Gender diversity and human capital investment strategic response to talent shortages in Nigeria logistics workforce under Industry 4.0/5.0 the era

Purpose This study examines how gender diversity and human capital investment in women can reduce talent shortages in Nigeria's logistics and supply chain workforce under the transformative environments of Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative phenomenological approach was adopted to explore the lived experiences of 30 participants (19) women and (11) men professionals in logistics and supply chain management. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with industry practitioners and analysed using Gioia methodology to identify first-order codes, second-order themes and aggregate dimensions. Findings The study reveals that women's participation in logistics and supply chains enhances collaboration, innovation and efficiency, aligning with the demands of technology-driven workplace environments. Human capital investment in reskilling, digital literacy and leadership development emerged as critical strategies for addressing the talent gap. Despite structural barriers, women's inclusion under Industry 4.0 and 5.0 presents opportunities for building resilient and human-centric supply chains. Practical implications The findings suggest that firms should implement targeted training programs, inclusive leadership pipelines and policies that support the career progression of women in logistics. Policymakers are encouraged to develop frameworks that support women's participation in technology-intensive supply chains. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature by integrating gender diversity, human capital theory and Industry 4.0/5.0 into the discourse on logistics workforce challenges. It provides a new understanding of how women's empowerment can be utilized in addressing global supply chain talent shortages, which aligns with the International Journal of Logistics Management's special issue on Women in Supply Chain and Logistics under Industry 4.0 and 5.0 workplace environment.