Logistics Service Providers Research Articles

THE MEDIATING EFFECT OF SOFTWARE SOLUTION IN LOGISTICS SERVICE

This study aims to investigate the role of software solutions and outsourced logistics service providers in the logistics industry in India. The logistics industry in India is a significant contributor to the country's economy, and with the growth of e-commerce and the increasing demand for timely and efficient delivery of goods, the industry has seen significant transformations in recent years. This case study will provide an overview of the Indian logistics industry and the challenges faced by logistics companies in the country. It will then examine the role of software solutions such as transportation management systems (TMS), warehouse management systems (WMS), and supply chain management (SCM) systems in streamlining logistics processes and reducing costs. The study will also analyze the role of outsourced logistics service providers in offering a range of services, including transportation, warehousing, inventory management, and order fulfillment, to businesses operating in the logistics industry in India. The case study will provide examples of companies that have successfully implemented software solutions and outsourced logistics services to improve their logistics operations and gain a competitive advantage in the market. The study aims to demonstrate the benefits of adopting software solutions and outsourcing logistics services for businesses operating in the logistics industry in India. The findings of the case study can provide valuable insights into the role of software solutions and outsourced logistics service providers in the Indian logistics industry and their impact on the industry's growth and competitiveness.

Conceptualising Loyalty Benefits as the Relational benefits perceived by Malaysian Automotive manufacturers

Objective - In the automotive industry, many companies look at strategic advantages in logistics to reduce costs. An enormous challenge faced by the Logistics Service Providers (LSPs) in Malaysia's automotive industry is preserving successful customer relationships. Methodology/Technique – Therefore, evaluating the most perceived criteria by logistics players in the automotive business is paramount. In this study, the companies are chosen to examine the relative importance of the three identified benefits, Special Treatment, Value Added (VAL), and Collaborative Benefits (COL), by data collected from manufacturing firms in the automotive industry. In addition, a new benefit, Loyalty Benefit (LOY), was added to the framework. Finding – The first stage of the survey involved the operational levels, i.e., The team leaders and below, to check on the relevance of the questionnaire. The second stage involved the management level or decision makers. Novelty – The contribution of the paper includes adding theoretical insight into the relationship concept that has been applied by manufacturers and LSPs and will help LSPs to perceive and understand what the manufacturers expect and how to provide the level of services that meet their expectations. Type of Paper: Empirical JEL Classification: G32, M39. Keywords: Loyalty Benefits; Logistics Service Provider; Linear Regression Writing and Investigation – M.F.S; Supervision, Methodology and Funding – S.S.R.S.; Methodology and Analysis – A.N.A; Data Collection and Analysis – N.A.M Reference to this paper should be referred to as follows: Sazali, M.F; Shariff, S.S.R; Aimran, A.N; Mohamad, N.A. (2023). Conceptualising Loyalty Benefits as the Relational benefits perceived by Malaysian Automotive Manufacturers, GATR-Global J. Bus. Soc. Sci. Review, 11(2), 26–37. https://doi.org/10.35609/gjbssr.2023.11.2(1)

Organizing construction logistics outsourcing: a logistics strategy perspective

PurposeThe construction industry shows an increased interest in how to manage logistics within construction projects. Often construction logistics is outsourced to a logistics service provider (LSP). However, construction logistics is normally approached either as a strategic decision or as an operational issue and rarely as a tactical concern. The purpose of this study is to explore how to organize the logistics outsourcing decision at strategic, tactical and operational levels.Design/methodology/approachThis study is performed as a single-case study within a construction corporation, containing (amongst others) a building contractor (BC) and a construction equipment rental company (CERC) offering logistics services.FindingsThe study shows that to procure construction logistics service successfully, BCs need logistics capabilities at strategic and tactical levels to maintain an alignment between the use of logistics services and operational characteristics. Simultaneously, CERC’s need to design their service offerings to correspond to the needs of the BC.Research limitations/implicationsThis study builds on a single-case study of a Swedish construction corporation. Further research is needed to better understand current logistics outsourcing and development practices and how these can be improved to foster better logistics management at the project level.Practical implicationsBCs find suggestions of different logistics organization structures and suitable outsourcing arrangements. CERCs and LSPs can use the findings to understand their customers’ needs and adapt service offerings.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is one of the first studies of how two companies within a corporation can work together to develop construction logistics service offerings.

Role of Cargo Owner in Logistic Chain Sustainability

Understanding the factors and characteristics of the business and the influence of cargo owners on sustainable practices in maritime logistics chains is the main objective of this study. The sample consists of 141 valid responses from Portuguese companies that own cargo, freight forwarders and other maritime logistics service providers. Sustainable energy theory, green state theory, and shared value creation theory support the research. The SEM methodology was adopted. The sector’s structure, management characteristics, type of transport contract and the size of the cargo characterize and condition the business of cargo owners and influence the choice of green transport, the use of green fuel and corporate social responsibility. It is important to increase the knowledge and practice of cargo owners in order to understand their business constraints.

Exploring environmental sustainability and green management practices: evidence from logistics service providers

PurposeThis study aims to examine management attitude and awareness towards green logistics, explores the external conditions that drive and restrict its positive behaviour, investigates the level of its adoption amongst logistics service providers (LSPs) and determines the major barriers affecting its application in the industry.Design/methodology/approachThis research investigates the key decision-making process on green logistics attitude and behaviour through in-depth interviews and thematic analysis.FindingsThis study explores both institutional and individual-level attitudes/awareness. Then, the driving and restraining forces and the challenges that influence the industry’s adoption of green initiatives are determined. Finally, this study constructs a framework following a behavioural driving route with interactions among green “attitude”, sustainable “subjective norms”, “behavioural control” and “external context” factors.Practical implicationsFindings can enlighten the practitioners who are struggling to adopt the green or low-carbon practice and provide valuable insights and constructive advice to LSPs and their stakeholders.Social implicationsFindings can draw the government and policy-makers’ attention to provide necessary financial or non-financial support for the practitioners to improve their green operations.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is one of the first attempts to adopt the hybrid theoretical lens on the green behaviour of the logistics industry. New insights are added to existing environmental management literature with a wider understanding and deeper investigation of the decision-making on green logistics in the industry. The theoretical framework in this study can offer future applications to a relevant large-scale study.

Customer‐driven sustainable business practices and their relationships with environmental and business performance—Insights from the European shipping industry

AbstractUnderstanding and meeting stakeholder demands for sustainability while striving for improved business performance (BP) presents a significant challenge. The shipping industry has been relatively slow in its sustainability efforts. However, it faces mounting pressure from various stakeholders, particularly customers (i.e., shippers directly or via logistics service providers), who increasingly demand reduced emissions from shipping operations. Consequently, environmental performance (EP) has become a key criterion in awarding shipping tenders, prompting shipping firms to adopt sustainable business practices (SBP). This study aims to investigate the relationships between customers' expectations (CE), the adoption of SBP and the EP and BP of European shipping companies. Structural equation modelling was employed to analyse the interrelationships among CE, SBP, EP and BP. The findings indicate a positive association between CE and the adoption of SBP, which in turn enhances EP and BP. Managers are encouraged to proactively allocate resources towards implementing SBP, as this not only improves EP but also enables better responsiveness to stakeholders' expectations, leading to increased profitability, customer satisfaction and corporate image. These outcomes yield benefits for all stakeholders involved in the European freight transport ecosystem.

A hybrid large-neighborhood search for a truck and drone delivery system with stochastic customer existence and time windows

In recent years, e-commerce has become increasingly popular, and consumers expect quick and affordable delivery, placing additional pressure on city logistics activities. An innovative approach is proposed to coordinate ground vehicles and drones for delivery services, which has gained tremendous attention from academia and logistic service providers. This paper introduces a variant of this problem: the two-echelon truck and drone routing problem, characterized by stochastic demand existence and soft time windows. A Markov chain is used to model the problem, and a linear mathematical model is presented. This work employs a hybrid large-neighborhood search approach. Numerous computational experiments are conducted to evaluate the performance of the proposed solution method, and the results demonstrate its efficacy.

Examining the effect of logistics service quality on customer satisfaction and re-use intention.

For logistics service providers (LSPs), improving customer satisfaction and obtaining customer re-use intention are key to gaining sustainable competitive advantages and success. Logistics service quality (LSQ) is a concern for logistics service providers, retailers, and customers. The proposed model, which is based on the stimuli-organism-response theory and the logistics service quality framework, integrates operational quality, resource quality, information quality, personal contact quality, customization quality, and customer satisfaction to study logistics service re-use intentions. The data were obtained from an online survey using a structured questionnaire given to those with experience in logistics service. Using partial least squares structural equation modeling on 810 respondents who were adult Chinese customers, this study discovered that operational, resource, information, personal contact, and customization qualities positively affect the satisfaction of logistics service customers, while customer satisfaction positively affects re-use intention. Moreover, the results of the mediation analysis revealed that customer satisfaction mediated the connection between the five components of LSQ and the re-use intention of logistics services. The originality of the study lies in its comprehensive examination of the direct and indirect effects of service quality dimensions on customer satisfaction and logistics service re-use intention in the context of logistics services. This study provides valuable insights into the importance of customer satisfaction in the logistics industry and highlights the need for logistics companies to prioritize customer satisfaction and improve their overall performance and competitiveness.

Leveraging shippers-logistics providers relationships for better sustainability in logistics: the perspective of SMEs

PurposeThe organization of services can affect the adoption of sustainable practices within the relationship between a buyer (e.g. a shipper) and a supplier (e.g. a logistics service provider–LSP). The purpose of this paper is to analyse, within this relationship, the mechanisms affecting collaboration between shippers and LSPs towards adopting green logistics practices to reduce the negative environmental effects of logistics processes. The authors take the perspective of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which represent – although less investigated than large enterprises – a relevant field of investigation given their impact on the environmental sustainability of logistics processes.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted a multiple case-study investigation on a set of dyads involving shippers and LSPs. The authors explored the antecedents shaping the approach to sustainability in logistics and, adopting the absorptive capacity (AC) theory, the learning and knowledge transfer processes leading to the adoption of green practices.FindingsCollaboration between shippers and LSPs for better sustainability in logistics seems not to work when relationships are limited to simple annual (or pluriannual) contracts, and when shippers do not show ambition to improve the level of sustainability of their logistics processes (regardless of whether they show an interest in general sustainability matters). On the other hand, successful cases show higher commitment in the dyadic relationship with respect to improving logistics sustainability, good levels of communication and a more structured process of knowledge sharing, enabled by IT integration, shared performance monitoring, and creation of inter-organizational teams.Originality/valueWhile most of the existing research focuses on the perspective of shippers or LSPs, this work is original since it explores collaborative mechanisms within a buyer-supplier relationship simultaneously taking the perspective of both parties, according to the lens of the AC. It identifies directions for improving collaboration within the shipper-LSP relationship in the context of SMEs to foster the adoption of collaborative green logistics practices to impact sustainability positively.

Assessing the Viability of Crowd Logistics for Last-mile Delivery: Case Studies in Malaysia Logistics Industry

This study focuses on crowd logistics challenges in Malaysian crowd logistics companies. To the author's best knowledge, there is limited empirical qualitative research on crowd logistics, especially in the Malaysian logistics sector. This research aims to identify and examine the challenges that hinder the success of crowd logistics and how crowd logistics can shape the future of the logistics industry. A semi-structured interview with six industry experts, including logistics service providers and platform operators, were selected in this study to gain insights into their experiences and perspectives on crowd logistics. Additionally, a data analysis process is presented. The findings of this study suggested three main themes and six sub-themes, including operation management, resource management, and technology and communication management as the main themes. The sub-themes include delivery operation, service offered, rider issues, demand issues, delivery platform, and technology implementation issues. This study provides implications in two-fold. First, for the theoretical implication, it provides empirical case studies and highlights critical challenges faced by crowd logistics companies in Malaysia. Secondly, for practical implications, it offers valuable insights for logistics companies, especially those engaged in crowd logistics, to understand the challenges customers and service providers face. However, this research is limited in its generalizability and triangulation studies which calls for further investigation.

The synchronized multi-commodity multi-service Transshipment-Hub Location Problem with cyclic schedules

The synchronized multi-commodity multi-service Transshipment-Hub Location Problem is a hub location problem variant faced by a logistics service provider operating in the context of synchromodal logistics. The provider must decide where and when to locate transshipment facilities in order to manage many customers’ origin–destination shipments with release and due dates while minimizing a total cost given by location costs, transportation costs, and penalties related to unmet time constraints. The considered synchromodal network involves different transportation modes (e.g., truck, rail, river and sea navigation) to perform long-haul shipments and the freight synchronization at facilities for transshipment operations. To the best of our knowledge, this variant has never been studied before. Considering a time horizon in which both transportation services and demand follow a cyclic pattern, we propose a time–space network representation of the problem and an ad-hoc embedding of the time-dependent parameters into the network topology and the arcs’ weight. This allows to model the flow synchronization required by the problem through a Mixed-Integer Linear Programming formulation with a simplified structure, similar to well-known hub location problems and avoiding complicating constraints for managing the time dimension. Through an extensive experimental campaign conducted over a large set of realistic instances, we present a computational and an economic analysis. In particular, we want to assess the potential benefits of implementing synchromodal logistics operations into long-haul supply-chains managed by large service providers. Since flexibility is one of the main features of synchromodality, we evaluate the impact on decisions and costs of different levels of flexibility regarding terminals’ operations and customers’ requirements.

Selection of Logistics Service Provider for port enterprises: Combination of the weighting-grey synthetic decision-making method

The purpose of this paper is to explore how port enterprises can scientifically select a better logistic service provider (LSP) to achieve a high efficiency. An empirical study is conducted to verify the effectiveness of the combination weighting-grey synthetic decision-making method by helping the LSP selection of a port enterprise in China. Data are collected from questionnaires administered to port logistics’ industry professionals. The method is proposed, which associates the analysis network process method with the entropy method to determine the combined weights of the evaluation indexes. The improved centre-point triangular whitenization weight function is introduced to cluster the alternative port LSPs and judge the corresponding grey classes. Subsequently, the synthetic weighted decision-making vectors are used to determine the grey synthetic decision-making coefficient vectors. The grey synthetic clustering decision-making coefficients are calculated to establish a synthetic decision-making rank of the alternative plans. The combined method can help the port enterprises realize the selection of better LSPs in a scientific manner.

Institutional pressures, green logistics activities and efficiency performance: a survey with logistics service providers in Brazil

The objective of this research is to verify the relationship between institutional pressures, green logistics activities and impacts on logistics performance. A survey of 56 logistics service providers was conducted. In relation to the data acquired, the return of 138 questionnaires answered by the middle/tactical managers of the 56 logistics service providers in Brazil was received. Institutional Pressures were the antecedents capable of explaining the corresponding variation in the Green Logistics construct (green packaging) in R2 = 0.3750, Green Logistics (green transport) in R2 = 0.9909 and Green Logistics (green warehousing and buildings) in R2 = 0.0389. Similarly, all Green Logistics constructs were able to explain the variation corresponding to a value observed in R2 = 0.5442 referring to Efficiency Perfor-mance (costs). The results demonstrate the influence of Institutional Pressures on Green Logistics activities as well as the impact of Green Logistics on Efficiency Performance (costs).

Joint location and pricing optimization of self-service in urban logistics considering customers’ choice behavior

Self-services by widely-deployed stations allow customers to pick up their packages themselves and have great potential to reduce last-mile delivery cost by aggregating spatial demands. An efficient self-service design for the locations of self-service stations and the service price will help to shift customers from the home-delivery service to the cost-effective self-service, thus reducing the vehicle routing cost of the dedicated fleet. This study proposes a comprehensive modeling and optimization framework for the joint self-service station location and service price (SLSP) optimization problem considering customers’ choice behavior and vehicle routing in order to maximize the profit of the logistics service providers in the last-mile delivery system. Logit equilibrium and Wardrop equilibrium conditions are employed to characterize the delivery service choice and route choice behavior of customers. A convex optimization model is developed to capture the distribution of customers opting for home-delivery service and self-services at various locations, who aim to maximize their expected utilities. We then formulate the SLSP problem as a mathematical program with complementarity constraints. An active set algorithm is proposed to solve the model effectively. Numerical experiments based on the Nguyen-Dupuis and Sioux Falls networks are conducted to demonstrate the proposed framework and derive managerial insights.

The impact of reverse logistics process coordination on third party relationship quality: A moderated mediation model for multichannel retailers in the fashion industry

Multichannel retailing is a widely adopted strategy in the fashion industry. Companies in this industry find it a source of competitive advantage to invest in reverse logistics infrastructure. However, limited empirical studies investigate the enablers of the relationship quality between the retailers and their reverse logistics service providers. This study quantifies the impact of reverse logistics process coordination between retailers and logistics service providers on relationship quality. Moreover, it tests the mediating role of reverse logistics service quality and the moderating role of conflict frequency in this relationship. Data were collected through a survey using a purposive sample of 241 retail store managers from the fashion retail industry of Pakistan. For this purpose, a self-administered questionnaire was developed using a five-point Likert Scale to gauge the responses. Conditional process analysis was used to evaluate the moderated mediation model. The findings showed a significant positive impact of reverse logistics process coordination on the relationship quality with a logistics service provider, a significant positive mediation effect of reverse logistics service quality, and a significant moderation effect of conflict frequency on the indirect relationship. However, conflict frequency, contrary to the hypothesis in the study, strengthened the indirect relationship. Furthermore, the moderation effect of conflict frequency on the direct relationship was insignificant. This study will help managers better understand the best practices leading to effective management of reverse logistics processes, particularly product returns.

Use of delivery drones for humanitarian operations: analysis of adoption barriers among logistics service providers from the technology acceptance model perspective.

Delivery drones are yet to be adopted as a systematic delivery system for humanitarian operations but have the potential to substantially increase the efficiency and effectiveness of future delivery options. Thus, we analyse the impact of factors affecting the adoption of delivery drones by logistics service providers for humanitarian operations. A conceptual model of potential barriers to adoption and development is created using the Technology Acceptance Model theory involving security, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and attitude as factors that affect the intention to use. We validate the model using empirical data collected from 103 respondents by the 10 leading logistics firms located in China between May and August 2016. through a survey to examine factors currently affecting the intention/non-intention to adopt delivery drones. The results show that ease of use and addressing key security considerations about the drone, the delivery package and the recipient are crucial for adopting the technology as a specialized delivery option for logistics service providers. This is the first study of its kind and contributes to understanding the operational, supply chain and behavioural factors in the adoption of drones by logistics services providers for humanitarian operations.

The Efficiency and the Performance of the Logistics Global Supply Chain Activities to Vietnam Exportation: an Empirical Case Study

Purpose: This research paper aims to determine the factors affecting the efficiency and logistics performance index (LPI) of Vietnam's exports to foreign partners during 2018-2022 are due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Theoretical Framework: Based on the primary factors affecting the efficiency and performance of global supply chain activities in logistics for Vietnam's exports, including practical impact and logistics results of enterprises in Vietnam. Based on the primary factors affecting the efficiency and performance of global supply chain activities in logistics for Vietnam's exports, including (1). Customs efficiency (speed, simplicity and predictability of customs clearance procedures) (2). Quality of infrastructure related to trade and transport, including Roads, railways, ports, airports, warehouses and information technology ...(3). The level of ease when arranging to transport import and export goods with competitive prices (costs such as warehousing fees, port fees, tolls ... ) (4). Capacity and quality of logistics service providers ... (5). Ability to track and trace shipments. (6). Timeliness of the shipment to the destination within the specified time limit. The practical impact and logistics results of enterprises in Vietnam. Method: The panel approach allows the authors to explore the heterogeneity in data across countries. Fixed effects (FE) and random effects (RE) models were used to estimate the model. Then, the Hausman test is carried out to decide which model is appropriate. The data were collected from 240 observations from Vietnam and 80 major export partner countries of Vietnam. Findings: The research results show that the cost, time and capacity of providing logistics services have the most significant impact on Vietnam's exports. Practical & social implications: Overall, to increase the efficiency and logistics efficiency of enterprises. The Vietnamese Government needs to cooperate and propose ideas to partner countries to improve logistics activities for exports from Vietnam. Logistics is beginning to play an increasingly important role in the competitiveness of economies. Originality values: This study also confirms the sustainability of the extended gravity model using OLS and RE methods by substituting different variables for the country's logistics efficiency and solving the endogenous problem in the model while applying the regression method to industrial variables. We find that an 1% improvement in Vietnam's logistics would increase Vietnam's exports by 1.443%, and an 1% improvement in a partner country’s performance would help promote Vietnam's exports to this country by 0.546%.

Evaluating and selecting sustainable logistics service providers for medical waste disposal treatment in the healthcare industry

Health institutes are structurally growing depending on the population increase and escalating demands for health services. As a negative result, the health industry produces more healthcare waste daily. Its efforts and resources cannot be sufficient to dispose of such medical wastes as the quantity and variety continue to increase. Therefore, developing solution partnership relations with logistics service providers specialized in collecting, storing, and disposing healthcare waste may be a beneficial and fruitful step for solving this problem. However, the evaluation and selection of service suppliers for healthcare waste disposal may not always result in success. Hence, the present work develops a robust integrated methodology on the basis of Step-wise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis (SWARA) and COmplex PRoportional ASsessment (COPRAS) techniques based on Interval-Valued Fermatean Fuzzy Sets (IVFFSs) for healthcare decision-makers to make more rational and optimal decisions concerning service supplier selection. The proposed model based on the IVFFSs can also overcome incredibly complicated uncertainties in the assessment processes. A large-scale international hospital chain in Turkey is investigated using the developed methodology to find reasonable and logical solutions to assess and select the best Medical Waste Disposal and Logistics (MWDL) firm. It is revealed that the most important criterion is “Storage Conditions” where “Republic Services, Inc” is the most successful supplier of MWDL. Finally, theoretical and practical implications are discussed in detail in order to provide useful managerial insights and decision aids to assist in improving the sustainability of healthcare industry.

Consumer’s Adoption of Last Mile Logistics Innovation: A Systematic Literature Review

Last mile logistics refers to the final stage of the delivery process where products are transported from a distribution center to the end customer. In recent years, advancements in technology and changes in consumer behavior have led to an increased focus on last mile logistics. However, last mile logistics pose challenges due to its complexity and uncertainty affecting both the firms or logistics service providers and the customers. Studies focusing on achieving efficient last mile logistics have gained attention from scholars while research discussing factors affecting customer’s adoption on last mile logistics innovation remain scant. This conceptual paper aims to explore the factors that influence customer adoption of last mile logistics through a systematic literature review of selected 21 papers from reputable journals. The papers were analyzed and resulted in three broad categories of perspectives discussing factors considered by customers to adopt last mile logistics innovation. Future studies are recommended to address issues not covered in this study.

Contribution of Logistics Cooperation to Effective Disaster Relief Operations in Addressing Pandemics in Tanzania

The research aimed to identify the crucial aspects of humanitarian organizations that can improve the effectiveness of disaster relief operations. The study involved 150 participants from Tanzanian humanitarian organizations and used a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods, including questionnaires and interviews. The researchers employed multiple regressions to examine the relationship between independent and dependent variables. The findings indicated that coordination among stakeholders and vertical logistics cooperation can enhance the effectiveness of disaster relief operations. The study concluded that the efficiency of humanitarian logistics is crucial for disaster relief operations and recommended that the government prioritize public-private partnerships, develop reliable infrastructure, and empower logistics service providers and humanitarian organizations. The study could guide policymakers in developing frameworks to improve cooperation among stakeholders and logistics systems in disaster relief operations. Additionally, it adds to the existing knowledge on stakeholder theory and strengthening the humanitarian logistics systems.