Women in Logistics, Transport and Commodity Sector: Gender Equality, Recent Trends and Key Challenges

This book explores the fundamental human right of gender equality as a cornerstone for a peaceful, affluent, and sustainable world. Members of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and other countries have formulated strategies to increase the participation of women in business and leadership roles, highlighting its significance. Women currently hold 29% of senior or managerial positions, as noted in Catalyst (2019). Despite this progress, women's participation in logistics and transport remains low due to factors like "low expectations, limited access to critical skills, and inadequate advancement," especially in aviation, maritime, and rail sectors.

The book offers a comprehensive review and empirical study of women's capacity building, talent management, and leadership in logistics, transportation, and commodity sectors, including palm oil, gold, and copper. It covers female empowerment, leadership values, and challenges faced during crises such as COVID-19, wars, and natural disasters. With international case studies, this book is a vital resource for students, scholars, and practitioners in logistics and transport. It aims to benefit advanced undergraduates, postgraduates, managers, and decision-makers worldwide.

Dr. Nor Aida Abdul Rahman is an Associate Professor (Supply Chain and Strategy) at Universiti Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology (UniKL MIAT) in Subang, Selangor, Malaysia. She is a visiting professor at ITL Trisakti Jakarta, Indonesia. She has also been appointed as a Fellow at UKM-MPOB Endowment Chair, National University of Malaysia. She has worked as internal and external trainer in management topic, marketing logistics and supply chain, Halal logistics and postgraduate research. Her research interest is in marketing logistics, strategic management, air travel, halal logistics and supply chain, logistics and supply chain performance, logistics branding, aviation management and air travel. Her work has appeared in Industrial Marketing Management, Journal of Islamic Marketing, Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Journal of Quality and Reliability and Management, and others. She has also published a number of book chapters, books, edited books, refereed conference proceedings, and is part of the editorial team of book projects with Routledge and Springer. She earned PhD degree in Management (supply chain management) from Brunel University, London; Master and Bachelor degree in Business and Administration from National University of Malaysia. She is a panel of WG in MS2400 Halal Supply Chain standard & TC10 for Halal supply chain standard (SMIIC). Her academic leadership is evident through her role as External Academic Advisor at Cybernetics College, Akademi Laut Malaysia etc. She is also a certified Halal Trainer by JAKIM and HRDF. Her expertise extends to quality assurance as a panel auditor for the Malaysia Qualification Agency (MQA), and she contributes to industry standards as an Academic Board Member at CILT Malaysia.

Dr. Emilia Vann Yaroson is a lecturer in operations and supply chain management in University of Sheffield, United Kingdom. Her research focuses on how emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, cloud computing, and digital twins, can be leveraged to build resilient supply chains and promote sustainability. Her work aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to sustainable development, poverty reduction, access to healthcare, and environmental protection.

Dr. Norlin is an Associate Professor at the Centre for Sustainable and Inclusive Development Studies (SID), Faculty of Economics and Management, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Dr. Norlin holds a PhD in economics from the University of Essex, United Kingdom. In addition to her academic responsibilities, she serves as the manager of the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB)'s Endowment Chair. Dr. Norlin's research is primarily focused on applied macroeconomics, with a particular emphasis on monetary economics, public policy, international trade, and agriculture. She has contributed over 50 articles to refereed journals, with several featured in SSCI Q1/Q2 impact journals.

Dr. Fathien Azuien Yusriza is an accomplished logistics and supply chain professional with a strong academic background in aviation management. She holds a Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering from UniKL Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology (MIAT), where her research focuses on the effectiveness of aviation supply chain operations. Currently serving as a Transport Analyst at Airbus Malaysia, Fathien excels in managing shipment statuses, resolving transport issues, and ensuring compliance with international logistics standards. She has previously worked with DHL APSSC in data management, gaining extensive experience in managing global logistics data systems. Fathien's academic achievements include publications in leading journals and participation in international mobility programs, such as at Politec Nico di Torino, Italy. She continues to contribute to research in aviation logistics, with a particular interest in performance analysis and supply chain optimization.