Given the faculty, staff, students, degree programs, and facilities extant, the focus that can be provided by this institute can truly lead to research and problem solving excellence in supply chain management. According to The International Center for Competitive Excellence, supply chain management is defined as the integration of business processes from end user through original suppliers that provide products, services and information that add value for customers and other stakeholders. As a result, the University of Louisville's Challenge for Excellence has embraced logistics and distribution as an area of strength. It also plays a critical role in international trade, which is expected to more than quadruple over the next 15 years.
Companies increasingly view logistics as a crucial element in their corporate strategy.
If modern enterprises are to meet customer demands for responsiveness, customization, quality, and value, they must effectively and efficiently link their entire global supply chain. To take a leadership role in building the close-knit industry network in the Kentuckiana area by promoting local roundtable meetings. To identify outreach and training needs of the local governments, port authorities, and logistics companies in the city of Louisville, and the states of Kentucky and Indiana. To offer innovative and viable solutions to a variety of supply chain problems encountering the regional business community. To attract extramural funding to support supply chain related research activities of the College of Business and Public Administration and the Speed Scientific School.