Survey finds CSCOs rate themselves higher than peers do

Chief supply chain officers (CSCOs) rate their effectiveness more highly than their C-suite peers do, according to a survey by business and technology insights firm Gartner Inc.

The March 2025 survey of 201 executives found three-quarters of CSCOs gave themselves at least 75 out of 100 when asked about their effectiveness. Just over half of their C-suite peers gave them the same score.

“Collaboration is prioritized by both CSCOs and their C-suite peers, but our data shows a disconnect between how effective CSCOs truly are in this critical measure of effectiveness,” said Claudia Clemens, senior director analyst in Gartner’s supply chain practice. “More than 60 per cent of CSCOs state that they make proactive investments in peer relationship building, but less than half of their C-suite partners actually recognize these efforts.”

Gartner said the quality of time spent with other executives, not the amount, was a key barrier to CSCO performance. The survey also found that CSCOs seen as innovative “maverick” leaders were more likely to secure a seat in the boardroom.

The research identified three strategies to strengthen influence: focusing on enterprise-wide priorities such as agility and risk management, collaborating by not only raising risks but offering solutions and clearly demonstrating how supply chain strategies support business goals.