Professor profile
Oihab Allal-Chérif is Professor of Purchasing, Logistics and Information Systems at BEM Bordeaux Management School
1. What are you currently working on?
- The organization of the 8th International Research Conference in Logistics and Supply Chain Management , which will take place in Bordeaux, September 29, 30 and October 1st 2010, hosted by BEM Bordeaux Management School.
- An index on sustainable supply chain management (SCM), with the SCM research group at BEM.
- Several articles on purchasing for professional purchasing magazines and for journals published by the French national research institute (CNRS).
- Cases on purchasing practices in French companies : Bouygues Telecom, Total, La Halles aux vêtements, and Valéo.
2. A case study (with reference) that you think is important. Why?
Syed Abdul Samad & Dr. V. Srinivas, "Crisis at Strocem RMC: Significance of Operations Management" (OM0021, IBS Case Development Center, www.ibscdc.org).
This recent case study takes us inside operations management at an Indian SME and does so in a pedagogical manner. I find it useful to take a break from cases on large multinationals, all the more so since many of my students will go to work for SMEs.
3. A management book you think highly of. Why?
Eveline Lubbers (Editor) and Naomi Klein (Foreword) (2002), Battling Big Business, Countering Greenwash, Front Groups and Other Forms of Corporate Deception (Green Books, 2002).
I like this book which criticizes multinational firms that build up an environment-friendly image without changing any of their practices. These companies use sustainabilility as a marketing tool rather than as a way to improve long-term productivity. I am sensitive to global environmental responsibilities which is one of the values highlighted at BEM. I bring up the issue in all my courses.
4. A very recent management title you read and/or one you would like to read. Describe.
I would like to read Developing Leadership Abilities by Arthur Bell and Dayle Smith (Pearson Education, 2010). It seems to me that this book might offer an original and practical approach to stimulating the leadership potential of my students. Since I am dealing with students who are quickly going to become project managers, I can use innovative ideas to try to help them achieve their leadership potential.
5. What is one of your well-liked teaching moments (case, discussion topic,…)?
Case discussions with continuing education students. It’s very interesting to listen to them discussing their varied experiences. They ask a lot of questions and are eager to find operational answers. The class becomes a mix of teaching, consulting and coaching where I need to bend toward each student. In these classes, I feel that I really am responding to a demand and adding value.
6. What was your most interesting consulting assignment? Why?
Not any one particular assignment but a series of assignments in the past where I was able to bring together my two professional affinities: purchasing and information technology. One attraction of these projects was their complexity and riskiness. Another attraction was the fact that they allowed me to work with many people, company insiders and the numerous outside suppliers involved.
