Ever wonder if those online dating sites really work? We have all seen, heard, or actually witnessed those "good match on paper" connections gone bad. There are, of course, those few "destined couples" who make it out alive, and the stories are inspiring. Job boards tend to function the same way. There are a myriad of job boards out there that deliver similar results to the typical online dating sites.

Lynn Brown, associate director of the Transportation & Logistics Flagship Program at the University of North Florida, discusses what recruiters are looking for among graduates of transportation, logistics and supply-chain management programs.

No organization can avoid coming to grips with the rapidly evolving behavior of consumers and business customers. They check prices at a keystroke and are increasingly selective about which brands share their lives. They form impressions from every encounter and post withering online reviews. These changes present significant organizational challenges, as well as opportunities. The biggest is that all of us have become marketers: the critical moments of interaction, or touch points, between companies and customers are increasingly spread across different parts of the organization, so customer engagement is now everyone's responsibility.

The chief supply chain officer has emerged as a vital partner in the most strategic aspects of managing complex, global companies. In years past, the procurement function (the sourcing of essential products and services on the best possible terms) occupied center stage. But more recently, the relentless focus on driving out costs has taken a backseat to such issues as supply market risk, revenue enhancement and managing complex supplier relationships.

Finance, IT, procurement and other business services areas are in the midst of a growing talent crisis, and the failure of HR and business services leaders to effectively collaborate is in large part to blame, according to new research from The Hackett Group.

Emerging market multinationals are struggling to build effective international management teams as they grapple with cultural differences, conflicting internal perceptions of talent management, difficulties in balancing global and local talent, and a lack of a reliable leadership pipeline.

Acquisitions are a vital component of growth for many businesses. Yet a high proportion of deals fail to deliver value. Why? A common reason is that, because of time pressures and complexity, many companies struggle to integrate fully after the deal. Synergy targets that were so enticing in the run-up to the deal melt away under the realities of meshing two often very different organizations in a short time.

Epicor Software Corp. has developed a new version of Epicor HCM, its application for human capital management. Version 5.7, due to be released this summer, is built on a global framework and Web services, the company said.

CAPS Research has released a focus study providing a snapshot of how large North American supply organizations are structured and explores their responsibilities, resources, and leadership. The report, the fourth in a series that first started in 1987 provides a longitudinal perspective on the key issues of supply's organizational structure and roles and responsibilities.