Supply Chain Finance
What is Supply Chain Finance?
Supply Chain Finance (SCF) is the collective name for all forms of financing between companies within the supply chain. The aim is to improve the financial positions of all parties in the chain and to distribute financial risks. Research shows that businesses can save money by improving their working capital position. As a result, less financing is needed, and banks are more likely to grant loans on the basis of a strong working capital ratio. Supply Chain Finance plays a major role in this. The main question the professorship focuses on is whether companies can improve their position with the help of supply chain finance. Professor Michiel Steeman examines the possibilities of various Supply Chain Finance models.
Our research programmes
Multidisciplinary, accessible, and preferably together with stakeholders in the region. Our mission is to bring practice-based research closer to all our partners and stakeholders - whether they are students, businesses or professionals. From research and innovation to solving (social) issues: we have extensive experience with formulating, setting up and carrying out practice-based research, as well as a wealth of in-house SCF knowledge. Within the Professorship, we rely on the expertise of professors, PhD students, lecturers and students, together forming one community and corporate partner for the development and circulation of knowledge at regional, national and international levels. Would you like to know more about any of our projects? We would be happy to tell you more and share our knowledge with you.
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Blockstart
For smaller companies, getting started with new technologies such as blockchain is often a difficult step. The European Blockstart project can lower that threshold, including through free training for interested SMEs. The project focuses on companies active within health, logistics and agri-food, which can use blockchain to increase security and efficiency in their work. Windesheim is one of the project's partners and is focused on exploring the possibilities and impact in the logistics chains involved.
European Interreg
Blockstart is a project within the Interreg programme Northwest Europe. Partners from Germany, Belgium, France and Great Britain have described the most relevant challenges faced by SMEs in these sectors. These include limited track & trace throughout the chain, complex alignment with the financial process in logistics, cumbersome paper transport documents, secure and reliable data sharing and greater insight into the origin of food and transport conditions.
Coaching for SMEs
Based on these situation sketches, a coaching program was designed. After a short selection, the companies put together their own program and obtain it from the partners. Windesheim focuses on general introductory workshops and masterclasses on blockchain, and in-depth feasibility studies within the companies and their chain(s).
By working together, partners form an international ecosystem of business networks, incubators and blockchain experts. This ecosystem provides support, networking opportunities and a pilot environment.
- Project duration: November 2019 - December 2022
- Partners: Hogeschool Rotterdam, Oost NL, Chainpoint, Region Foodvalley and ICT Valley
- Made possible by: Interreg Northwest Europe
Contact
Michiel Steeman, lecturer Supply Chain Finance
E-mail: ma.steeman@windesheim.nl(opens in new tab) -
Logistics service provider as financial chain controller
This research project aimed to increase the number of LSPs that add SCF services to their original service portfolio of transportation, handling and storage by filling in the knowledge gaps. We both looked at current usage of SCF by LSPs and possible future developments in the usage of SCF by LSPs. The research will start with comprehensive mapping of the usage of financial services by LSPs. Since the research done on this topic is scarce, we will try to come up with the definitions and categorizations that are lacking at this moment. Besides a large scale survey, practical in-depth case studies will be done within specific LSPs.
The research was conducted in partnership with Politecnico di Milano (Italy), the Fraunhofer Institute for Material flow and Logistics (Germany), Warwick University (UK) and the University of St. Gallen (Switzerland).
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Our work in action
The Supply Chain Finance professorship acts in an advisory capacity to various companies in the field of supply chain finance. How can your company proactively respond to all the logistical and financial challenges you face? The research group, assisted by students, can guide you in the proper organization of your supply chain. As an example in this video, Michiel Steeman (professor and research fellow in Supply Chain Finance at Windesheim) visits Scania, where he has an appointment with manager engineer Jan Boersma.
Our professors and researchers
Michiel Steeman, professor
The aim of Supply Chain Finance professor Michiel Steeman and his team is to do as much research as possible in collaboration with all companies, banks and logistics service providers.
Ronald de Boer, associate professor
Associate lecturer Ronald de Boer has a special interest in research into bridging physical and financial supply chains, as well as circular supply chains.
Luca Gelsomino, researcher
Luca Gelsomino is affiliated with the Supply Chain Finance chair as senior researcher. He is also academic director of the Supply Chain Finance Community.
Want to know more?
Would you like to work with us on a research project? Get in touch with Michiel Steenman to discuss the possibilities.088 - 469 79 85(opens in new tab) ma.steeman@windesheim.nl(opens in new tab)
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