COMPARING EDUCATION AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS FOR RETAIL AND HEALTHCARE SUPPLY CHAIN PROFESSIONALS

摘要

Healthcare cost continues to rise at an alarming rate, growing well ahead of inflation. A significant factor contributing to the cost is the complexity associated with the healthcare supply chain. Studies have shown that the healthcare supply chain is inefficient and expensive when compared to other sectors. Grossman (2000) states that the ratio of supply costs to costs of goods sold for the healthcare sector has been estimated to be 38%, while other sectors have a ratio less than 10%. In order to explore opportunities to improve the efficiency and reduce costs a gap analysis between these two sectors in terms of how logistics practices are being utilized has been performed. This document focuses on an area defined by a panel of industry experts as a gap between these two sectors. The education and training practices for supply chain professionals at various levels of responsibility in each of these sectors are compared and contrasted. The differences in job skills, education, certification opportunities, and salary, and in each sector are explored. In addition, the potential impacts of the differences are discussed.