IS 522Supply Chain Management SystemsResearch Paper:Implications of Emerging Technologies forSupply ChainsObjectiveThe objective of this paper is to identify an emerging technology that is relevant for managing supplychains and explore its implications and impact on future supply chains and industry ecosystems. Anemerging technology is a technology that is still in its genesis stage in terms of its application tothe supply chain context. It is not necessarily a new technology for example, Artificial Intelligencehas been around from the 1960s. In other words, its applications are still being researched anddeveloped, have not been proven, may have cost and implementation barriers is not standardized,and not widely adopted.The paper should be written as a briefing to C-level executives in an organization.You also have the option to define your own project/paper, subject to approval.What are some possible topics?One way (but not the only way) to identify emerging technologies and applications can be based on itsnovelty and interest demonstrated by the number of articles appearing in journal databases in the lasttwelve months in areas such as supply chain management, information technology, transportation andlogistics, warehousing management, among others. The list of technologies here is intended to beillustrative, students should carefully select topics with emphasis on exploring the convergence oftechnologies, for example, Artificial intelligence and Analytics. Convergence is regarded by many expertsas the hallmark of technological change in this century. In addition, the exercise in writing the paper isnot just on the technology itself
How should I approach the research paper?We have created a document on Writing a Research Paper that is available in Canvas which provideshelpful steps on the process of writing a research paper. Perhaps the most important thing is to have aplan and make regular progress on researching and writing the paper rather than trying to put it offtowards the end of the semester. Easier said than done, but even creative work requires discipline.In terms of thematic emphasis, you can think in terms of the following prompts to generate content.Your paper should address most of the questions listed here and others that may emerge from your Page | 2research. This is not a structure for the paper. Do not submit your research paper as a Question-and-Answerdocument answering these questions. These are simply prompted for the scope and content of yourresearch paper. Other prompts or thesis may be more appropriate for your topic. Again, refer to theWriting a Research Paper document on how to organize and format your paper. What is the technology? Place it in its historical context or developmental context. What are its key features? Why is it an emerging technology? What does it do? How does it change current practices? What benefit does it promise or deliver? What are the factors (or inhibitors) for the widespread adoption of this innovation? What are the possible reasons for its success and failure? What are the cost implications of this innovation, if any? What complementary innovations/practices and what infrastructure will need to be inplace for this innovation to succeed? What are its implications for firms, markets, economy, and society? (Dont have to pick all) How do we envision the future trajectory of this technology and the impact it is likely tohave?What information sources should I use?Use authoritative sources. Academic peer-reviewed research is considered the most authoritative,followed in order by reputed business publications (Harvard Business Review, Sloan ManagementReview etc.), business magazines, trade publications,s and white papers. Blogs, aggregators, and otherWeb sites can be great starting points but are not authoritative sources. UAH Salmon Library providesaccess to a number of electronic resources which are available in full text for example ABI Inform,EBSCO, ACM Digital Libraries, among many others. There are a number of SCM & IT magazines that areavailable online and are a great starting point for your research such as FastCompany, WIRED, MITTechnology Review, Information Week, Bloomberg etc.Please be cognizant of issues of plagiarism. The best way to do that is to always your own voice andyour own words.What should be the format and length of the paper?The research paper is expected to be about 5000 words. In other words, it is not a minimum, but anexpectation of substantive content, well-organized writing, and self-contained. The paper shouldinclude, Cover page Table of Contents Abstract/Executive Summary (Maximum 250 words) Introduction Section headings and sub-headings Conclusion In-text citations that are APA compliant (or similar standard) References (formatted in the same style as in-text citations) All pages should be numbered, starting with Introduction as page 1
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