STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Jammu inaugurated its International Conference on Next-Gen Supply Chain: Trends, Innovations, and Best Practices on Friday, in collaboration with Montpellier Business School, France, and Liverpool Business School, UK. The event, held at the Mandapam Auditorium, IIM Jammu, will run from November 22-23, 2024, bringing together leading global experts to discuss the latest trends, innovations, and best practices in supply chain management.
The conference was inaugurated by Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director of IIM Jammu, who also serves as the Conference Chair. Prof. Rameshwar Dubey, Head of Supply Chain Management at Montpellier Business School, joined the ceremony online as Conference Co-Chair.
The conference attracted distinguished speakers, including Prof. Cyril R.H. Foropon, Montpellier Business School; Dr. H. M. Belal, Liverpool John Moores University; and keynote speaker Prof. Debjit Roy, IIM Ahmedabad. Other prominent attendees included Prof. Surya Prakash Singh from IIT Delhi; Shri Kamal Sharma, Senior Vice President, SCM, Vodafone Idea Ltd; and IIM Jammu faculty members Dr. Pratik Maheshwari and Dr. Praveen Vijaya Raj, Program Chairs for NGSC 2024.
In his welcome address, Prof. B.S. Sahay emphasized the growing importance of supply chain management, which accounts for 16% of India’s GDP, and its role in driving national economic development through cost reductions.
He also highlighted IIM Jammu’s achievements, including collaborations with IIT Jammu and AIIMS Jammu, and its unique position as the only city with three Institutes of National Importance.
Prof. Sahay underscored the relevance of integrated multi-modal transportation in enhancing trade and connectivity, aligning these insights with the infrastructure initiatives led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Prof. Rameshwar Dubey spoke about the significance of collaboration between academic institutions and industries to bridge gaps in supply chain management. He emphasized quality research and case-based methodologies to overcome operational challenges and foster sustainable solutions.
Prof. Cyril R.H. Foropon highlighted the need for academic-industry partnerships and breaking silos to drive supply chain innovation. Dr. H. M. Belal focused on integrating digitalization and sustainability into supply chain practices to meet evolving market demands.
Kamal Sharma discussed the transformative impact of digitization on supply chain management, citing technologies like IoT and AI as tools for cost optimization and efficiency.
The conference also featured thought-provoking keynote addresses by Prof. Debjit Roy and Prof. Surya Prakash Singh, offering insights into emerging trends in supply chain strategies. Following these sessions, researchers presented papers in Aryabhatta and Arjuna Classrooms, contributing to discussions on innovative solutions for real-world supply chain challenges.
On the second day of the conference, additional paper presentations, panel discussions, and interactive sessions are scheduled, further fostering global collaboration and knowledge exchange. This conference underscores IIM Jammu’s commitment to advancing research and facilitating international dialogue in the field of supply chain management.
