FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Matthew A. Waller, associate professor in the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas, has been appointed associate editor for the Journal of Business Logistics. Waller also holds the Oren Harris Chair in Logistics.

“The Journal of Business Logistics is arguably the best logistics journal in the field,” said Thomas Jensen, chair of the marketing and logistics department and Wal-Mart Lecturer in Retailing. “Logistics has achieved greater prominence within business with increased awareness of its operational and financial impact on the bottom line. This is a great honor for Dr. Waller, who is our most knowledgeable logistician on the faculty.”

The Journal of Business Logistics, published by the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals, provides a forum for the dissemination of original thoughts, research and best practices within the logistics and supply chain arenas. The journal’s editorial objectives are to advance knowledge and science in logistics and to stimulate greater thought and effort in the logistics field

Jensen added, “Dr. Waller is a respected researcher in inventory management including, for example, forecasting, replenishment and safety stock as it relates to customer satisfaction. Recent research articles include, 'Does RFID Reduce Out of Stocks? A Preliminary Analysis.’ He brings his knowledge of logistics modeling and his business experience into his classes at the undergraduate, graduate and executive levels. He does a great job in bridging the gap between academic theory and applied business practices.”

Waller’s research acumen is well respected as demonstrated by a recent recognition in the publication Decision Sciences. An article “Development and Validation of TQM (Total Quality Management) Implementation Constructs,” co-authored by Waller was the No. 2 most-cited article over the last 35 years of Decision Sciences.

He joined the Walton College in 1994 where he teaches logistics and supply chain management. He received a Bachelor of Science, summa cum laude, from the University of Missouri and an Master of Science and a doctoral degree from The Pennsylvania State University. He is often involved in projects to improve supply chain management processes at leading consumer products companies. He also teaches forecasting and replenishment for the Walton College Center for Management and Executive Development.

His research has also been published over the past 14 years in other journals such as Journal of the Operational Research Society, Transportation Journal, International Journal of Production Economics and many others. He has a patent issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, involving replenishment, assortment and space optimization: Waller, M.A. and Dulaney, E.F. System, Method and Article of Manufacture to Optimize Inventory and Merchandising Shelf Space Utilization, Patent No. US 6,341,269 B1: Date of Patent Jan. 22, 2002.