Marianne Jahre - How Research at KLU Shapes Global Impact
We are thrilled to continue our new series, "Behind the Scenes with KLU Decision Makers." This exclusive feature is your chance to get up close and personal with the heart of KLU. From humanitarian logistics to sustainable medicine supply chains and crisis management, research at KLU isn’t just about theory—it’s about real-world impact. In this exclusive interview, our new Dean of Research, Prof. Dr. Marianne Jahre, shares how these critical focus areas align with KLU’s mission to develop responsible leaders with an operations mindset. Read the full conversation to explore how our Alumni can be part of this transformative journey!
Your research spans humanitarian logistics, medicine supply chains, and crisis management—fields vital to addressing global challenges. How do these focus areas align with KLU’s mission to create responsible leaders with an operations mindset?
As the new Dean of Research at KLU, I am passionate about bridging theoretical insights and practical applications. The focus areas of humanitarian logistics, medicine supply chains, and crisis management align seamlessly with KLU’s mission to create responsible leaders with an operations mindset, as they address critical global challenges that require both technical expertise and ethical leadership. These fields emphasize the importance of operational excellence, resilience, and sustainability in solving real-world problems—values central to KLU's educational and research mission.
Moreover, KLU’s mission centers on creating leaders who combine operational expertise with a commitment to sustainability, ethics, and social responsibility. These focus areas highlight that operational decisions have far-reaching impacts on people, the planet, and global economies, hence all three dimensions of the triple bottom line. By embedding these values into its research and education, KLU not only cultivates operationally skilled leaders but also instills a mindset of accountability and innovation necessary to tackle global challenges.
Sustainability is a key focus of your work, as seen in your early research on sustainable logistics. How does KLU’s research agenda prioritize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and how can alumni contribute to advancing these goals?
For us at KLU, sustainability is at the core of our mission. It is an important element of our programs, research and work. Through our dedicated research and teaching, and as a community, we aim to positively impact the responsible transformation towards a more sustainable future for the global economy and society. KLU aims to empower this sustainable future through an operations mindset as outlined in our sustainability statement. Beyond inspiration, alumni have the chance to actively participate in addressing these issues by staying engaged with KLU's research community. This can involve collaborating on real-world projects, attending workshops on sustainable supply chains, or mentoring current students who are eager to apply their knowledge to practical problems. Alumni in leadership roles can advocate for sustainability initiatives in their companies or industries, aligning with KLU's mission to create responsible leaders who prioritize operational excellence while addressing global challenges.
Moreover, KLU’s increasing focus on sustainable design resonates across sectors, inviting alumni to champion environmental and social stewardship in their own practices. Whether it’s implementing greener transportation methods or innovating within circular supply chain models, alumni can take actionable steps toward building a more sustainable future while amplifying KLU’s impact on a global scale.
Your interdisciplinary approach connects logistics with fields like medicine, global health, and political science. What opportunities exist for alumni to engage with or benefit from this research?
KLU alumni working in fields like supply chain management, logistics, healthcare, and sustainability have a unique opportunity to draw inspiration from and contribute to the pressing global challenges highlighted by KLU's research. For instance, alumni in healthcare management can take inspiration from our research on crisis management to implement proactive strategies in their own organizations, such as leveraging rapid response systems to mitigate disruptions. Similarly, those in commercial supply chains can adapt best practices from humanitarian logistics – such as risk management, resource optimization and equitable distribution – to improve efficiency and resilience in their operations.
You’ve been a pioneer in logistics research for decades, founding networks like NOFOMA and HUMLOG. How can KLU alumni leverage their expertise to participate in or support similar initiatives to advance research and practice in their fields?
Thank you, yes well research networks like NOFOMA, HUMLOG, and the network we are now developing in medicine supply chain management highlight the importance of collaboration in addressing complex, cross-border challenges. These networks work closely with stakeholders in any European countries. Alumni can actively engage by participating in research projects or together with KLU researchers take part in establishing new ones answering to emerging global needs. For example:
Joining Research and Industry Groups: Alumni can participate in forums, think tanks, and professional associations to contribute insights from their own industries.
Creating Knowledge-Sharing Platforms: Alumni could develop partnerships between academia and industry, fostering environments where research meets real-world applications.
Alumni can also advance education by mentoring students, sponsoring workshops, or designing corporate training programs in areas like supply chain risk management and crisis response. They can drive innovation by leveraging technologies like AI, blockchain, or green logistics solutions to tackle challenges such as medicine shortages and climate-resilient operations. Finally, by staying connected with KLU, alumni can contribute directly to its research community, collaborating on projects or supporting fundraising efforts for impactful initiatives.
