Getting to grips with global supply chain management: “Soft skills” shortages can restrict revenue growth

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to outline the reasons for the ongoing talent shortage in supply chain management (SCM) and to consider ways in which partnering with human resource development (HRD) professionals can reduce the associated risk to revenue growth.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual paper that considers ways in which human resource and organizational development expertise can be deployed to provide supply chain managers with a balance between “hard” analytical competences and “soft” people skills.

Findings

More firms than ever before are facing globalization and market turbulence – and focusing on SCM as a result. Companies can spend as much as three-quarters of their revenue on supply chain activities, so SCM is a key determinant of financial performance. The ability to work effectively with partners to increase efficiency, drive down costs and deliver value to the final customer is crucial to success. But there is a problem – not enough supply chain managers who understand the business context and have the full range of necessary skills.

Research limitations/implications

Points out that it isn’t known how highly effective supply chain managers acquire their outstanding cross-functional communication, influencing and change implementation skills. Calls for further research on the impact of HRD interventions on supply chain managers’ effectiveness. Advocates comparing effective and ineffective HRD interventions in SCM practice and evaluation of the quality (rather than the quantity) of training available to supply chain professionals.

Practical implications

Shows how focusing training investment on the broad range of skills needed by SCM professionals can contribute to organizational effectiveness.

Social implications

Highlights the importance of team leadership, influencing and higher-order problem-solving skills to the management of complex supply chain processes and organizational change.

Originality/value

Draws attention to current gaps in SCM training and skills development and proposes ways to improve the return on investment in training.

Citation

(2014), "Getting to grips with global supply chain management: “Soft skills” shortages can restrict revenue growth", Development and Learning in Organizations, Vol. 28 No. 3, pp. 21-24. https://doi.org/10.1108/DLO-03-2014-0019