Understanding the Effect of Multi-Agent Collaboration on the Performance of Logistics Park Projects: Evidence from China

Abstract

With the rapid development of a new generation of information technology and data systems, there are more and more modern logistics park projects appearing in China. However, in the process of the construction and operation of a logistics park project, there is often a lack of coordination between the multiple parties (usually the government, the development enterprise and the entered enterprises), which leads to a series of problems such as low efficiency and disordered management and so on, finally affecting the project performance. However, few studies have focused on this phenomenon, and prior studies are unclear regarding the impact of multi-agent collaboration on logistics park project performance. Therefore, in this study, we investigate the link between multi-agent collaboration and the logistics park project performance based on survey data from Yunnan Province in China. The empirical analysis was conducted using the partial least squares (PLS)-based structural equation modeling with Smart PLS 2.0. The data analysis results suggest that the three dimensions of multi-agent collaboration (management, mechanism and information collaboration) have a significant positive impact on the performance of a logistics park project. Under different environmental dynamics conditions, different strategies should be adopted by a logistics park project to improve the performance. This study provides a new perspective for understanding the value of multi-agent collaboration in logistics park projects both in theory and practice.