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Contracting for Logistics Services: A Critical Appraisal of the Outsourcing Process

Selviaridis, Kostas LU (2012) p.39-51
Abstract
This chapter seeks to critically revisit existing third party logistics (3PL) purchasing literature with the aim of bridging the gap between academic research and industry practice regarding logistics outsourcing. This is achieved by focusing on hitherto under-emphasized issues (in the academic literature) relating to the role of the service provider, as opposed to that of the buyer, in 3PL exchange design and management, and the dynamics of the outsourcing process. Drawing on recent developments and practices in the 3PL industry and two in-depth case studies of logistics outsourcing, the study suggests that, under increasing complexity and uncertainty levels, the service provider in interaction with the buying firm significantly... (More)
This chapter seeks to critically revisit existing third party logistics (3PL) purchasing literature with the aim of bridging the gap between academic research and industry practice regarding logistics outsourcing. This is achieved by focusing on hitherto under-emphasized issues (in the academic literature) relating to the role of the service provider, as opposed to that of the buyer, in 3PL exchange design and management, and the dynamics of the outsourcing process. Drawing on recent developments and practices in the 3PL industry and two in-depth case studies of logistics outsourcing, the study suggests that, under increasing complexity and uncertainty levels, the service provider in interaction with the buying firm significantly influences service definition, design, and evaluation throughout the outsourcing process. The exchanged service is not determined from the outset of the outsourcing process but it is (re)shaped in an iterative and ongoing fashion. Based on such findings, the chapter calls for increased emphasis on a dynamic and inter-organizational (buyer-service provider) perspective into the study of logistics outsourcing processes. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
publishing date
type
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
publication status
published
subject
host publication
Outsourcing Management for Supply Chain Operations and Logistics Services
editor
Folinas, Dimitris
pages
39 - 51
publisher
IGI Global
ISBN
9781466620087
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
f7b84ef8-a11b-4c1f-a6d6-70e22b332e5f (old id 7440295)
date added to LUP
2016-04-04 11:39:51
date last changed
2018-11-21 21:06:22
@inbook{f7b84ef8-a11b-4c1f-a6d6-70e22b332e5f,
  abstract     = {{This chapter seeks to critically revisit existing third party logistics (3PL) purchasing literature with the aim of bridging the gap between academic research and industry practice regarding logistics outsourcing. This is achieved by focusing on hitherto under-emphasized issues (in the academic literature) relating to the role of the service provider, as opposed to that of the buyer, in 3PL exchange design and management, and the dynamics of the outsourcing process. Drawing on recent developments and practices in the 3PL industry and two in-depth case studies of logistics outsourcing, the study suggests that, under increasing complexity and uncertainty levels, the service provider in interaction with the buying firm significantly influences service definition, design, and evaluation throughout the outsourcing process. The exchanged service is not determined from the outset of the outsourcing process but it is (re)shaped in an iterative and ongoing fashion. Based on such findings, the chapter calls for increased emphasis on a dynamic and inter-organizational (buyer-service provider) perspective into the study of logistics outsourcing processes.}},
  author       = {{Selviaridis, Kostas}},
  booktitle    = {{Outsourcing Management for Supply Chain Operations and Logistics Services}},
  editor       = {{Folinas, Dimitris}},
  isbn         = {{9781466620087}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{39--51}},
  publisher    = {{IGI Global}},
  title        = {{Contracting for Logistics Services: A Critical Appraisal of the Outsourcing Process}},
  year         = {{2012}},
}