Centres Of Excellence

To focus on new and emerging areas of research and education, Centres of Excellence have been established within the Institute. These ‘virtual' centres draw on resources from its stakeholders, and interact with them to enhance core competencies

Read More >>

Faculty

Faculty members at IIMB generate knowledge through cutting-edge research in all functional areas of management that would benefit public and private sector companies, and government and society in general.

Read More >>

IIMB Management Review

Journal of Indian Institute of Management Bangalore

IIM Bangalore offers Degree-Granting Programmes, a Diploma Programme, Certificate Programmes and Executive Education Programmes and specialised courses in areas such as entrepreneurship and public policy.

Read More >>

About IIMB

The Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) believes in building leaders through holistic, transformative and innovative education

Read More >>

Skill Requirements for Logistics Managers in China

Volume 21, Number 2 Article by Shams-ur Rahman & Laura Yang June, 2009

Skill Requirements for Logistics Managers in China: An Empirical Assessment :

The economic growth of China has averaged more than 9% per year over the past decade. For further economic growth and modernisation, an efficient logistics system is of paramount importance. Realising this fact, the Chinese government has recently designated logistics as a strategic industry and invested heavily in the development and improvement of logistics infrastructure, such as multi-modal transportation networks and distribution centres. The average annual growth rate of the logistics industry in China between 1994 and 2004 was 22.2%. In spite of such impressive growth, the logistics market remains highly fragmented and the largest providers have less than 2% market share. The sector is fraught with inefficiencies, poor inventory management, low on time delivery, high damage rate and sub standard tracking.

The purpose of this study is to identify the relevant skills required by logistics and supply chain managers in China and their relative importance, and suggest the key knowledge areas that require improvement. Using a survey questionnaire, data was collected against 45 logistics management skills. Using expert opinion these skill items were then grouped to create four higher level logistics skill-categories: logistics awareness, logistics analytical category, logistics information technology and environmental awareness. The results indicate that most individual skills are rated highly in the performance of logistics functions. However, some of the skill items belonging to the environmental awareness skill-category were not rated high. The results of the study could be used to design logistics education and training programmes, and redesign and upgrade the existing programmes.

Reprint No 09205