The scarcity trap: Deconstructing ‘Queen Bee’ dynamics in the procurement and supply chain ecosystem
Abstract
This paper examines the phenomenon commonly described as ‘Queen Bee’ behaviour within procurement and supply chain leadership. Challenging explanations that attribute female-on-female friction to individual personality traits, it argues that such behaviour is better understood as a rational response to structural conditions within male-dominated environments. Drawing on social identity theory, tokenism, role congruity theory and the glass cliff, alongside survey data from women working across procurement and supply chain functions, the paper demonstrates how leadership scarcity, heightened scrutiny and unequal expectations encourage distancing behaviours and intrasexual competition. It concludes that lasting change requires systemic reform rather than individual behavioural interventions. This article is also included in The Business & Management Collection which can be accessed at https://hstalks.com/business/.
The full article is available to subscribers to the journal.
Author's Biography
Dr Lenora Sevillian, LPD, MBA, CIPP, CPPP, CPCM, LSSGB, SFC, NCN-A, CPe-P, is Executive Director, Community Engagement at E&I Cooperative Services. With more than 40 years of public and private sector experience, she develops nationwide partnerships that support educational institutions. A former professor at Nova Southeastern University, she combines academic expertise with extensive procurement and public sector leadership experience. Lenora previously served as an At Large Director on the National Association of Educational Procurement Board of Directors and is currently an Advisory Board Member for the Consero Group. In 2026, she completed a Doctorate in Law and Policy at Northeastern University, where her research examined corruption and fraud in public sector procurement through the lens of psychological theory and ethical decision-making. Lenora received the 2024 EPIC Lifetime Achievement Award. She is also author of the quarterly Global Educational Procurement Outlook, further establishing her reputation as a leading voice in educational procurement and public sector contracting.
Casey Laurienzo, PMP, is Vice President of Community Engagement and Education at E&I Cooperative Services, where she leads professional development, leadership, and community-building initiatives for higher education procurement professionals nationwide. She oversees leadership programmes, learning experiences, and national convenings designed to strengthen the profession and develop future talent. Casey’s career spans procurement, contracting, programme management, and organisational development across higher education, government, and corporate sectors. Her work focuses on leadership development, operational strategy, talent pipelines, professional learning, and cross-sector collaboration. Casey holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and a Juris Master from Florida State University and is a Project Management Professional and certified Gallup CliftonStrengths Coach. She has completed executive education in leadership and management through Harvard Business School Online and is pursuing a Doctorate in Leadership Studies. Her research examines gendered leadership dynamics, organisational power structures, and the conditions that shape leadership behaviour. A recognised facilitator and mentor, Casey is committed to fostering inclusive, accountable leadership cultures and supporting sustainable organisational change.
Citation
Sevillian, Lenora and Laurienzo, Casey (2026, September 1). The scarcity trap: Deconstructing ‘Queen Bee’ dynamics in the procurement and supply chain ecosystem. In the Journal of Supply Chain Management, Logistics and Procurement, Volume 9, Issue 1. https://doi.org/10.69554/AXUS8971.
Publications LLP