Considering Supply Chain Management's Professional Identity: The Beautiful Discipline (Or, 'We Don't Cure Cancer, But We Do Make a Big Difference')

Journal of Business Logistics, Vol. 33, No. 3, 2013

14 Pages Posted: 29 Jun 2013 Last revised: 11 Jul 2013

See all articles by Stanley E. Fawcett

Stanley E. Fawcett

Weber State University

Matthew A Waller

Sam M. Walton College of Business

Date Written: June 28, 2013

Abstract

In recent months, we have participated in various discussions on the future of logistics and supply chain management. As the newest business discipline, it is not surprising that SCM is going through growing pains and seeking to chart its future course and define a meaningful destiny. Considering professional identity — that is, who are we and what do we do — is a natural part of maturation. As JBL exists to help construct the discipline’s identify, we address SCM’s value-creation competence as a source of identity construction. As we explain, SCM’s economic and social contributions are not just noteworthy but remarkable. Modern SCM makes a difference to the people of the world, driving economic growth and raising living standards. Truly, it is a good time to be a supply chain professional. Much research, however, needs to be conducted if we are to fulfill SCM’s value-creation promise.

Keywords: supply chain management

Suggested Citation

Fawcett, Stanley E. and Waller, Matthew Alan, Considering Supply Chain Management's Professional Identity: The Beautiful Discipline (Or, 'We Don't Cure Cancer, But We Do Make a Big Difference') (June 28, 2013). Journal of Business Logistics, Vol. 33, No. 3, 2013, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2286963

Stanley E. Fawcett (Contact Author)

Weber State University ( email )

3801 University Circle
Ogden, UT 84408
United States

Matthew Alan Waller

Sam M. Walton College of Business ( email )

University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 72701
United States
479-5758741 (Phone)

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