Vlerick Management School

Why has MÖBIUS chosen to become prime foundation partner at Vlerick?
Prof. Vanmaele, managing director: “Since MÖBIUS' foundation in 1997, as a spin-of of the University of Ghent, research has always been of key importance for us. We are continuously involved in several research projects in order to actively develop and offer state-of-the-art methodology and tooling for our clients. Although our team comprises high-level consultants with diverse academic backgrounds and domains of expertise, we see this partnership with the Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School as an extra added value. At MÖBIUS we help our clients become the best in their class, which is why we want to embed the latest scientific methods in our consulting approach. As both supply chain and business process management are our focus domains, we have decided to partner with the Vlerick in 2 research tracks. We are convinced that our current and future clients will benefit from this twofold partnership.” More information on the Vlerick school: www.vlerick.be MÖBIUS partners with the Vlerick in this twofold partnership since 2004, both research partnership have been extended until 2010:

The Research track: Business Process Management Network
This research centre is created to offer high-level and up-to-date information on BPM (methodologies, benchmark results, best practices, lessons learned, used tools,...), and to develop, detect, validate and diffuse new management concepts and theories in the field of Business Process Management in a Belgian and European context. Prof. Vanmaele : “In a world of ever increasing service level requirements, globalisation and burgeoning competition, organisations face the challenge of continuously adapting and improving their business processes. However, progress can only result when the relevant processes, people and systems evolve in unison with or, better still, faster than the changes taking place around them. Organisations need to stay ahead with continuous business process management and need to t hink and work in a process-oriented way.” As prime foundation partner of this research track, MÖBIUS provides its knowledge and project experience in BPM. The research members are: Antwerpse Waterwerken, Belgacom, De Post, Delhaize, Dexia, Eandis, Sara Lee, Stad Gent,The Brussels Airport Company, Openbaar Psychiatrisch Zorgcentrum Geel, Virga Jesse Ziekenhuis.More information about this research track on the Vlerick website.
The Research track: Managing International Supply and Demand Networks
The objective of this research centre is to create a platform for the development and the diffusion of know-how on the management of global supply chains. The scope of the supply chain is both the "internal" and the "extended" supply chain. The "internal" supply chain refers to the network of manufacturing and distribution units of multinational companies. The "extended" supply chain refers to the multinational's network of suppliers and clients. Prof. Vanmaele : “What sets a company apart from its competitors often comes down to the level of customer service it provides, which in turn depends on an effective and integrated supply chain. The opportunities for improvement nowadays address supply chain issues which go beyond the company boundaries.”MÖBIUS is prime foundation partner in this research track, together with Janssen Pharmaceutica.

What benefits does the twofold partnership hold for MÖBIUS and Vlerick?
Prof. Vanmaele: “Being involved actively in two of Vlerick’s research centres is of enormous value to us. The new ideas that are being generated in this way are used to shape our future service offering and are therefore of immediate benefit to MÖBIUS and its customers. Taking part in the different workshops, conferences and brainstorming sessions is also of great interest to our consultants. Discussions in an open, research oriented atmosphere with academics and practitioners are essential for the development of the people at MÖBIUS. The last point is of course the very active Vlerick network : being part of it opens up a lot of opportunities for all of us at MÖBIUS.” More information on this research partnership on the Vlerick website.