In the context of Turkey’s rapidly expanding logistics sector, aligning higher education outcomes with labor market needs has become increasingly critical. This study develops an enhanced Business, Logistics, and Management (BLM) framework to identify the competencies required of entry-level logistics professionals in Turkey. Utilizing this framework, the study evaluates the perceived importance of these competencies from the perspective of industry managers while simultaneously assessing the actual performance levels of entry-level professionals in practice. Empirical data were gathered from logistics and supply chain managers via a survey to conduct an Importance-Performance Matrix (IPM) analysis. By mapping the perceived importance of competencies against actual performance levels, the matrix identifies specific strengths and critical areas for improvement. The results show that 79 out of the 81 competencies in the enhanced framework are considered essential by industry leaders. In addition, for 10% of these competencies, the performance of entry-level logistics professionals falls below the importance assigned, highlighting them as critical areas for urgent improvement.
Al HarrasiNADinMSEReasonM, et al. (2023) Knowledge and skills gap of graduates entry-level: perception of logistics and supply chain managers in Oman. Higher Education, Skills and Work-based Learning13(6): 1269–1285.
BölscheDKlumppMAbidiH (2013) Specific competencies in humanitarian logistics education. Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management3(2): 99–128.
4.
De WinterJCFDodouDWieringaPA (2009) Exploratory factor analysis with small sample sizes. Multivariate Behavioral Research44(2): 147–181.
5.
DeistFDLWintertonJ (2005) What is competence?Human Resource Development International8(1): 27–46.
6.
FerketichS (1991) Focus on psychometrics. Aspects of item analysis. Research in Nursing & Health14(2): 165–168.
7.
ForoughiA (2020) Supply chain workforce training: addressing the digital skills gap. Higher Education, Skills and Work-based Learning11(3): 683–696.
8.
GrovesRM (2006) Nonresponse rates and nonresponse bias in household surveys. Public Opinion Quarterly70(5): 646–675.
9.
HairJFBlackWCBabinBJ, et al. (2010) Multivariate Data Analysis. 7th edition. Pearson.
10.
HofstraNWangYJansenJ, et al. (2020) Ready for the future: an exploratory study on competency requirements for bachelor graduates in logistics. Logistiek – Tijdschrift voor toegepaste logistiek(9):41–64, Available at:https://ssrn.com/abstract=3641926
11.
IqbalMASuJHasanS (2022) Skill and knowledge requirements of entry-level logistics professionals in the apparel industry of Bangladesh: an importance-expertise matrix analysis. International Journal of Fashion Design Technology and Education15(1): 45–56.
JordanCBakO (2016) The growing scale and scope of the supply chain: a reflection on supply chain graduate skills. Supply Chain Management an International Journal21(5): 610–626.
14.
KohLYYuenKF (2022) Emerging competencies for logistics professionals in the digital era: a literature review. Frontiers in Psychology13: 965748.
15.
KotzabHTellerCBourlakisM, et al. (2018) Key competences of logistics and SCM professionals – the lifelong learning perspective. Supply Chain Management an International Journal23(1): 50–64.
16.
KovácsGTathamPLarsonPD (2012) What skills are needed to be a humanitarian Logistician?Journal of Business Logistics33(3): 245–258.
17.
KyriazosTA (2018) Applied psychometrics: sample size and sample power considerations in factor analysis (EFA, CFA) and SEM in general. Psychology09(08): 2207–2230.
18.
LinC-CChangC-H (2018) Evaluating skill requirement for logistics operation practitioners: based on the perceptions of logistics service providers and academics in Taiwan. The Asian Journal of Shipping and Logistics34(4): 328–336.
19.
LutzHBirouL (2013) Logistics education: a look at the current state of the art and science. Supply Chain Management an International Journal18(4): 455–467.
20.
MagetoJLukeR (2020) Skills frameworks: a focus on supply chains. Journal of Transport and Supply Chain Management14: 7–23.
21.
MartillaJAJamesJC (1977) Importance-performance analysis. Journal of Marketing41(1): 77–79.
22.
McKinnonAFlöthmannCHobergK, et al. (2017) Logistics Competencies, Skills, and Training: A Global Overview. World Bank Publications. https://doi.org/10.1596/978-1-4648-1140-1
23.
MurphyPRPoistRF (1991a) Skill requirements of senior‐level logisticians: practitioner perspectives. International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management21(3): 3–14.
24.
MurphyPRPoistRF (1991b) A comparison of headhunter and practitioner views regarding. Logistics & Transportation Review27(3): 277–291.
25.
MurphyPRPoistRF (2006) Skill requirements of contemporary senior- and entry-level logistics managers: a comparative analysis. Transportation Journal45(3): 46–60.
26.
MurphyPRPoistRF (2007) Skill requirements of senior‐level logisticians: a longitudinal assessment. Supply Chain Management an International Journal12(6): 423–431.
27.
PoistRF (1984) Managing logistics in an era of change. Defense Transportation Journal40(5): 23–30. September/October.
RahmanSYangLXiaoyanY (2012) Skill requirements for logistics professionals in China: an importance- expertise matrix analysis. Supply Chain Forum: International Journal13(2): 40–52.
30.
RajakarunaSWijeratneAWMannTS, et al. (2017) Identifying key skill sets in humanitarian logistics: developing a model for Sri Lanka. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction24: 58–65.
31.
RazzaqueMASiratMS (2001) Skill requirements: perception of the senior Asian logisticians. International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management31: 374–395.
StreinerDL (2003) Starting at the beginning: an introduction to coefficient alpha and internal consistency. Journal of Personality Assessment80(1): 99–103.
34.
TavakolMDennickR (2011) Making sense of Cronbach’s alpha. International Journal of Medical Education2: 53–55.
35.
TEDAR (Tedarik Zinciri Yönetimi Derneği) (2024) Supply chain management association, Turkey. Available at: https://www.tedar.org.tr/(retrieved on 15 July 2024).
36.
ThaiVV (2012) Competency requirements for professionals in logistics and supply chain management. International Journal of Logistics Research and Applications15(2): 109–126.
37.
ThaiVVCahoonSTranHT (2011) Skill requirements for logistics professionals: findings and implications. Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics23(4): 553–574.
38.
ThepmongkornSPitchayadejanantK (2020) Competence requirements for logistics and supply chain management students by adopting BLM and APICS competency framework: an importance-expertise matrix analysis. Human Resource and Organization Development Journal12(2): 26–52.
WagnerCSancho-EsperFRodriguez-SanchezC (2020) Skill and knowledge requirements of entry-level logistics and supply chain management professionals: a comparative study of Ireland and Spain. The Journal of Education for Business95(1): 23–36.
42.
WuYJ (2006) Skill requirements for logistics license in Taiwan. Supply Chain Management an International Journal11(5): 415–424.
