Rotterdam school of Management, Erasmus University compact logo

Supply Chain Management

Faculty

The expertise of our SCM section is broad yet concentrated on the processes of global logistics, sourcing, facility logistics and distribution, and addresses aspects such as sustainability, digitalisation, analytics and behavioral aspects. Our research combines analytical and data-driven methods, and is often carried out in collaboration with (inter)national partners. Research is closely intertwined with our engagement with practice, which is globally inspired and locally anchored. 

Recent geopolitical shocks and natural disasters underscore how much business and society rely on resilient, well-governed supply chains. As head of RSM’s Supply Chain Management section, I am proud to lead an exceptionally talented team committed to making an impact through three channels: research published in the field’s leading journals; education, notably our two pre-experience MSc programmes in Supply Chain Management and in Business Analytics & Management, consistently recognised among the best worldwide in relevant rankings; and engagement with practice and policy, evidenced by externally funded collaborations with industry, government and NGOs. Together, we create, share and apply rigorous and relevant knowledge so that present and future managers and policymakers can design and operate supply chains that are efficient, sustainable, and resilient. In this way, our section strives to be — and invites partners and students to join us as — a force for positive change, globally inspired and locally anchored in Rotterdam.

Prof. Steef van de Velde

The expertise of our SCM section – one of the largest groups in its kind worldwide – is broad yet concentrated on the processes of global logistics, sourcing, facility logistics and distribution, and addresses aspects such as sustainability, digitalisation, analytics and behavioural aspects. In education, we contribute to pre-experience and post-experience programs, including a specialised MSc program in Supply Chain Management and a specialised MSc program in Business Analytics & Management. Our research combines analytical and data-driven methods, and is often carried out in collaboration with (inter)national partners.

Education and research are intertwined with our engagement with practice, which is globally inspired and locally anchored. Rotterdam is home to the biggest sea port in Europe, and the Netherlands is an international gateway to the massive markets of Western Europe, resulting in an important and strong logistics sector. We also interact with policy makers and NGO's, for whom SCM is an increasingly relevant field.

 

Teaching

The SCM section offers a dedicated and specialised MSc programme in Supply Chain Management, and contributes to a specialised MSc programme in Business Analytics and Management.  We also offer various open and customised executive programs in Operations and Supply Chain Management, and an Executive Master Programme in Customs and Supply Chain Compliance. Together with the Erasmus School of Economics, we offer an executive Master Programme in Maritime Economics & Logistics.

Moreover, we offer courses in the area of Supply Chain Management, Operations Management and Business Analytics and Decisionmaking in a great number of other RSM programmes, including the Bachelor of Science in International Business Administration (IBA), the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Bedrijfskunde), the Master in Management (MIM), fulltime and parttime, the international full-time MBA, the Executive MBA (EMBA), the Cologne-Rotterdam Executive MBA, and the Global Executive MBA (GEMBA).

About our research

Faculty Research
Faculty
Research

The expertise of our SCM section is broad yet concentrated on the processes of global logistics, sourcing, facility logistics and distribution, and addresses aspects such as sustainability, digitalisation, analytics and behavioral aspects. Our research combines analytical and data-driven methods, and is often carried out in collaboration with (inter)national partners. 

Research is closely intertwined with our engagement with practice, which is globally inspired and locally anchored. Rotterdam is home to the biggest sea port in Europe, and the Netherlands is an international gateway to the massive markets of Western Europe, resulting in an important and strong logistics sector. We also interact with policy makers and NGO's, for whom SCM is an increasingly relevant field.

Research Topics­­­

Developing analytical approaches to improve the economic and environmental performance of supply chains. Some of this research is organised through ERIM’s Closed Loop Supply Chain centre.

Optimisation of warehouse, port terminal and cross-dock operations, with related material handling systems. Work on port terminals is done within the SmartPort@Erasmus and material handling research is organised via the Material Handling Forum.

A subtheme to improve the performance of passenger and cargo transportation systems. Research is organised through the SmartPort@Erasmus and the Erasmus Centre for Optimization in Public Transport (ECOPT).

Studying behavioural operations management and purchasing and supply management is organised through the Purchasing and Supply Management Centre.