ABSTRACT
Research School in Ergonomics & Human Factors, Loughborough University, LE11-3TU; c.e.siemieniuch@lboro.ac.uk
2Dept of Human Sciences, Loughborough University, LE11-3TU m.a.sinclair@lboro.ac.uk
The paper outlines some implications of complexity as applied to supply chains. The Process Owner role (and its required support) is outlined, as a way of preserving and evolving the organisation’s knowledge. The key advantages that emerge from the incorporation of this role are that: capability acquisition processes can be properly managed; work can be moved to the people, rather than the people to the work; audit trails are easier to identify; organisational learning becomes more manageable; and the usual drift towards unsafe operations can be resisted. Some of the disadvantages will also be outlined: the organisational culture must be adapted for the role to work effectively; top management support for the role is critical; the role requires wise people.
