The Publication
MIT Supply Chain Frontiers is the publication of the MIT Global SCALE network. Published four times per year in English and Spanish, the on-line publication carries information about research projects, educational initiatives, and new developments across the SCALE network. Each article includes contact details for authors and contributors, so readers can find out more information about the projects described in the newsletter.

Frontiers articles can be accessed via the search facility on the MIT CTL web site. The latest issue is available on the newsletter’s web page at: http://ctl.mit.edu/frontiers.

Who Subscribes?
The newsletter is distributed to an international audience of supply chain managers, consultants, academics, and media representatives. The publication has over 5,000 subscribers mainly in the United States, but also in Asia, Europe and Latin America. However, it should be noted that this figure does not take into account the coverage in other publications. Media outlets such as trade magazines often publish Frontiers articles, exposing the editorial to a wider audience.

Subscription to the newsletter is open to anyone in the supply chain community, and partner companies from SCALE research centers are automatically included in the distribution list. New subscribers can sign-up by going to the Frontiers webpage.

Editorial Content
There are three main sections in the newsletter.

  • The Leading Edge contains the main feature articles for that issue. There are usually three or four features, although the aim is to increase the number of articles. The ideal length for a Frontiers feature article is 700 to 800 words. Typical subjects are new research findings, profiles of partner companies and supporting supply chains, and interesting ideas drawn from the knowledge of SCALE experts.
  • Updates is the section for news items about the SCALE network. These pieces cover research and educational announcements, recent and forthcoming events, changes in personnel, and new corporate partnerships.
  • The Out & About section provides a listing of faculty conference presentations and published articles for a three-month period starting with the preceding month

Production & Article Submission
Ken Cottrill, Editor of Frontiers, writes most of the copy for the newsletter. In the majority of cases he will interview relevant contacts such as the person in charge of a research project, write a draft of the article, and submit it to the contact(s) for review before publication. Alternatively, SCALE faculty, researchers and corporate partners can write article for Frontiers.

When the copy for an issue is complete it is translated into Spanish. The two versions are distributed electronically to subscribers. Distribution is carried out by MIT CTL, but individual SCALE research centers can distribute the publication to their contacts.

Newsletter Value
Frontiers delivers value in a number of ways. The publication disseminates information about the SCALE network to a wide community of external supply chain interests, as well internally to member research centers. Researchers often receive requests for more information on their projects from subscribers and internal stakeholders. In addition, trade magazines and industry web sites often reproduce articles from Frontiers, leveraging the newsletter as a communications tool. The publication also provides information on SCALE activities for general business journalists.

Publishing Schedule
Frontiers is published quarterly with an occasional interim Special Issue. There is an approximate three week cycle from completed copy to publication on the web and in email.

Ideas for article are welcome, and should be sent to Ken Cottrill at: kencott@mit.edu, telephone: +1 215-493-7555.