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ABSTRACTTo formulate a plan for affecting the future, business schools must first understand their origins as well as the multitude of current pressures and demands they face. The fundamental philosophy that drives business education, namely the maximization of shareholder wealth, must now be coupled with an emphasis on societal value creation. Liberal learning principles are vital for students to recognize their role in society, have a sense of purpose, develop human acumen and sound judgment, and hold a holistic perspective. Decision sciences educators are called upon to redesign their curricula to embed connections between business applications and liberal learning principles in decision sciences coursework itself.

ABSTRACTReconfiguration of the supply chain network from time to time is essential for businesses to retain their competitive edge. This paper presents a methodology for reconfiguration of an existing supply chain network. The methodology is characterized by two decision levels. In the first level, the current network performance is evaluated and efficient practices are identified. In the next level, a model that incorporates efficient practices is developed to reconfigure the network. This integrated methodology allows for decision maker (DM) input throughout the process. The methodology has been implemented and tested in the reconfiguration of an outbound petroleum supply chain network for CountryMark Cooperative, Inc. In this case study, Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is used to analyze current operations and an integer programming (IP) model that incorporates efficiency metrics is developed for selection of distribution facilities and allocation of resources to the facilities. Use of this methodology can lead to improved operations and reduced operating expenses.

Reducing the risks believed to be associated with product availability can be critical to increasing consumer retention rates. This study considers the role that perceptions of channel integration have on such beliefs and their impact on purchasing decisions. Surveys distributed to purchasers of specific goods both online and in-store provide data used in the analysis of these effects. The findings suggest that firms simultaneously managing both online and in-store channels should not only reassess the repercussions of availability failures but also consider efforts that encourage the transparency of channel integration.