The supply chain scientist who counts what matters

Prof Marcia Mkansi is translating supply chain research into digital innovations and building institutional capacity for research-led commercialisation

Tracy Lee Stark

Prof Marcia Mkansi describes her research approach as purpose-driven. “It’s more rewarding to pursue research with purpose,” she says. “It’s like a scientific revival.”

That approach has shaped a career focused on translating supply chain and operations management research into practical, technology-enabled solutions. As a Professor at the University of South Africa (UNISA), her work spans operations management, supply chain systems and information systems, with an emphasis on applied innovation across sectors where logistics and coordination directly affect service delivery.

Her research has produced a portfolio of applied innovations in areas including healthcare supply chains, e-commerce logistics and research management systems. These projects aim to demonstrate how supply chain theory can be translated into usable digital tools in complex operational environments.

One of her key innovations is ACTs, a mobile-based application designed to support coordination within artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) supply chains used in malaria treatment programmes. Developed with postgraduate students, the system addresses challenges in last-mile distribution by supporting communication and coordination among healthcare providers, suppliers, NGOs and public sector stakeholders. The innovation has received recognition through industry competitions and has been explored for commercial application through institutional licensing processes at UNISA.

A second innovation, Dilivari, originated from her doctoral research into e-grocery distribution systems. The platform explores a crowdsourced delivery model that uses community-based logistics to improve delivery efficiency, reduce transport costs and lower environmental impact. The concept has been tested in pilot settings in collaboration with academic partners and industry stakeholders.

A third innovation, the Research Methods Index (RMI), applies systems thinking to the research process itself by modelling research activities as an integrated workflow system. It has received international recognition in academic innovation contexts and attracted interest from external institutions for potential application.

Across these and related projects, Mkansi’s work focuses on the intersection between supply chain efficiency, digital platforms and sustainable development outcomes.

She notes that her work with students has been central to this process. “The team was totally ecstatic when users of our innovation achieved ISO certification,” she says. “It showed students how research can support innovation, improve productivity and contribute to digital solutions in healthcare.”

From 2022 to 2025, Mkansi served in a senior research leadership role within UNISA’s College of Economic and Management Sciences, where she focused on strengthening research capacity, supporting funding applications and promoting innovation-led research culture. During this period, she supported colleagues in securing external research funding from a range of national and international organisations, and contributed to the development of postgraduate research output across the college.

Her supervision record includes master’s and doctoral graduates, with additional students currently in progress. She has also supported postgraduate training and research development through workshops, mentorship and cross-disciplinary collaboration initiatives within the university.

Her broader work includes engagement with industry and international academic partners to strengthen the link between research and applied innovation. She has delivered talks and training on research commercialisation and innovation pathways, including a TEDx presentation at UNISA focused on the role of research in driving innovation.

Her approach remains consistent across her work: research should not end with publication, but should contribute to practical systems, institutional capacity and real-world impact.

Read the special Mail & Guardian supplement about all the NSTF-South32 Award winners.