Performance Of Third-party Logistics Research Articles

Digitalization and third-party logistics performance: exploring the roles of customer collaboration and government support

PurposeThe authors investigate how logistics digitalization affects two types of third-party logistics (3PL) performance: financial performance and service performance. In particular, the authors explore the mediating role of customer collaboration between logistics digitalization and firm performance based on organizational information processing theory and examine the moderating role of government support.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use an SPSS macro program (PROCESS regression analysis) to analyze survey data from 235 3PL firms in China. The mediation model, moderation model and moderated mediation model are tested.FindingsThe empirical results show that in the new age of digitalization transformation, logistics digitalization positively affects 3PL's financial performance and service performance by strengthening customer collaboration. Additionally, government support amplifies the positive effect of customer collaboration on service performance but not financial performance. The moderated mediation test further indicates that government support strengthens the positive indirect effect of digitalization on service performance through customer collaboration.Originality/valueThis study offers empirical insights into the growing body of 3PL literature, and the findings contribute to the theoretical and practical understanding of the emerging research topic of digital transformation (DT) and sustainability issues in 3PL firms.

Selección y evaluación de proveedores de logística externa en la cadena de suministro: una revisión sistemática

Worldwide it is estimated that more than 85% of the main companies used external logistics services, with growth rates of this services market projected between 18 and 22 percent per year. This trend has generated a growing interest in supply chain researchers to propose different approaches for the selection and evaluation of the performance of third party logistics (3PL). This article proposes a systematic review analyzing a sample of articles published in indexed journals in order to identify the main contributions on this topic. This study shows the evaluation and selection of a 3PL is a critical and complex decision, due to the existence of several criteria of imprecise and subjective basis. As a result, methodological characteristics, approaches used, models applied, attributes of the magazines, and industries that use external logistics providers are presented. Cost, information technology implemented by logistics providers, and the effectiveness of shipments and deliveries on time, are the most valued criteria by companies for the evaluation and selection of 3PL. The results of this study provide support to researchers, as a reference that allows identifying some possibilities for future research in the field of providers that offer external logistics services, promoting competitiveness in the supply chain.

Customer integration and the performance of third-party logistics firms: a moderated mediation model

ABSTRACT Integration with client firms is the most important external relationship for third-party logistics (3PL) firms. Based on information processing theory, a conceptual model was developed to explore the mechanism of how customer integration contributes to 3PL firms’ performance via differentiation and low-cost advantages, and the moderating effects of information technologies were examined in relation to the trend of digital transformation. Survey data were collected from 235 3PL firms in China and analysed using structural equation modelling. The results show that customer integration is positively related to the performance of 3PL firms, which is mediated by differentiation and low-cost advantages. In addition, information acquisition technologies and information processing technologies significantly moderate the effect of customer integration on differentiation advantages. These findings help to address the challenges faced by 3PL firms in the context of digital transformation and add to the literature on customer integration and logistics information technologies.

Examining the influence of information system ratings on the performance of 3PL companies

This study examines the influence of information system ratings on the performance of third-party logistics (3PL) companies using two DEA models along with one-way analysis of variance. The findings of this study are twofold: first, there is no significant performance difference at a group level by the information system ratings, which has been confirmed with analysis of variance; second, however, we have confirmed performance differences at an individual or company level due to the information system ratings using data envelopment analysis (DEA). The major contribution of this study is the first attempt to measure 3PL performance in conjunction with information systems that help supply chain management with tracking and locating products and sharing information among supply chain players.

Evaluation of a 3PL company: an approach of fuzzy modelling

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate a methodology to evaluate the performance of third party logistics (3PL) company using a team approach. The criteria to evaluate the performance of 3PL have been identified through literature review and in consultation with practitioners. The weightage to criteria and the performance evaluation of 3PL are based on the information gathered by the performance measurement team (PMT). A fuzzy logic is used to incorporate the perception of PMT members. The uniqueness of the method is to incorporate the views of multiple decision makers so that biasness in decision can be minimised. This is the process that can be used by a company to evaluate his own performance with more accuracy. The managements of 3PL companies can use this methodology to evaluate their performance with high accuracy. Application of proposed methodology incorporating the team approach to evaluate the performance of 3PL is the originality of this paper.

Assessing a cross-border logistics policy using a performance measurement system framework: the case of Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta region

For the most rapidly growing economic entity in the world, China, a new logistics operation called the indirect cross-border supply chain model has recently emerged. The primary idea of this model is to reduce logistics costs by storing goods at a bonded warehouse with low storage cost in certain Chinese regions, such as the Pearl River Delta (PRD). This research proposes a performance measurement system (PMS) framework to assess the direct and indirect cross-border supply chain models. The PMS covers four categories including cost, time, quality and flexibility in the assessment of the performance of direct and indirect models. Furthermore, a survey was conducted to investigate the logistics performance of third party logistics (3PLs) at the PRD regions, including Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hong Kong. The significance of the proposed PMS framework allows 3PLs accurately pinpoint the weakness and strengths of it current operations policy at four major performance measurement categories. Hence, this helps 3PLs further enhance the competitiveness and operations efficiency through better resources allocation at the area of warehousing and transportation.

The influence of customer-specific adaptations on the performance of third-party-logistics relationships—document studies and propositions

The main purpose of this research was to acquire a better understanding of the performance of third-party logistics. Based on previous research, the demanded specificity, the intended performance evaluation, the expected adaptations by the provider and the willingness of the customer to adapt to the provider were identified as potential influences of third-party logistics relationship performance. Additionally, 22 requests for quote were analysed. This document analysis demonstrates that the degree of partner-specific adaptations is influenced by the complexity of the service and the amount of existing assets of the customer. Furthermore, these analysis shows that most of the customers demand a specific location, expect specific investments by the provider and place-specific demands on performance measurement and reporting. Propositions were established to describe the relationships between these constructs and the potential influences on third-party logistics relationship performance. As a starting point for further research, a structural model was constructed.

Taxonomy of information technology strategy and its impact on the performance of third-party logistics (3PL) in China

This paper develops a taxonomy of information technology strategies used by third-party logistics (3PL) firms in China based on a cluster analysis of survey data from 105 of these 3PL firms. The information technology strategies have been classified into three major groups: supportive, technological, and aligned. The paper also investigates the effect of information technology strategies on information technology advantage, competitive advantage, and financial performance. The results of the study indicate that efforts to improve information technology systems can only be effective if the information technology improvements are properly aligned with a company's overall strategy. It is found that companies that attempt to improve their information technology systems without the proper alignment of information technology with the company's overall strategy can achieve information technology advantages relative to their competitors, but not competitive advantages or improved financial performance. This study is the first attempt to develop an information technology strategy taxonomy for 3PL companies in China. It provides valuable guidance and insights for managers in the development of information technology strategies in 3PL companies.

Technology usage in the supply chain: the case of small 3PLs

PurposeIn today's supply chain management practices, a successful strategy depends increasingly on the performance of third party logistics (3PLs) providers as they play a key integrative role linking the different supply chain elements more effectively. Information and communications technology (ICT) has become an important element of 3PL competitive capability as it enables higher levels of supply chain integration. Recent industry developments have widened the technological gap between large and small 3PLs. This is critical particularly for those markets populated by a large number of small 3PLs such as the Italian logistics industry. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of ICT adoption in small logistics service providers. The focus of the study is the Italian 3PL market.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology adopted in this paper is based on the action research framework and it is a combination of theoretical analysis and empirical findings (focus groups and surveys). Firstly, a literature review on ICT dissemination in the international and Italian 3PL industry has been carried out. Then, a field survey has been developed preceded by two focus groups. The empirical investigation examined a sample of 153 small Italian 3PLs on the base of a definition and taxonomy proposed by the authors.FindingsThe results provide a useful technological profile of the surveyed companies, as well as an analysis of the role of ICT in customising services and of the factors influencing ICT adoption.Research limitations/implicationsTo give a more robust scientific justification of the survey results, it would be useful to carry out an additional large‐scale analysis including other countries with a high presence of small logistics service companies. Furthermore, a complementary case‐study analysis would be of help in defining the role of specific factors in different types of 3PL. Further investigations in this field are needed to better understand innovation paths, and how ICT can improve the competitive capabilities of 3PLs and of the wider supply chain.Practical implicationsManagers of small 3PLs can use the findings to set‐up guidelines for improving a company's technology innovation. Technology vendors can use the findings to better market their service/product into the small logistics service provider segment.Originality/valueDespite the fact that much has been written about the dissemination of ICT, there is still a shortage of research in the field of small 3PLs with little empirical investigation into the usage of ICT by small 3PLs. This paper provides a contribution to filling this void and suggests some possible research directions.