MIT supply chain expert calls for more applied research

Dr. Mahender Singh, Executive Director of MIT Global SCALE Network and Rector of the MIT supported Malaysia Institute for Supply Chain innovation (MISI), called for more applied research in the supply chain and logistics domain. Speaking at the Distinguished Lecture Series at Middlesex University Dubai, Dr. Mahender said, “supply chains are complex adaptive systems for which solutions cannot be arrived at based solely on theory, logic, quantitative techniques and experience.” Dr. Mahender called on academics to involve industry in research to understand the processes and complexities of real life operations to stay true to one of the key objectives of academic research namely, impact practice. He emphasized that this is possible only via applied research. Elegant theoretical solutions, be it mathematical optimization or economic models, are unable to take into consideration the highly unpredictable and dynamic business environment where step changes are frequent.  The MIT Global Scale Network's philosophy has been to focus on applied research by engaging with industry in solving real world problems and not only on abstract or theoretical ones.