Abstract
PurposeThe green logistics literature remains undecided on how collaboration between shippers (i.e. logistics buyers) and logistics service providers (LSPs) may facilitate green logistics practices (GLPs). This paper identifies two types of collaboration mechanisms, relation specific and knowledge sharing, to systematically examine their influence on facilitating the different types of GLPs – as seen by shippers versus LSPs.Design/methodology/approachSurvey responses of 169 shippers and 162 LSPs in Sweden were collected and analysed using exploratory- and confirmatory factor analysis, followed by multiple regression analysis.FindingsThe findings reveal that neither of the actors consistently favour a certain type of collaboration mechanisms for facilitating all types of GLPs. Although it was found that both actors share the same view on the role of collaboration mechanisms for some GLPs, their views took contrasting forms for others.Research limitations/implicationsThis study contributes to the green logistics literature by incorporating a trilateral distinction to present collaboration recommendations for GLPs, based on (1) the collaboration mechanism at play, (2) the actor's perspective and (3) the GLP in question.Practical implicationsInsights are offered to managers at shipper/LSP firms to apply the right (“fit for purpose”) collaboration mechanisms in their relationships with their logistics partners with respect to the desired GLPs.Originality/valueThis is one of the first large-scale studies to systematically reveal in what way collaboration can facilitate the different types of GLPs.
Highlights
Despite logistics service providers’ (LSPs) increased adoption of different green logistics practices (GLPs) over the past decade (Centobelli et al, 2020; Lieb and Lieb, 2010), LSPs’ progress is occurring at a rather slow pace (Evangelista et al, 2017), falling short of reaching long-term sustainable development goals (Nilsson et al, 2017)
When a larger-scale GLP is in question, the situation differs: our findings suggest that shippers consider neither type of collaboration mechanisms as a means to facilitate green logistics systems, whilst a marginal support is associated with knowledge sharing for this GLP among LSPs
By conducting a large-scale survey on 169 shippers and 162 LSPs, we systematically revealed which type of collaboration mechanisms is required for facilitating the different types of GLPs – as seen by shippers versus LSPs
Summary
Despite logistics service providers’ (LSPs) increased adoption of different green logistics practices (GLPs) over the past decade (Centobelli et al, 2020; Lieb and Lieb, 2010), LSPs’ progress is occurring at a rather slow pace (Evangelista et al, 2017), falling short of reaching long-term sustainable development goals (Nilsson et al, 2017). Considering the very diverse natures of GLPs – strategic, tactical or operational (Neto et al, 2008); macro or micro level (Aronsson and Huge-Brodin, 2006); administrative, analytical or transport-related (Lieb and Lieb, 2010) – one may question if collaboration is needed for each one of these. This is inspired by the notion that collaboration can be costly, as it entails commitments to binding agreements and intensification of transactional costs (de Leeuw and Fransoo, 2009; Huo et al, 2017). This knowledge gap makes the current collaboration recommendations for GLPs rather superficial due to their insensitivity to the diverse natures of GLPs as well as the different collaboration mechanisms at play
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