Western Carolina University’s College of Business will host the ninth annual seminar for the International Supply Chain Risk Management Network at Lake Junaluska and WCU on Monday, Oct. 26, and Tuesday, Oct. 27.

Seminar attendees will include scholars from institutions in the United States as well as Norway, Sweden, Finland, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

“This group has routinely worked together to publish research to guide businesses in better managing supply chain events that can disrupt business functioning, such as failures to deliver necessary materials in a manufacturing environment, or affect customers negatively, such as lead in the paint on toys,” said Michael Smith, WCU associate professor of global management and strategy, and one of six network members from the United States. “Well-publicized events including contamination of food and pharmaceuticals, and dangerous products further emphasize the importance of proactive supply chain risk management.”

At a meeting three years ago, the group developed a handbook titled “Supply Chain Risk: A Handbook of Assessment, Management and Performance,” which was published in 2008.

“We are currently working on a new book that will consist of cases intended to inform the work of business professionals,” said Smith. “The content is based on our meetings last year in Norway and the previous year in Finland.”

For more information, contact Smith at (828) 227-3697 or mesmith@wcu.edu.

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Last Modified: Friday, Oct. 23, 2009