Businesspeople of all stripes are starting to pay attention to the issues surrounding offshoring and reshoring, especially as they pursue business success in an uncertain economy.

A company called Pebble crowdfunded its new smartwatch to the tune of $10 million, but they ran into production difficulties. The APICS body of knowledge might have helped them experience a more successful launch.

This week, we examine the fast-fashion business Zara and its chief executive, Amancio Ortega. Ortega founded his business on two basic priorities—customer focus and speed.

This year, think differently about resolutions and consider how you can take steps to make your career healthier. One way is to explore APICS principles, such as five whys, to improve your skills.

APICS will remain dedicated to helping you meet your challenges and experience success. I look forward to working with you in maintaining and enhancing our leaderhip position as the premier supply chain association in 2013 and beyond.

What are the year-end predictions for 2013 in manufacturing and supply chain and operations management? One of the more interesting areas of speculation is which areas will be hot spots for demand growth.

It is impossible to survive a major economic trauma without the landscape shifting. However, the global economy is a dynamic thing. New ecosystems and networks have formed and are forming still.

In some economies and businesses, procurement is just that—procurement. Logistics is logistics. However, as organizations grow in scope and complexity, their supply chain networks grow in scope and complexity as well.

According to McKinsey Global, the next manufacturing era will mean agile, networked enterprises employing professionals as strong in using information and analytics as they are in maximizing talent and machinery.

Use of fundamental management principles—targets, incentives, and monitoring—indicate success or failure in businesses.

Programs using the theory of constraints are bringing many changes to factories across the Indian automotive sector where Just-in-Time has failed.

The European Commission announced its economic forecast, and things aren't looking rosy. The figures show significantly lowered expectations.

Amid the news of the damage and destruction from Hurricane Sandy, I am inspired by the stories of heroism that have come to light.

I see the term “big data” more and more. But what is it, really? Are professionals already overloaded with data, or do they lack the detailed data they need to make informed supply chain decisions?

An article posted Wednesday on the Harvard Business Review website describes a problem we should all pay attention to: demand and sales aren’t equivalent. “Sales don’t equal demand because consumers settle for less far more often than most realize,” writes Eddie Yoon, a principal at the Cambridge Group.

The 2012 Chief Supply Chain Officer Report reveals that supply chain management increasingly has a more important and strategic role within successful organizations. It also sheds some interesting light on the effects of disruptions.

While professionals in supply chain and operations management have been talking about traceability and RFID for some time, it seems the general public now is also paying attention.

It is with great sadness that I write about the passing of author, educator, practitioner, and APICS volunteer J.R. Tony Arnold, CFPIM, CIRM, on September 21.

Last week the Japanese government bought the disputed East China Sea islands, known as Senkaku by Japan and Diaoyu by China, from a private Japanese owner. In China, the transaction prompted the worst anti-Japan demonstrations in decades.

For supply chain and operations management professionals, the Republican and Democratic national conventions provided a chance to evaluate speeches and party platforms through the lens of workforce development.