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An analysis of supply chain related graduate programmes in Europe

Sezi Cevik Onar (Department of Industrial Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey)
Emel Aktas (Business School, Brunel University, Uxbridge, UK)
Y. Ilker Topcu (Department of Industrial Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey)
Des Doran (Department of Business and Management, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK)

Supply Chain Management

ISSN: 1359-8546

Article publication date: 11 June 2013

1346

Abstract

Purpose

Motivated by a lack of studies in graduate level supply chain education, this research aims to explore trends in supply chain‐related graduate programmes in Europe and to propose a framework for designing such programmes.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors determine “knowledge” and “skills” areas applicable to supply chain management (SCM) education and analyse supply chain‐related graduate programmes published by the European Logistics Association in 2004. They revisit the same programmes in 2011 to determine the recent situation and the trends. The authors use cluster analysis to reveal the similarities and differences among these programmes.

Findings

The authors find two distinct clusters: focused and diversified. Focused programmes offer modules in knowledge and skills areas apart from SCM at a negligible level and place more emphasis on SCM in 2011 when compared to 2004. Diversified programmes show a similar increase in the emphasis on SCM with more variety in the knowledge and skills areas.

Research limitations/implications

The authors' findings are based on SCM programmes delivered in Europe and over two discrete time periods. Future research should seek to extend this analysis to other continents with larger samples and incorporate the industry perspective to determine the potential gap between what programmes offer and what industry requires.

Practical implications

SCM‐related graduate programmes continue to redefine themselves. Clustering predominantly serves the universities in re‐assessing and re‐engineering their programmes, helps prospective graduates in their selection process and assists managers in their recruitment practices.

Originality/value

This paper establishes a baseline for assessing SCM‐related graduate programmes with respect to the knowledge and skills they offer and introduces a framework that may serve as a starting point for the design and positioning of such programmes.

Keywords

Citation

Cevik Onar, S., Aktas, E., Ilker Topcu, Y. and Doran, D. (2013), "An analysis of supply chain related graduate programmes in Europe", Supply Chain Management, Vol. 18 No. 4, pp. 398-412. https://doi.org/10.1108/SCM-06-2012-0209

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2013, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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