It was a module on integrated logistics in her honours year that piqued Dr Assilah Agigi’s curiosity in supply chain management.

“I found the subject fascinating as it sparked my interest in understanding how various processes are interconnected to deliver products and services to consumers like myself,” says Dr Agigi, a lecturer in the University of Pretoria’s (UP) Department of Business Management in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (EMS).

While her background was in economics and business management, her new-found interest was cemented after a site visit to the BMW assembly plant where she had the opportunity to better understand supply chain management and its processes within an organisation.

Today, Dr Agigi’s research focus areas lie in sustainability in supply chains, supply chain resilience, buyer-supplier relationships and supply chains within an African context. She holds a master’s degree with a specialisation in supply chain management and a PhD in Business Management, which also focused on supply chain management. She was among 16 EMS PhD graduates who were capped during UP Autumn graduation season in April, including her husband Dr Kelvinne Mock, also a supply chain lecturer at UP.

Her PhD study, titled ‘An investigation of the drivers, adoption and outcomes of sustainable supply chain management practices in supply chain organisations’, investigated the imperative for organisations to adopt sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) practices. The study explored the interplay of internal and external factors that influence the more or less proactive adoption of SSCM practices. The research uncovered key factors that support or enable sustainability adoption as a strategic priority, as well as those that inhibit a more proactive approach.

“By examining diverse firms, I identified key enablers and barriers to integrating sustainability as a strategic priority,” explains Dr Agigi, who is a member of the think tank African Supply Network-Research Accelerator. “This work revealed that fostering a sustainability mindset can ignite intrinsic motivation, driving firms to innovate and embrace sustainable practices.”

She has presented her research at various international and local conferences such as the European Operations Management Association Conference, the Decision Sciences Institute, and the Production and Operations Management Society.

Dr Agigi seeks to inspire her students to have a curious mindset in their academic endeavours so that they may broaden their knowledge. She enjoys her role as a lecturer, and values being able to contribute to the success of students, encouraging them to be innovative and critical thinkers.

She has a track record of teaching excellence in both undergraduate and postgraduate courses in supply chain management and logistics. Innovation is a key aspect of her teaching, in order to prepare students for the dynamic, tech-centred world of work. She does this through simulation exercises to put theory into practice. These exercises not only provide practical experience but also foster soft skills such working in diverse teams, and enhancing communication and presentation skills.

“It’s also very important for me to create awareness about sustainable supply chain management and instil in students a mindset of being responsible managers,” Dr Agigi says. “This requires innovative thinking to solve the contemporary issues that continue to affect supply chains, such as climate change and social sustainability.”

A budding emerging researcher, Dr Agigi has already earned multiple accolades for her work on supply chain resilience, innovation and sustainability. She received the Best Paper Award at the African Operations Management Conference in 2019 and the Outstanding PhD Proposal Award at the inaugural 2021 Supply Chain Research Summit Dissertation Proposal Awards hosted by the Centre for Applied Research and Innovation in Supply Chain – Africa. She played an instrumental role in developing UP’s competitive honours programme in supply chain management during her time as programme lead for the BCom Supply Chain Management degree, and was central to the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business accrediting the degree.

As an early-career researcher, Dr Agigi is committed to building a career for herself in academia and conducting research with significant societal impact. As for her future endeavours in the field of supply chain management, her primary goal is to contribute through innovative research, impactful teaching and meaningful collaborations.

“I aim to drive research projects that address pressing challenges such as climate change, resource scarcity and socio-economic inequalities, and to develop solutions that are both practical and scalable. My vision is to contribute to a world where supply chains are not only efficient and resilient but also equitable and sustainable, ensuring that they serve as a force for good in society.”

Mentorship is something she values, and through her teaching and research activities, she hopes to mentor the next generation of supply chain professionals, equipping them with the skills and knowledge required to develop progressive strategies that enhance organisations.

“By fostering a collaborative learning environment and engaging with industry leaders, I hope to bridge the gap between academia and practice,” Dr Agigi says.