research topics for supply chain management

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Supply Chain Management Thesis Topics- Top 40 Ideas

• Career Advice

One of the most frequently asked questions from SCMDOJO followers is, I am doing a Supply Chain Management Master from Europe, the UK or the USA, and I need some Master Thesis ideas in Supply Chain.

Key academic research areas in SCM are offering robust and implementable supply chain management thesis that are transforming worldwide trends. The increasing strength of global Supply Chain Management (SCM) is one functional area that shows several students are seeking a good start, especially in solving significant problems in the form of Masters and PhD thesis .

Nevertheless, with the changing trends in the industry, some students are likely to struggle with the early stages of academic writing. A significant reason for this problem is usually down to a lack of ideas or facing new topics with low research activity.

Old Industries and New Industries

The recent pattern shifts in academia, from the traditional research approach to other conventional methods, is taking a more student-centred view. Most of the supply chain management thesis is crafted by students, including dissertation, topic creation, research, and more with help of their supervisors.

With new industries, like Amazon and Apple, transforming old concepts with technological disruption, there are new trends to look out for to help narrow your supply chain management thesis.

The 7 Powerful Supply Chain Trends (I also dubbed “Supply Chain 7.0”) have the potential to become a powerful influence over time. These trends include Augmented reality (AR), Big Data, Gamification of the supply chain, moving the supply chain to the “Cloud,” and the Internet of Things (IoT) – Industry 4.0. Also, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning in the supply chain, alongside 3D Printing, are now needed to support the product life cycle.

Forbes also highlights the key 2020 Supply Chain Technology Trends that are receiving lots of buzz in Supply Chain Management. In this regard, students seeking top-notch research areas for supply chain management thesis can consider new trends to help create adequate research content.

40  Supply Chain Management Thesis Topics for 2024

On these premises, any supply chain management thesis should be comprehensive. There several topics and areas to consider, and below are 40 Supply Chain Management Thesis Topics for 2020 that students can do research on towards an excellent postgraduate study in SCM.

Digital Transformation

• Digital Transformation Key Attributes; Challenges; enablers & Success Factors.
• Smart Government Initiatives: How Governments are Driving Digital Change.
• Digital Leadership is linking to Virtual Teams or Self Organised Teams (Agile PM).
• Did COVID 19 impact the implementation of digital transformation?
• Cross-functional collaboration in the decision-making process.
• The value of data and interdependencies in decision-making.
• Machine learning techniques in supply chain management.
• Blockchain Technology in Supply Chain Transparency: Evaluating the Impact on Traceability and Trust.
• The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Predictive Analytics for Inventory Management.
• Sustainability in Digital Supply Chain Management: A Comparative Analysis of Environmental Impact.
• Digital Transformation in Warehouse Management: Enhancing Efficiency and Customer Satisfaction

Sustainable Project Management (SPM)

• Can apply the SPM model or any of its dimensions to any type of project
• Can Blockchain help with Sustainable Project Management?
• Factors affecting the application of an efficient supply management system.

IoT- Industry 4.0 and Big Data

• Application of IoT in Logistics – Challenges; enablers & Success Factors
• The practicability of intertwined supply networks with IoT.
• Implementation of IoT in 3PL/4PL Industry – Challenges; enablers & Success Factors
• Big data and impact in DDMRP
• Evaluation of technology use in modern supply chain management.
• The extension of supply chain resilience through Industry 4.0
• The Impact of Industry 4.0 on Supply Chain Management.
• Implementation of E-logistics in Supply Chain Operations.
• Predictive Maintenance Strategies in Industry 4.0-enabled Supply Chains: A Case Study Approach
• Optimizing Supply Chain Decision-Making through Real-time Big Data Analytics
• Cybersecurity Challenges in IoT-Enabled Supply Chains: A Comprehensive Analysis.

Operations and Supply Chain Management

• Risk Evaluation and Management involved in a supply chain
• Partnerships Perspective in Supply Chain Management
• Assessing Supply Chain Risk Management Capabilities
• Implementation of Green Supply Chain Management Practices
• Supply Chain Management Practices and Supply Chain Performance Effectiveness
• The Impact of Supply Chain Management Practices on the Overall Performance of the org
• The Influence of Environmental Management Practices and Supply Chain Integration on Technological Innovation Performance
• The Relationship between Total Quality Management Practices and their Effects on Firm Performance
• Level of Commitment to Top Management regarding the TQM Implementation
• Impact of Mobility Solutions (transportation / latest technologies) on logistics.
• Study on the roles of supply chain management in corporate outsourcing.
• Evaluating strategies for cost reduction in SCM relating to exports and imports.
• Circular Economy Practices in Supply Chain Management: A Case Study Approach
• Demand Forecasting in Omnichannel Retail: A Comparative Analysis of Forecasting Models.
• Ethical and Sustainable Procurement Practices: An Examination of Implementation Challenges and Benefits.

Watch my YouTube vlog explaining more on Top 10 HOT TOPICS for Supply Chain Research for Master Thesis or Ph.D. Thesis.

Get My PhD Thesis- Supplier Development Framework

The supply chain systems of today are more likely to see massive changes technologically in the coming years. Some selected supply chain management thesis topics may face limited data or access to real-time data in making proper research and forecast, including seasonality and trends. So, due diligence is necessary to ensure you not only pick an exciting supply chain management thesis, but you also have sufficient access to data, studies, and materials useful in such an area. The impact of these trends alongside technological advancement in the selected areas would certainly help your thesis stand out and unique.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the emergent research topics in the field of supply chain management.

Blockchain Integration : Exploring the application of blockchain technology to enhance transparency, traceability, and security in supply chains.

Sustainable Supply Chains : Investigating strategies for integrating environmentally friendly practices, ethical sourcing, and social responsibility into supply chain management.

Digital Transformation : Studying the impact of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and the Internet of Things on optimizing supply chain processes.

Resilience and Risk Managemen t: Analyzing approaches to build resilient supply chains capable of adapting to disruptions, such as pandemics, natural disasters, and geopolitical events.

Circular Economy : Examining supply chain models that minimize waste and promote the reuse, recycling, and repurposing of materials.

Supply Chain Visibility : Researching ways to improve real-time visibility into supply chain activities to enhance decision-making and responsiveness.

Last-Mile Delivery Optimization : Investigating innovative approaches to streamline and optimize the final stages of product delivery to consumers.

Supply Chain Finance : Exploring financial strategies and tools to optimize cash flow and working capital within supply chains.

Collaborative Supply Chains : Studying methods to enhance collaboration and information-sharing among supply chain partners to achieve mutual benefits.

E-commerce Integration : Examining the challenges and opportunities associated with integrating e-commerce platforms into traditional supply chain models.

What are the 4 areas of supply chain management?

What is the primary goal of the supply chain.

The main goal of a supply chain is to efficiently and effectively manage the flow of products or services from the point of origin to the point of consumption. This involves optimizing processes from procurement and production to distribution and delivery. The overarching objective is to meet customer demands with the right products, in the right quantity, at the right time, while minimizing costs and maximizing overall supply chain performance.

What is the difference between supply chain and supply chain management?

The term “supply chain” refers to the entire network of entities and activities involved in the creation and delivery of a product or service, encompassing suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and customers. “Supply chain management,” on the other hand, is the strategic coordination and oversight of these interconnected processes to optimize efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance overall performance. While the supply chain is the broader concept, supply chain management specifically involves the planning, execution, and control of various elements within that network to achieve business objectives.

Recommended Books

How to get a phd: a handbook for students and their supervisors.

How to Get a PhD: How to Set Yourself Up for Success in the First 12 Months (Getting My PhD)

About the Author-  Dr Muddassir Ahmed

Dr MuddassirAhmed  is the Founder & CEO of SCMDOJO. He is a  global speaker ,  vlogger  and  supply chain industry expert  with 17 years of experience in the Manufacturing Industry in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and South East Asia in various Supply Chain leadership roles.   Dr. Muddassir  has received a PhD in Management Science from Lancaster University Management School. Muddassir is a Six Sigma black belt and founded the leading supply chain platform SCMDOJO to enable supply chain professionals and teams to thrive by providing best-in-class knowledge content, tools and access to experts.

You can follow him on  LinkedIn ,  Facebook ,  Twitter  or  Instagram

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