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As the Russian invasion of Ukraine extends into its fourth week, its effect on global supply chains—already beleaguered by the COVID-19 pandemic—is only just beginning. “This is going to have a significant impact,” says Nada Sanders, distinguished professor of supply-chain management at Northeastern. “I'm extremely concerned.”

The invasion of Ukraine has raised concerns that Russia may launch a cyberwar against the west. In recent years, cyberattacks have become more frequent, wreaking havoc on organizations around the world. Even the largest multinationals cannot escape the risk that such attacks pose to their longer-term viability.

Moscow's famed cyber prowess may not be as sophisticated as people believe, say Northeastern experts. And, Russia may not have the appetite to launch a digital war on top of a traditional one with tanks and bombs. “They don't want a war on two fronts if they don't have to,” says global strategy professor Luis Dau.

Spencer Fung, who runs a Hong Kong-based supply-chain manager, spoke to Northeastern students about the future of the global supply chain as businesses contend with a host of disruptions—from the continued rise of e-commerce to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Supermarkets and food banks complement one another in the U.S. food supply chain, a Northeastern professor studying food waste says. By donating less-than-perfect fruits and vegetables to food banks, supermarkets replenish their shelves with higher-priced, higher-quality goods, thus boosting profits.

An Adidas ad for its new line of sports bras, featuring a photo grid of topless women, made a splash online recently, prompting a mix of praise and criticism. But it may not be so black-and-white. Northeastern experts in body image and marketing weigh the pros and cons.

Despite rising inflation, supply-chain disruptions and pandemic lockdowns, business is booming for well-known luxury behemoths like Louis Vuitton, Cartier, BMW, and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Economic and marketing experts at Northeastern explain what's behind the sudden surge in spending on some of the finer things in life.

There has been a gap in doctors' COVID-19 toolkit. A new pill might fill that gap. And it might help save hospitals on the brink. Photo illustration by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

Better not, say two Northeastern scholars of law and marketing. While consumers may benefit from the convenience of touch-free checkout, it's not always clear what a company will do with consumers' biometric information once it has it.

Female physicians burn out faster than their male colleagues, according to research by Tim Hoff, professor of management, healthcare systems and health policy at Northeastern. Illustration by Hannah Moore/Northeastern University