Dong Mai Tran, Vinh Van Thai, Nguyen Phong Nguyen, Shams Rahman, Lien Thi Ngoc Nguyen, Thao Kim Nguyen and Thanh-Thuy Nguyen
The new era of supply chain management is characterised by key change drivers, e.g. Industry 4.0, and post-COVID-19 VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity…
Abstract
Purpose
The new era of supply chain management is characterised by key change drivers, e.g. Industry 4.0, and post-COVID-19 VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity) business environment, in addition to the rising requirements for sustainability, responsiveness and customer centrism. An important and topical question in this context is what supply chain managerial competence logistics managers need to possess in order to enhance their individual performance in the new era. This question is addressed in this paper, which also explores the nexus of supply chain managerial competence expectation and possession upon which human resource development strategies are proposed accordingly.
Design/methodology/approach
The survey research design is adopted to empirically examine logistics managers’ supply chain managerial competence in the new era, and the forward-backward translation process was strictly followed. Data were collected through a survey conducted with owners or managers of Vietnamese firms whose business is in the logistics and related business areas, and 269 valid responses were used for analysis.
Findings
Results indicated that the proposed profile of four groups (foundation, core, specialist and technology-IT) and 38 competencies are valid and important to the individual performance of logistics managers in the context of Vietnam, which supports the tenet that logistics managers in the new era need to have a well-rounded profile of competencies, including those derived from contemporary change drivers. It was also found that the foundation competency group is perceived as more important than others, which is context specific given the current logistics development in Vietnam. Besides, it was also revealed that respondents in this research currently possess those competencies at a level which is lower than their perceived importance. An Importance-Possession (IPM) Matrix of Competency Development was mapped accordingly.
Research limitations/implications
The generalisation of this study would require further empirical examination from similar studies in other contexts, i.e. in other manufacturing and service sectors as well as in other developing and developed countries where logistics development is at different stages.
Practical implications
This research provides insights into the current competency profile of logistics managers in Vietnam, which can assist senior management with human resources development in their firms. Specifically, it is essential that Vietnamese logistics firms focus on providing education and training opportunities, both internally and externally, to enhance the level of possession of all competencies whose gaps between perceived importance and possession are the largest across the groups, especially those in the Maintaining Sustainably and Growing quadrants of the IPM.
Originality/value
Firstly, this research introduces an improvised framework of logistics managers’ supply chain managerial competence adopting the contingency approach, contributing to expanding the body of knowledge on how the competency profile of logistics managers should be developed. Secondly, the IPM matrix of competencies introduced in this research can be used as both the conceptual and managerial tool to classify and prioritise competencies for various purposes, e.g. education, training and policy implementation based on the nexus of supply chain competence expectation and possession.
Details
Keywords
Almudena Otegui Carles, José Antonio Fraiz Brea and Noelia Araújo Vila
It is imperative to develop studies on robotics through a gender lens, as gender equality is crucial for advancing innovations within the field of tourism and hospitality. This…
Abstract
Purpose
It is imperative to develop studies on robotics through a gender lens, as gender equality is crucial for advancing innovations within the field of tourism and hospitality. This paper aims to open new research questions based on the concept of gender stereotypes in robotics in the field of tourism and hospitality, critically examining how gender and gender stereotypes are being addressed in the current state of knowledge.
Design/methodology/approach
Conceptual papers focus on analysing concepts, approaching problems to address “what’s new” and highlighting directions for future thinking. They contribute fresh perspectives to traditional problems. Despite their potential to broaden our thinking, conceptual papers in tourism research are limited.
Findings
The importance of the concept of gender stereotypes in robotics in the field of tourism and hospitality presented in this conceptual paper is evident in recognising that robotics poses numerous ethical challenges aimed at preventing the replication and perpetuation of gendered norms, biases, prejudices and stereotypes prevalent in society. Overlooking these aspects during the design and utilisation of robots could inadvertently amplify discriminatory biases, enable abusive behaviours and contribute to the continued objectification of female workers within the tourism and hospitality sector.
Originality/value
While the concept of gender stereotypes in robotics is not novel, what is indeed novel is the untested relationship between gender stereotypes in robotics and the field of tourism and hospitality. Additionally, the context in which this relationship is presented is fresh, as it has typically been discussed in relation to customer acceptance, believability, perceived quality or satisfaction in interactions with robots. However, this paper’s distinctiveness lies in its exploration of the potential impact of robotics on either reducing or exacerbating gender stereotypes within society.
研究目的
通过性别视角研究机器人技术是至关重要的, 因为性别平等对于推动旅游和酒店业的创新至关重要。本文的目标是基于旅游和酒店业机器人中的性别刻板印象这一概念, 提出新的研究问题, 批判性地审视当前知识状态中如何处理性别及性别刻板印象。
研究方法
概念性论文侧重于分析概念, 提出问题以解决“有什么新意”, 并指出未来思考的方向。它们为传统问题提供了新视角。尽管它们有潜力拓宽我们的思维, 但在旅游研究中, 概念性论文仍较为有限。
研究发现
本文提出的关于旅游与酒店业机器人性别刻板印象这一概念的重要性在于, 认识到机器人技术带来了诸多伦理挑战, 旨在防止复制和延续社会中普遍存在的性别规范、偏见、成见和刻板印象。在设计和使用机器人时忽视这些方面, 可能会无意中放大歧视性偏见, 助长不良行为, 并继续物化旅游和酒店业中的女性员工。
研究创新
尽管机器人中的性别刻板印象并非新概念, 但新颖之处在于尚未验证机器人性别刻板印象与旅游和酒店业之间的关系。此外, 讨论这一关系的语境也是全新的, 通常这类讨论围绕客户接受度、可信度、感知质量或与机器人互动的满意度展开。然而, 本论文的独特性在于探索机器人技术对减少或加剧社会中的性别刻板印象的潜在影响。