Authors: Kajsa Hulthén; Lars-Erik Gadde
The aim of this paper is to analyse logistics outsourcing and third party logistics from an industrial network perspective. The analysis of outsourcing from a network view clearly illustrates that outsourcing of logistics is not only about moving an activity from one firm to another. Owing to network interdependencies other activities and the links between these will be affected. Moreover, logistics outsourcing will impact on prevalent resource constellations and actor webs. In our analysis a particular emphasis is placed on the various roles of a logistics service provider and the interaction with the outsourcing company. We explore the variety of the roles of a logistics service provider and discuss these findings in relation to the approach of outsourcing firms. Our analysis showed that an interactive approach between the logistics service provider and the outsourcing firm would lead to benefits in several respects, for example (1) in the decision phase, (2) in determining the scope of the outsourcing arrangement, (3) in the regular provision of the services, and (4) with regard to the fact that the conditions for outsourcing arrangements and relationships change over time.
Journal: n.a. (n.a. – n.a.)
Web Address: n.a.
Publish Year: 2008
Conference: Uppsala, Sweden (2008)