How would you like to die as a researcher?

I believe in the power of research. Research can help us solve problem. Research can create knowledge to make a better society. Without research economic growth could difficultly sustain.

In my discipline, Supply Chain Management (SCM), little never heard about one of the most well-known researchers, “Prof. John T. Mentzer“. Prof.Mentzer wrote more than 190 papers and articles. Many of them are classic papers. One of the classic papers is “Defining Supply Chain Management“. If you are in the field of SCM, you should come across this legendary paper before.
Unfortunately, two years ago, Prof.Mentzer passed away in Knoxville, Tennessee, on February 26, 2010. However his dedicated research and teaching in Logistics and SCM have been and will be forever.

I don’t know him in person, never neither see nor talk to him. But it was so touching when I read what people and organisations (CSCMP, Material Handling & Logistics, University of Tennessee) wrote for him after the tragedy.

Not only his academic works but he also left us a book about his personal life, “Learning to Celebrate Life“. Reading this book inspire me to write this post to thank him for his contribution to SCM and to remember him as a legendary SCM scholar.

During this period, I am in the last year of my PhD. Next year I woud properly started my academic life. Then, I will also pass away in 30 – 40 years. I wish I could contribute to the the field of SCM, Tourism Management and to the Thai society as much as Prof.Mentzer has done. If I cannot do so, at least I try my best.

“Life is short but your contributions can last forever.“