Job Types in the Supply Chain Management Profession

Abstract

There is little academic consensus on a definition of supply chain management (SCM). Education and research could benefit from a better understanding of how practice is defining the profession, in terms of the type of jobs associated with SCM. Existing definitions of SCM suggest two archetypal job functions: functional integrator and process manager. To compare existing definitions to practice, we analyzed job descriptions associated with the field of SCM using computerized text analysis. We find tentative support that industry views a SCM professional as a process manager. In a post hoc analysis, cluster analyses based on similarity of job descriptions indicate eight different types of SCM jobs, differentiated by associated tasks as well as industry characteristics. This second analysis shows that SCM is most closely aligned with Sourcing and Operations Management. These results have important implications for the SCM profession. Pedagogically, our results indicate that SCM is becoming a more analytical field with tight links to information systems. There is also a lack of a common definition of SCM that Human Resource departments use when advertising for SCM positions. This lack of shared definition means that researchers should use caution when identifying key informants for empirical research as tasks and responsibilities vary widely between job descriptions in our sample.

Sustainable Supply Chain Management Implementation–Enablers and Barriers in the Textile Industry

“…The study found that internal collaboration needs to be comprehensive across all departments, rather than just those involved in purchasing and sustainability through a distinct employer involvement that includes a mutual understanding of the definition and vision in terms of understanding the distinct approach to sustainability and SSCM. In terms of external enablers, external collaboration, and the supplier relationship are core categories for a successful supply chain policy implementation, which is in alignment with previous research [35]. However, the article extends previous research by defining the modes of internal and external collaboration that enable a successful sustainable policy implementation in textile supply chains.…”

“…Moreover, a lack of corporate structures and processes also constitutes an internal barrier for SSCM [11]. With regard to function-related issues, a lack of necessary management skills [17] adequate training, knowledge [34] or incentives [35] constitute internal barriers.…”

Archetypes of Supply Chain Analytics Initiatives—An Exploratory Study

“…The authors briefly describe five archetypes with three balanced integration archetypes and two customer-leaning integration archetypes in different nuances. LSCM job type archetypes were deviated from collected job descriptions from a major employment website to provide suggestions on how training and professional development should occur [48]. Text analysis was used to mechanically code the job descriptions and hierarchical cluster analysis using Ward's method was applied to identify eight archetypes.…”

Competence requirements for logistics managers in the Republic of Serbia

“…Further, they indicated how MBA-level SCM programmes of the top business schools in the US respond to that employers' needs. Rossetti and Dooley (2010) analysed job ads associated with the field of SCM and pointed out three major types of SCM jobs, namely sourcing manager, operations consultant and supply chain information manager. Cacciolatti and Molinero (2013) collected SCM job ads in the UK and after a detailed analysis concluded that all SCM jobs could be grouped into two main categories "managers" and "clerks".…”