FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - As the newly appointed Oren Harris Chair of Logistics at the Sam M. Walton College of Business Administration, Dr. Lisa R. Williams is poised to lead both the college and local corporations into a new era of technology-based commerce.

"We are extremely pleased to welcome Dr. Williams to the department of marketing and transportation," said Dr. Thomas Jensen, chair. "I feel confident that her research and teaching experience in electronic commerce and supply chain management will put the Walton College of Business Administration on the cutting edge of current and future business trends."

Williams’ research in the fields of electronic commerce and electronic data interchange examines supply chain management issues brought about by the growing trend of Internet shopping. Furthermore, it addresses the impact of this phenomenon on business processes within transportation and logistics.

"More and more people are computer literate and are taking advantage of the efficiency of ordering on-line," said Williams. "That’s going to change the distribution channel for products. For instance, now people can order straight from the manufacturer without visiting a traditional retail outlet."

As new technology forces businesses to restructure their methods of manufacturing, marketing and distribution, it also opens opportunities for tremendous commercial growth.

"Combining e-commerce and supply chain management has the potential for more efficient and effective movement of goods and services," explained Jensen. "With research support from experts like Dr. Williams, both businesses and retail consumers can benefit through better information and lower costs."

Williams uses her expertise to counsel corporations as they implement new technologies and business practices. The thriving corporate atmosphere of Northwest Arkansas will give her ample opportunity to help companies reorganize their resources, develop employee training programs and devise more technological models of business, she said.

In addition to working with businesses in the community, Williams looks forward to collaborating with other members of the Walton College faculty through the Supply Chain Management Research Center.

"What really appealed to me about Walton College is that it’s on the brink of tremendous growth," said Williams. "The faculty members here are very collegial and experts in their own fields, and the opportunity to join a faculty that’s on the rise was an exciting prospect."

Walton College will not only benefit from Williams’ research expertise but will gain representation through her alliances with professional societies. Since 1992, Williams has maintained active membership in the American Society of Transportation and Logistics, the Council of Logistics Management, the Logistics Educators’ Conference and the American Marketing Association. She has also held membership in the Warehousing Education and Research Council since 1995.

Jensen also believes that Williams will bring new resources and insight to Walton College students. Williams comes to the University of Arkansas after seven years at Penn State University, where her outstanding work as an instructor and advisor earned her many awards, including the 1995 Outstanding Woman Faculty Member Award and the 1997 George W. Atherton Award for Excellence in Teaching.

"Our students will learn from Dr. Williams’ knowledge and research in two subjects of increasing importance to commerce," said Jensen. "Their knowledge, in turn, will make them very valuable to the business community and allow them to compete for jobs with students from any university in the nation."

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