Centre for Applied Research and Innovation in Supply Chain - Africa

From Research to Impact: The Art of Academic Storytelling
2025-05-22 16:00 - 18:00 UTC | Online Platform – Zoom, Ghana
Conducting high-quality research is only the first step for any academic who wishes to advance knowledge and make an impact in his or her field.
The ability to effectively communicate your research findings is a critical skill. It can mean the difference between producing research that just sits on a shelf and research that drives real-world change.
Journal editors and conference audiences alike expect researchers to be able to explain their work in a clear, concise manner. The best way to do that is to develop a storyline that ties the research together.
Successful papers in the modern era usually always tell an interesting story. Being able to present your research clearly through a story helps you convey its impact to audiences that likely do not have the same understanding of the topic as you do.
Every presentation is an opportunity to hone your storytelling skills.
Learn the art of academic storytelling at our May 22 CARISCA Training. In this session, the facilitator, Dominic Essuman, PhD, will discuss how storytelling is more than a nice-to-have. It’s an essential skill for researchers committed to making a tangible impact with their work.
The presentation will cover how to present your research story as well as tactical elements such as what to put on PowerPoint slides or the whiteboard in a classroom. Attendees will take away strategies and tactics to ensure your research not only informs but also leaves a lasting impression and drives meaningful change.
This free online session is open to all, but researchers who will present papers at the 2025 Supply Chain Research Summit are especially urged to attend.
About the speaker:
Dominic Essuman is a lecturer in sustainable management at the University of Shefﬁeld, United Kingdom. His research interests revolve around supply chain strategy, resilience and sustainability.
His research has been published in top-tier academic journals, including the International Journal of Production Economics, Journal of International Business Studies and Journal of Business Logistics. In December 2023, Essuman co-led a popular CARISCA Training on “Defending Your Thesis at Viva,” during which he outlined how to design and deliver an effective research presentation.

Writing a High-Impact Journal Article from Your Thesis or Dissertation
2025-06-23 15:00 - 17:00
Producing a strong doctoral thesis is a major achievement, but transforming it into a publishable journal article requires a different approach. Journals look for concise narratives, clear contributions, and crisp positioning within the literature. Without careful reframing, even the most rigorous dissertations can struggle to find a home in top‑tier outlets.
In this CARISCA training on June 23, Prof. Nathaniel Boso will guide you through the process of reshaping your thesis or dissertation into a compelling journal manuscript. Drawing on his extensive publication record and editorial insights, he will show you how to highlight your key findings, sharpen your story, and meet the expectations of journal editors and reviewers.
What you will learn:

How to distill a lengthy thesis into a focused article that emphasizes originality and theoretical contribution
Strategies for crafting an engaging introduction and literature review that position your work at the frontiers of the field
Techniques for presenting methodology and results in a way that aligns with journal conventions
Tips for responding effectively to reviewer feedback and navigating the submission process
Best practices for selecting the right target journals and tailoring your paper to their audiences
This free online workshop is open to all doctoral students and early‑career researchers who want to turn their dissertations into published papers.

About the speaker:
Prof. Nathaniel Boso is an award-winning scholar whose research appears in leading outlets such as the Journal of Business Venturing and Journal of International Business Studies. He serves as Director of CARISCA and holds the OR Tambo Africa Research Chair. He is Extraordinary Professor of International Business at the University of Pretoria in South Africa and Visiting Professor at Strathmore University in Kenya. His combined experience as author, editor, and reviewer gives him unique insights into what distinguishes a high‑impact journal article.

2025 Supply Chain Research Summit
2025-07-16 - 2025-07-18 | Lagos Marriott Hotel Ikeja
The summit is central to CARISCA’s goal to integrate Africa’s supply chain research into mainstream research and strengthen African supply chain capacity. It is the largest academic supply chain conference on the continent.
This year we are moving the event from Ghana to Nigeria, Africa’s most-populated country. This move will further CARISCA’s vision of becoming a pan-African hub for supply chain education, research and practice.
The summit is set for July 16-18, 2025, in Lagos, Nigeria. As in previous years, the 2025 Summit will be a hybrid event. The in-person venue is the Lagos Marriott Hotel Ikeja. Virtual attendees will participate via Zoom.
Presentations will revolve around the theme “Reimagining Africa’s Supply Chains for a Sustainable Future.”
Registration for the summit will open soon! We encourage you to sign up as soon as possible once it does—space is limited, and we anticipate spots will fill quickly.
“The summit is a can’t-miss event for supply chain management scholars from Africa and around the world,” says Dale Rogers, CARISCA’s executive director. “In only a few years, it has become the place where new research ideas relevant to Africa are developed and presented.”
Learn more: summit2025.carisca.org

Second annual Supply Chain Business Forum and Exhibition
2025-07-30 - 2025-07-31 | Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, Accra, Ghana
Business leaders and supply chain experts will gather July 30-31,2025, at the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, Accra, for CARISCA’s second annual Supply Chain Business Forum and Exhibition. Over the two days, keynote speakers and panelists will lead discussions on the theme “Fueling Africa’s Growth: Supply Chain Innovation and Financing.”
The goal of the forum is to enhance supply chain management practices across the continent. The event is targeted to business and industry leaders and academics with strong business ties or who conduct applied research that can enhance supply chain management practices in Africa.
The inaugural event, held in July, attracted nearly 280 participants from six countries. Among attendees who completed a post-event survey, 94% said they would return next year.
The Business Forum will feature prominent entrepreneurs, business executives and academics as keynote speakers, panelists and session leaders. The event also will offer ample time for networking and exploring the exhibition space, where leading companies will showcase their products and services.
Attendees will gain abundant opportunities to learn about and discuss the best supply chain practices throughout Africa and how leading-edge university research can support African businesses.
Registration
Early-bird pricing for the 2025 Business Forum and Exhibition is available until April 30. Groups of five or more from the same company can receive a discount on registration. Seats are limited, and we expect the event to sell out quickly.
Registration is limited to in-person attendees. While most CARISCA events are hybrid, the Business Forum is an exception so that participants and sponsors gain full advantage from the exhibition space and networking opportunities.
To register for the event or learn more about becoming a sponsor or exhibitor, visit cariscabusinessforum.com.

Workshop: Building and Defending African Context Specific Theory in Business and Management Research
2025-08-20 10:00 - 2025-08-21 15:00 | CARISCA Accra Office
In business and management research, Africa has often been treated as a site for applying Western theories rather than developing its own. For African scholars, there is a growing imperative not only to produce knowledge but to anchor that knowledge in the unique realities of the continent.
Africa has too often been treated as merely a setting for applying Western theories. But its distinctive institutional environments, informal economies, and indigenous practices call for a shift from theory application to theory building.
Constructing African context-specific theory means developing frameworks that are grounded in African realities frameworks that reflect how firms innovate, lead, and succeed amid deep complexity and limited resources. Defending these theories is equally vital: it ensures that they are recognized and respected in global academic discourse, helping to rebalance the dominance of Western perspectives.
Africa is not just a backdrop for research. It is a rich, underutilized source of theory. Grounding your research in African contexts enables you to generate insights that are locally relevant and globally significant.
This session will be led by Nathaniel Boso, PhD, a leading African scholar whose work has shaped global conversations in international business and marketing. Boso will discuss how to build theory that captures the African business experience and how to defend that theory in journals, conferences, and global academic forums.
The training will cover:

Understand the importance of contextualizing business and management research in Africa.
Learn practical frameworks for developing Africa-centered theories.
Gain strategies to defend and publish Africa-focused research.
Connect with a network of scholars and practitioners passionate about African knowledge creation.
Be empowered to challenge dominant narratives and contribute original, globally relevant research questions.

By the end of the workshop, participants will be equipped to move from applying external theories to actively building and championing African knowledge for Africa and the world.
This is a hybrid event. In-person seats are limited. Register to secure your spot. In-person: KNUST Accra Office, KNUST Guest House, Osu || Virtually via Zoom.
About the speaker:
Nathaniel Boso is a globally recognized scholar whose research focuses on the intersection of international entrepreneurship, industrial marketing, and supply chain strategy. His work has appeared in top journals such as the Journal of Business Venturing, Journal of International Business Studies, and the International Journal of Production Economics.
Boso has received numerous international accolades for his scholarship. In 2021, his article “(How) Does Africa Matter for International Business Scholarship?” won the Academy of International Business Insight Outstanding Article Award. In 2019, he authored the Journal of International Marketing article recognized for making the most significant contribution to the field that year.
He currently serves as the OR Tambo Africa Research Chair and director of CARISCA. He also holds academic appointments at the University of Pretoria in South Africa and Strathmore University in Kenya.

The Future of Supply Chain Planning: Harnessing Data, Technology, and Human Insight
2025-09-30 17:00 - 18:30
The rapid evolution of technology is transforming supply chain operations. Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and digital platforms now help businesses monitor products, anticipate needs, and respond rapidly. Machines recognize patterns, while humans provide intent and context.
At the next Distinguished Lecture Series on September 30, Prince Boadu, CSCP, CMILT, will present “The Future of Supply Chain Planning: Harnessing Data, Technology, and Human Insight.”
Computers can detect demand surges or transport delays, but they cannot resolve broader issues such as sustainability, priorities, or reputation risks. Boadu will highlight why digital tools cannot replace human judgment.
During the lecture, Boadu will cite examples of leading enterprises such as Amazon, Unilever, Procter & Gamble, and Zara, which showcase the balance between digital tools and human expertise.
His message is clear: the future of supply chain planning is not machines against humans. Progress lies in collaboration, blending digital speed with human insight to ensure resilience.
About the speaker
Prince Boadu is a Program Manager for Supply Chain at Google, where he plays a key role in powering the tech behind the cloud. Based in the EMEA region, Boadu leads the development and delivery of high performance electrical, mechanical, and HVAC systems at Google. He has over decade experience within the supply chain space across multiple industries.
Before joining Google, Boadu held strategic supply chain roles at global giants like Merck KGaA, Procter & Gamble and myTomorrows. He has experience in both the rigor of large corporations and the agility of startups across Germany and the Netherlands.
Boadu co-founded Kumasi Hive, a hardware innovation hub in Ghana that empowers entrepreneurs to turn ideas into tangible products. There, he and his team championed rapid prototyping, hardware design, and tech-enabled entrepreneurship, proving that meaningful impact starts at the grassroots.
In 2016, Boadu was recognized in the FORBES Africa 30 under 30 list of young entrepreneurs championing impact and change. He is also an Atlantic Dialogues Emerging leading under the auspices of the Policy for New South (PCNS), Morocco. Boadu is a member of the Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport (CILT) and the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM).

Framework for Analyzing and Addressing Methodological Challenges in OSCM Research on African Contexts
2025-11-17 16:00 - 18:00
Research in operations and supply chain management (OSCM) is shaped by widely recognized methodological conventions. Some of these conventions come from general scientific principles, while others have developed through disciplinary traditions. These conventions continue to be reinforced by the academic environments that have historically led the OSCM field.
However, research conducted in African contexts often encounters challenges when these conventions are applied without adjustment. Publication gatekeepers may evaluate African-based studies using the same expectations applied to research conducted in more represented contexts. As a result, researchers can face two main difficulties: conducting the research itself in environments that differ from assumed norms and demonstrating adherence to conventions that may not fully align with the realities of their context. In some cases, the unique features of African settings make adapting or departing from standard conventions both necessary and appropriate.
On November 17, Dr. Dominic Essuman, a lecturer from the University of Sheffield, will introduce a practical framework for understanding and addressing these methodological challenges. The framework draws from multi-sourced Africa-specific data and is designed to support scholars in navigating research design, execution, and publication in leading OSCM journals.
Dr. Essuman will discuss two major sets of methodological challenges: those associated with the researcher’s institutional environment and those shaped by the resource environment. The session will highlight how certain limitations can be transformed into opportunities that strengthen research quality and relevance in African contexts.
Participants will gain practical guidance on when to adopt existing methodological conventions, when to adapt them to fit context, and when to innovate entirely new approaches. The session will also emphasize how to clearly communicate methodological decisions and reasoning to publication gatekeepers while maintaining rigor and scholarly confidence.
About the Speaker
Dr. Dominic Essuman is an Editor of the Africa Initiative of the International Journal of Operations & Production Management and a Lecturer in Sustainable Management at the University of Sheffield. His research has been published in leading journals including the Journal of International Business Studies, International Journal of Operations & Production Management, Journal of Business Logistics, International Journal of Production Economics, and Supply Chain Management: An International Journal.
He holds a Ph.D. in Logistics and Supply Chain Management from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana, and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) in the UK. Dr. Essuman is deeply committed to advancing OSCM scholarship across Africa and has collaborated with CARISCA to deliver multiple research capacity-building programs.

Continuing Professional Development - Introduction to Supply Chain Analytics
2025-11-20 14:00 - 17:00
CARISCA CPDs Are Back!
CARISCA is excited to announce the return of our Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses!
To kick things off, we’re introducing two free introductory sessions open to all our stakeholders and the public. These sessions are designed to build foundational knowledge in key areas of supply chain management and prepare participants for future in-depth CPD offerings.
Introduction to Supply Chain Analytics
Date: November 20, 2025Time: 2–5 p.m. GMTMode: Online via ZoomRegister: bit.ly/CARISCACPDs
As supply chains become more data-driven, analytics skills are essential for informed decision-making. This course introduces participants to the fundamentals of Supply Chain Analytics from data collection to analysis for operational and strategic improvement.
Facilitator
Dr. John Serbe MarfoSenior Lecturer, KNUST School of Business
Dr John Serbe Marfo is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Supply Chain and Information Systems at the KNUST School of Business. He has a PhD in Information Systems. He is a researcher and a consultant in supply chain digitalization, information systems, health informatics, big data analytics and eLearning. His recent research work in supply chain digitalization focuses on the use of drone technology as a logistics tool to improve health care delivery and supply chains.
Learn more about our other CPD course, Introduction to Reverse Logistics

Supply Chain Design, Digital Twins and Stress Testing for Resilience
2025-11-24 17:00 - 18:30
Supply chains move materials and goods from origin to consumption. They deliver products that feed us, keep us healthy, and support our daily lives. Efficient supply chains are vital for strong economies and stable communities.
However, designing and managing supply chains is challenging. Today’s world faces frequent disruptions such as extreme weather, pandemics, and geopolitical tensions. These events test how well supply chains can adapt and recover.
On November 24, Professor Chelsea C. White III (Chip) will discuss “Supply Chain Design, Digital Twins, & Stress Testing for Resilience.” He will explain how to design supply chains that deliver quality products efficiently and remain resilient during disruptions.
The presentation will begin with an overview of how supply chains are structured and operated. It will then explore how to manage risks and recover from disruptions effectively. Professor White will use the semiconductor industry as a key example, highlighting its complexity and global challenges.
He will introduce digital twins, virtual models that represent real supply chains. These models help organizations test different scenarios and identify weak points before real disruptions occur. Participants will learn the steps to create digital twins of supply chains, facilities, and manufacturing processes.
The session will also explain the Bullwhip Effect, showing how small changes in demand can cause large fluctuations upstream. Attendees will discover how this effect impacts suppliers and overall performance.
By the end of the presentation, participants will understand how digital tools can strengthen resilience, improve decision-making, and reduce risk in supply chain operations.
About the Speaker
Professor Chelsea C. White III (Chip) is the Schneider National Chair of Transportation & Logistics at Georgia Institute of Technology. He is also a Professor in the School of Industrial and Systems Engineering.
He has received multiple IEEE Lifetime Achievement Awards and is a Fellow of IEEE and INFORMS. He has served on several global boards, including Con-way, Inc., the ITS World Congress, and the World Economic Forum Trade Facilitation Council.
His current research focuses on Next-Generation digital twin platforms that improve supply chain performance and resilience. Professor White combines academic insight with industry experience to help build smarter, stronger supply chains.

Continuing Professional Development - Introduction to Reverse Logistics
2025-12-04 14:00 - 17:00
CARISCA CPDs Are Back!
CARISCA is excited to announce the return of our Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses!To kick things off, we’re introducing two free introductory sessions open to all our stakeholders and the public. These sessions are designed to build foundational knowledge in key areas of supply chain management and prepare participants for future in-depth CPD offerings.
Introduction to Reverse Logistics
Date: December 4, 2025Time: 2–5 p.m. GMTMode: Online via ZoomRegister: bit.ly/CARISCACPDs
Reverse logistics is gaining importance as organizations pursue sustainability and circular supply chain strategies. This course introduces participants to the concepts and processes involved in managing the flow of products and materials back through the supply chain.
Facilitator
Dr. Simon Peter NadeemSenior Program Manager, LEARN Logistics by the Kühne Foundation
He oversees the PhD program across several countries in Africa, supports CARSICA, and leads the development of academic research activities across the region.
Dr Nadeem is an established academic with extensive teaching and research experience. His last academic role was as a Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) at the University of Derby, United Kingdom.
Dr Nadeem’s academic expertise and research interests span Operations Management, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Circular Economy, Sustainability, and Business Process Reengineering. Dr Nadeem is an active researcher with international collaborations and has published in high-ranking peer-reviewed journals. He is also frequently invited as a Keynote Speaker at international conferences and academic institutions.
Learn more about our othe CPD course, Introduction to Supply Chain Analytics

2026 Supply Chain Research Summit
2026-07-06 - 2026-07-08
CARISCA’s annual Supply Chain Research Summit is central to our goal of strengthening African supply chain capacity and advancing Africa’s supply chain research globally.
On July 6-8, 2026, CARISCA will host the sixth Annual Supply Chain Research Summit in Ghana. The 2025 summit, held in Lagos, Nigeria, attracted approximately 350 participants from 17 countries, 87 institutions, and 38 higher education institutions worldwide, featuring more than 81 presentations.
In 2026, we are moving the summit back to Ghana, to welcome and accommodate even more supply chain scholars, students, professionals and decision makers to one of Africa’s emerging economies. As in previous summits, the 2026 Summit will be a hybrid event, to be held in person, and virtually via Zoom.
The 2026 summit is envisioned to take a deeper look at how artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are transforming supply chains and organizations across the continent.
Visit the Summit website: summit2026.carisca.org
