Dr. Kent is an Associate Professor in the Department of Marketing where he teaches several graduate level courses in the MBA program including Logistics and Transportation (MKT 630), Supply Chain Models and Systems (MKT 640), Supply Chain Management Seminar (MKT 650), and Logistics and Supply Chain Management Strategy (MKT 660).  Dr. Kent has a Ph.D. in Marketing, Logistics, and Transportation, and has over ten years of work experience in various modes of transportation.  He holds a MBA in International Management and a BS in Business Computer Science.

Dr. Kent’s industry experience focused primarily on the development and implementation of information systems at Burlington Motor Carriers, CSX Intermodal, and Sea Land Service.  His responsibilities included applications of EDI (Electronic Data Interchange), intermodal routing, electronic fuel/cash authorization, and network optimization.  While at Sea Land Service, he was responsible for the implementation of inland transportation systems in North America, Europe, Japan and China.

He has also acted as a consultant for FedEx Freight, HighwayMaster, Inc., Kel-San, Inc., Eastman Chemical Corporation, Hershey Chocolate U.S.A., DuPont Agricultural Division, Michelin Tire, UP Railroad, Decorize, Allied Signal Automotive Division, Accenture, and Steelwedge Inc.

Dr. Kent’s teaching and research interests are in marketing, logistics, transportation, and supply-chain management.  His primary research interest is focused on the motor carrier and information system aspects of logistics and supply chain management.  His current projects include the investigation of fuel surcharge methodologies by less-than-truckload motor carriers and the investigation of carrier selection criteria by truckload shippers.  Dr. Kent is well-published in his areas of research interest.  Some of his most current publications include:

John L. Kent and Carlo D. Smith, “Shipper Selection Criteria: Differences Among Truckload Motor Carrier Offerings,” Journal of Transportation Management, vol. 16 no. 2, 2005

Karl B. Manrodt, John L. Kent, and R. Stephen Parker, “Operational Implications Of Mobile Communications In The Motor Carrier Industry,” Transportation Journal, vol. 42 no. 3, 2003

Kent, John L. and John T. Mentzer, “The Effect of Investment In Interorganizational Information Technology In A Retail Supply Chain,” Journal of Business Logistics, vol. 24 no. 2, 2003

John L. Kent, Stephen R. Parker, and Allen Schaefer, “Shippers Usage of Electronic Marketplaces in the Trucking Industry,” Journal of Transportation Management, vol. 14 no. 1, Spring 2003

Charles E. Pettijohn, Stephen R. Parker, and John L. Kent, “Developing the Buyer-Friendly Transportation Salesperson: An Empirical Analysis of the Most Important Seller Traits and Behaviors from the Transportation Buyer’s Perspective,” Journal of Transportation Management, vol. 13 no. 2, Fall 2002

Dr. Kent has also received funding the past 5 years from the Springfield-Branson National Airport for his departing passenger survey.

Dr. Kent has been very active in service activities within his department as well as within in his college and professional organization.  Since 2000, he has served as the Department of Marketing’s assessment coordinator.  He is currently serving as the chairperson for the College of Business Administration’s (COBA) MBA Assessment Taskforce.  He also is a member of the COBA Undergraduate Program Review Committee.  Over the past six years, Dr. Kent has been a reviewer for the Journal of Business Logistics.  This year he will serve as guest editor of the Journal of Transportation Management. 

Dr. Kent has received numerous honors and awards for his teaching and research.  He has been honored with the College of Business Dean’s Distinguished Research Fellow award on four different occasions (2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004).  In 2001, Dr. Kent was awarded a Missouri State University teaching award for his outstanding accomplishments in the classroom.  More recently in 2005, he was honored with a College research award, which recognizes faculty for their many accomplishments in the area of research.  In addition, Dr. Kent has been selected for the Dean’s Distinguished Professorship for 2006.  As the Director of the Logistics and Supply Chain Management program at Missouri State, Dr. Kent would be happy to discuss both the academic and career opportunities in these areas with any prospective student.