Professor Shams Rahman

Position

Professor

School /
Work Unit

Business IT & Logistics

Contact Details

+(61 3) 9925 5530

shams.rahman@rmit.edu.au

Location

Building: 80
Level: 8
Room: 81

City Campus

College/Portfolio

Business

Rahman S and Subramanian N -Special issue on ‘Supply Chain Agility: Emerging Research Perspectives’ - International Journal of Agile Systems and Management (website: www.inderscience.com/ijasm)

Professor Shams Rahman

MSc(Engg.), ME(IndEngg), PhD(OR)

Shams’s Photo

Shams Rahman holds the position of Professor of Supply Chain Management and Head, Logistics and Supply Chain at RMIT University. Prior to joining RMIT, he worked at other universities in Australia, UK and Thailand. He also held visiting fellowship at the Virginia Tech and University of Exeter.

Shams is on the editorial board of ten international journals. He is an Associate Editor of the International Journal of Information Systems and Supply Chain Management, a Regional Editor of the International Journal of Logistics and Supply Chain Management Systems, and a Member of the Editorial Advisory Board of the Advances in Information Systems and Supply Chain Management (Book Series). He is also the foundation member of the International Advisory Committee of the Asia-Pacific Federation of Logistics & Supply Chain Systems.

Shams has a research interest in the areas of

  • Reverse/Green logistics and sustainability
  • Cold chain and Pharmaceutical logistics
  • Low cost country sourcing, risk and Complexity
  • Security issues in global supply chains
  • Theory of constraints, and
  • Six-sigma quality & Lean logistics.

Shams has published over 100 scholarly papers which include articles in international journals, book chapters, and referred papers in international conference proceedings. He has extensive consulting, organizing and delivering workshops experience with and for multinational companies. Shams is frequently called upon to make presentations for executives on issues such as six-sigma and lean management, cold chain management, reverse logistics, and theory of constraints in particular and supply chain management in general.

Guest Editor (Forthcoming special issues)

  • Rahman S and Subramanian N - Special issue on ‘Supply Chain Agility: Emerging Research Perspectives’ - International Journal of Agile Systems and Management (website: www.inderscience.com/ijasm)

Invited Lectures/Keynote Speech (Recent)

  • Presentation. Keynote speaker at the 43th Annual Convention of Operational Research Society of India (ORSI) & International Conference on Operations Research for Urban and Rural Development, Madurai, India, 15 – 17 December 2010. Topic: Implementation of operations research and ethical issues.
  • Presentation.Invited to make a presentation on Fostering Alliances with industry partners to assist with Cold Chain Delivery, at the Cold Chain Management 2010 Conference, 26-27 October, 2010, Sydney, Australia.
  • Presentation. Invited presentation on Current research in logistics & supply chain management at RMIT University, at Shanghai Maritime University, 29 September, 2010, Shanghai, China.
  • Presentation. Invited presentation on Recent development in logistics & supply chain management, at Shanghai University of Technology and Science, 28 September, 2010, Shanghai, China.
  • Presentation. Invited presentation on Warehousing and distribution for YRC Logistics, 20 and 27 September, 2010, Shanghai, China.
  • Presentation. Invited to make a presentation at a special session at the 8th Chinese Logistics Association Conference on Critical Logistics Skills Required by the Chinese Supply Chain Managers, 14-15 November, 2009, Xiamen, China.
  • Presentation. Invited presentation on Logistics and supply chain competencies required by supply chain managers, at the Smart 2009 Conference (Australia’s leading Supply Chain Conference) – Bridging the Gap, 9 June, 2009, Sydney.
  • Workshop Presentation. Invited presentation onModelling Reverse Logistics, at the Logistics & Operations Research Workshop, RMIT University, 11 March 2009, Melbourne.
  • Seminar Presentation: Presentation on Barefooted OR and Its Extension - Health System Planning in Rural Bangladesh, at the Asia@ RMIT Forum, 11 March 2009, Melbourne.
  • Workshop Leader. Conducted a workshop on Health Supply Chain – Distribution and Inventory Management of Pharmaceutical Products (for a Group of Chinese Managers), 6 March, 2008, Melbourne
  • Seminar Presentation. I was invited to present a seminar on Sustainability and Reverse Logistics by the Supply Chain Round Table (Victoria), Melbourne, November, 2007.
  • Seminar Presentation. Invited to make a presentation on Global Supply Chain – Looking at the ‘Big Picture for the Australian TCF Technology Network, Melbourne, 11 October 2007.
  • Workshop Leader. Invited by the International Quality and Productivity Centre to lead a workshop on Prioritising high impact six-sigma projects using the concept of Theory of Constraints, at the Lean and Six-Sigma Summit 2007, Sydney, 15 June.
  • Seminar Presentation: Invited by the Marcus Evans Group to make presentation on Six Sigma and Lean Concept at the conference on Transforming Shared Service Centre Operations, 16-17 Oct 2006, Sydney.
  • Workshop Leader: Invited by the Terrapin Group (Singapore) to lead a workshop on Strategic outsourcing for managers (3rd Chemical Logistics and SCM World Asia 2006, 18 May, Bangkok).
  • Seminar Presentation. Presentation on Forward thinking in reverse logistics for the managers (Service Management World Conference, 8-10 March 2005, Sydney.
  • Workshop presentation. Gave a presentation for the local business entrepreneurs on Supply chain management and its relevance to small businesses (9 September 2005, Wollongong).
  • LAA Presentation. Invited by the Logistics Association of Australia to present on Reverse Logistics (21 April, 2004, Parramatta).

Current PhD and Masters Scholars

Currently, supervising Seven PhD and Four Masters scholars as the senior supervisor

  • Topic: RFID in Retail Supply Chain (Stephen Waters). The candidate is working on a topic titled – ‘RFID in Retail Supply Chain’. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Structural Equation Models (SEM) have been employed as the research methodologies.
  • Topic: Determinants ofSustainable Procurement (Sujak Bakir). The objective of this research is to develop a conceptual model of sustainable procurement in the context of Singapore and will be analysed using structural equation modelling and DEMATEL.
  • Topic: Strategic Sustainable Supply Chain Management(Geoffrey Thomas). This is a case-based research whose objective is to develop models of sustainable supply chains based upon strategic management metrics.
  • Topic: Critical Determinants of Agile Supply Chain in the Relationships between Multinational Companies and Small and Medium Enterprises (Nazura Sayuti). This research investigates the relationships between MNCs and SMEs in the context of agile supply chian in the electronic industry in Malaysia employing Structural Equation Modelling and AHP approaches.
  • Topic: LPG distribution in Indonesia – Location-allocation medelling (Ilyas Mas'udin). This research involves modelling of LPG distribution in Indonesia using location-allocation models.
  • Topic: Reverse Supply chain – Policy implication forManufacturing companies in China(Nancy Nie). This study addresses the following two main questions:
    • What are the critical factors for implementing reverse logistics systems in the context of the manufacturing industries?
    • What are the impacts of new government regulation and legislations on the manufacturers in their perspectives and behaviour regarding reverse logistics management?
  • Topic: Complexity, risk and innovation (Lokhman Hakin Bin Osman). This study investigates the relationships between supply chain complexity, risk and innovation. It will apply the Social Network Analysis for assessing the relationships.

Current Masters Students’ Projects:

  • Six sigma implementation challenges.
  • Challenges of Multinational 3PL providers in China.
  • Container interface in the existing port of Fremantle and the proposed Kwinana Quay Project.
  • A critical review of supply chain management research and application in the context of China.

Industry-based Research Projects:

  • Reverse Logistics in Asia-Pacific – Case studies
  • Logistics Competency-Gap Analysis for Operations Managers
  • Bi-lingual Learning & Teaching in Logistics & Supply Chain Management

Journal Articles under Review

  1. Rahman, S and Subramanian, N, “Factors for implementing end-of-life computer recycling operations in reverse logistics”, International Journal of Production Economics (under 1st review)
  2. Rahman, S, “Students’ perceptions of logistics skills for Supply chain managers”, International Journal of Logistics: Research and Applications (under 2nd review)
  3. Rahman, S and Khan, S, “Suppliers assessment in foreign-aid funded procurement: An Importance Performance Matrix analysis”, International Journal of Production Economics (under 2nd review)
  4. Elango, M, Subramanian, N, Goh, M and Rahman, S, “Clustering methods to solve the balanced multi-robot task allocation problem: A strategic analysis”, Artificial Intelligence (under 1st review)
  5. Kumar, A and Rahman, S, “Process reengineering of closed-loop supply chains in the healthcare industry of Singapore”,International Journal of Production Economics (under 1st review)
  6. Baskaran, V, Subramanian, N and Rahman, S, “A perspective view of supplier selection with corporate social responsibility issues of Indian Manufacturing Industries”, International Journal of Sustainable Engineering (under 2nd review)
  7. Baskaran, V, Subramanian, N and Rahman, S, “Indian Textile suppliers’ sustainability evaluation using the grey approach”, International Journal of Production Economics (under 1st review).
  8. Rahman, S, Khan, S and Abareshi, A, “Competency Gap Assessment for Operations Managers: A Case Study of a Large Australian Logistics Firm”, Production Planning and Control (under 1st review).
  9. Mothilal, S, Subramanian, N and Rahman, S, “Relationships between 3PL success factors, growth strategies and performance: Evidences from the Indian 3PL service providers”, Technovation(under 1st review).
  10. Sheriff, M, Subramanian, N and Rahman, S,An Integrated Routing Allocation Model with Single- Product and Multi- Product Variety in Plastic Recycling Collection Network, Journal of Operations Research Society (under 1st review).
  11. Rahman, S, The task environment, resource commitment, and reverse logistics performance: evidence from the Taiwanese High-Tech Sector, Production Planning and control (under 1st review).

Book Chapters under Review

  1. Rahman, S, The Theory of Constraints – A Management Philosophy, in K. Vaidya (ed.) Inter-Organizational Information Systems and Business Management: Theories for Researchers, IGI Global publisher.
  2. Amrik S Sohal andRahman, S, Use of Third Party Logistics Services: An Asia-Pacific Perspective, in J. Bookbinder (ed.) Global Logistics, Springer.
  3. Rahman, S, Reverse Logistics, in Mangan et al. (ed.) Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management, John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Selected DEST Publications

  1. Rahman, S and Wu, Y-C J (2010), “Logistics Outsourcing in China: The Manufacturer-cum-Supplier Perspective”, (accepted for publication in the Supply Chain Management: An International Journal)
  2. Rahman, S (2010), “An exploratory study of outsourcing 3PL services: an Australian perspective”, (accepted for publication in the Benchmarking: An International Journal)
  3. Khan, S and Rahman, S (2010), “Suppliers selection in foreign-aid funded procurement using the Quality Function Deployment Matrix, International Journal of Integrated Supply Management, 5, 4, 302-321.
  4. Rahman, S, Wu, Y-C J and Sohal, A (2010), “Outsourcing logistics services from Chinese manufacturers”, in Orr (ed.), The Competitive Landscape in China: a Research Perspective, pp.1-20, LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing, Berlin, Germany.
  5. Rahman, S, Laosirihongthong, T and Sohal, A (2010), “Impact of lean strategy on operational performance: A study of Thai manufacturing companies”, Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, 21, 7, 839-852.
  6. Rahman, S, and Yang, L (2010), “An assessment of the logistics skills required by logistics and supply chain managers in China”, in Orr (ed.), The Competitive Landscape in China: a Research Perspective, pp.21-39, LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing, Berlin, Germany.
  7. Rahman, S (2009), “Outsourcing third-party logistics services by Australian firms”, International Journal of Logistics and Supply Chain Management, 1, 1, 41-49.
  8. Rahman, S and Yang, L (2009), “Skills requirements for logistics managers in China”, IIBM Management Review, 21, 2, 140-148.
  9. Rahman, S and Laosirihongthong, T (2008), “Quality in logistics: evidences from Thailand”, International Journal of Integrated Supply Management (Special Issue on Logistics in Asian Region – invited paper), 4, 1, 49 – 59.
  10. Rahman, S, (2008), “Quality management in logistics services: a comparison of practices between manufacturing and logistics firms in Australia”, Journal of Total Quality and Business Excellence, 19, 5, 535-550.
  11. Waters, S and Rahman, S (2007), “RFID and supply chain performance: adoption issues in the retail supply chain”, International Journal of Internet and Protocol Technology, 2, 3/4, 190 - 198.
  12. Ray P. K. and Rahman, S (2006) “The propensity for local innovation and inter-firm linkages in transnational corporations versus local enterprises in India”, Journal ofTransnational Corporations, 15, 2, 71-98.
  13. Laosirihongthong, T, Rahman, S and Saykhun, K (2006), “Critical success factors of six-sigma implementation: an analytical hierarchy process based study”, International Journal of Innovation and Technology Management, 3, 3, 303-319.
  14. Rahman, S (2006), “Quality management in logistics: an examination of industry practices”, Supply Chain Management: an International Journal, 11, 3, 233-240.
  15. Rahman, S (2006), “Relationship between world class logistics competencies and environmentally focused logistics practices”, International Journal of Logistics and SCM Systems, 1, 1, 2-6.
  16. Rahman, S and Bullock, P (2005), “Soft TQM, Hard TQM, and organisational performance relationships: An empirical investigation, Omega – The International Journal of Management Science, 33, 73-83.
  17. Ray, P. K, Ida, M, Suh, C. S. and Rahman, S (2005), “Dynamic capabilities of Japanese and Korean enterprises”, in C. Rowley and M. Warner (Editors) Globalisation and Competitiveness, Routledge London, ISBN 0415360064
  18. Rahman, S (2004), “The future of TQM is past. Can TQM be resurrected?”, Total Quality Management & Business Excellence, 15, 4, 411-422.
  19. Ray P, Ida, M, Suh, C, Rahman S (2004), “Dynamic capabilities of Japanese and Korean enterprises and the flying geese of international competitiveness”, Asia Pacific Business Review, 10, 3-4, Spring/Summer, 463-484.
  20. Rahman S and Findlay C (2003), “The impact of terrorism on cycle times in international supply chains”, Journal of International Logistics and Trade, 1, 1, 41-53.
  21. Meyburg, A H and Rahman, S (2003), “The Challenges of Freight and Commercial Transport Surveys”, in Stopher and Jones (eds), Transport Survey Quality and Innovation, pp. 443-454, Pergamon, Oxford (ISBN: 0-08-044096-7)
  22. Rahman, S (2003), “Reverse logistics: an overview and a causal model”. In Button and Hensher (Eds.) Transport and the Environment, Pergamon, Oxford (ISBN: 0-08-044103-3).
  23. Rahman, S, (2002), “The Theory of Constraints’ Thinking Process Approach to Developing Strategies in Supply Chain”, International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management, 32, 10, 809-828.
  24. Rahman, S (2002), “Leadership and HR focus in TQM research in Australia: an assessment and agenda”, Benchmarking: An International Journal, 9, 5, 485-506.
  25. Rahman, S and Sohal, A. S. (2002), “A Review and Classification of TQM research in Australia and an Agenda for Future Research” International Journal of Quality and Reliability Management, 19, 1, 46-66.
  26. Rahman, S (2002), “A Review of Empirical Research on Total Quality Management Using Scale Developing Methods: An Australian Perspective”, Total Quality Management, 13, 5, 635-649.
  27. Power, D J, Sohal, A S and Rahman, S, (2001) “Critical success factors in agile supply chain management: An empirical study” International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management, 31, 4, 247-265.
  28. Rahman, S (2001), “A Comparative Study of TQM Practice and Organisational Performance of SMEs with and without ISO 9000 Certification”, International Journal of Quality and Reliability Management, 18, 2, 35-49.
  29. Rahman, S (2001), “Total Quality Management Practices and Business Outcome: Evidence from SMEs in Western Australia”, Total Quality Management, 12, 2, 201-210.
  30. Rahman, S (2001), “Goldratt’s Thinking Process Approach to Developing Strategies in Supply Chain”, In W. Hutchinson and m. Warren (eds) The Relevance of Systems Thinking in the Contemporary World, pp. 299-311, (ISBN: 0-7298-0500)
  31. Rahman, S and Smith, D. K (2000), “Use of Location-allocation Models in Health Service Development Planning in Developing Nations”, European Journal of Operational Research, 123, 437-452 (An invited paper).
  32. Ray, P. K and Rahman, S (2000), “Public Policy and the Dynamics of Competitive Advantage of Local Enterprises in the Indian Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Industry”, Global Business Review, 1, 2, 207-228.
  33. Rahman, S and Smith, D. K (1999), “Deployment of Rural Health Facilities in a Developing Country”, Journal of Operational Research Society, 50, 9, 892-902.
  34. Rahman, S (1999), “Multiple Criteria ABC Analysis using the Analytic Hierarchy Process: An Application to Hospital Inventory Management”, International Journal of Business Studies, 7, 2, 41-54.
  35. Rahman, S and Smith, D. K (1999), “Health Centre Status and Accessibility in Rural Bangladesh: A Location-Allocation Model-Based Analysis" in M Alauddin and S. Hasan (eds.) Development, Governance and the Environment in South Asia: A Focus on Bangladesh, pp.225-41, London: Macmillan.
  36. Rahman, S (1998), “Theory of Constraints A Review of the Philosophy and Its Applications”, International Journal of Operations & Production Management, 18, 4, 336-355.
  37. Rahman, S (1998), “A Conceptual Framework for Variation Reduction”. In B. Abraham (Ed) Quality Improvement Through Statistical Methods, pp.35-44, Publisher: Birkhauser, Boston.

Papers in Professional/Trade Journals

  1. Rahman, S (2008), “Logistics skills for supply chain managers – Graduate students’ perspective”, mhd Supply Chain Solutions, July-August, pp. 50-54.
  2. Rahman, S (2007), “Outsourcing logistics functions – examining the trend”, mhd Supply Chain Solutions, July – August, pp. 52-56.
  3. Rahman, S (2006), “Professional development in logistics and supply chain management”, The Australian Logistics & Transport Review, Vol.2, pp. 28-29.
  4. Rahman, S (2004), “Quality management in logistics”, mhd Supply Chain Solutions”, September – October, pp. 62-64.

Special Publications

  • Singh, P J, Prajogo, D, O’Neill and Rahman, S (2008) (eds.), The Challenges and Opportunities of Operating in Complex Supply Chains, ANZAM Operations, Supply Chain and Services, June, pp 423.
  • Findlay, C and Rahman, S (2004), Study on the Mutually Supportive Advancement of APEC’s Trade Facilitation and Secure Trade Goals post September 11: Analysis and Case Studies, Pacific Economic Cooperation Council, August, pp.70
  • Rahman, S (1997), Submission for 1997 Australian Quality Award, The Graduate School of Management, The University of Western Australia, pp.50.

(I had the sole responsibility to prepare this report on behalf of the Graduate School of Management (GSM), University of Western Australia. The report was prepared for submission for 1997 Australian Quality Award. GSM received an award at the Achievement level from Australian Quality Council)

Conference Papers

  1. Rashid, N and Rahman, S (2010), “The supply-side of the e-Government implementation: an analysis using DEMATEL method”, 15th International Symposium on Logistics, KL, Malaysia, 4-7 July.
  2. Rahman, S, Khan, S and Abareshi, A (2010), “Competency gap assessment for operations managers: a case study of a large Australian logistics firm”, 15th International Symposium on Logistics, KL, Malaysia, 4-7 July.
  3. Rashid, N andRahman, S (2010), “An investigation into critical determinants of e-Government implementation in the context of a developing nation”, International Conference on Electronic Government and the Information Systems perspective – EGOVIS’10, 30 August- 2 September, Bilbao, Spain
  4. Rahman, S (2010), “Factors for implementing end-of-life computer recycling operations in reverse logistics and cognition mapping”, 8th ANZAM Operations Symposium, Sydney, Australia, 6-8 June, 2010.
  5. Rahman, S (2010), “OR Modelling and Public Policy in Bangladesh - Implementation Challenges”, Proceedings of the 2010 International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management, January 9 – 10,Dhaka, Bangladesh.
  6. Rahman, S and Selen, W (2010), “Shippers-Providers Perception of Third-Party Logistics Services – An Importance-Performance Matrix Analysis”, Proceedings of the 2010 International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management, January 9 – 10, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
  7. Rahman, S and Yang, L (2009) “An Importance-Performance Matrix Analysis to Assess Critical Skills Required by Logistics Managers in China”, presentation at a special session at the 8th Chinese Logistics Association Conference, Xiamen, China, 14-15 November.
  8. Rahman, S and Ong, W. (2009) “Exploring Reserve logistics in the Computer Industry – Australian Case Studies, 5th International Congress on Logistics and SCM Systems, 2 – 5 June, 2009, Seoul, South Korean.
  9. Rahman, S, Butcher, T and Yang, L (2009), “Logistics manager skill requirements: Comparing international practices”, 7th ANZAM Operations, Supply Chain and service management Symposium, 7-8 June, Adelaide.
  10. Khan, K and Rahman, S (2009), “An Importance-performance analysis for supplier assessment in foreign-aid funded procurement, 14th International Symposium on Logistics, Istanbul, Turkey, 5-8 July, 2009.
  11. Rahman, S (2008), “Collaboration, bullwhip effect and performance: Evidences from a case study”, Proceedings of the IMR Conference on Global Supply Chain Management: Role of Emerging Economies, December 22 – 24, 2008, Bangalore, India.
  12. Rahman, S and Laura Yang(2008), “Skill requirement for logistics managers in China – an empirical assessment”, Proceedings of the IMR Conference on Global Supply Chain Management: Role of Emerging Economies, December 22 – 24, 2008, Bangalore, India.
  13. Rahman, S, Wu, Y-C J and Sohal, A (2008), “Outsourcing logistics services from Chinese manufacturers”, 6thANZAM Operations, Supply Chain, Services Management Symposium, 2008, Gold coast, Queensland, Australia, 8-9 June.
  14. Waters, S and Rahman, S (2008), “RFID in supply chains: Literature review and an agenda for future research”, 13th International Symposium on Logistics, 6-8 July, Bangkok, Thailand (paper accepted for presentation and inclusion in the proceedings).
  15. Chettri, P and Rahman, S (2008), “Spatial clusters of logistics-related employment – a case study of Brisbane-South east Queensland, Australia”, 13th International Symposium on Logistics, 6-8 July, Bangkok, Thailand.
  16. Waters, S and Rahman, S (2007), “RFID adoption issues in Australian retail supply chains: evidences from a case study and two mini surveys”, The 5th International Conference on Supply Chain Management and Information Systems, Melbourne, Australia, 9 -12 December.
  17. Rahman, S (2007), “Assessment of critical factors for prioritising six sigma projects”, The Fifth International Conference on Quality and Reliability, November 5 – 7, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
  18. Poles, R, Dapiran, P, Wilson, D and Rahman, S (2007), “Closed loop supply chain modelling”, The 5th International Conference on Supply Chain Management and Information Systems, Melbourne, Australia, 9 -12 December.
  19. Ray, S, Ray, P. K and Rahman, S (2007), “A comparative analysis of innovation strategies of domestic firms and MNE-affiliates: the case of Indian Pharmaceuticals Industry”, paper presented at the Annual Meeting, Academy of International Business, (Track 9: Global versus local knowledge in international business), Indianpolis, Indiana, June.
  20. Waters, S and Rahman, S (2007), “Antecedents to RFID adoption perspectives of retail supply chain stakeholders”. 9thInternational Conference on Enterprise Information Systems 12-16, June, Funchal, Madeira - Portugal.
  21. Khan, S and Rahman, S (2007), “Assessment of suppliers in international procurement: an application of the Quality Function Deployment matrix”, The 5th International Conference on Supply Chain Management and Information Systems, Melbourne, Australia, 9 -12 December.

Listing of Full Publications for Assoc Prof Shams Rahman