Strategy dynamics in the logistics industry: a transactional center perspective

François Fulconis (), Laurence Saglietto () and Gilles Paché ()
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François Fulconis: CRET-LOG - Centre de Recherche sur le Transport et la Logistique - AMU - Aix Marseille Université, LBNC - Laboratoire Biens, Normes, Contrats - AU - Avignon Université, AU - Avignon Université
Laurence Saglietto: GREDEG - Groupe de Recherche en Droit, Economie et Gestion - UNS - Université Nice Sophia Antipolis (1965 - 2019) - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - UniCA - Université Côte d'Azur, UNS - Université Nice Sophia Antipolis (1965 - 2019), IAE Nice - Institut d'Administration des Entreprises - Nice - UNS - Université Nice Sophia Antipolis (1965 - 2019) - UniCA - Université Côte d'Azur
Gilles Paché: CRET-LOG - Centre de Recherche sur le Transport et la Logistique - AMU - Aix Marseille Université, AMU - Aix Marseille Université

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Abstract: Purpose – The paper puts forward a transactional center approach to the four-party logistics (4PL) development. For about ten years, the European logistics industry has indeed been undergoing massive changes by which dematerialized logistics service providers, also called 4PL, have become more and more important. Special emphasis is placed on their role of intermediary between the supply chain members, on the basis of the implementation of inter-organizational information systems (IOS). Design/methodology/approach – The paper goes over the research literature on 4PL referring to the info-mediation and intermediation processes. The accent is on the electronic brokerage application and on the main hindrances to 4PL development. Three propositions are put forward concerning a relevant research program. Findings – Understanding 4PL's strategy dynamics requires going into the specific details of the role of transactional center. Thus, thanks to the effective management of IOS, some 4PL could become the hub firms of network organizations. To do that, they will have to acquire a thorough expertise on selecting network members and monitoring supply chain interfaces. Originality/value – A preliminary framework provides elements of discussion to enable a better understanding of the transformation process of the logistics industry. The interest for managers and academics is to illustrate how 4PL are becoming the agents for strategic change, while an excessive importance is usually attached only to manufacturers and large retailers in the academic literature.

Keywords: Outsourcing; Supply chain management; Information system; Europe (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2007-02-13
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

Published in Management Decision, 2007, Vol. 45 (N° 1), pp. 104-117. ⟨10.1108/00251740710718999⟩

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hal:journl:hal-02304292

DOI: 10.1108/00251740710718999

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