IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/bla/jscmgt/v58y2022i4p30-57.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Tragedy of the facilitated commons: A multiple‐case study of failure in systematic horizontal logistics collaboration

Author

Listed:
  • Henrik Sternberg
  • Isidro Linan
  • Günter Prockl
  • Andreas Norrman

Abstract

Horizontal logistics collaboration can increase environmental sustainability and reduce shipping costs. Given these benefits—and the fact that few shippers actually opt to collaborate—public sector agencies and industry associations have attempted to sponsor and support the facilitation of horizontal logistics collaboration projects over the past 20 years. The literature, however, has yet to reveal the fact that these efforts have largely failed. Here, we introduce systematic horizontal logistics collaboration and apply Ostrom's theory of the commons and agency theory to extract antecedents on why these projects failed. We present a multiple‐case study on unsuccessful horizontal logistics collaboration projects in Great Britain, Germany, Sweden, and Denmark. We address a gap in supply chain literature with regard to systematic collaboration; we also demonstrate the utility of commons theory in the supply chain domain and contribute to the literature on supply chain collaboration with facilitators. Finally, we discuss managerial implications, both for the practitioners attempting systematic horizontal logistics collaboration and for the policymakers seeking to promote it.

Suggested Citation

  • Henrik Sternberg & Isidro Linan & Günter Prockl & Andreas Norrman, 2022. "Tragedy of the facilitated commons: A multiple‐case study of failure in systematic horizontal logistics collaboration," Journal of Supply Chain Management, Institute for Supply Management, vol. 58(4), pages 30-57, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jscmgt:v:58:y:2022:i:4:p:30-57
    DOI: 10.1111/jscm.12278
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1111/jscm.12278
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1111/jscm.12278?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Cruijssen, Frans & Cools, Martine & Dullaert, Wout, 2007. "Horizontal cooperation in logistics: Opportunities and impediments," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 43(2), pages 129-142, March.
    2. Barry Mitnick, 1975. "The theory of agency," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 24(1), pages 27-42, December.
    3. Christine Harland & Jan Telgen & Guy Callender & Rick Grimm & Andrea Patrucco, 2019. "Implementing Government Policy in Supply Chains: An International Coproduction Study of Public Procurement," Journal of Supply Chain Management, Institute for Supply Management, vol. 55(2), pages 6-25, April.
    4. Jensen, Michael C. & Meckling, William H., 1976. "Theory of the firm: Managerial behavior, agency costs and ownership structure," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 3(4), pages 305-360, October.
    5. Suvrat S. Dhanorkar & Enno Siemsen & Kevin W. Linderman, 2018. "Promoting Change from the Outside: Directing Managerial Attention in the Implementation of Environmental Improvements," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 64(6), pages 2535-2556, June.
    6. Pan, Shenle & Ballot, Eric & Fontane, Frédéric, 2013. "The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from freight transport by pooling supply chains," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 143(1), pages 86-94.
    7. Shenle Pan & Eric Ballot & Frédéric Fontane, 2013. "The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from freight transport by pooling supply chains," Post-Print hal-00733678, HAL.
    8. Elinor Ostrom, 2000. "Collective Action and the Evolution of Social Norms," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 14(3), pages 137-158, Summer.
    9. Gansterer, Margaretha & Hartl, Richard F., 2018. "Collaborative vehicle routing: A survey," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 268(1), pages 1-12.
    10. Frisk, M. & Göthe-Lundgren, M. & Jörnsten, K. & Rönnqvist, M., 2010. "Cost allocation in collaborative forest transportation," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 205(2), pages 448-458, September.
    11. William G. Ouchi, 1979. "A Conceptual Framework for the Design of Organizational Control Mechanisms," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 25(9), pages 833-848, September.
    12. Anne M. Quarshie & Rudolf Leuschner, 2020. "Interorganizational Interaction in Disaster Response Networks: A Government Perspective," Journal of Supply Chain Management, Institute for Supply Management, vol. 56(3), pages 3-25, July.
    13. Jepsen, Lisbeth Broede, 2014. "Critical Success Factors for Horizontal Logistics Collaboration," Chapters from the Proceedings of the Hamburg International Conference of Logistics (HICL), in: Blecker, Thorsten & Kersten, Wolfgang & Ringle, Christian M. (ed.), Innovative Methods in Logistics and Supply Chain Management: Current Issues and Emerging Practices. Proceedings of the Hamburg International Conferenc, volume 19, pages 459-477, Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), Institute of Business Logistics and General Management.
    14. Laurens Klerkx & Cees Leeuwis, 2008. "Delegation of authority in research funding to networks: Experiences with a multiple goal boundary organization," Science and Public Policy, Oxford University Press, vol. 35(3), pages 183-196, April.
    15. Craig R. Carter & Dale S. Rogers & Thomas Y. Choi, 2015. "Toward the Theory of the Supply Chain," Journal of Supply Chain Management, Institute for Supply Management, vol. 51(2), pages 89-97, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Nassim Mrabti & Nadia Hamani & Laurent Delahoche, 2022. "A Comprehensive Literature Review on Sustainable Horizontal Collaboration," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-38, September.
    2. Hacardiaux, Thomas & Defryn, Christof & Tancrez, Jean-Sébastien & Verdonck, Lotte, 2020. "Balancing partner preferences for logistics costs and carbon footprint in a horizontal cooperation," Research Memorandum 002, Maastricht University, Graduate School of Business and Economics (GSBE).
    3. Thomas Hacardiaux & Christof Defryn & Jean-Sébastien Tancrez & Lotte Verdonck, 2022. "Balancing partner preferences for logistics costs and carbon footprint in a horizontal cooperation," OR Spectrum: Quantitative Approaches in Management, Springer;Gesellschaft für Operations Research e.V., vol. 44(1), pages 121-153, March.
    4. Thomas Hacardiaux & Jean-Sébastien Tancrez, 2020. "Assessing the environmental benefits of horizontal cooperation using a location-inventory model," Central European Journal of Operations Research, Springer;Slovak Society for Operations Research;Hungarian Operational Research Society;Czech Society for Operations Research;Österr. Gesellschaft für Operations Research (ÖGOR);Slovenian Society Informatika - Section for Operational Research;Croatian Operational Research Society, vol. 28(4), pages 1363-1387, December.
    5. De Moor, Bram J. & Creemers, Stefan & Boute, Robert N., 2023. "Breaking truck dominance in supply chains: Proactive freight consolidation and modal split transport," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 257(C).
    6. Alix Vargas & Carmen Fuster & David Corne, 2020. "Towards Sustainable Collaborative Logistics Using Specialist Planning Algorithms and a Gain-Sharing Business Model: A UK Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-29, August.
    7. Soriano, Adria & Gansterer, Margaretha & Hartl, Richard F., 2023. "The multi-depot vehicle routing problem with profit fairness," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 255(C).
    8. Alix Vargas & Shushma Patel & Dilip Patel, 2018. "Towards a Business Model Framework to Increase Collaboration in the Freight Industry," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 2(4), pages 1-32, October.
    9. Ben Jouida, Sihem & Krichen, Saoussen & Klibi, Walid, 2017. "Coalition-formation problem for sourcing contract design in supply networks," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 257(2), pages 539-558.
    10. Soriano, Adria & Gansterer, Margaretha & Hartl, Richard F., 2022. "Reprint of: The multi-depot vehicle routing problem with profit fairness," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 250(C).
    11. Osicka, Ondrej & Guajardo, Mario & van Oost, Thibault, 2018. "Cooperative game-theoretic features of cost sharing in location-routing," Discussion Papers 2018/11, Norwegian School of Economics, Department of Business and Management Science.
    12. Alikhani, Reza & Eskandarpour, Majid & Jahani, Hamed, 2023. "Collaborative distribution network design with surging demand and facility disruptions," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 262(C).
    13. Christine Harland, 2021. "Discontinuous Wefts: Weaving a More Interconnected Supply Chain Management Tapestry," Journal of Supply Chain Management, Institute for Supply Management, vol. 57(1), pages 27-40, January.
    14. Mei, Maggie Qiuzhu & Wang, Le & Yan, Jie, 2023. "Maintaining product quality consistency when offshoring to emerging markets: The role of subsidiary control," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 29(1).
    15. Qian Dai & Jiaqi Yang & Dong Li, 2018. "Modeling a Three-Mode Hybrid Port-Hinterland Freight Intermodal Distribution Network with Environmental Consideration: The Case of the Yangtze River Economic Belt in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-26, August.
    16. Robert E. Till & Mary Beth Yount, 2019. "Governance and Incentives: Is It Really All about the Money?," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 159(3), pages 605-618, October.
    17. Emil Inauen & Katja Rost & Margit Osterloh & Bruno S. Frey, 2010. "Back to the Future –A Monastic Perspective on Corporate Governance," management revue - Socio-Economic Studies, Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, vol. 21(1), pages 38-59.
    18. Padilla Tinoco, Silvia Valeria & Creemers, Stefan & Boute, Robert N., 2017. "Collaborative shipping under different cost-sharing agreements," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 263(3), pages 827-837.
    19. Yi Zheng & Huchang Liao & Xue Yang, 2016. "Stochastic Pricing and Order Model with Transportation Mode Selection for Low-Carbon Retailers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(1), pages 1-19, January.
    20. Zehetner, Dominik & Gansterer, Margaretha, 2022. "The collaborative batching problem in multi-site additive manufacturing," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 248(C).

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:bla:jscmgt:v:58:y:2022:i:4:p:30-57. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Wiley Content Delivery (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/journal.asp?ref=1523-2409 .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.