Rethinking purchasing and supply management education for sustainability and innovation challenges: Crafting a future-ready competency-based curriculum design
Klaas Stek, Katia Picaud-Bello, Volker Koch, Thomas Johnsen
Abstract
The strategic responsibilities of purchasing and supply management (PSM) professionals increase since they need to contribute to creating innovative solutions for environmentally sustainable products and services. Addressing this, our study introduces a competency-based curriculum design that surpasses traditional PSM knowledge dissemination, equipping students with vital interpersonal skills, intrapersonal attitudes, and professional competencies for sustainability and innovation. In collaboration with educators, PSM professionals, and students, we developed a future-ready course structure, including a massive open online course (MOOC) designed to meet evolving workplace demands. This curriculum offers practical, accessible tools for PSM educators to enhance their courses through a student-centred, project-based methodology. Our research presents an innovative educational framework, preparing students to excel in leadership roles that drive sustainability and innovation within global supply chains. By equipping students with these essential competencies, higher education institutions can develop the next generation of PSM leaders capable of fostering meaningful change in their industries. • PSM education needs to focus on innovation and sustainability challenges • Addressing these innovation and sustainability challenges transcends traditional education of knowledge and professional skills • Interpersonal skills and intrapersonal attitudes are required for holistic supply chain thinking and creative problem solving • This study presents a free-of-cost course design and massive open online course materials to integrate in existing PSM master’s courses