Horses for Courses: Human Aspects of Different Logistics Systems

Abstract

The concept of “fit” between technical and human resource (HR) aspects is explored for different logistics systems. It is proposed that different bundles of HR practices are needed to support the capabilities of different systems, and that there is no such thing as a single best way to structure such bundles. The application of the Japanese “humanware” model to qualitative analysis of the logistics systems of two automotive models that shared the same trim and final assembly facility is described. The HR demands of the two logistics systems were quite distinctive, and the analysis highlighted the different HR demands of each. These results can be viewed in the light of an earlier study on quantitative metrics of the two models [Harrison (1998) International Journal of Logistics: Research and Applications, 1, (1), pp. 27–38]. Optimisation of a logistics system demands that choices be made, and that the existence of tradeoffs must be recognised.