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In this article the authors discusses the significant contribution of the Fulbright Scholar Program to logistics and supply chain professionals in the U.S. They explain that it is a program of educational grants that is sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the Department of State. They also offer their experiences as Fulbright scholars. The procedure for applying in the scholarship is also tackled.

Purpose - The development of strategic supply chain mapping techniques has been slowed by four critical issues. The purpose of this paper is to answer a call to address supply chain mapping techniques and issues. It offers recommendations for more readable and useful strategic supply chain maps. Design/methodology/approach - The paper utilized executive MBA, traditional MBA, and graduating logistics undergraduates' applied economic input/output data to refine mapping techniques. Findings - The paper addresses strategic supply chain mapping issues to serve as the next step in advancing the evolution of strategic supply chain mapping techniques. It utilizes geovisualization to provide useful guidance to individuals trying to map their current supply chain and seeking potential improvements. Research limitations/implications - The paper is limited in that strategic supply chain mapping is in its infancy. Future research may consider use of the technique comparing alternative approaches to a supply chain, as well as the application of Pareto analysis and other metrics to focus on critical components for mapping. Practical implications - The use of input/output analysis initiates mapping at the macro industry level as a key starting point. Geovisualization techniques allow those mapping to offer a great amount of detail in a simple, easy-to-read format to identify the critical components of the specific supply chain. Originality/value - This paper is the critical next step to help further advance the evolution of strategic supply chain mapping techniques by both practitioner and academic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to show how firm financial management techniques may be used to improve over all supply chain profitability and performance. Design/methodology/approach - This paper uses a case-based approach to demonstrate how supply chain financial management techniques, such as cash-to-cash and shared weighted average cost of capital (WACC), can reduce the financial costs experience by a supply chain. Findings - This paper provides a methodology to identify and quantify the potential opportunities to increase profitability throughout the supply. Scenarios are offered that illuminate potential supply chain improvements gained by collaborative management of cash-to-cash cycles and sharing WACC with trading partners. Research limitations/implications - These financial techniques are readily available for use in collaborative supply chain structures. Practical implications - Coordinating financial management across the supply chain is a potential tool to align and improve the financial performance of collaborating firms. This method extends to the supply chain those historically firm-centric financial management concepts such as return on capital and cash flow. The impact is reduced overall cost generated by leveraging the financial strength of the entire supply chain. During economic downturns and times of tight credit proactively managing financials across the supply chain may be the only way some suppliers remain afloat. Originality/value - Two firm level financial management approaches are extended and they are adopted for use across the supply chain: cash-to-cash management; and leveraging a shared supply chain financing rate. This paper builds on the increasing body of research and practice that suggests trading firm-optimized for supply chain optimized performance reduces overall cost and improves customer value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - To examine supply chain competences necessary to efficiently and/or effectively succeed in aftermarket support. Design/methodology/approach - Using the aerospace industry as a context, this paper provides a brief overview of aftermarket support practices and trends and discusses the broader implications for aftermarket supply chain managers. Findings - There are multiple approaches to aftermarket support. Which approach should be used depends on key variables including: technology, need for visibility and/or traceability, and need for collaborative product commerce. Research limitations/implications - This paper is a general review. Future research should examine resources necessary in individual industries, other forms of relationships, and the influence of new technologies. Practical implications - In many industries, there are significant opportunities for incremental profit in aftermarket support. Collaborative product commerce, alliances, a number of new technologies (e.g. web commerce), and security needs may play critical roles in determining whether or not a company's aftermarket support practices will be profitable. Firms without competences in these areas should seek help from trusted partners to fill competence gaps. Originality/value - This paper explores an often ignored but significant line of business - aftermarket support. Lessons demonstrated in this paper may be used in a number of industries that rely on aftermarket support for incremental profit [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]