Evaluating skill requirement for logistics operation practitioners: based on the perceptions of logistics service providers and academics in Taiwan

Abstract

This paper empirically evaluates the crucial dimensions of logistics skill requirements and their discrepancy for logistics operation first line employees from industrial and academic perspectives. Factor analysis was employed to identify crucial business and logistics skill factors in Taiwan. ANOVA was then conducted to analyse the difference perception between international logistics service providers (LSPs) and logistics academics. Research findings suggest that communication skill is perceived as the most important business skill, followed by customer and strategy management skill, and computer skill, while transportation skill is perceived as the most important logistics skill, followed by global logistics and supply chain management skill, and logistics information management skill. Results of ANVOA indicate that the perception of business and logistics skill requirement differs between international LSPs and logistics academics. Keywords: Logistics skill, Business skill, Factor analysis, ANOVA