Charles F. Nicholson
Clinical Professor in Supply Chain & Information Systems
Program Director
More than 25 years of experience as a supply chain analyst and instructor in supply chain management courses; consultant to many businesses and non-profit organizations, assessing and improving supply chain performance, particularly in the food and agriculture space.
Expertise
Food and agriculture supply chains, participatory modelings of food systems and their linkages to food security and environmental outcomes
Education
Ph D in Applied Economics, Cornell University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Ithaca, NY, 1996-05-01 MS in Agricultural Economics, Cornell University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Ithaca, NY, 1990-01-01 BA in Economics, University of California, Davis, College of Arts and Sciences, Davis, CA, 1982-01-01
Courses Taught
SCM 301 – Sup Chn Mgt
Management of logistics/supply chain processes. Not available to baccalaureate business students in Smeal. Not available to baccalaureate business students in Smeal.
SCM 301 – Supply Chain Management
Supply chain management concepts, principles, and methodologies.
SCM 404 – Dem Fulfil
SCM 404 – Demand Fulfillment
Analysis of demand fulfillment and the role of distribution operations management in the supply chain.
SCM 405 – Mfg Svc Strat
Investigates manufacturing and services strategies in supply chain networks. SCM 405 Manufacturing and Services Strategies (3)This course examines manufacturing and services strategies, with special emphasis given to quality management concepts, methods, and issues. After completing this course, students will have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to: Explain the role of manufacturing or services operations from the boundary-spanning perspective of supply chain management and how supply chain management can be used as a strategic competitive advantage Articulate how the various components of a manufacturing strategy are integrated, particularly with respect to the use of information technologies for supply chains Effectively apply operational and quality tools useful in implementing manufacturing strategies. Individual and team assignments form the basis for evaluation. Evaluation methods include a combination of class participation, exams, 'hands-on' exercises, case studies, and written assignments. This is one of three prescribed foundation courses in the Supply Chain and Information Systems major for which B A 302 'Supply Chains' is a prerequisite. The course is also an important prerequisite for the capstone course in the major, SC&IS 450 'Supply Chain Leadership.'
SCM 494H – Research Project (H)
Supervised student activities on research projects identified on an individual or small-group basis.
SCM 496 – Independent Studies
Creative projects, including research and design, that are supervised on an individual basis and that fall outside the scope of formal courses.
SCM 497A – Logistics Case Study Analysis (A)
This course will introduce students to the case analysis method with an emphasis on logistics. Students will learn to a) identify the type of case and the most important questions to be addressed, b) identify required information, relevent data sources an
SCM 546 – Strategic Procurement
Development of procurement and supply management strategies to support synchronized supply chains.
SCM 596 – Individual Studies
Creative projects, including nonthesis research, that are supervised on an individual basis and which fall outside the scope of formal courses.
SCM 800 – Supply Chain Management
Introduction to the strategic framework, issues, and methods for integrating supply and demand management within and across companies. SCM 800 Supply Chain Management (4) SCM 800 provides an enhanced understanding of key principles, concepts, and methodologies for effective supply chain management. Supply chain management is the integration of core business processes from the end user through original suppliers that provides products, services and information that add value for customers. The systems viewpoint and a process orientation are explored at the firm level and from the perspective of inter-firm collaboration among participants in supply chains. Case studies explore supply chain management and its critical role in business. The course provides opportunities to investigate important topics such as the bullwhip effect, the key approaches to planning and managing inventory across supply chains, the creation of value through alignment and realignment of supply chain capabilities, and the key supply chain performance metrics.After completing this course, students should have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to:a. Articulate the essential principles and concepts of the supply chain approach b. Understand the potential role of supply chains in creating value and in sustaining competitive positions of firms c. Explain the impact of the bullwhip effect on supply chain performance d. Understand the underlying causes of the bullwhip effect and articulate the principal approaches to ameliorating its impacts on supply chain performance e. Articulate differences in the principal approaches to managing inventories across supply chains f. Articulate the principal benefits and challenges associated with collaborative approaches to supply chain management g. Understand the principal metrics used to manage supply chain performanceThe evaluation of students is based on small group case study submissions, short paper and problem assignments, on-line discussion postings, and peer reviews.
Selected Publications
Stephens E. C., Spiker M., Ambikapathi R., Nicholson C. "Participatory Systems Modeling to Identify and Support Gender-Responsive Agri-Food System Strategies" Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 2026-03-01
Ayinde T., Nicholson C., Ahmed B. "Economic and environmental comparison of open field and screenhouse vegetable farming in Nigeria" PLOS Climate, 2025-12-01
Nicholson C., Wolf C. A., Stephenson M. W. "Changes to Milk Pricing Formulas Under Federal Milk Marketing Orders Will Affect Farm Milk Prices" Choices, 2025-11-01
Krasovskaia E., Li J., Gómez M. I., Nicholson C., Sauer C. M. "Consumer Evaluation of Organic, Local and CEA-grown Leaf Lettuce" Agricultural Economics, 2025-09-01
Ayinde T., Nicholson C., Ahmed B. "Evaluating environmental and economic impacts of three farming systems in Northern Nigeria" Discover Agriculture, 2025-09-01
Ozturk G., Nicholson C., Hertel R. "Towards the Future of Next-Generation Dairy Foods: A Processing Perspective and Economic Analysis" Journal of Dairy Science Communications, 2025-09-01
Pupo M., Nicholson C., Ferraretto L. "Effects of feeding 3-NOP for methane emissions reduction on income over feed costs in the United States" Journal of Dairy Science, 2025-08-01
McRoberts K. C., Parsons D., Nam L. V., Ba N. X., Ketterings Q., Nicholson C., Cherney D. "Urea and composted cattle manure affect forage yield and nutritive value in sandy soils of South-Central Vietnam" Grass and Forage Science, vol. 73, 2018-01-01
Parsons D., Nicholson C. "Assessing policy options for livestock development: a case study of Mexico's sheep sector." Cogent Food and Agriculture, vol. 3, 2017-06-01
McRoberts K. C., Nicholson C., Parsons D., Nam L. V., Cherney D. J. "Structure and Impact of Cattle Manure Trade in Crop-Livestock Systems of Vietnam" Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems, vol. 33, 2016-03-03
Nicholson C., Stephenson M. W. "Are We At the Bottom Yet? Dairy Price Cycles During 2016-2018" Northeast Agriculture 2016: Insights and Perspectives, 2016-03-01
Tilahun H., Nicholson C., Jacobsen J. B., Steinhuis T. S. "Accounting for User's Expectations in the Valuation of Reliable Irrigation Water Access in the Ethiopian Highlands" Agricultural Water Management, vol. 168, 2016-01-01
Schroeter C., Nicholson C., Meloy M. G. "Consumer Value of Organic and Conventional Milk: Does Shelf Life Matter?" Journal of Food Distribution Research, vol. 47, 2016-01-01
McRoberts K. C., Ketterings Q. M., Parsons D., Hai T. T., Quan N. H., Ba N. X., Nicholson C., Cherney D. J. "Impact of Forage Fertilization with Urea and Composted Cattle Manure on Soil Fertility in Sandy Soils of South-Central Vietnam" International Journal of Agronomy, 2016-01-01
Ayele G. K., Gessess A. A., Addisie M. B., Tilahun S. A., Tenessa D. B., Langandoen E. J., Steenhuis T. S., Nicholson C. "The economic cost of upland and gully erosion on subsistence agriculture for a watershed in the Ethiopian highlands" African Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, vol. 10, 2015-12-01
Nicholson C., Stephenson M. W. "Dynamic Market Impacts of the Dairy Margin Protection Program" Journal of Agribusiness, vol. 32, 2015-10-01
Nicholson C., He X., Gao H., Gómez M. I. "Environmental and Economic Analysis of Localizing Food Systems: The Case of Dairy Supply Chains in the Northeastern U.S." Environmental Science and Technology, 2015-10-01
Nicholson C., Stephenson M. W. "Margins During the Dairy Price Cycle--Will This Time Be Different" Dairy Markets and Policy Information Letter Series, 2015-06-15
Nicholson C., Langadoen E. J., Ayale G., Tanessa D. B., Tilahun S. A., Steenhuis T. S. "Participatory Community-based Gully Rehabilitation on the Ethiopian Highlands: The Case of Birr Watershed" Water-smart agriculture in East Africa, 2015-05-01
Nicholson C., Stephenson M. W. "Price Cycles in the US Dairy Supply Chain and Their Management Implications" Agribusiness: An International Journal, 2015-04-01
Novakovic A. M., Bozic M., Stephenson M. W., Wolf C., Nicholson C., Newton J. "Comments on Summary Enrollment Data for MPP-Dairy" Dairy Markets and Policy Briefing Paper Series, 15-01, 2015-01-21
Nicholson C., Stephenson M. W. "Dynamic Market Impacts of the Dairy Margin Protection Program of the Agricultural Act of 2014" Dairy Markets and Policy Program Working Paper Series, 2014-05-01
Nicholson C., Stephenson M. W. "Price Cycles in the U.S. Dairy Supply Chain and Their Management Implications" Dairy Markets and Policy Program Working Paper Series, 2014-05-01
Nicholson C., Stephenson M. W. "Milk Price Cycles: Their Implications for the Northeast During the Next Two Years" Northeast Agriculture 2014: Insights and Perspectives, 2014-03-24
McRoberts K., Nicholson C., Blake R. W., Tucker T. L., Diaz Padilla G. "Group Model Building to Assess Rural Dairy Cooperative Feasibility in South-Central Mexico" International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, vol. 16, 2013-08-01
Tigabu A. D., Nicholson C., Collick A. S., Steenhuis T. S. "Determinants of household participation in the management of rural water supply systems: A case from Ethiopia" Water Policy, vol. 15, 2013-07-01
Nicholson C. "Impacts of a California Federal Milk Marketing Order" 2013-04-01
Nicholson C. "Federal and State Marketing Orders" US Programs Affecting Food and Agricultural Marketing, 2013-01-01
Nicholson C. "Demonstrating a generic framework and tools for modeling resilience of farm households to climate-related risk" 2012-12-01
Nicholson C. "Modeling the impact of natural resource-based poverty traps on food security in Kenya: The Crops, Livestock and Soils in Smallholder Economic Systems (CLASSES) model" Food Security, vol. 4, 2012-09-01
Nicholson C. "Economic analysis of alternative nutritional management of dual-purpose cow herds in central coastal Veracruz, Mexico" Tropical Animal Production and Health, vol. 44, 2012-08-01
Nicholson C. "Limitations and potentials of dual-purpose cow herds in Central Coastal Veracruz, Mexico" Tropical Animal Production and Health, vol. 44, 2012-08-01
Nicholson C. "Sources of Differences in California Class 4b and Federal Milk Marketing Order Class III Prices During 2007 to 2012" 2012-05-01
Nicholson C. "Farm-Level Financial Impacts of the Dairy Security Act of 2011 (H.R. 3062) and the Dairy Provisions of the Rural Economic Farm and Ranch Sustainability and Hunger Act of 2011 (S. 1658)." 2011-10-01
Nicholson C. "Market Impacts of the Dairy Security Act of 2011 (H.R. 3062) and the Dairy Provisions of the Rural Economic Farm and Ranch Sustainability and Hunger Act of 2011 (S. 1658)." 2011-10-01
Nicholson C. "Provisions of the Dairy Security Act of 2011 (H.R. 3062) and the Dairy Provisions of the Rural Economic Farm and Ranch Sustainability and Hunger Act of 2011 (S. 1658)." 2011-10-01
Nicholson C. "Structural and Economic Analysis of the U.S. Dairy Sector" 2011-10-01
Nicholson C. "Analysis of the Impacts of a Farm Savings Account Program for US Dairy Farmers." 2011-09-01
Nicholson C. "Using the System Dynamics modelling approach to develop management tools for animal production with emphasis on small ruminants" Small Ruminant Research, vol. 98, 2011-06-01
Nicholson C. "Analysis of the Impacts of a Market Cow Bonus Program in the United States" 2011-05-01
Nicholson C. "Climate Change Impact of Biochar Cook Stoves in Western Kenyan Farm Households: System Dynamics Model Analysis" Environmental Science and Technology, vol. 45, 2011-04-01
Nicholson C. "The Costs of Increased Localization for a Multiple-Product Food Supply Chain: Dairy in the United States" Food Policy, vol. 36, 2011-04-01
Nicholson C. "Application of a simulation model for assessing integration of smallholder shifting cultivation and sheep production in Yucatán, Mexico" Agricultural Systems, vol. 104, 2011-01-01
Nicholson C. "Development and evaluation of an integrated simulation model for assessing smallholder crop–livestock production in Yucatán, Mexico" Agricultural Systems, vol. 104, 2011-01-01
Nicholson C. "Analysis of Proposed Programs to Mitigate Price Volatility in the U.S. Dairy Industry" 2010-09-01
Nicholson C., Stephenson M. W. "A Summary of 2016 MPP-Dairy Participation and Payments for Pennsylvania Dairy Producers" Dairy Markets and Policy Information Letter Series
Ayele G. K., Tilahun S., Nicholson C., Steenhuis T. S. "Biophysical and Economic Assessment of a Community-Based Rehabilitated Gully in the Ethiopian Highlands" Land Degradation and Development, vol. 27
Nicholson C., Stephenson M. W. "Comparison of Optimal MPP-Dairy Participation Strategies for 2007- 2013 Actual Margins and 2014-2018 Actual and Expected Margins" Dairy Markets and Policy Decision Guide Series
Nicholson C., Stephenson M. W. "Farm-Retail Margins for Fluid Milk and Cheese During the Dairy Price Cycle, 2000-2016" Dairy Markets and Policy Information Letter Series
Nicholson C., Stephenson M. W. "How Accurate are MPP-Dairy Margin Forecasts and What are The Implications of Forecast Inaccuracy?" Dairy Markets and Policy Decision Guide Series
Nicholson C., Stephenson M. W. "Sources of Differences in the MPP-Dairy Margin and a Similarly-Calculated Margin for Pennsylvania during 2010-2016" Dairy Markets and Policy Information Letter Series