CLI - Center for Latin-American Logistics Innovation

These are some of the research projects that might be developed by CLI:

Supply Chain Innovation in Emerging Markets. The unique characteristics of emerging markets create unique challenges for logistics and supply chain processes. This does not only require adapting “best practices” to the emerging market environment but also development of new approaches that accommodate the reality of the environment. By working within the Latin American context, this project will identify unique areas of innovation for supply chains in emerging markets.
Sustainable Supply Chains. Environmental considerations have become a central theme in the international community (for example, climate change). It is expected that future businesses incorporate “green” practices in the future. Given the current stage of supply chain development, how can this trend be used to develop competitive advantage for Latin American supply chains?
Measuring and Managing Supply Chain Risk. Businesses are aware of the increasing uncertainty in their supply networks and cognizant of the adverse impact of risk on their performance. However, there is a lack of formal ways to measure risk and incorporating it in short/long term supply chain decision-making. This project will develop methodologies for measuring supply chain risk, identify key metrics relevant for global supply chains and compare various strategies that could be used to improve a supply chain risk profile.

Enabling the Digital Supply Chain: As technology is deployed through out the supply chain, more participants and devices will have the ability to capture and share detailed information. How do you leverage all this information to create a completely digital supply chain? This research includes understanding the technological and practical challenges of reconciling the multiple devices and protocols (e.g. mobile phones, RFID, EDI), creating new environments to share the information (e.g. virtual platforms), scalability and compatibility issues and collaboration challenges between multiple entities (e.g. privacy/security). Special emphasis will be given to the unique advantages/disadvantages of supply chains in Latin America.

Critical Infrastructure. Most Latin American countries and other emerging economies have identified infrastructure as one of the main challenges for competitiveness. Infrastructure is critical for logistics operations, a central part of supply chain effectiveness. However, given limited resources, unique urban and market characteristics and global trends, which are the key infrastructure investments that will help Latin American Supply Chains? This project will focus on developing methodologies and approaches to identify, from a business perspective, the critical infrastructure that will enable more effective Latin American supply chains. Regulatory, social and geographical dimensions are also within the scope of the work. For this project infrastructure includes both public driven investments as well as private investments aligned with major public policies (e.g. shared distribution centers)

Urban Transportation. With the increase development of cities through Latin America, how will future urban transportation systems look like? How will this systems affect freight movement within and through these urban centers? Using the experience in Bogotá with TransMilenio and the upcoming Metro development, this project will leverage the unique environment available for applied research on this area.