The School of Business has added a specialty track in supply chain management to its MBA program this fall.
The new track offers classes in supply management and transportation management, as well as courses in marketing, information systems and international business.
"As business has become more global, companies must deal with longer and more complex supply chains," said Kim McKeage, director of the MBA program. "Managing the whole process has become a way that companies can create sustainable competitive advantages for themselves."
Supply chain management includes planning and managing every aspect of buying, making and shipping raw materials or finished products--from locating vendors to presenting products or services to potential customers.
Many companies are going beyond those basics today, collaborating with suppliers, partners and customers to integrate supply and demand across a spectrum of networked organizations, a process called "extended enterprise."
Managing the supply chain has become critical to remaining competitive today, said Joe Roche, of Hamden, an independent consultant and Quinnipiac graduate, because it involves innovation, cost control, elimination of waste, working capital management, cycle times, inventory investment and other factors that affect profitability.
"There are few schools that have supply chain management programs, and I think there are a lot of Connecticut companies that could really benefit from proximity to students who will come out of the Quinnipiac program," he said. "I think the timing is right, especially with this economy. Companies are tightening their belts, doing more with less, finding ways to eliminate waste."
The University also offers a Chartered Financial Analyst track.
"This is part of the University's strategic initiative to grow our graduate programs," said Matthew O'Connor, dean of the School of Business.
The new degree program fits well with the University's strategic focus on international and interdisciplinary subjects, he said.
When considering the new track, business school officials talked with Connecticut firms such as United Technologies Corp. and General Electric. Business leaders confirmed the need for more expertise in the field, O'Connor said.
Companies that hire graduates who understand supply chain management will gain a real competitive advantage, because they will understand the importance of forming true partnerships with suppliers rather than simply choosing the low bidder, said Steve Quail, a Quinnipiac graduate and president of Q Source in Bohemia, N.Y., which supplies products to a variety of industries.
Mary J. Meixell, an associate professor of management, spearheaded development of the new supply chain curriculum. She worked in logistics management, production planning, supplier management and supply chain design at General Motors, Ford Motor Co. and Lucent Technologies and has published 20 articles on the topic.
"This will lead to real job opportunities for our students, and industry will welcome it," said Meixell. "And it's not just manufacturers who will benefit--hospitals, pharmaceutical companies and many other industries need to optimize supply chain management."