Manager competences in logistics and supply chain practice

Abstract

In the 30years since its inception, the field, profession, and practice of logistics and supply chain management have undergone profound business transformation. This study uses shadowing and practice theory to explore the nature of manager competence in logistics and supply chain management. The results suggest that logistics and supply chain managers use business managerial, generic, and behavioral competences in practice rather than supply chain management expertise. Although the existing literature depicts competences as discrete and factor-based, the findings further reveal how managers use combinations of competences that create synergistic effects. The findings imply that the level of competence in practice extends beyond the sum of individual competences. In particular, company experience is a distinct key competence that managers constantly use in combination with other competences, and thereby has a significant effect on manager competences. The results produce four propositions for future research.