Running head: Purchasing and Inventory 1
Journal Article Review #4
Liberty University
02/13/2022
Statement of Author’s Purpose
The article I chose to review emphasizes the importance of hard skills and skills pertaining to
supply chain management. The author’s provide evidence that there is a consistent trend of
research in numerous supply chain agendas that utilize hard skills over soft skills. Past research
on the topic supports the notion that soft skills did not matter to most employers as long as
employees could still perform their own jobs. There are now new roles that require a balance of
soft skills and hard skills that complement each other.
Background of the Issue
The classification of a skill depends on the nature of that very skill. Hard skills are described as
technical and functional, soft skills are described as behavioral and interpersonal. Pertaining to
supply chain management, it is essential to possess both hard and soft skills. The overall purpose
of adopting both sets of skills is to increase the efficiency and operation of any given supply
chain. More specific skills that are also combined with soft and hard skills to increase supply
chain efficiency are decision making, management, behavioral, and negotiation skills (Bak, O.,
Jordan, C., Midgley, J., 2019). Each type of skill has a direct impact on the functionality of the
supply chain. For example, behavioral skills in an individual can determine their position or role
within an industry. Great behavioral skills can determine the success of an individual’s
performance in any role because you will know how to navigate any negative circumstance,
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issue, or dilemma because you are well trained in your own right to deal with behavioral issues.
Application of Supply Chain Management Concept
The main concept learned in this chapter is just in time manufacturing. JIT’s most valuable
features are improved product quality through process improvements and reduced manufacturing
waste. The correlation between us two sources comes from the fact that the adoption of hard and
soft skills is an influential factor that positively impacts JIT manufacturing. In the article, one of
the four main skills that encompasses the most essential elements of soft skills, management
skills, is highlighted as an important learning tool for employees in this industry. Elements of the
supply chain system are constantly changing and individuals must be able to handle varying
situations of duress. The COVID-19 pandemic has placed numerous risks on the operation of
global supply chains, it is the responsibility of companies to retain a clear visibility on their
supply chain efforts (Kiers, J., Seinhorst, J., Zwanenburg, M., & Stek, K., 2022). This
consists of reducing the risks of disruptions by predicting possible bumps in the road ahead of
time. One of the effects directly caused by a disruption in the supply chain, bill-whip effect, can
be prevented by full awareness of all supply chain systems.
Managerial Implications
In the article, the data was collected using a mixed-method research approach. Mixed-method
research collects both qualitative and quantitative data for analysis. In this article, the data was
collected through a questionnaire distributed to a selected sample of employees in a given supply
chain industry. The results showed that in a continuously changing competitive environment
there is an increasing need for soft skills in supply chain management (Bak, O., Jordan, C., ;
Midgley, J., 2019). The managerial implications of these skills has an impact on supply chains,
for example there are beneficial impacts in correlation with just in time manufacturing. JIT
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manufacturing revolves entirely around the fact that companies can reduce the possibility of
stock perishing. A high emphasis on decision-making skills would be best suited for any
company that is seeking to meet or exceed the demand of their customers. This will allow them
to effectively choose the type of manufacturing process best fits their supply chain.
Summary
The article summarizes the history and literature about the implementation of hard and soft skills
in the global perspective of supply chains. It also analyzes and discusses the core areas of skills
that are prominently used currently. After extensive research, the authors findings concluded that
there was an increasing need for companies to adopt more soft skills like managerial, decision-
making, and negotiation skills. Depending on the employer, specific skills are sought out
depending on what is most essential to their business. Soft skills should help companies develop
and innovate their own skills to enhance their work environment.
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References
Bak, O., Jordan, C., & Midgley, J. (2019). The adoption of soft skills in supply chain
and understanding their current role in Supply Chain Management Skills Agenda.
Benchmarking: An International Journal, 26(3), 1063–1079. https://doi.org/10.1108/bij-05-2018-
0118
Et al., E. (2021). Effect of organizational learning on the hard skills, Soft Skills and
innovation of employees: Evidence from information technology industries. INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY IN INDUSTRY, 9(1), 1085–1098. https://doi.org/10.17762/itii.v9i1.242
Hill, M. G. (2021). Supply chain management . McGraw Hill Education .
Kiers, J., Seinhorst, J., Zwanenburg, M., & Stek, K. (2022). Which strategies and
corresponding competences are needed to improve supply chain resilience: A covid-19 based
review. Logistics, 6(1), 12. https://doi.org/10.3390/logistics6010012
Mageto, J., & Luke, R. (2020). Skills frameworks: A focus on supply chains.
Journal of Transport and Supply Chain Management, 14. https://doi.org/10.4102/jtscm.v14i0.458
Parlamis, J., & Monnot, M. J. (2018). Getting to the core: Putting an end to the term
“Soft skills.” Journal of Management Inquiry, 28(2), 225–227.
https://doi.org/10.1177/1056492618818023
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Putra, A. S., Novitasari, D., Asbari, M., Purwanto, A., Iskandar, J., Hutagalung, D., o, S.,
& Cahyono, Y. (2020). Examine relationship of soft skills, hard skills, innovation and
performance: The mediation effect of organizational learning. International Journal of Science
and Management Studies (IJSMS), 27–43. https://doi.org/10.51386/25815946/ijsms-v3i3p104
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