“I think Covid19 has forced me to be more efficient and hone my time management skills as I juggle many responsibilities from home.”

Although Covid19 has changed many aspects of daily life, including work and research, I choose to focus on the opportunities it has created. The pandemic has basically forced us to conduct our interactions virtually, but without that, I may never have had the opportunity to participate in IPSERA events. As a wife, a mother of four young children, and full-time assistant professor, while also a doctoral student, I may not have been able to take the time away and travel to the doctoral workshop as a student this year. However, because it is virtual, it is an honor to have been accepted and a privilege to participate.

As a doctoral student, I am a novice researcher. So although I have little with which to compare my experience, Covid19 has created a shift in virtual data collection for qualitative data. I will be conducting virtual focus groups instead of traditional face-to-face interviews. I will be interacting with my research committee via video conferencing and emails instead of in-person meetings and presentations. I think Covid19 has forced me to be more efficient and hone my time management skills as I juggle responsibilities. Participating in an accountability group with fellow researchers in my doctoral cohort has been key to staying focused and accomplishing weekly goals towards my research. Additionally, doctoral workshops, like IPSERA, are incredibly valuable in providing feedback and encouraging deeper analysis of my study design.

Honey Zimmerman, CPSM, C.P.M.

UMSL-DBA student

“When one door closes, another opens. If that one closes, there is a window. If the window will not open, hammers work well.”

COVID-19 has been a challenge for almost all of us. It has also shed light to those not familiar with supply chain management as to the criticality of our field in supporting humankind. One can argue that some of the developments with Industry 4.0 technologies have been beneficial for improving supply chain performance and hence, our capabilities and successes in overcoming many of the obstacles arising from the pandemic. Honey Zimmerman’s dissertation is getting to the core of our understanding in how Industry 4.0 technologies, in conjunction with the relationships cultivated between supply chain entities, support and facilitate inter-organizational efforts to procure, produce and distribute products and services needed for us to endure these challenging times. My hunch is that she will try to open the second door first before wielding the hammer.

George A. Zsidisin, Ph.D., CPSM, C.P.M.

John W. Barriger III Professor

University of Missouri – St. Louis