Knowledge
Supply Chain Leadership Academy
In the past year, the Center for Supply Chain Research® (CSCR®) partnered with Credly to offer micro-credentials as an additional benefit of the virtual Supply Chain Leadership Academy Sprints provided to CSCR’s community of practice. The credentials allow earners to showcase skills, competencies, or achievements gained from learning experiences within our sprints. Credly credentials also offer a great way for participants to share professional development achievements with their companies and across social media.
In the spring of 2024, CSCR extended the micro-credentials to include not only the sprint series, but also the individual sprints offered throughout the year. Staff in the center have worked to clarify the language around what it takes to earn a CSCR Sprint credential and have seen increased engagement in sprint activities. From the first to the second quarter in 2024, we have seen a 20 percent increase in the number of individuals who completed their participation requirements. Additionally, we have seen a remarkable increase in the number of certificates awarded during the past fiscal year.
Penn State Supply Chain Podcast
The Penn State Supply Chain Podcast, sponsored by the Center for Supply Chain Research at Penn State’s Smeal College of Business, serves as a dynamic platform for insights into today’s most pressing topics in supply chain management. Hosted by Steve Tracey, professor of practice in supply chain management, and Irv Grossman, former senior vice president of NTT Data Supply Chain Consulting and chief executive officer for Chainalytics, the podcast engages Penn State faculty, industry leaders, and CSCR support organizations in enlightening discussions that resonate across the supply chain industry.
In 2023–2024, the Penn State Supply Chain Podcast brought together 11 experts who shared insights on various topics, ranging from innovations in supply chain technology to ESG compliance and talent acquisition and university relations. A total of 8 episodes were produced, generating a total of 2,119 downloads and an average of 265 downloads per episode. The podcast has currently generated over 6,000 all-time downloads, showing a 53 percent increase from last year’s figure.
6,102 All-time downloads from listeners across the United States and a host of other nations
38 Total experts interviewed about the latest trends in the supply chain industry
Top-three Most Downloaded Episodes | July 2023–June 2024
- Innovations in Supply Chain Technology
- The Role of Rail in the Supply Chain
- ESG Compliance in the Supply Chain