Human capital for supply chain management capabilities: a study of international trade intermediaries

摘要

This paper examines the impact of supply chain management (SCM) capabilities on the performance of international trade intermediaries (ITIs). SCM capabilities here are defined as supplier management capabilities, customer-focused capabilities and business process capabilities. Research has been undertaken using a study framework that incorporates the role of human capital (HC) in SCM. A survey of 147 ITIs showed that SCM capabilities are associated with performance and that HC moderates this relationship. Interpretation of the research findings is made in the light of the context of the study, which has involved small-sized ITIs and low-to-medium priced products. HC is the most difficult category of resource residing in firms to imitate and this study directs attention to the ‘everyday’ skills for implementing SCM that support the success of ITIs.