[Logprofs] INFORMS Journal on Applied Analytics: CFP: Special Issue on Analytics Behind Designing and Managing Omni-channel Supply Chains

[Burcu Keskin]

*Special Issue of INFORMS Journal on Applied Analytics—Analytics Behind
Designing and Managing Omni-channel Supply Chains*

The introduction and rapid proliferation of e-commerce in recent years have
forced many companies to rethink their operations, including their supply
chains, to integrate online and offline channels, inspiring the birth of
the omni-channel world. Although this omni-channel environment offers new,
unparalleled opportunities for accelerated growth, most companies (notably,
retailers) are also facing unprecedented challenges, and the very survival
of brick-and-mortar channels is in question. They must keep pace with
ever-evolving technology and customer expectations, and offer a seamless
experience across all channels, blurring the lines of distinction between
brick-and-mortar and digital experiences.

Several companies have responded to this challenge by offering additional
services, including buy online/pickup-in store (BOPS),
reserve-online-pick-up-and-pay-in-store (ROPS), ship-to-store (STS),
ship-from-store (SFS), or buy-inStore/ship home (BSSH). However, there are
still many open operations research/management science (OR/MS) questions
involving the integration of supply chain network design, product
fulfillment, distribution, pricing, and returns. To address these questions
most effectively, companies must turn to advanced analytical approaches
within a data-rich environment.

Within this context, this special issue is expected to present a broader,
more thorough insight for the successful application of analytical
practices by companies participating in omni-channel supply chains on
topics such as (but not limited to):

   - Demand prediction for online vs. offline channels concerning product
   level, SKU level, location, and time of consumption;
   - Location analytics combining geographic data, map-driven analysis,
   infrastructure, facility size and availability, and spatial patterns;
   - Analytical approaches (including novel inventory models) to address
   central issues from e-fulfillment to omni-channel fulfillment;
   - Distribution and delivery models with a variety of service offerings
   for last-mile delivery (e.g., same-day, next-day, bulk, inexpensive,
   expedited, and premium delivery), especially with membership services that
   offer “free” deliveries or that consider different delivery pricing models;
   - New shipping ideas and models supporting omni-channels, including
   handling the challenges of closed-loop supply chains;
   - Pricing, omni-channel revenue management, managing the financial
   impact of returns, mark-down optimization, and market segmentation;
   - Collaboration and coordination with supply chain teams and partners
   internally and externally, potentially with pricing contracts;
   - Integration of information systems and optimization tools;
   - Analytical barriers and challenges in the design and management of
   omni-channel supply chains;
   - Influence of new trends in the digital-platform economy, sharing
   economy, and disruptive manufacturing on omni-channel supply chain design.

Authors should review the instructions on preparing a paper for the *INFORMS
Journal on Applied Analytics* at:
https://pubsonline.informs.org/page/inte/submission-guidelines. Papers must
be submitted online at: https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/inte.

When submitting a paper, please note the following:

   - Under “Step 1: Type, Title, & Abstract,” select “Special Issue” for
   “Type.”
   - Under “Step 5: Details & Comments,” answer “This paper is for which
   special issue?” with “Omni-channel Supply Chains.”

The editors encourage potential authors to contact them with ideas for
papers before making a full submission of a paper. Please note the
following dates:

   - *November 15, 2019:* Letter of intention to publish due to the
   editors, with an abstract including the organization at which the work was
   implemented.
   - *February 15, 2020:* Target deadline for the first round of
   submissions.
   - *May 15, 2020:* First round of reviews completed; decisions (and
   requests for revision, if appropriate) delivered to authors.
   - *August 15, 2020:* Second round of reviews delivered to authors.
   - *November 15, 2020:* Final versions of accepted papers must be
   submitted.

Publication contact information for the Special Issue Editors:

*Burcu B. Keskin*

University of Alabama

bkeskin at cba.ua.edu

*Pavithra Harsha*

IBM T.J. Watson Research Center

pharsha at us.ibm.com

CFP: https://pubsonline.informs.org/doi/10.1287/inte.2019.0994



Burcu B. Keskin
Professor, Operations Management
Reese Phifer Fellow in Operations/Manufacturing
ISM Associate Department Head

355 Alston Hall
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487
Phone 205-348-8442
bkeskin at cba.ua.edu | https://culverhouse.ua.edu/news/directory/burcu-keskin/

[image: The University of Alabama] <https://www.ua.edu/>
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