Work Context and Work Style requirements across supply chain occupations: evidence from O*NET 30.3

Introduction Supply chain occupations differ in the discretion, coordination, pace, responsibility, and physical activity built into their work. We examined how these conditions correspond to the Work Style requirements associated with occupational performance and whether the resulting profiles distinguish task groups across conventional occupational families. Methods O*NET 30.3 supplied 57 Work Context elements, 21 Work Style Impact ratings, and 41 Work Activity Importance ratings. Principal component analysis (PCA) and permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) compared five families among 24 focal occupations. Elastic Net models were developed from 838 non-focal occupations to predict each Work Style for the 24 focal occupations. Multi-response partial least squares (PLS2) regression evaluated the joint context–style relation across all 862 occupations, and Ward clustering linked occupational profiles to Work Activities. Results Family membership accounted for 35.2% of Work Context variation and 64.5% of Work Style variation. Nine of 21 Work Styles had positive focal-sample R 2 ; self-confidence ( R 2 = 0.589) and stress tolerance ( R 2 = 0.478) were the strongest predictions, whereas empathy was poorly predicted ( R 2 = −2.632). Two clusters separated 19 occupations emphasizing information processing, decision making, and coordination from five emphasizing material handling, equipment operation, and physical work. Their Work Activity profiles differed ( R 2 = 0.314, p = 0.001). Discussion The occupational pattern links decision latitude, consequential responsibility, and coordination demands to particular behavioral requirements, while the task comparison identifies operational similarities that cross family boundaries. Together, the findings support job analysis that combines working conditions, performance-relevant Work Styles, and task content.