A Comparative Profile of the United States and Canadian Distribution Managers

For more than two decades, industrial leaders in many countries, especially the trading nations such as the United States and Canada, have recognised the significant contribution that physical distribution can make toward the total corporate mission. In many companies formal departments have been created in order to manage the distribution activities. However, acceptance of the physical distribution concept is still growing and the associated responsibilities are becoming broadened in the current international climate of economic uncertainty. In an effort to develop a current profile of the distribution executive and his broadened responsibilities, detailed questionnaires were mailed to distribution executives in Canada and the United States. Specifically, the research sought answers to the following questions: (1) How is the distribution function positioned within the firm? (2) What is the scope of responsibility of distribution management? (3) Does the distribution management function involve distinctive career patterns, educational requirements, or job requirements? (4) What are the perceived educational needs of the distribution manager? (5) What does the physical distribution executive perceive as the major factors affecting his future role in the corporation?