Understanding the human side of supply chain decision-making

Redwan Siddiqui, Conestoga Social Innovation Lab

This research explores the behavioural factors that influence supply chain decision-making in Canada's logistics sector. While supply chains are often viewed through a technical or operational lens, this study focuses on the human and organizational choices that shape how goods are moved, stored, and sourced. From inventory management to distribution planning, the project examines how managers make strategic, tactical, and operational decisions, and the impact those decisions have on efficiency, service quality, and customer satisfaction. 

The findings will be shared through a scholarly article and open educational resource, which are also in development to extend the project’s impact. Long term, the research aims to support industry collaboration by informing training and best practices tailored to real-world supply chain challenges. 

While grounded in the logistics sector, the framework developed through this study has broader applications. Future research may expand into sectors like health care, retail, and manufacturing, and take on an interdisciplinary lens that integrates sustainability, occupational health and safety, and organizational development. By building partnerships with industry and policy makers, the research team hopes to develop decision-support tools that reflect the complex realities of supply chain work. 

This project draws on research supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.