Current Projects
Research
Supply Chain Projects
- An assessment of the extended "forest to consumer" value stream for kitchen cabinets.
- A survey and comparison of each industry segment in the value stream on key performance metrics used to assess their business' performance.
- A geographic information system (GIS) compatible database of supply chain metrics.
- Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) for primary manufacturing.
- Develop and demonstrate the potential usefulness of a web-based community that can be tailored to the specific needs and goals of each stakeholder in the forest to consumer supply chain.
Alignment of Supply Chain Performance to Consumer Preferences Projects
- Application of a policy capturing approach (social judgment theory) to examine consumer's perceptions of character marks in furniture.
- Using the policy capturing approach, evaluate the judgment processes of veneer log buyers.
- Examine the role of fashion and style with the goal of providing tangible knowledge that ameliorates the investment risk of these transient market forces that influence hardwood product and timber prices.
- US consumer preference study for selected Eastern US hardwoods.
Outreach Workshops
- Lean manufacturing training modules applied to forest industries.
- Workforce diversity training modules applied to forest industries.
- Change management training modules applied to forest industries.
- Market research training modules applied to the forest industries.
- Customer relationship management training modules applied to the forest industries.
- Customization training modules applied to the forest industries.
Web-based Communities
- Web-based support group for continued assistance beyond workshop/short course instruction.
- Web-based community for "forest to consumer" supply chain segments.
Strategic and Tactical Projects
- Research and Technology Transfer Agenda.
- North American Hardwood Supply Chain Project.
- Appropriate technology transfer models for forest industries.