Victor Gekara is a professor of sociology located in the department of Supply Chain and Logistics Management at RMIT University’s College of Business and Law. He completed his Ph.D. in International Political Economy from Cardiff School of Social Sciences under the prestigious Nippon Foundation PHD Fellowship. Prof Gekara’s PhD thesis investigated the tensions associated with nation state policies on labour and capital under neoliberalism. Specifically, he examined if, and how, national governments regulate national labour development and protections against multinational capital interests, in the context of the global shipping industry.
Building on this foundation, Prof Gekara has developed an extensive portfolio of high-quality funded research projects, international research engagement and publications situated at the strategic intersection of Sociology of work, Political Economy, and Management. He has collaborated extensively with private business, unions and government to develop research outputs with significant policy and practice impact, notably in Vocational Education and Training systems, technology adoption and digital transformations and workforce skills development.
Presently, Prof Gekara’s work is predominately directed towards better understanding the future of work, considering the nature and rate of industrial transformations, changing nature of work and occupational structures, and changing education and training systems, as a result of new technologies, among other major economic and industrial transformations. As part, and in the course, of this work, he has developed and led several research teams, groups and other research structures, including the Global Transport and Logistics Research Group and the Skills, Training and Industry Research Network, both of which have facilitated important and impactful research engagement and activity within the college.
In addition to supervising many PhD students to completion, Prof Gekara has also developed and managed several postgraduate programs in supply chain and logistics, and taught various courses, including International Logistics, Strategic Procurement, Supply Chain Technologies, Supply Contract Management and Business Ethics.
Media
Research fields
350710 Organisational behaviour
350502 Employment equity and diversity
350903 Logistics
390308 Technical, further and workplace education
UN sustainable development goals
11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
8 Decent Work and Economic Growth
Academic positions
Professor
RMIT University
Supply Chain and Logistics Management
Melbourne, Australia
1 Jan 2020 – Present
Associate Professor
RMIT University
Supply Chain and Logistics Management
Melbourne, Australia
1 Jan 2016 – 31 Dec 2019
Senior Lecturer
RMIT University
Supply Chain and Logistics Management
Melbourne, Australia
1 Jan 2013 – 31 Dec 2015
Lecturer
RMIT University
Supply Chain and Logistics Management
Melbourne, Australia
13 Apr 2009 – 31 Dec 2012
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Cardiff University
School of Social Sciences
Cardiff, United Kingdom
1 Nov 2007 – 1 Apr 2009
Teacher and Director of A-Level Studies
Laureate International School
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, United Republic of
2 Aug 1999 – 30 Sep 2003
Teacher
Khamis Secondary School
Mombasa, Kenya
1 Oct 1997 – 31 Aug 1999
Supervisor projects
Humanitarian migrants and their VET experience in Australia:
A study based on the humanitarian migrants’ own voices
20 May 2022
A port cluster framework for enhanced global competitiveness and sustainability in the Asia-Pacific region. A case study of Danang port cluster in Vietnam
14 Feb 2022
AI Affordances, actualisation and affordance effects in driving sustainability: An investigation of the logistic industry
16 Mar 2021
The impact of COVID-19 on workplace digitalisation and implications on workforce skills development
4 Jan 2021
Beyond Board Capital: Probing Inside the Black Box of Australian Board Recruitment and Dynamics
19 Sep 2017
Globalisation, State Responses, and Transition in the Thai Sugar Industry
23 Sep 2016
Horizontal collaboration between Logistics Service Providers (LSP) in Australia: examining the structure opportunities and impediments
8 Mar 2013
Teaching interests
Supervisor interest areas:
-Digital transformation and future of work
-New technologies, changing job roles and changing workforce skills needs
-Global maritime transport networks
-New transport technologies and the future of mart Mobility
Supervisor projects:
Current:
-Ms Thanh Xuan Vi Nguyen (MR) – Technological transformation and the implications for work in the Vietnam seaport industry (2021 Commence)
-Mr Sherry Thomas (PHD) – The impact of COVID-19 on workplace digitalisation and implications on workforce skills development, a study of the transport and mobility sector (2021 Commence)
-Ms Semirah Adebayo (PHD) – AI Affordances, actualisation and affordance effects in driving sustainability: An investigation of the logistic industry (2020 Commence)
-Mr Benjamin Nicholson (PHD) – Using big data analytics for improved value proposition and customer relationship management in the heavy vehicle industry (2021 Commence)
-Miss Ran Wei (MR) – Improving VET completion rates for mature disadvantaged learners: A study based on the learners’ voice (2021 Commence)
-Mr Pipattawade Wanaree (PHD) – Examining the Challenges and Opportunities in the Thai Sugar Industry (Under examination)
Completed:
-Mr Saeid Ahmadi Nasab – Investigating the nature and structure of horizontal collaborations in the Australian Transport and Logistics industry (Completed 2019)
-Dr Sherene Smith – An Investigation of the Creation and Application of Board Capital in Australian Corporate Business (Completed, 2018)
-Dr Ruchada Paradonsaree - Business Process Changes for ERP Upgrades: Impact on organisational capabilities and improvements (Completed 2017)
-Dr Akim Bunny - Retaining Skilled Workers in a Conflict Setting: A Study of Human Resource Management Approaches in International Non-Governmental Development Organizations in South Sudan (Completed 2017)
-Dr Aljowaidi Majed Ahmady - A study of e-commerce adoption using TOE framework in Saudi retailers: firm motivations, implementation and benefits (Completed 2015)
-Dr Ismail Elferjani – Investigating port competitiveness in the context of Libya (Completed 2015)
-Dr Qasim Al-Mamari – Investigating the adoption and implementation of e-government in Oman (Completed 2013)
Programs
-MC198 - Master of Supply Chain and Logistics Management
(https://www.rmit.edu.au/study-with-us/business/supply-chain-and-logistics)
-BP255 - Bachelor of Supply Chain and Logistics Management
(https://www.rmit.edu.au/study-with-us/business/supply-chain-and-logistics)
Research interests
Prof Gekara's research focuses on technology transformations in transport and logistics, technology management and the implications for work, employment, and workforce skills. He is currently focusing on the technology-mediated future of work, particularly on the changing nature of transport and logistics work, the workforce skills needs and job quality.
Research keywords:
Industrial Transformation, Future of Work, Workforce Skills, Transport and Logistics, Supply Chains
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.