Enhancing Cybersecurity in Logistics Services: A Study of Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Service Providers

In this study, third-party logistics (3PL) service provider selection problem is handled for a foreign trade company that exports the products with high quality level obtained by outsourcing, and who has problems regarding both cost, delivery quality and delivery time. In this direction, 7 criteria are determined for effective evaluation of the performance of the 5 logistics service providers the company is working for and the determination of the most suitable 3PL service provider according to the property of the orders (quantity, mode of conveyance, transportation channel, etc.). The priority levels of service providers are calculated by using these criteria in the combination of Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). Then, a goal programming (GP) model that answers the question of which service provider to choose for which order, considering these priority values and the 12 system constraints and 5 objectives that the company encountered in real life is proposed. This model is the first one proposed in the literature for the selection of 3PL service providers for multimodal international transport with consistent results. The model is solved for the current 10 orders using the last 1-year data of the company and the most appropriate 3PL service provider combination is obtained. As a result of the solution of the problem with this methodology, an improvement is achieved about 7% for the rate of delivery on time, 33% for bid - bill consistency rate, and 29% for the problematic delivery rate.

In this study we apply the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to evaluate the service quality of third-party logistics (3PL) service providers. We first conceptualize five dimensions of 3PL service quality (i.e. tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, assurance and empathy). We then apply the AHP method to determine the relative weights of the five service quality dimensions and eventually select the best 3PL service provider. To implement this idea in practice, we conduct an empirical case study on four companies providing 3PL services in Korea. The results indicate that Responsiveness out of the five service quality dimensions is the most important factor in the perception of 3PL customers.

In the present era, Reverse Logistics Support has monitored as a momentous realm, where stuffs are transferred from point of consumption to origin. The companies who provide the logistic equipments, i.e. Truck, Joseph Cyril Bomford, and Shipment, etc. to its partner’s firms called Third-Party Logistics (3PL) service provider. Today, the feasible 3PL service provider evaluation-opt problem is yet an amorous dilemma. The appraisement and benchmarking of logistics service providers in extent of index; allied risk-based indices and their interrelated metrics; outlooked as a great tool for each international firm, in order that firm could obtain their core goals. The novelty of manuscript is that here, a hairy-based approach has been integrated and then implemented upon a novel developed multi hierarchical third-party logistics (3PL) service providers appraisement index in purpose to umpire the 3PL provider for their strong and ill’s core indices. Moreover, the overall score (Si) system has also been c...

Purpose: This study aims to understand how well logistics service quality (LSQ) meets customer expectations, in order to gauge their satisfaction. It aims to investigate how customers perceive LSQ dimensions within business-to-customer (B2C) interactions, with a specific focus on examining the impact of technology-organization-environment contexts (TOE model) on the implementation of application technology in Vietnamese logistics companies. Additionally, the study explores how the integration of these dimensions contributes to improving customer satisfaction and retention rates. Design/methodology/approach: Data collected through a survey conducted on people who used the service of logistics service providers are analyzed using a quantitative comparative analysis approach. The analysis explores various ways to achieve customer satisfaction by considering different combinations of LSQ dimensions. Findings: The study outlines eight LSQ dimensions that contribute to customer satisfaction and discusses how these dimensions, in different configurations, lead to higher levels of customer satisfaction. While previous academic research has primarily focused on service quality from a quality management, this study addresses the existing gap by examining B2C relationships and emphasizing the role of third-party logistics (3PL) service providers. Originality/value: The findings of this study provide valuable insights for practitioners, offering guidance on how 3PL service providers can effectively combine LSQ dimensions to continuously improve the customer experience and enhance overall customer satisfaction and retention. Received: 20 March 2024 / Accepted: 21 August 2024 / Published: 05 September 2024

Due to globalization and rising competition, supply chain services (3PL) are crucial in managing logistics, decreasing operational and non-operational expenses, and managing client and vendor relationships. Suppliers who offer 3PL services aim to improve sustainability and foresee client demand. Thus, this study examines 3PL service provider performance characteristics. Consequently, this study aims to Investigate the elements that affect the performance of third-party logistics (3PL) service providers. The study employed a descriptive research approach to evaluate how warehouse efficiency, transport efficiency, logistics competence, and Disruptive technology efficiency impact the success of 3PL service providers. A questionnaire survey of 126 clients was conducted using quota sampling, and the hypothesis link between the constructs was statistically analyzed. The empirical findings demonstrate warehouse efficiency, packaging efficiency, transportation efficiency, and order fulfillment efficiency. Disruptive technology efficiency and logistics integration systems favorably impact the performance indicators of 3PL service providers. The findings suggest that Disruptive Technology is the most prevalent domain factor. As a result, service providers should develop an appropriate strategy to improve service quality by encouraging sustainable disruptive technology tools and improving operational accuracy. This study can improve production and supplier performance through cost reduction, logistics improvements, and inventory management. This study will help policymakers and logistics managers create an effective framework for selecting third-party logistics providers.

The main objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of the logistics sophistication of Brazilian shippers on the acquisition pattern of 3PL (third-party logistics) service providers. The conceptual model of logistics sophistication and the major dimensions and variables relating to the acquisition pattern were defined and a questionnaire was sent to 218 Brazilian shippers listed on the Revista Exame ranking. Based on the 93 questionnaires returned, the analyses conducted indicate that the most sophisticated shippers are durable goods manufacturers and that they contract 3PL services providers for inventory management and higher value added services. In essence, these results indicate that the most sophisticated shippers seek 3PL service providers capable of managing logistics trade-offs such as inventory levels vs. asset utilization levels. These implications on the selection criteria of 3PL service providers are also discussed.

Logistics is an absolute necessity in supply chain management due to its critical role in ensuring the smooth and efficient movement of goods from the point of origin to the point of consumption. Without effective logistics, supply chains would struggle to function efficiently, leading to various challenges and disruptions Third-party logistics (3PL) service provider has garnered significant attention in recent years due to its innovative approach and commitment to customer satisfaction. The level of customer support provided by 3Pl service providers will be scrutinized. Responsive and knowledgeable customer service representatives can significantly affect a user's perception of the company. Effective communication channels, quick issue resolution, and a customer-centric approach are vital in building lasting relationships with clients. The cost-effectiveness of the services offered by 3 Pl will be a focal point of this analysis. The analysis of satisfaction among third-party logistics service users provides valuable insights into the company's performance and customer perception. A structured questionnaire was made and a survey was conducted among 100 users from various locations to assess their opinions and views on the 3 PL logistics concept. Overall, the findings indicate a mixed response, with several positive aspects and areas for improvement. While a considerable percentage of respondents expressed satisfaction with aspects such as value for money and shipment condition upon delivery, there are a few areas of concern, including communication, delays in delivery, and customer support knowledge.

Third-party logistics (3PL) service providers can play a major role in the agriculture supply chain management (ASCM) for customer's satisfaction and cost reduction in managing supply chain. Selection of the suppliers is one of the important factors that need to be considered. Since, by deciding best 3PL supplier, competitiveness and sustainability of supply chain has been increased. However, this decision become complicated when there is multiple 3PL suppliers having multiple criterion and inaccurate parameters. Moreover, the ambiguity and doubtfulness of expert's opinions enhance the problem. Therefore, a decision making tool based on multi criteria has been used widely as fuzzy-analytic hierarchical process (AHP) approach can be used for selection of best 3PL service providers. The main aim of this research is to develop an outline of different criterion for supplier's selection based on literature review and techniques used for selection of the best 3PL suppliers. Furthermore, this research paper provides a more precise, effective and efficient decision support tool for selecting best 3PL providers. This research may help in increasing the tendency for towards the logistics activities outsourcing to enhance sustainability of IoT-based agriculture supply chain.

Since the 1990s, companies outsource their non-core logistic activities to third-party logistic (3PL) service providers. Selection of an appropriate 3PL service provider which gives a competitive advantage to the company can be considered as a multiple criteria group decision-making problem. 3PL service provider selection problem has several qualitative criteria which are graded with linguistic terms. A multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) method is required to consider vagueness and impreciseness evaluating the alternatives of 3PL company. Q-rung orthopair fuzzy (q-ROF) sets extend the intuitionistic and Pythagorean fuzzy sets by giving a wider area to decision-makers in expressing their evaluations. CODAS is a decision-making method based on calculating the distances between each alternative and the negative ideal solution which is the lowest value. At first, Euclidean distance is used, then Taxicab distance is used to exaggerate the discrimination. In this chapter, the q-Rung Orthopair Fuzzy CODAS method is proposed for the first time, by adapting the CODAS method to q-ROF sets. Information about the classical and fuzzy set applications of the CODAS method in the literature is given, and the third-party logistics service provider selection is made for a retail company with the proposed q-ROF CODAS method. In a case study, three decision-makers select the most suitable company with the help of seven criteria among six alternatives and the results were compared with another decision-making method.KeywordsParty logisticsq-rung orthopair fuzzy setsCODAS methodMCDM

Selection of third-party logistics in supply chain finance under probabilistic complex hesitant fuzzy sets and distance measures

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to investigate the factors that affect the decision‐making process of Hong Kong‐based manufacturers when they select a third‐party logistics (3PL) service provider and how 3PL service providers manage to retain customer loyalty in times of financial turbulence.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents a survey‐based study targeting Hong Kong‐based manufacturers currently using 3PL companies. It investigates the relationship between the reasons for using 3PL services and the requirements for selecting a provider, and examines the relationship between customer satisfaction and loyalty. In addition, the relationships among various dimensions – in small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs), large enterprises and companies – of contracts of various lengths are investigated.FindingsIn general, the reasons for using 3PL services and the requirements for selecting 3PL service providers are positive‐related. The dimension of “reputation” of satisfaction influences “primary customer loyalty” positively.Practical implicationsConstructive suggestions are provided to help 3PL service providers allocate their limited resources to business areas that help them to meet the demands of their target customers, increase the number of customers, and improve customer loyalty.Originality/valueThe paper is an attempt to help 3PL service providers find ways to survive in a climate of financial crisis.

The study aims to analyse warehouse value-added services (VAS) data for a third-party logistics (3PL) service provider, which leads to identifying service improvements and cost-cutting opportunities in performing VAS for clients using Pareto analysis as a quality tool. Using a case study approach, qualitative and quantitative data were collected from a leading 3PL firm in Belgium. The approach is conducted by applying major steps of Pareto analysis. Two pharmaceutical products were analysed according to medical general classification, namely narcotic analgesics (NA) and ophthalmic antihistamines and decongestants (OAD). The results showed that the Pareto principle is proven in the NA—ticketing case, and five activities consumed 83.3 percent of the total time of VAS operations. Furthermore, in the OAD—display case, the Pareto principle is proven and six activities were validated as they accounted for 81.26 percent of the total time of primary VAS operations. The study recommended a solution to each of the four causes of delay, including lack of training/best practices, inefficient space utilization, lack of automation, and lack of cohesiveness and planning. Despite the recognized importance of avoiding warehouse operation inefficiencies, the literature lacks studies applied to practice, and few contributions exist regarding analysing 3PL service providers’ warehousing VAS operations data. This study identified all VAS activities for temperature-controlled pharmaceutical products. Moreover, the study proposes a warehouse operations improvement framework for non-automated 3PL warehouses and guides managers through Pareto analysis to cut costs and improve service level.

This paper provides a comparison of third-party logistics (3PL) service providers and 3PL customers with respect to the perception of key success factors (KSFs) for building and fostering relationships. The KSFs and their related sub-factors were derived from the extant literature and modified to reflect the nature of 3PL arrangements. The relevant data were collected from separate, but consistent, mail surveys that were sent to 3PL service providers and 3PL customers. The results indicate statistically significant differences in the perception of critical success factors between 3PL service providers and 3PL customers. The results show that customers see a focus on service-based solutions as being an important feature of 3PL provision providing a set of benefits beyond mere cost control.

Multiple allocation hub location with service level constraints for two shipment classes

Outsourcing integration and third party logistics services: An appreciation of two ‘classic’ articles in industrial marketing management