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.

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.

A fuzzy AHP and TOPSIS methodology to evaluate 3PL in a supply chain

2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 287-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pravin Kumar ◽  
Rajesh K. Singh
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Fuzzy Ahp ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Preference Ranking ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Logistics Service Providers ◽  
Hierarchy Process

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide an insight into the use of an integrated approach of fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (fuzzy AHP) and TOPSIS in evaluating the performance of global third party logistics service providers for effective supply chain management.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, the integration of fuzzy AHP with TOPSIS is proposed in determining the relative importance (weight) of criteria and then ranking of 3PLs.FindingsFindings show that the logistics cost and service quality are two most important criteria for performance rating of 3PLs. Deciding the relative importance of various criteria for 3PLs evaluation is a complex task. The superiority of one criterion over the other varies from person to person and firm to firm. Therefore, to capture the variability in decision fuzzy extended AHP is very useful tool. Finally, the preference raking of alternatives are found using TOPSIS.Research limitations/implicationsFuzzy AHP is a complex methodology and requires more numerical calculations than the traditional AHP and hence it increases the effort. But in this paper single stage fuzzy AHP is used to simplify the process. Fuzzy AHP is integrated with TOPSIS for preference ranking of 3PL, which provides a good methodology to rank 3PLs.Originality/valueThere is a lack of research in the literature to deal directly with the uncertainty of human decisions in evaluating the relative importance of multiple criteria. Therefore, fuzzy AHP is an appropriate methodology to find the relative importance of the criteria to rank the 3PLs using TOPSIS.

3PLSP scale for co‐operative dairies in Indian context

2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 515-532 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tejas R. Shah ◽  
Mahendra Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Service Providers ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Third Party Logistics ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Five Dimensions ◽  
Stable Factor ◽  
Logistics Service ◽  
Indian Context ◽  
Operational Level ◽  
Logistics Service Providers

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop a scale for measuring benefits of third party logistics service providers for co‐operative dairies in an Indian context. The objective is to measure benefits of third party logistics service providers for co‐operative dairies.Design/methodology/approachA standard scale development research procedure recommended by experts was followed. First, the literature review of studies to measure benefits of third party logistics was undertaken. Later, Delphi method was used. Interviews were conducted of experts and customers for understanding and generating items for measuring benefits of third party logistics service providers for co‐operative dairies. A survey was then undertaken first for development of the scale and later for validation purpose.FindingsA reliable and valid scale is developed to measure the five dimensions of benefits of using 3PLSPs for co‐operative dairies: responsiveness, accuracy, customization of service, inventory handling and order processing and information sharing.Research limitations/implicationsThis scale is developed to outsource logistics functions at operational levels in the context of co‐operative dairies in India. So, this scale can be tested for co‐operative dairies of countries other than India. The scale can also be tested where outsourcing of logistics activities is done at operational level, other than co‐operative dairies.Practical implicationsThe proposed scale can be used as a diagnostic tool to identify important benefits to consider in outsourcing operational function of logistics management to 3PLSPs in co‐operative dairies.Originality/valueMost relevant studies about benefits of third party logistics service providers do not have stable factor structure, especially for co‐operative dairies. The new scale fills the gap of the absence of a validated scale to measure benefits of 3PLSPs for co‐operative dairies at operational level.

Information Technology and Supply Chain Management Coordination

2013 ◽  
pp. 134-150
Author(s):  
Pier Paolo Carrus ◽  
Roberta Pinna
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chain Management ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Coordination Mechanism ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Third Party Logistics ◽  
Chain Management ◽  
It Capability ◽  
Logistics Service ◽  
Logistics Service Providers

Logistics Service Providers (3PL) have become important players in supply chain management. In a highly competitive context characterized by “time compression”, a successful strategy depends increasingly on the performance of Logistics Service Providers as they play a key integrative role linking different supply chain elements more effectively. However, the role of the information technology capability of these 3PL has not drawn much attention. The research question is: can IT be viewed as a fundamental supply chain management coordination mechanism? If so, does IT capability of third party logistics providers to improve performance in the supply chain and become a bigger factor in a strategic buyer-3PL relationship? By drawing on earlier research on the supply chain management coordination mechanism, the IT capability of third party logistics providers, a case study is conducted.

The relationship between technology and logistics third‐party providers

2003 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 236-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thierry Sauvage
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Third Party Logistics ◽  
Logistics Outsourcing ◽  
Time Compression ◽  
Logistics Service ◽  
The Third ◽  
Logistics Service Providers ◽  
The Relationship

Our work discusses the results of a survey among French logistics service providers. In a highly competitive context characterized by “time compression”, technological effort becomes a key variable and a means of differentiation between third‐party logistics providers. The success of logistics outsourcing relationships is entrenched in the third‐party's technological ability to improve the supply chain reactivity.

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.

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