scholarly journals COVID-19 and the pursuit of supply chain resilience: reactions and “lessons learned” from logistics service providers (LSPs)

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
David M. Herold ◽  
Katarzyna Nowicka ◽  
Aneta Pluta-Zaremba ◽  
Sebastian Kummer
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Financial Stability ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Logistics Service ◽  
Logistics Service Providers

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide new insights into the reactions and lessons learned with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of how logistics service providers (LSPs) managed to maintain supply chains resilience and what focus areas have been changed to keep operations functional and uphold financial stability. Design/methodology/approach Based on data-gathering techniques in interpretive research this study collected primary data via semi-structured interviews, interviewing informants from selected LSPs that operate on a global scale. Findings The results show that LSPs have built their reactions and actions to the COVID-19 outbreak around five main themes: “create revenue streams,” “enhance operational transport flexibility,” “enforce digitalization and data management,” “optimize logistics infrastructure” and “optimize personnel capacity.” These pillars build the foundation to LSP resilience that enables supply chains to stay resilient during an external shock of high impact and low probability. Originality/value The results of this study provide insights into how LSPs have managed the downsides and found innovative ways to overcome operational and financial challenges during the COVID-19 outbreak. As one of the first studies that specially focuses on the role of LSPs during the COVID-19 pandemic, this study categorizes the LSPs’ reactions and provides a “lessons learned” framework from a managerial perspective. From a theoretical perspective, this paper discusses the strategic role of LSPs in supply chain management and thereby extends current supply chain literature with a focus on LSP resilience.

scholarly journals Environmental alignment between logistics service providers and shippers – a supply chain perspective

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 575-605
Author(s):  
Maria Huge-Brodin ◽  
Edward Sweeney ◽  
Pietro Evangelista
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Stakeholder Theory ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Logistics Service ◽  
Sustainable Logistics ◽  
Logistics Service Providers

PurposeVarious suggested paths for greening logistics and supply chains often address the specific perspectives of single supply chain actors. Drawing on stakeholder theory, the purpose of this paper is to develop a deeper understanding of the alignment between logistics service providers (LSPs) and shippers in the context of adopting more environmentally sustainable logistics practices.Design/methodology/approachWith a case study approach, a dual perspective is taken in which both LSPs and shippers were researched. The cases comprise eight LSPs and six shipper companies in Sweden, Italy and Ireland. Information was first analysed in relation to levels of environmental awareness, customer requirements and provider offerings and critical success factors (CSFs) and inhibitors. In a second step, the findings were analysed using stakeholder theory.FindingsLSPs demonstrate higher ambition levels and more concrete offerings compared to shippers' requirements for green logistics services. Paradoxically, customers are an important CSF and also an inhibitor for both LSPs and shippers. Both LSPs and shippers perceive financial factors and senior management priorities as important CSFs. The application of stakeholder theory helps to illuminate the importance of the many secondary stakeholders vs that of one or a relatively small number of primary stakeholders.Originality/valueThe three-dimensional analysis of environmental alignment between LSPs and shippers reinforces existing knowledge and provides new insights. A novel use of stakeholder theory in a supply chain context underlines its usefulness in research of this kind.

Logistics service quality and customer satisfaction in B2B relationships: a qualitative comparative analysis approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Gaudenzi ◽  
Ilenia Confente ◽  
Ivan Russo
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Customer Satisfaction ◽  
Service Quality ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Qualitative Comparative Analysis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Logistics Service ◽  
B2b Relationships ◽  
Logistics Service Quality

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the logistics service quality (LSQ) from a supply chain quality perspective. The purpose is twofold: (1) to investigate how business customers perceive the LSQ dimensions in business-to-business (B2B) relationships, with a particular focus on the role of logistics service providers and (2) to analyse the manner in which such dimensions, when combined, lead to high levels of customer satisfaction.Design/methodology/approachData collected through a survey of a sample of Italian food companies are analysed using a qualitative comparative analysis approach. The analysis explores ways of achieving customer satisfaction through different combinations of LSQ dimensions and not only via a “single recipe,” as in most symmetrical methods.FindingsThe study describes how seven dimensions of LSQ lead to achieve customer satisfaction, particularly highlighting and discussing how the different LSQ constructs lead to gain high customer satisfaction via different configurations. This approach is unique in identifying not only linear relationships among variables as traditional statistical methods do, via a configurational approach.Research limitations/implicationsMost academic studies in the related literature investigate service quality from a quality management and a supply chain management perspective. This study fills the existing gap in the analysis of B2B relationships, focusing on the role of third-party logistics (3PL) service providers.Practical implicationsThe study presents useful implications for practitioners, describing several ways in which 3PL service providers can combine LSQ dimensions to perform a continuous improvement of customer experience and to gain higher levels of customer satisfaction.Originality/valueThis study fills the existing gap in the analysis of B2B relationships, using the lens of quality management and supply chain management perspectives, and focusing on the role of 3PL service providers.

scholarly journals Low-Carbon Initiatives of Logistics Service Providers: The Perspective of Supply Chain Integration

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 3233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheng Qian ◽  
Shenghui Wang ◽  
Xiaohong Liu ◽  
Xueying Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Financial Performance ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Supply Chain Integration ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Corporate Environmental Responsibility ◽  
Logistics Service ◽  
Carbon Supply ◽  
Logistics Service Providers

Logistics service providers (LSPs) are under tremendous pressure in the fight against global climate change. While existing research has examined the operational importance of LSPs in decarbonizing supply chains, the strategic perspective of LSPs on low carbon supply chains has not received enough attention. Motivated by the evolving role of LSPs from a service provider to a resource integrator in the supply chain, drawing on the relational view of inter-organizational competitive advantage, this paper focuses on LSPs’ low-carbon supply chain integration (SCI) and empirically investigates its drivers and outcomes. Data from 124 Chinese LSPs shows that LSPs’ corporate environmental responsibility and customer environmental requirement have positive relationships with LSPs’ low-carbon SCI, and that LSPs’ low-carbon SCI is positively related to LSPs’ environmental and financial performance. In addition, LSPs’ environmental performance is found to have a positive relationship with LSPs’ financial performance. These findings not only provide new insights for LSPs’ low-carbon supply chain initiatives, but also highlight the importance of SCI as a strategic approach in low-carbon supply chain management.

Halal logistics: practices, integration and performance of logistics service providers

2019 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Noorliza Karia
Keyword(s):  
Value Creation ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Partial Least Square ◽  
Least Square ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Logistics Service ◽  
Logistics Service Providers ◽  
And Performance

Purpose This paper aims to examine the halal value creation in halal logistics practices and halal logistics integration in delivering halal products and/or services by investigating the effects of halal logistics practices on halal logistics performance and the role of halal logistics integration as a mediator. Design/methodology/approach Partial least square is performed on a survey data of 129 Malaysian logistics service providers. Findings The novel findings affirm that halal logistics practices comprising of physical segregation of halal products from non-halal in halal warehousing, halal transportation and halal terminal positively affect halal logistics performance. The most novel finding is that halal logistics integration positively affect halal logistics performance and mediate, significantly the relationship between halal warehousing and halal transportation and halal logistics performance. Practical implications Managers/logisticians should aware that halal value creation in halal logistics practices have a positive effect on halal logistics performance and they should appreciate halal logistics practices and halal logistics integration to realize a better halal logistics performance towards halal logistics implementation. Originality/value The results draw the novel contributions of halal logistics practices and mediating effects of halal logistics integration between halal logistics practices and halal logistics performance that have never been published.

Information Needs of Logistics Service Providers

2010 ◽  
pp. 113-127
Author(s):  
Ulla Tapaninen ◽  
Hennariina Pulli ◽  
Antti Posti
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
International Comparisons ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Information Distribution ◽  
Logistics Service ◽  
Logistics Service Providers ◽  
The University

This chapter explores supply chains, all the way from the manufacturing point to the customer site. The concentration is on logistics service providers (LSPs). In terms of overall quality, the information infrastructure in Finland has constantly ranked among top 10 positions in international comparisons regarding information society development (e.g. WEF 2008). The purpose of the chapter is to point out the current level of information sharing in supply chains focusing on the information needs of logistics companies, particularly from the LSP’s point of view. A study conducted by the University of Turku revealed that there is a lack of logistics information in the supply chain (Pulli & al. 2008). The information distribution should be intensified when aiming at achieving a more efficient supply chain.

scholarly journals How can logistics service providers foster supply chain collaboration in logistics triads? Insights from the Italian grocery industry

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorenzo Bruno Prataviera ◽  
Alessandro Creazza ◽  
Fabrizio Dallari ◽  
Marco Melacini
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Supply And Demand ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Supply Chain Collaboration ◽  
Previous Theory ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Logistics Service ◽  
Logistics Service Providers

Purpose Collaborative solutions are increasingly being proposed to generate value in supply chains. Concurrently, firms have progressively outsourced logistics operations to logistics service providers (LSPs). However, many questions remain unsolved regarding the role played by LSPs in supporting supply chain collaboration (SCC) in triadic rather than dyadic contexts. This study aims to explore the relational mechanisms that LSPs can leverage to foster value creation through collaboration, elaborating on an existing theory about SCC by focussing on logistics triads. Design/methodology/approach By leveraging the view of the network theory, a multiple case study approach was adopted. Seven cases having logistics triads as units of analysis were identified and analysed within the Italian grocery supply chain, allowing for empirical investigation with a middle-range approach to extend the previous theory. Findings LSPs are pivotal actors that can actively promote SCC. LSPs can exploit large volumes and asset availability to increase efficiency while improving logistics flexibility and developing regular and trustworthy relationships with the other triad members. Building upon their logistics capabilities and the relational mechanisms in place, LSPs can help manufacturers collaborate with retailers by improving mutual trust and communication, acting as trust builders or trust conductors within the triad. Originality/value The study explores the role of LSPs in logistics triads, extending the previous literature. It highlights that LSPs facilitate not only supply and demand integration but also relational integration between firms. Trust emerges as a fundamental building block for SCC, as LSPs can look beyond economic benefits to foster partnerships that empower the co-development of original collaborative solutions.

4PL LOGISTICS OPERATOR IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN

2018 ◽  
Vol 110 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-36
Author(s):  
Joanna DYCZKOWSKA
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Indirect Measurements ◽  
Logistics Service ◽  
Logistics Service Providers

These days, an increase is being observed in the number of 4PL operators on the market of logistics service providers. The purpose of the article is to present the role of the logistics operator in the management of the supply chain of companies on the territory of Poland as well as the kinds of services provided by these companies. The methods used herein include an analysis of literature, a method of selected case studies and indirect measurements. The analysis was based on four logistics operators with the largest incomes on the Polish market: Raben Group, Schenker Sp. z o.o., FM logistics and DPD Polska Sp. z o.o.

scholarly journals Horizontal logistics collaboration for enhanced supply chain performance: an international retail perspective

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 631-647 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vasco Sanchez Rodrigues ◽  
Irina Harris ◽  
Robert Mason
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Supply Chain Performance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Distribution Costs ◽  
Logistics Service ◽  
Logistics Service Providers ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Stage 1

Purpose – The paper aims to develop a supply chain-driven model horizontal logistics collaboration (HLC). HLC initiatives can fail. To improve the chance of success, a thorough consideration of the potential issues involved, such as seeking supply chain partners’ support, ensuring access to information/data security and assessing whether an HLC model could bring improvements to a wide range of supply chain metrics rather than reductions in distribution costs only, needs to be understood before deciding to proceed with such an initiative. Design/methodology/approach – A two-stage methodology is deployed. As part of Stage 1, a series of 20 semi-structured interviews with senior managers from retailers, retailers’ suppliers and logistics service providers were undertaken. Subsequently, in Stage 2, a focus group with practitioners from retailers and logistics service providers was run to verify the findings gathered during Stage 1. Four elements of a new HLC project being considered are investigated by supply chain champions across the UK Fast-Moving Costumer Goods industry, namely, consideration factors, required synergies, enablers and anticipated output metrics. Findings – When considering whether to embark on an HLC project, the supply chain requirements need to be taken into account and potential supply chain performance benefits projected. The paper identified several consideration factors; synergies and enablers that support the development of HLC projects are identified, such as legislation, trust among partners, common suppliers and delivery bases, capable third party logistics (3PL) and an effective commercial model, including a fair sharing of benefits. Research limitations/implications – The research provides new understanding in accounting for the needs of the supply chain when considering an HLC initiative involving leading players from the retail sector. Practical implications – The importance of taking a supply chain approach when evaluating the feasibility of HLC is demonstrated. HLC arrangements among competing supply chains need to be designed and run by taking account of all supply chain partners, namely, suppliers, 3PLs and customers (in this case, retailers). Originality/value – The contribution is threefold: identification of outset consideration factors, ideal required synergies, actioning enablers and wider supply chain metrics of HLC; development of a supply chain-driven model for HLC, which includes in the decision-making whether or not to adopt a horizontal logistics collaboration model, wide supply chain metrics such as stock levels of finished products and shelf availability, inventory, working and fixed capital, and product waste in addition to distribution costs; and, the proposal of a new definition for HLC which challenges published definitions.

Evaluating the Supply Chain Role of Logistics Service Providers

2003 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yemisi A. Bolumole
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Practical Implementation ◽  
Third Party Logistics ◽  
Logistics Service ◽  
Logistics Strategy ◽  
Logistics Service Providers

The shift from traditional and functional third‐party logistics to comprehensive supply‐chain relationships has significant implications for the role of third‐party logistics service providers (3pls). Extending previous research in which four factors were found to influence 3pls' supply chain function, this paper contains an assessment of the varying role(s) 3pls can play in the supply chain. The factors include: the strategic orientation of the outsourcing organization; its perception of 3pls' roles within the logistics strategy; the nature of the resultant client‐3pl relationship; and, the extent to which logistics is outsourced. The supply chain impact of these factors are evaluated based on the findings from case study research. Each different 3pl role (conceptual and empirical) is examined and implications for practical implementation are provided.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document