critical supply chain challenges and trends of today.
These comprise globalisation and competitive advantage, regional economic development, environment, energy and emissions, business systems processes and technology and logistics operations and infrastructure.
“The global economy has redefined the dynamics of competition for modern organisations,” Nagel says.
“With product lifecycles shortening and worldwide competiveness increasing, success depends on effective global supply chain leadership, innovation, and strategies to deliver the right product to the right market at the right time.
“We have long moved beyond the traditional view of logistics operations. What Australia needs, is real supply chain innovation!”
Critical to the success of the Alliance, gaining the participation of industry, either on a formal or project-by-project basis remains a challenge.
“We have to show the world we can work together, that we have successful projects, because we can hardly ask industry to support a pipe dream,” Nagel says.
“The alliance has secured its first
project with Port Kembla, so we’re definitely heading in the right direction, but we need to keep them coming to prove our business case.”
Nagel says the Alliance will also seek government support.
“There is no secret about the fact that alliances in other professional areas like energy and health draw significant contributions from the federal government,” Nagel says.
“We see no reason why we shouldn’t pursue those avenues, taking all political nuances into consideration.”
Nagel says his ultimate aim is to form an incorporated, standalone entity, with secure funding, dedicated management, a well-defined governance model, and a board of directors.
“Currently the national working group holds regular meetings involving our representatives from each state,” Nagel says.
“They’re looking at potential incorporation, funding strategies and the interfaces with industry, all the things that will form our pitching direction.”
“Now we need sufficient profile out there to get the Alliance to where we want it to be,” Nagel says.
“We’re very excited about it and extend a warm invitation to supply chain professionals from every sector to come to the launch to see how the concept can cultivate innovation for them.”
ASCI launch: 2 May, 2011 at the CILT International Convention
More information Pieter Nagel on 0412 505 849 or pieter.nagel@asci.com.au