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The Shortage of Skilled Specialists Impedes the Growth of Business Logistics: How Collaboration with Science Helps Address the Issue

January 28, 2025
The business logistics sector plays a crucial role in the global economy, being one of the key areas that ensure the stability of supply chains and the uninterrupted growth of the economy. However, this sector faces growing challenges, with one of the main issues being the shortage of qualified workers. The company VIA 3L, which manages several logistics businesses, has shared its experience and offers solutions through collaboration with the academic community.

According to Professor Dr. Aurelija Burinskienė from the Faculty of Business Management at VILNIUS TECH, the increasing importance of the business logistics sector in the global market necessitates ensuring smooth functioning of supply processes, which is vital to meet the growing demand for goods and services.

However, the sector’s growth is hindered by the lack of qualified workers, which reduces companies’ competitiveness and limits their ability to adapt to rapidly changing market conditions. Companies are finding it increasingly difficult to find specialists who can combine theoretical knowledge with practical skills necessary for providing high-quality logistics services.

Technological advancements are creating new demands for employees, as modern business logistics processes are increasingly relying on advanced data analysis systems, innovative management tools, and technological solutions. In this context, business logistics specialists must constantly update their skills to adapt effectively to changing conditions and maintain the sector’s competitiveness in the global market.

VIA 3L’s experience demonstrates that the shortage of skilled professionals with practical expertise is one of the biggest obstacles to the business logistics sector’s operations.

“We need specialists who not only understand the theory but also know how to work with real logistics processes and technologies,” says the company’s CEO, Gintautas Čečys, adding that this shortage limits their operational efficiency and growth opportunities.

There is a lack of specialists in the labor market who can effectively use advanced technologies, optimize processes, and actively contribute to improving global supply chains. Practical skills have become a key factor in ensuring the smooth management of logistics processes and maintaining the company’s competitiveness in a dynamic global market.

VIA 3L actively collaborates with higher education institutions to address the shortage of qualified specialists and better understand market needs. Partnerships with universities allow the company to train specialists who can work with real logistics processes and contribute to the efficiency of global supply chains. The company shares its operational data, which is used both to educate students and to conduct research. This collaboration provides the academic community the opportunity to work on relevant sector issues using real data.

“PhD students conduct research that aligns with market needs, focusing on optimizing logistics processes and implementing digital solutions. These practical projects and data analyses ensure that the training of specialists meets the current needs of the logistics sector,” explains Professor Dr. Aurelija Burinskienė, from the Department of Business Technologies and Entrepreneurship at VILNIUS TECH’s Faculty of Business Management.

Such research aims to optimize business logistics processes, introduce digital solutions, and enhance companies’ competitiveness in the global market.

Collaboration with the academic community provides practical benefits for both businesses and educational institutions. It becomes easier for companies to find suitable specialists who already possess practical skills and are familiar with the realities of the sector. Research based on company-provided data helps improve logistics processes and increase sector competitiveness, which is especially important in the context of global supply chains.

CEO Gintautas Čečys emphasizes: “Collaboration with the scientific community is one of the key steps in addressing the shortage of specialists. Only by working together can we strengthen the entire logistics sector.”

Professor Dr. Aurelija Burinskienė from VILNIUS TECH adds that integrating research with practical training allows not only the preparation of specialists but also the creation of new solutions that help companies overcome modern challenges.

Collaboration between business and the academic community is one of the most effective ways to address labor market challenges. VIA 3L’s experience shows that such partnerships not only help reduce the shortage of specialists but also promote the growth of the logistics sector. This model serves as an excellent example of how combining practical experience and scientific research can create sustainable solutions for improving supply chain efficiency and boosting competitiveness.

The interview was prepared by Doc. Dr. Jolanta Nalivaikė, Associate Dean for Communication and Community at the Faculty of Business Management, and Professor Dr. Aurelija Burinskienė, from the Department of Business Technologies and Entrepreneurship.

 

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