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Article
Publication date: 11 June 2013

Yen‐Chun Jim Wu, Shihping Kevin Huang, Mark Goh and Ying‐Jiun Hsieh

This study attempts to list and rank the necessary skills required of a global logistics professional based on objective evaluations from industry.

2692

Abstract

Purpose

This study attempts to list and rank the necessary skills required of a global logistics professional based on objective evaluations from industry.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopts a novel mixed‐methods approach using elements of concept mapping (brainstorming, multi‐dimensional scaling, cluster analysis), and link analysis. Concept mapping through repeated brainstorming by industry practitioners helps to summarize the key skill required of an effective global logistician. The multidimensional scaling method and cluster analysis support the classification and weighting of the capabilities into nine clusters. Link analysis helps to evaluate the significance of the results and addresses the gap between industry and academic perceptions of the existing global logistics curriculum in Taiwan.

Findings

In dealing with globalization, a logistician needs to be able to integrate, communicate, and analyze from an international perspective, perform financial analysis, maintain good industry and customer relations, exhibit strong people skills, stay healthy, and understand laws and regulations. Significant differences exist between industry practitioners and educators. The former believe that cross‐functional marketing skills are critical and emphasize the importance of risk and financial management. In contrast, logistics educators consider the traditional logistics management skills, such as demand forecasting, sourcing, planning, and system integration, as key priorities.

Research limitations/implications

There is room for research and theory on how to narrow the mismatch between the current logistics curricula in academia and practical requirements. Different pedagogical strategies and techniques can be further investigated to orchestrate an effective and balanced global logistics management course. One research limitation arises from the sample which is confined to Taiwan. Thus, the authors' findings may be constrained by local and cultural influences. Future research could extend to a large‐scale multi‐country data collection and analysis to reduce the possibility of cultural and context bias.

Practical implications

Arming students with such important but diverse global logistics skills presents a challenge for logistics educators who need to find the right balance between breadth and depth of the modules. Educators and practitioners need to work closely together to co‐design and adapt the logistics curricula for a rapidly changing global environment. This will help to shorten the last stage from the classroom to the workplace by keeping abreast of the changes in industry and produce relevant logisticians without compromising on rigour.

Originality/value

The results provide a reference for educators keen on blending logistics education course design with practitioner inputs, to better develop global logistics capabilities. It also provides a reference to help prioritize what skills are important to be taught jointly in a module.

Details

Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, vol. 18 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1359-8546

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 August 2011

Lan‐Ying Huang and Ying‐Jiun Hsieh

This paper aims to explore the factors affecting consumers' loyalty toward online games based on the uses and gratifications theory and the flow theory.

5343

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the factors affecting consumers' loyalty toward online games based on the uses and gratifications theory and the flow theory.

Design/methodology/approach

The research employed two approaches to collect data: personal interview and online survey. Each data collection approach consists of two phases to overcome method bias. This study adopted structural equation modeling to analyze the data.

Findings

The results focusing on popular massively multiplayer online role‐playing games reveal that players' sense of control, perceived entertainment, and challenge affect their loyalty toward an online game. Conversely, sociality and interactivity produce negligible effects on loyalty.

Practical implications

First, game designers may strengthen gamers' sense of control and challenge by adding more status information, gaming options, or through the designed system of goals and achievements. Second, the entertaining nature of online gaming suggests greater demand for content design, and points to the direction of mobile gaming. Third, considering the recent growth of online social network services, consumers regard online games as lower priority when prompted by socially related motives. Additionally, people mostly reckon online relationships as virtual and not gratifying real‐world social needs.

Originality/value

In view of the prevalence of computer and Internet usage, online gaming research should shift more focus toward the non‐technological aspects of gaming. This paper is one of the few studies that examine online game loyalty from the non‐technological aspects while adopting a multi‐disciplinary approach based on theoretical parsimony.

Details

Internet Research, vol. 21 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1066-2243

Keywords

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Details

Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, vol. 18 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1359-8546

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