Challenges of outsourcing logistics to third-party providers

A. Ansari, Seattle University
Batoul Modarress, Zayed University

Document Type

Article

Source of Publication

International Journal of Logistics Systems and Management

Publication Date

1-1-2010

Abstract

The focus of this study is on the challenges that shippers faced using Third-Party Logistics (3PL) providers. The study is based on a mail survey of 126 shippers and personal interviews with eight shipper executives and four 3PL provider executives. The study first identifies the major challenges including, finding a 3PL with the capabilities meeting the shipper's specific logistics requirements, the incompatibility of information systems between shipper and 3PL, the failure of 3PL to meet a shipper's future growth needs, and issues related to security. Second, it offers some recommendations for shippers to consider in overcoming any challenges encountered. Copyright © 2010 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.

ISSN

1742-7967

Publisher

Inderscience Publishers

Volume

7

Issue

2

First Page

198

Last Page

218

Disciplines

Business

Keywords

3PL providers, Challenges, Logistics, Outsourcing, Shippers, Survey

Scopus ID

77955408393

Indexed in Scopus

yes

Open Access

no

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