Barriers to the implementation of 4PL in developing countries

Mujthaba Ahtamad and Medet Akhsanov

A chapter in Adapting to the Future: Maritime and City Logistics in the Context of Digitalization and Sustainability, 2021, pp 291-315 from Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), Institute of Business Logistics and General Management

Abstract: Purpose: Fourth-Party Logistics (4PL) involves sharing non-core activities with an external service provider, which can bring about a variety of benefits for the outsourcer. However, there can be a variety of constraints identified from the mini-cases e.g., stagnant management, resistance to change, and a lack of knowledge. These barriers may have a greater weighting if the 4PL concept is implemented in an emerging economy. Therefore, it is crucial to identify which barriers are present for adopting 4PL in developing countries, and then to consider initiatives to overcome these. Methodology: First, a literature review containing best practices of 4PL in countries across Asia and Europe is presented. Qualitative findings through a series of interviews with specialists were analysed, discussed, and compared with recommendations/existing practices from other developing countries, and then were cross-checked by a specialist using 4PL in Europe. Findings: As a result of our interviews, we identified several managerial barriers in the implementation of the 4PL concept. Originality: The literature review has shown that there is a lack of qualitative research regarding the use of 4PL in developing countries. Therefore, the impact of the results of this paper can be vital for academic knowledge. First

Keywords: HICL and Practice; Excellence in Logistics and Supply Chain Management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.econstor.eu/bitstream/10419/249654/1/hicl-2021-32-291.pdf (application/pdf)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:zbw:hiclch:249654

DOI: 10.15480/882.4007

Access Statistics for this chapter

More chapters in Chapters from the Proceedings of the Hamburg International Conference of Logistics (HICL) from Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), Institute of Business Logistics and General Management
Bibliographic data for series maintained by ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics ().