Date of Conferral
2020
Degree
Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.)
School
Business Administration
Advisor
Susan Fan
Abstract
Some supply chain leaders in the transportation sector lack the succession planning strategies needed to fill leadership positions. The failure to create succession planning strategies will negatively impact an organization’s supply chain through tacit knowledge loss. Grounded in the social exchange theory, the purpose of this qualitative exploratory single-case study was to explore the succession planning strategies transportation industry supply chain business leaders use to fill organizational leadership positions to reduce tacit knowledge loss. The participants consisted of 6 supply chain leaders working in the Northeastern region of the United States who successfully utilize succession planning strategies to fill leadership positions and retain tacit knowledge. Data were obtained utilizing semistructured face-to-face interviews, interview notes, as well as internal company documents. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the information. Three themes emerged: address the potential loss of tacit knowledge, leaders tend to do more with fewer people, and succession planning. A key recommendation is expanded implementation of staged retirement plans and using independent contractors. The implication for positive social change includes the overall enhancement of employee lifestyles via increased social and economic standing within their workplace and the community.
Recommended Citation
Beal, Dana Martin, "Guiding the Future of the Supply Chain with Succession Planning" (2020). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 8848.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/8848
