Purpose
The Institute for Logistics and Transportation Studies serves as the outreach arm of the logistics faculty to students, alumni, recruiters, media, and the logistics / transportation community. The purpose of the Institute is to:
- Promote logistics and transportation education at Georgia College and the State
- Provide opportunities for students to interact with industry leaders, resulting in an enhanced education and potential employment
- Be a thought leader in creating relevant research for the practitioner community
- Provide additional financial resources to support the mission of the Institute
In addition, the Institute strongly supports USG’s second strategic imperative. That is:
- The University System of Georgia will ensure that Georgia remains a leader in an increasingly competitive and complex global economy by supporting business recruitment and retention, driving business creation, and spurring research and creativity that make the state a center of innovation, discovery, and entrepreneurship.
- Academic programs, research, and services that correspond with job growth and creation will strengthen areas of distinct advantage for Georgia in the global marketplace. Through efficient deployment of research, teaching, and service and increased attention to public and private partnerships, the university system will ensure that it is a responsive and transformational enterprise for the citizens of Georgia.
Logistics and transportation are seen as growth areas and building a strong Institute to support interactions with industry will assist us in achieving multiple goals.
Goals and Objectives
The goals of the institute are to further the visibility and knowledge of logistics and transportation to a wide audience. This will in part be accomplished by providing resources to deliver impactful and relevant research to the practitioner community.
Another secondary but important goal of the Institute is to provide resources to Georgia College faculty and staff interested in researching relevant and related topic areas.
Karl B. Manrodt, Ph.D.
Dr. Manrodt serves as a Professor of Logistics in the Department of Management at Georgia College & State University, located in Milledgeville, Georgia. He is also the Director of the Master of Logistics and Supply Chain Management program, an on-line master’s program for working professionals. His degrees include a B.A. in Philosophy and Psychology, Wartburg College, M.S. in Logistics, Wright State University, and his Ph.D. at the University of Tennessee.
Dr. Manrodt has over 20 years in logistics, transportation and supply chain research. These research projects have been funded by a wide range of participants in the supply chain, ranging from consulting firms, associations, carriers, software providers and shippers. This background will help Georgia College establish the Institute for Logistics and Transportation Studies, a research office focused on the needs of today’s practitioners. He was recognized as a “2004 Rainmaker” by DC Velocity Magazine. Dr. Manrodt also had served the profession in several forums. He served on the Board of Directors for the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals as well as other leadership roles with WERC.
In addition Dr. Manrodt has/or now serves as an editor, reviewer, and on the editorial board of numerous academic and practitioner journals. He is the co-author of six books, he has given over 150 presentations across the globe.
Dr. Manrodt is the original lead researcher of the annual study of trends in logistics and transportation. The study examines key practices in the industry and is now in its 25th year. Dr. Manrodt also leads the WERC survey on DC Metrics, now in its 13th year.