The academic side benefits as well. Projects on which the Global Supply Chain Forum has worked have resulted in "quality publications, materials we can use in classrooms and executive education programs," says Lambert.

The forum was established in 1992, when Lambert was teaching in Florida and looking to assemble experts from non-competing companies to guide supply-chain research. "It was a place where executives could talk to each other about common issues," he says, "and we could work on research projects funded by members."

Over the forum's 20-year life, participants have developed a model for structuring successful business relationships. Companies working with the initiative have included Cargill, Coca-Cola Co., Tyson Foods and Wendy's. Their experience has been translated into numerous books and journal articles.

Future efforts will focus in part on viewing the supply chain as a network of companies and multiple business functions, including supplier and customer relationship management, Lambert says.

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Keywords: Educational & Professional Development, Global Supply Chain Management, Supply Chain Analysis & Consulting, Quality & Metrics, Supply Chain Security & Risk Mgmt, Business Strategy Alignment, Business Intelligence & Analytics, Business Process Management, Collaboration & Integration, SC Planning & Optimization, Supply Chain Visibility, Cargill, Coca-Cola Co., Tyson Foods, Wendy's, Supplier and Customer Relationship Management