Industry Managerial Competency Needs for Developing an Applied Bachelor Program in Air Transport and Logistics

Abstract

Air transport and logistics require graduates who can combine operational knowledge with managerial, digital, and adaptive capabilities. This study develops an industry-oriented managerial competency framework as a basis for designing an Applied Bachelor program in Air Transport and Logistics in Indonesia. A qualitative descriptive-exploratory needs-analysis design is used. The source framework integrates curriculum documents, competency standards, industry literature, and a purposive stakeholder-validation plan involving study-program leaders and operational managers or supervisors in aviation and logistics. The document-informed analysis identifies six interrelated competency domains: strategic planning, decision-making and problem solving, leadership, communication and cross-functional coordination, operational and supply-chain management, and digital adaptability. These domains indicate that an applied curriculum should integrate work-based learning, industry projects, digital logistics applications, and recurrent curriculum review with industry partners. The study contributes a structured basis for narrowing the education-industry skills gap while retaining the applied character of vocational higher education. Empirical stakeholder validation remains necessary before the competency architecture is translated into final graduate learning outcomes and course structures.