FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Supply Chain Management Research Center in the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas has awarded the 2008 Doctoral Dissertation Proposal Award toMatthew Douglas, a student from the University of North Texas.

“This award, which includes $5,000, recognizes hard work and dedication. The purpose of the award is to encourage and reward individuals who are pursuing a doctoral degree in supply chain management,” said Jim Crowell, director of the Supply Chain Management Research Center.

Douglas is working on doctoral degree in marketing and logistics and has a minor in operations management.His dissertation, “Commercial Motor Vehicle Driver Safety: An Application of Ethics Theory,” focuses on ethical decision-making theory and provides a foundation by which researchers can investigate the decision-making processes of truck drivers.

The evaluation process for the Doctoral Dissertation Proposal Award consists of 15 to 20 faculty reviewers from 12 different universities. The evaluation criteria include: 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 Ohio State University.

Douglas 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 Douglas’ completed, bound dissertation has been approved by his dissertation committee.

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

The Supply Chain Management Research Center in the Walton College, established in 1996, is a direct link between the private sector and the University of Arkansas supply chain resources. It sponsors activities that promote both the academic and general body of knowledge encompassing supply chain management.

Current business board members of the center include ABF Freight System Inc., BNSF Logistics/BNSF Railway, BP Lubricants, USA, 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, Kellogg Co., Kimberly-Clark, Knight Transportation, Nestlé Purina PetCare, Procter & Gamble, Clorox Co., Transplace, Tyson Foods Inc., Unilever, Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Walgreens Co., and Wyeth Consumer Healthcare.