26 Aug 2022

Why are the shelves bare? Prof. Tava Olsen looks at what’s going on with the world’s supply chains

From Smart Talk, 5:00 am on 26 August 2022

What's with all the stockouts and empty shelves?

Supply chain expert Dr Tava Olsen explores distribution logistics in this talk from Raising the Bar 2022.

Container ship

Photo: Massey University

Global disruptions mean we are talking about supply chains more than ever as we realise how important they are to our daily lives.

New Zealand is at the edge of the world when it comes to freight distribution, making us vulnerable to any glitches in the system. Are things going to get better, or is this the new normal for New Zealand? And can you have a resilient system that is also highly efficient (i.e. profitable)?

In this talk, Tava outlines the basics of supply chain management, explaining why supply chains matter so much.

She draws on decades of teaching, research and advising on supply chains to discuss what she thinks has changed for good, and what has not.

In addition, she addresses some of the unique situations global logistics create for New Zealand, such as why we export so many raw logs rather than creating value-added products such as construction materials and furniture.

Related: 

When there’s a glitch in the supply chain

A fairer system for booking MIQ?

Dr Tava Olsen

Tava Olsen

Photo: University of Auckland

Dr Tava Olsen is a Professor of Operations and Supply Chain Management, Director of the Centre for Supply Chain Management and Head of two departments at the University of Auckland Business School. Prior to joining the University, she was a Professor of Operations and Manufacturing Management at the Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis. Tava received her PhD from Stanford University and holds a BSc Hons from the University of Auckland. Her research interests include supply chain management and the stochastic and economic modelling of manufacturing, service, agricultural, and healthcare systems. She has been awarded the Auckland Business School’s Research Excellence Award three times.

This session was broadcast in association with the University of Auckland’s Raising the Bar night, held in August 2022

Raising the Bar Auckland logo

Photo: University of Auckland