FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Supply Chain Management Research Center in the Sam M. Walton College of Business, University of Arkansas, has awarded the 2007 Doctoral Dissertation Proposal Award to Zachary Williams of Mississippi State University.

“This award, which includes $5,000, recognizes hard work and dedication in the supply chain management field. The purpose is to encourage and reward individuals who are pursuing a doctoral degree,” said Jim Crowell, managing director, Supply Chain Management Research Center. Williams’ dissertation, Supply Chain Security: An Institutional Theory Approach to Strategies and Outcomes, focuses on supply chain security after Sept. 11.

The Doctoral Dissertation Proposal Award evaluation process consists of 15 to 20 reviewers, all faculty from 12 different universities. The evaluation criterion includes: contribution to supply chain management, likelihood of completing dissertation, theoretical basis for research and appropriateness of research design. Past recipients include doctoral candidates from schools such as the University of Tennessee and The Ohio State University.

Williams, a native of Hillsdale, Mich., holds a bachelor of science in business administration in logistics, production operations and marketing from Central Michigan University and an M.B.A. with a concentration in marketing from the University of Michigan at Dearborn. After he receives his doctoral degree from Mississippi, he will take a tenure-track position at Central Michigan University, teaching logistics management.

Williams receives a $5,000 monetary grant in two equal installments. The first installment is paid upon receipt of his final research proposal approved by his dissertation committee. The second installment will be made when his completed, bound dissertation has been approved by his dissertation committee.

“Receiving this award represents the degree to which leading supply chain management academics feel Zac’s dissertation is going to contribute to supply chain management,” added Crowell.

The Supply Chain Management Research Center in the Walton College, established in 1996, supports transportation and logistics faculty, student career fairs and internships and research with business and industry. 

Current center business board members include representatives of: ABF Freight System Inc., BNSF Logistics / BNSF Railway, BP Lubricants, USA, the Campbell Soup Co., CHEP, Colgate-Palmolive, ConAgra Foods, Inc., E. & J. Gallo Winery, Entergy Services Inc., FedEx Freight, GENCO, General Mills, J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc., Jarden Consumer Solutions, Johnson & Johnson, the Kellogg Co., Kimberly-Clark, Knight Transportation, Nestlé Purina PetCare, Procter & Gamble, the Clorox Company, Transplace, Tyson Foods Inc., Unilever, Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Walgreens Co., and Wyeth Consumer Health.