Rethinking Purchasing and Supply Management Education for a Sustainable and Innovative Future

In today’s fast-evolving landscape, sustainability and innovation are more than just buzzwords—they are imperatives for success in purchasing and supply management (PSM). Traditional education models that focus on cost and efficiency, no longer meet these demands.

The article "Rethinking Purchasing and Supply Management Education for Sustainability and Innovation Challenges" published in the Journal of Purchasing and Supply Management by Klaas Stek, Katia Picaud-Bello, Volker Koch and Thomas E. Johnsen, outlines a future-ready, competency-based curriculum designed to equip professionals for today’s complex supply chain challenges.
This curriculum comes with freely available educational materials.

Key features of the curriculum:

• Balanced competencies: A mix of knowledge and theory (know-what and know-why), professional and interpersonal skills (know-how), and self-knowledge (savoir-être).
• Practical experience: Real-world case studies, internships, and project-based assignments to apply knowledge, skills, and attitudes (KSA).
• Soft and technical skills: Leadership, communication, creativity, strategic thinking, and ethical decision-making alongside core PSM expertise.
• Adaptability: Modular courses combining traditional PSM fundamentals with specialised sustainability and innovation topics.

A paradigm shift in psm education

The global emphasis on sustainability and innovation requires a transformative approach to PSM education.
Traditional models that focus on cost and efficiency fail to address modern complexities, highlighting the need for a dynamic, competency-based approach. The authors advocate a competency-based framework that equips graduates with strategic thinking, ethical decision-making and technological skills to ensure they remain adaptable to industry changes.

The modular curriculum blends core PSM topics with specialised sustainability and innovation modules, providing a comprehensive foundation while addressing contemporary challenges. Collaboration with industry ensures that the curriculum remains relevant and provides students with practical experience. Industry partnerships enhance student learning through real-world insights and experiential opportunities.
In addition to technical skills, the curriculum prioritises soft skills such as leadership, communication, and teamwork. Experiential learning, including internships and project-based assignments, reinforces these competencies.

A future-oriented approach

This curriculum design supports a balanced development of knowledge, professional skills, and self-awareness, each taught through targeted methodologies. Students gain the expertise to implement sustainable practices, leverage new technologies, and drive innovation within their organisations. Educators benefit from a clear roadmap for curriculum development, while practitioners are reminded of the importance of lifelong learning to adapt to changing priorities in PSM.

Through industry collaboration and experiential learning, the proposed framework ensures that graduates are well equipped to tackle both traditional and emerging PSM challenges. The authors call for collective action to overhaul PSM education and empower professionals to lead the way in sustainability and innovation.