THE ROLE OF EUROPEAN LOGISTICS ASSOCIATION 2020 STANDARDS IN FACING MODERN INDUSTRY EXPECTATIONS AND LOGISTICS MANAGERS COMPETENCIES

Abstract. Logistics industry and its operating environment is rapidly changing and evolving. The European Logistics Association, ELA, is actively keeping standards of logistics competence up to date to meet these challenges. This paper reflects on two sessions of experimental workshops working with logistics industry leaders to formulate modern era required competencies in emerging areas of logistics. The purpose of this research is twofold: to identify and understand industry expectations of skillsets in employing logistics specialists and managers in terms of digitalization, resilience and sustainability and to observe the commonalities in perceived competence requirements as stated by involved stakeholders in order to evaluate the maturity of the focal concepts on a practical field. This study contrasts three methods of workshop practice on formulating the expectations and allows additional observations on the homogeneity / heterogeneity of the three focal as expressed by industry leaders. The results emerged have practical implications on specialists working in the field, companies, HR departments, Universities and ELA itself.