2026 Research Forum – Supply Chain Challenges: Practical Insights from Emerging Academic Research

Agenda

• Day 1: Friday, June 5, 2026 Day 1: Friday, June 5, 2026

   

  1:00 – 1:30 p.m.	Attendee Check-In & Networking with Light Snacks & Refreshments | SSB N105
  1:30 – 1:40 p.m.	Opening Remarks | SSB N105  Detlev Zwick, Dean, Professor of Marketing, Tanna H. Schulich Chair in Digital Marketing Strategy, Schulich School of Business, York University David A. Johnston, Director, George Weston Ltd. Centre for Sustainable Supply Chains, Schulich School of Business, York University Anthony Ferreira, Associate Director, George Weston Ltd. Centre for Sustainable Supply Chains, Schulich School of Business, York University
  1:40 – 2:25 p.m.	Session 1: Industry Panel – “Building Resilient Supply Chains for Canada’s Future Economy” Senior leaders share their perspectives on the most pressing challenges ahead for Canada, including innovative ideas for potential nation-building initiatives related to supply chain management. The discussion will highlight how investment, innovation, and research can reposition supply chains as drivers of resilience, equity, and long-term wellbeing, with a specific focus on the Canadian economy. Moderator: Vibhuti Dhingra, Assistant Professor, Schulich School of Business, York University Warrington Ellacott, Chair, Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters (IE Canada) Shaz Merwat, Energy Policy Lead, RBC Alan Taliaferro, Partner, Deloitte
  2:30 – 3:15 p.m.	Session 2: Industry Insights – “Housing & Infrastructure Supply Chains” The pressures on Canada’s housing and infrastructure systems have reached a critical point. This session unpacks today’s challenges including capacity constraints, long lead times, and regulatory frictions, and explores potential paths forward. Supply chain researchers are then invited to draw their own connections and consider where SCM thinking might unlock new solutions. Jim Clayton, Timothy R. Price Chair and Professor in Real Estate and Infrastructure, Schulich School of Business, York University Joseph Ogilvie, Chair, OMERS & Oxford Leadership Institute in Real Assets, Schulich School of Business, York University
  3:15 – 3:25 p.m.	Coffee Break
  3:30 – 4:15 p.m.	Session 3: Industry Panel – “Entrepreneurship & Innovation in Canadian Supply Chains” This session explores the barriers and opportunities facing entrepreneurs as they work to reshape Canada’s supply chains. Panelists will discuss structural challenges to innovation and scaling while highlighting the transformative role of startups and innovators in areas such as advancing food security, sustainability, logistics, and digital transformation. The discussion will underscore the promise of entrepreneurial ventures in building resilient, competitive, and inclusive supply chains for Canada’s future economy. Moderator: Murat Kristal, Professor, Schulich School of Business, York University Ryan Ernst, Partner, Deloitte Raymond Luk, Founder, Source Canada

  *Agenda subject to change. 

  Day 2: Saturday, June 6, 2026 Day 2: Saturday, June 6, 2026

  9:00 – 9:30 a.m.	Attendee Check-in / Morning Welcome & Coffee | SSB N105
  9:30 – 9:50 a.m.	Welcome & Discussion – Shaping Canada’s Supply Chain Research Agenda (So Far) | SSB N105 A collaborative discussion synthesizing insights from Day 1 and identifying emerging research priorities. M. Johnny Rungtusanatham, Professor and Ohio Eminent Scholar, University of Cincinnati Dan Shin, Assistant Professor, Asper School of Business, University of Manitoba David A. Johnston, Director, George Weston Ltd. Centre for Sustainable Supply Chains, Schulich School of Business, York University
  10:00 – 11:05 a.m.	Session 4: PhD Flash Talks – Emerging Supply Chain Challenges Brief PhD-led presentations highlighting innovative research ideas and emerging challenges in supply chain management, designed to spark discussion and inform future research directions. Moderator: Sunny (Huiqing) Tian, PhD Candidate, Schulich School of Business, York University Vikash Kumar, PhD Candidate, Ivey Business School, Western University Joseph Scarfone, PhD Candidate, Schulich School of Business, York University Pantea Saremi, PhD Candidate, Ivey Business School, Western University Khashayar Zare, PhD Candidate, Asper School of Business, University of Manitoba Ikeoluwa Aregbe, PhD Candidate, Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics, University of Guelph
  11:10 – 12:00 p.m.	Session 5: Academic Presentations – “Designing Supply Chains for Public Good” Research presentations addressing housing, healthcare, infrastructure, food security, and equity-focused supply chain systems in Canada. Moderator: Burkard Eberlein, Professor, Schulich School of Business, York University Sheng Liu, Assistant Professor, Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto Aiqi Zhang, Assistant Professor, Lazaridis School of Business and Economics, Wilfrid Laurier University
  12:00 – 1:15 p.m.	Catered Lunch & Networking | Executive Dining Room, SSB
  1:15 – 2:00 p.m.	Session 6: Panel Discussion – “AI & Analytics in Supply Chain Management” | SSB N105 Panel discussion examining the application of AI and analytics in supply chain management, including machine learning, predictive risk management, digital twins, and other emerging approaches. Moderator: Hjalmar Turesson, Program Director (MMAI) and Adjunct Professor, Schulich School of Business, York University Isik Bicer, Associate Professor, Schulich School of Business, York University Adam Diamant, Associate Professor, Schulich School of Business, York University Narongsak (Tek) Thongpapanl, Professor, Goodman School of Business, Brock University
  2:15 – 3:15 p.m.	Session 7: Academic Presentations – “Challenges to Supply Chain Sustainability” Research presentations exploring sustainability issues, with topics such as climate change, resource scarcity, regulatory pressures, including discussion of risks, constraints, and emerging solutions. Moderator: Remi Charpin, Associate Professor, HEC Montréal Vibhuti Dhingra, Assistant Professor, Schulich School of Business, York University Michael Pavlin, Associate Professor, Lazaridis School of Business and Economics, Wilfrid Laurier University
  3:15 – 3:30 p.m.	Closing Remarks

  *Agenda subject to change.