URI shifts focus of major to supply-chain issues

KINGSTON – Responding to industry trends, the University of Rhode Island’s College of Business Administration has redefined its operations management major to focus specifically on supply-chain management.
The shift in focus acknowledges the needs of industry not only in Rhode Island but also around the world, the university said. The major will now cover the strategic planning, design, operations and improvement of all activities involved in the procurement, manufacture and delivery of goods and services to meet customer requirements.
Deborah Rosen, associate business dean and a professor of marketing, revamped the major with support from a grant received by the URI Transportation Center. Incoming juniors will be able to choose supply-chain management as a specialty, as will MBA students.
An advisory council made up of industry experts has been established to oversee the new direction for the major. They include executives from CVS/Caremark Corp., Hasbro Inc. and Coastal Extreme Brewing Co., maker of Newport Storm beer.