Third-party Logistics Firms Research Articles

Determinants and Outcomes of Green Technology Innovation Adoption among Third-Party Logistics Firms in China: A SEM-ANN Analysis

Although the adoption of green innovation has been explored in various contexts, there is still a lack of research on the determinants of green technology innovation adoption (GTIA) in the third-party logistics (3PL) industry of emerging economies and the resulting economic, environmental, operational, and intangible outcomes. This study aims to investigate the influence of different determinants of technological, organizational, and environmental factors in the TOE-DOI framework on the adoption of green technology innovation, as well as the outcomes of such adoption. The study utilizes sample data from 544 Chinese 3PL firms and employs two-stage structural equation modeling and artificial neural network analysis. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) explains 85.4% of the variance in green technology innovation adoption, 21% in environmental outcomes, 18.5% in economic outcomes, 20.8% in operational outcomes, and 22.3% in intangible outcomes. The artificial neural network (ANN) model ranks the standardized importance of each predictive variable. The results indicate that institutional pressure is the most significant determinant of GTIA. Additionally, 3PL firms should consider the positive impact of green supplier integration and relative advantage. Complexity does not have a positive impact on GTIA. The longer a company has been established, the more experience and resources it accumulates, and the more opportunities it has to adopt green technology innovation. This study contributes to the existing research on emerging economies and other regions. Furthermore, this is the first study to successfully validate the nonlinear relationship within the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework and diffusion of innovation (DOI) theory, namely the TOE-DOI framework. The research findings further enhance the current understanding of green technology innovation adoption and its impact. This study provides valuable insights for managers and policymakers in the 3PL industry to achieve various effects, such as environmental, economic, operational, and intangible outcomes.

Global logistics and supply chain integration in the digital era: a focus on China's Belt and Road Initiative

PurposeTo delve into the integration of global logistics and supply chain networks amidst the digital transformation era. This study aims to investigate the potential role of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in facilitating the integration of global flows encompassing both tangible goods and intangibles. Additionally, the study seeks to incorporate third-party logistics activities into a comprehensive global logistics and supply chain integration framework.Design/methodology/approachPrior research is synthesised into a global logistics and supply chain integration framework. A case study was undertaken on Yuan Tong (YTO) express group to investigate the framework, employing qualitative data analysis techniques. The study specifically examined the context of the BRI to enhance comprehension of its impact on global supply chains. Information was collected in particular to two types of supply chain flows, the physical flow of goods, and intangible information and cash flows.FindingsThe proposed framework aligns well with the case study, leading to the identification of global logistics and supply chain integration enablers. The results demonstrate a range of ways BRI promotes global logistics and supply chain integration.Research limitations/implicationsThe case study, with multiple examples, focuses on how third-party logistics firms can embrace global logistics and supply chain integration in line with BRI. The case study approach limits generalisation, further applications in different contexts are required to validate the findings.Originality/valueThe framework holds promise for aiding practitioners and researchers in gaining deeper insights into the role of the BRI in global logistics and supply chain integration within the digital era. The identified enablers underscore the importance of emphasising key factors necessary for success in navigating digital transformation within global supply chains.

Assessing the e-commerce last-mile logistics’ hidden risk hurdles

Due to increasing last-mile logistics complexity, the e-commerce business's last-mile delivery has emerged as an imperative issue that impedes the advancement of contemporary last-mile logistics practices. The paper attempts to identify last-mile logistics associated risk hurdles from e-commerce literature and prioritize them on their significantly affecting logistics operations. The factors were identified by reflecting on the recent literature and internet resources coupled with in-depth brainstorming with experts in the field of Logistics Company including, practitioners, and employers. Two ranking methods namely TODIM (TOmada de Decisao Interativa Multicriterio in Portuguese “interactive and multicriteria decision making” in English) and ARAS (Additive Ratio ASsessment method) are used together to rank order the major risk hurdles and criteria. The results of this study present that lack of visibility (LV), low-efficiency levels (LEL), and unpredictable elements (UE) are ranked as the top three major risk hurdles whereas real-time information on a package’s location (LV1), putting a GPS tracking system to track last- mile journey (OT3) and users wants on time location of their package (LV2) are ranked as top three most significant criteria affecting the practices of modern last-mile logistics in e-commerce businesses. The findings can be used by logistics firms, organizations, and policymakers to better understand the issues and develop strategies to address them, making last-mile delivery a more efficient also better form of awareness for practitioners who are engaged in third-party logistics firms. The novelty of this study is to identify the primary risk hurdles affecting the practices of last-mile logistics and to prioritize them using ranking methods such as TODIM and ARAS. This offers advice for managers and researchers to consider how to handle the logistical uncertainty in e-commerce enterprises.

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.

Supply chain management practices as a competitive tool for third party logistics providers performance

The major purpose of this research paper is to examine supply chain management practices as a strategic tool for third-party logistics firms’ performance: by presenting practical and theoretical advantages by reviewing the corresponding literature, and also by proposing more forward-looking studies. A literature review was developed to help today's supply chain managers and analysts to thoroughly scrutinize what was already recognized as well as what requires further research. The research broadens, from a centered company perspective, the understanding of supply chain management practices as a tactical resource for success of third party logistics firms, as well as limitations for future studies. This research paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the literature to develop a proposed general framework for a strategic tool research initiative to perform TPLs' supply chain management practices. The research paper provides perspectives into deficiencies in current practices of supply chain management, along with the progress of third party logistics sector literature. The research paper proposes specific research into the logistics process, as it relates to planned and current performance. The research paper makes a series of important literary contributions. First, it provides the first comprehensive analysis of the fundamental concepts used throughout the current supply chain management activities research in relation to the performance of third party logistics companies. Indeed, when carrying out a similar exercise, the approach used to conduct the systematic literature review may be used as a guide for future investigators. Current research is aimed at providing a researcher who meets the needs of modern business leaders.

Optimising truckload operations in third-party logistics: A carbon footprint perspective in volatile supply chain

With government and customers driving third-party logistics seeking opportunities to improve operation efficiencies and mitigating carbon emissions in the supply chain, third-party logistics firms have been striving to improve their truckload utilization and vehicle routing operations, especially in emission-regulated countries and volatile business environment. Traditional literature has focused on either truckload utilization or vehicle routing operations but seldom integrating carbon emission mitigation in their daily trucking operations. This paper delineates the operation review of three third-party logistics firms in Hong Kong and develops an organisation-based carbon emission measurement metrics for logistics operations. The truckload utilization and routing performance are reviewed, followed by a correlation analysis on the truckload utilization against truck capacity, loading volume, fuel consumption, truck size, travelling distances and number of destinations. An integrated carbon-driven multi-criteria model is developed achieving carbon emission reduction initiatives, time and distance cost penalty, minimizing number of trucks, and improving truck utilization. The integrated mathematical model has been developed into a simulation system which has been tested with evaluated results. The mathematical model is enhanced for the set of cargo items and vehicle fleet with additional factors of arrival time slots and weight. The model assists traffic planners to reduce cargo planning time and optimize the truckload operations. Further development will be focused on adding the dimensions of pallet loading operations and exception rules for customer loading requirements.

Business Logistics Performance Measurement in Third-Party Logistics: An Empirical Analysis of Australian Courier Firms

This paper presents an empirically validated measurement model of logistics performance in Australian courier firms. In third-party logistics firms, logistics performance directly influences both internal and external stakeholders/customers. The courier firm is an important model of third-party logistics. In this study, all measures are validated by both academics and practitioners. Empirical data for the study was collected through a web-based survey. A total of 162 responses were used to verify the measurement model of structural equation modeling. Results indicate that the logistics performance measurement has high reliability and validity in the study. This measurement model contributes to the business performance literature. It provides insight to assess logistics performance in the postal/courier industry. In addition, the measures can be generalized for different business management purposes.

Strategies for Korean Third-party Logistics Firms Preparing to Change Chinese Logistics Market

Strategies for Korean Third-party Logistics Firms Preparing to Change Chinese Logistics Market

Information Technology Resources and Customer-Service Process Coordination in Third-Party Logistics

Adopting the supply chain paradigm, we define customer service as a multifunctional sequence of process activities supported by an intricate tapestry of information technology (IT) and non-IT resources that enable the coordination and communication necessary to create value for the customer. The resource-based view (RBV) serves as our theoretical lens for assessing the strategic contributions of IT in the customer-service process of third-party logistics firms. Our findings support the RBV assertion of significant direct and indirect impacts but suggest that the challenges of fully integrating IT resources as process components go beyond merely leveraging complementarity, as emphasized by RBV.

How Do Regional Third-Party Logistics Firms Innovate? A Cross-Regional Study

In this paper, the authors examine innovation and new service development for regional third party logistics (3PL) firms in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Sweden. They present a comparative analysis of how regional 3PL firms interact with their clients to generate innovation and new services. The authors discover that the three firms focused on what clients demand and create differentiated services, rather than simply providing standard services. The authors also note that while each firm has developed new services for its clients and thus achieved greater customer satisfaction, the innovative offerings also helped the 3PLs keep existing clients loyal while at the same time attracting new clients.

How Do Regional Third-Party Logistics Firms Innovate? A Cross-Regional Study

Research Article| July 01 2009 How Do Regional Third-Party Logistics Firms Innovate? A Cross-Regional Study LIANGUANG CUI; LIANGUANG CUI Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google IVAN SU SHONG-LEE; IVAN SU SHONG-LEE Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google SUSANNE HERTZ SUSANNE HERTZ Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Transportation Journal (2009) 48 (3): 44–50. https://doi.org/10.2307/25702532 Cite Icon Cite Share Icon Share Twitter Permissions Search Site Citation LIANGUANG CUI, IVAN SU SHONG-LEE, SUSANNE HERTZ; How Do Regional Third-Party Logistics Firms Innovate? A Cross-Regional Study. Transportation Journal 1 July 2009; 48 (3): 44–50. doi: https://doi.org/10.2307/25702532 Download citation file: Zotero Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All Scholarly Publishing CollectivePenn State University PressTransportation Journal Search Advanced Search The text of this article is only available as a PDF. Copyright © 2009 American Society of Transportation and Logistics2009American Society of Transportation and Logistics Article PDF first page preview Close Modal You do not currently have access to this content.

Management development and retention programs in U.S. third-party logistics firms

To provide quality logistics services, it is essential for third-party logistics (3PL) firms to develop an effective human resource program that ensures successful development and retention of qualified managers. By reporting the results of a survey of current U.S. 3PL firm development and retention practices and experiences regarding junior managers, this article provides a benchmark for 3PL firm managers who seek to improve management development and retention programs. Efforts to improve human resource programs should focus on improving orientation programs, mentoring, job enrichment, formal career planning, job relocation assignments, educational support, training and compensation.