The MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics (MIT CTL) is part of the Engineering Systems Division in the School of Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.   For more than five decades, MIT CTL has been a world leader in supply chain management education and research. MIT CTL has made significant contributions to supply chain and logistics and has helped numerous companies gain competitive advantage from its cutting-edge research.  Visit our website to learn more about our educational offerings, research initiatives, and outreach opportunities! https://ctl.mit.edu/  

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Issued by Production & Operations Management Society, USA 
May 2016

POMS Emerging Economies Doctoral Student Finalist Award (EEDSA)

Optimizing reverse logistics costs to encourage a more sustainable future

The effect of framing the environmental impact of fast shipping on nudging consumers to opt for slow home deliveries: Evidence from the field

Impact of a country’s logistical capabilities on supply chain risk

As climate-related disruptions and regulatory pressures intensify, corporate sustainability is a core strategic necessity for all operations of global firms. In this episode, we discuss how companies are navigating the complex transition toward decarbonization while upholding efficiency and affordability. Joining the discussion are Dr. Sreedevi Rajagopalan and Tori Arnold from the MIT Sustainable Supply Chain Lab, alongside Rachel Schwalbach, Vice President of ESG at C.H. Robinson, and Brittany Brama, Sustainability Director at C.H. Robinson. From the complexities of Scope 3 data collection to the practical implementation of alternative fuels and "book and claim" models, they examine how their collaboration between academia and industry is turning sustainability research into measurable impact.

Decarbonizing Supply Chains with C.H. Robinson

As global supply chains face new waves of political uncertainty, regulatory change, and economic pressure, one thing remains clear: sustainability still matters. The latest State of Supply Chain Sustainability Report from the MIT Sustainable Supply Chain Lab reveals that despite federal environmental rollbacks and shifting investor priorities, companies continue to see sustainability as central to long-term success.
In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Josué Velázquez Martínez, director of the lab, and Dr. Sreedevi Rajagopalan, a research scientist in the lab. They unpack key findings from this year’s survey—why 80% of firms say sustainability is vital to their future, where companies stand in tracking Scope 3 emissions, and which energy sources could redefine sustainable freight transportation. From biofuels and hydrogen to the data behind carbon accounting, the conversation explores what’s driving progress and why collaboration may be the most necessary sustainability strategy of all.

Sustainability Still Matters

Sustainability has become an imperative for many companies—but in the face of regulatory rollbacks and budget cuts, are those goals here to stay? In this episode, we explore how companies can meaningfully pursue sustainability, even amid shifting political and economic pressures. We discuss growing public support for sustainability, the role of data and modeling in shaping corporate sustainability strategies, and how companies can build resilient, responsible supply chains. 

In this episode, we’re joined by members of the MIT Sustainable Supply Chain Lab, hosted within the MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics: Tori Arnold, Project Manager, Dr. Sreedevi Rajogopalan, Research Scientist, and Martin Staadecker, Research Assistant. The lab’s annual State of Supply Chain Sustainability Survey offers insights into the current state of sustainability across industries—we invite you to complete this year’s survey here (open until May 31st, 2025).

The State of Sustainability

Sustainable & Circular Supply Chains

Supply Chain Strategy & Network Architecture

Future Logistics & Infrastructure Systems

SCM.291 Procurement Fundamentals

SCM.290x Sustainable Supply Chain Management

Dr. Sreedevi Rajagopalan is a Research Scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Center for Transportation and Logistics and Director of the MIT Sustainable Supply Chain Lab. Her research focuses on advancing sustainable supply chain practices across global organizations, with particular emphasis on sustainable logistics, circularity, Scope 3 emissions measurement and management, and sustainable sourcing. She collaborates with large corporations to develop data-driven approaches that reduce environmental impact and translate sustainability commitments into actionable supply chain strategies.

She is also affiliated with the Low-Income Firms Transformation (LIFT) Lab, where her research examines how AI and digital technologies can improve the productivity, resilience, and survival of small and micro firms in emerging markets. This work focuses on transforming business and supply chain practices through accessible, technology-enabled solutions.

Dr. Sreedevi brings over 15 years of combined experience in industry, academia, and research. Prior to joining MIT, she was on the faculty at the S P Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR), Mumbai, where she taught Operations Management, Procurement & Strategic Sourcing, Behavioral Operations, and Quantitative Methods.

She earned her Ph.D. in Production and Operations Management from the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, with a dissertation focused on supply chain risk management. Her doctoral research was recognized as a finalist for the Emerging Economies Doctoral Student Award at the 27th Annual Conference of the Production and Operations Management Society (POMS) in Orlando, USA. Her broader research agenda is centered on developing more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive supply chains across both large corporations and small businesses.

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