Enhancing the intercultural competence of postgraduate logisticians

Abstract

This paper reports a national survey of logisticians studying for Masters awards at three UK universities which service increasing global demands by aspiring logisticians seeking enhanced competence to manage international supply chains. Initial longitudinal surveys at one university, later extended to several universities nationally, canvassed the opinions of postgraduate logisticians both at enrolment and several months afterwards, regarding approaches which might enhance their intercultural competence skills. Four prime hypotheses tested the importance of socio-cultural and language-related variables between different years of the survey and nationality groups. After several months of study, some participants reported increased confidence in communicating with students from other nationalities and cultural backgrounds. To assist academics in enhancing the intercultural competence of postgraduate logisticians, thoughtfully managed group work and other opportunities to encourage beneficial social interaction are discussed.