Title: Competence areas and knowledge gaps in supply management

Authors: Pia Heilmann, Katrina Lintukangas, Satu Peltola

Addresses: School of Business, Lappeenranta University of Technology, P.O. Box 20, FI 53851 Lappeenranta, Finland. ' School of Business, Lappeenranta University of Technology, P.O. Box 20, FI 53851 Lappeenranta, Finland. ' Kymenlaakso University of Applied Sciences, P.O. Box 9, FI-48401 Kotka, Finland

Abstract: This paper examines the significant competence areas and possible knowledge gaps in the field of supply management. The study is based on a sample of 100 Finnish firms collected through a questionnaire survey among general managers and supply managers. Five competence areas were identified among these firms: 1) supplier relationship management; 2) logistical processes; 3) production planning; 4) human resource management; 5) environmental and ethical concerns. The study provides an overview of the current state of these competences areas in Finnish firms and examines the competence gaps. According to the results, the main gaps were in supplier-relationship management, production planning and human-resource management. The implication is that a firm should recognise the increasing requirements of supply management, and create appropriate strategy for recruiting individuals who are able to complement the firm|s overall competence.

Keywords: purchasing management; supply chain management; SCM; competence management; human resource management; HRM; survey; Finland; knowledge gaps; supplier relationship management; logistics; production planning.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPM.2011.043004

International Journal of Procurement Management, 2011 Vol.4 No.6, pp.642 - 660

Published online: 31 Jan 2015 *

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