"Managing Global Supply Chains: Incentives, Risk, and Information"

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The increasingly global nature of markets has greatly increased the competition, risk and dynamics of supply chains. Utilizing the tools from Management Science/Operations Research and Economics, the objective of this research is to explore emerging issues in a global supply chain in the areas of incentives and contracts, risk and information management. The first research topic reflects the tension between the firms' core competitive advantages and the need for deep collaborations with globally dispersed supply chain members. These latter non-core activities are increasingly handled through a "global team." This global team needs the support of long-term collaboration (e.g. Walmart or Best Buy along with their international suppliers). We investigate how long-term repeated interactions affect operations decisions (e.g., inventory and procurement), vertical contracts, and the performance of supply chains. Globalized supply chains also face increased supply-side risk/disruptions. The second purpose of the research is to explore the impact of supply-side uncertainty on coordination and operations decisions. Finally, fast-developing information technology has stimulated B2B online exchange. However, long-term contracts between supply chain members still have many advantages. How does online spot market interfere with the long-term relationships? Do they support or hinder each other? How is the information asymmetry associated with spot market prices and supply uncertainty compared to the information sharing associated with longer term contracts, and how does this affects performances? The result of this research will provide new insights that will help firms to build strategic partnerships and efficiently manage information and risk, and will guide the government in nurturing long-term relationships and information/risk sharing.