Shedding Light Upon Logistics Manager Everyday Work Practices - A Practice Theory Perspective

Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of this research is to contribute to logistics research arena in management practices using qualitative methods. Because previous research paradigm has been dominated by quantitative methods, where managerial work practices have been neglected or understated. Hence, by using the qualitative method the study can enrich the importance of manager work practice in logistics and bring to surface the elements of practice, which are mainly associated with human relations, behaviours in everyday work practices. Accordingly, this gap as indicated by journal of business logistics (JBL) is being called the “white space”, that is qualitative methods not being so much applied in logistics research area. In addition, since logistics is multidisciplinary and where the work practices of managers in logistics is an important area and needs to be brought to surface in service management is deemed important and therefore selected for study. Methodology: The methodology used in the study is abduction with micro-ethnography for 4 weeks, which uses participant observation, short-interview, in-depth interview, and documentation as way of collecting data. The case is logistics organization in Helsingborg, where the author himself works and sees this as an opportunity of access as well as research. Two logistics manager are being studied, however, one being the project manager only for new service logistics and the main focus in on the operations manager of one of the sites of the logistics organization in Helsingborg. Findings: findings havr been interpreted using theoretical framework of practice theory by zooming in to the daily work practices of logistics manager and zooming out by analysing and discussing the relational aspects of practice theory in manager’s work. Contribution: What is in the theory to practice has been bridged, using practice theory as framework to contribute to the work of manager in logistics, where the efficiency of flow, storage of inventory is important and decision making which is mainly influenced by the managerial behavioural and work practice which is understated in previous research in logistics has been study, in order to contribute to the service management area of logistics.