Logistics Systems Engineer – Interdisciplinary Competence Model for Modern Education

Abstract

Logistics is an interdisciplinary field of study. Modern logisticians need to integrate business management and administration skills with technology design, IT systems and other engineering fields. However, based on research of university curricula and competence standards in logistics, the engineering aspect is not represented to full potential. There are some treatments of logistician competences which relate to engineering, but not a modernized one with wide-spread recognition. This paper aims to explain the situation from the conceptual development point of view and suggests a competence profile for “logistics system engineer”, which introduces the viewpoint of systems engineering into logistics. For that purpose, the paper analyses requirements of various topical competence models and merges the introductory competences of systems engineering into logistics. In current interpretation, logistics systems engineering view integrates networks, technologies and ICT, process and service design and offers broader interdisciplinary approach. Another term suitable for this field would be intelligent logistics. The practical implication of such a competence profile is to utilize it in curriculum development and also present it as an occupational standard. The academic relevance of such concept is to offer a specific way to differentiate education in logistics.