Over 100 Researchers Gather at NOFOMA 2025 to Tackle the Supply Chain Polycrisis

Frederiksberg, June 13 2025 – With over 100 researchers from the Nordic countries and beyond, the NOFOMA 2025 conference at Copenhagen Business School proved to be a lively forum for discussing the future of supply chain management amidst an ongoing “polycrisis.” 

Over the course of three jam-packed days (June 10–12), CBS’s halls buzzed with lively debates, passionate presentations, and a collaborative spirit as scholars dissected challenges related to resilience, sustainability, defense logistics, digitalization, and more.

Spotlight on Resilience and Sustainability.
From adapting defense logistics to geopolitical turmoil and support operations in Ukraine to making fashion supply chains resilient and sustainable, the conference emphasized systems-thinking approaches to deal with complexity Sessions like “Resilience under pressure” and “Exploring synergies and trade-offs between resilience and sustainability” showed that while resilience and sustainability often align, achieving both simultaneously requires a good balance of operational trade-offs.
Regarding sustainability, talks ranged from circular business models in electronics to carbon accounting in supply chains, highlighting important practical challenges in data collection and coordination, despite their clear potential to facilitate climate action.

“At a time when global supply chains are under pressure from climate change, geopolitical shifts, and economic instability, NOFOMA offers a vital platform for rigorous research and meaningful dialogue. It’s inspiring to see over 100 scholars come together to explore solutions that are not only academically sound but also very relevant to the real-world challenges we face. The strong Nordic presence also shows the potential for regional collaboration in shaping a more resilient, sustainable future.”
Carsten Ørts Hansen, Head of Department, CBS Operations Management

Defence Logistics in a Changing World
Another urgent conference theme was defense logistics. With Europe’s security landscape shifting rapidly, sessions addressed topics such as “Arming Ukraine: What are the alternatives?” and the “Transformation of military stock management”.
These discussions demonstrated that current logistics systems struggle to efficiently adapt under prolonged pressures and emphasized the need for hybrid inventory strategies balancing cost-effectiveness, ethical considerations, and operational resilience.

A Nordic Nexus for Collaboration
The sense of shared purpose and opportunity for Nordic collaboration stood out. In an era defined by climate change, global trade disruptions, and geopolitical shocks, the Nordic research community is poised to take the lead through cooperation and shared innovation.
“There’s so much potential in how we, as researchers from across the Nordic countries, can come together to address the polycrisis,” said one participant. “It’s not just about logistics anymore—it’s about resilience, sustainability, ethics, and long-term societal viability.”

Takeaway: Research with Real-World Impact
The NOFOMA 2025 conference was more than just an academic exchange. It was a powerful demonstration of how research grounded in practical and societal challenges and driven by cross-border collaboration can help societies overcome uncertainty and build more just, efficient, and carbon-free supply chains.
As participants enjoyed their final coffee and ice cream after three intense days, it was clear that the conversations sparked here wouldn’t simply end. These conversations are the beginning of closer collaboration, bolder research, and a collective push toward a more resilient and sustainable logistics future.