Towards an increased understanding of learning: a case study of a collaborative relationship between a retailer and a logistics service provider

PurposeThis study aims to explain how learning occurs in collaborative retailer–logistics service provider (LSP) relationships. The research is guided by two research questions, addressing absorptive and desorptive capacities and the interaction between these capacities.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on a case study of a Swedish, collaborative retailer–LSP dyad. The empirical data are structured around five specific learning situations within the retailer–LSP dyad.FindingsThe findings provide an explanation for how learning occurs within a collaborative retailer–LSP relationship based on subprocesses of absorptive and desorptive capacities. The interaction between these processes is found to rely on two types of support: one-directional and bidirectional. The findings also indicate positive outcomes of learning, such as improved cost efficiencies in warehouse operations, better customer services and improved long-term strategic planning.Practical implicationsThis study shows how retailers and LSPs can learn from each other and together create an improved logistics system for end customers.Originality/valueThis research takes into account absorptive and desorptive capacities in a collaborative retailer–LSP relationship. This study enhances the understanding of inter-organisational learning processes in a retail logistics context.

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Selection of Logistics Service Provider for e-Commerce Using AHP and TOPSIS: A Case Study of SMEs in Thailand

2019 4th Technology Innovation Management and Engineering Science International Conference (TIMES-iCON) ◽

10.1109/times-icon47539.2019.9024406 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Mooktida Nuengphasuk ◽

Taweesak Samanchuen

Keyword(s):

Service Provider ◽

Logistics Service ◽

Logistics Service Provider ◽

Selection Of

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Personal Relationships and Supply Chain Communication: An Exploratory Case Study of Buyers and Suppliers of Logistics Service Provider

International Journal of Logistics Systems and Management ◽

10.1504/ijlsm.2020.10030463 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 1

Author(s):

ATIF BUTT

Keyword(s):

Supply Chain ◽

Service Provider ◽

Personal Relationships ◽

Logistics Service ◽

Exploratory Case Study ◽

Logistics Service Provider

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Security capability and logistics service provider selection: an adaptive choice study

International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management ◽

10.1108/ijpdlm-04-2018-0173 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 49 (4) ◽

pp. 330-355 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Zachary Williams ◽

Michael S. Garver ◽

Robert Glenn Richey Jr

Keyword(s):

Supply Chain ◽

Willingness To Pay ◽

Service Provider ◽

Selection Process ◽

Chain Management ◽

Content Type ◽

Logistics Service ◽

Logistics Service Provider ◽

Adaptive Choice ◽

Security Capability

Purpose The influence of security practices is increasingly common in the supply chain management and logistics literature. However, an under-researched area exists within the logistics service provider (LSP) selection process. The purpose of this paper is to introduce a security capability into the LSP selection process. Specifically, this research seeks to understand partner willingness to compensate and collaborate with service providers that possess a security capability. Design/methodology/approach Adaptive choice modeling is adopted to assess the influence of a security capability in the LSP selection process. This study represents the first use of this method in supply chain management and logistics research. Cluster analysis is also performed to uncover specific buyer segments along with traditional regression-based significance testing and counting analysis. Findings The findings indicate that security can have an important influence on the LSP selection process. In particular, the findings note a willingness to pay for a security capability in LSP selection. Applying segmentation techniques to the findings, three LSP buying segments are determined, each placing different importance and value on LSP capabilities. Practical implications This research notes an ongoing provider deficiency in security offerings. Partner firms sometimes maintain a cost focus, but others show a willingness to pay higher prices for access to partners with a security capability. Key practitioner findings include the need to include security with other traditional selection variables. The study walks the researcher and manager through the development of segments based on LSP capabilities. Originality/value This manuscript investigates logistic service provider selection. The authors detail an advanced form of conjoint analysis, adaptive conjoint modeling, for first time consideration. Additionally, this is the first study to integrate security into the LSP selection process. This is also the first study to identify a willingness to pay for a security capability.

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