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The dark side of logistics outsourcing – Unraveling the potential risks leading to failed relationships

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  • Tsai, Ming-Chih
  • Lai, Kee-hung
  • Lloyd, Alison E.
  • Lin, Hung-Ju

Abstract

We identify and empirically examine the potential risk factors and their structural relationships that can cause a logistics outsourcing relationship to fail. Specifically, we investigate how the relationship risk as perceived by apparel wholesalers as user firms influence their evaluation on the asset and competence entrusted with their logistics service providers, which are logistics outsourcing risk factors considered important by the former in determining continued relationships with the latter. The results highlight the need for relationship management by user firms to mitigate the risks in asset and competence specifically invested in logistics service providers for their outsourced activities.

Suggested Citation

  • Tsai, Ming-Chih & Lai, Kee-hung & Lloyd, Alison E. & Lin, Hung-Ju, 2012. "The dark side of logistics outsourcing – Unraveling the potential risks leading to failed relationships," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 48(1), pages 178-189.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:transe:v:48:y:2012:i:1:p:178-189
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tre.2011.07.003
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    Cited by:

    1. Govindan, Kannan & Chaudhuri, Atanu, 2016. "Interrelationships of risks faced by third party logistics service providers: A DEMATEL based approach," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 90(C), pages 177-195.
    2. Yuan, Yang & Chu, Zhaofang & Lai, Fujun & Wu, Hao, 2020. "The impact of transaction attributes on logistics outsourcing success: A moderated mediation model," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 219(C), pages 54-65.
    3. Amjath, Mohamed & Kerbache, Laoucine & Smith, James MacGregor & Elomri, Adel, 2022. "Fleet sizing of trucks for an inter-facility material handling system using closed queueing networks," Operations Research Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 9(C).
    4. Huo, Baofeng & Ye, Yuxiao & Zhao, Xiande & Wei, Jiang & Hua, Zhongsheng, 2018. "Environmental uncertainty, specific assets, and opportunism in 3PL relationships: A transaction cost economics perspective," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 203(C), pages 154-163.
    5. Wang, Xin & Huang, George Q., 2021. "When and how to share first-mile parcel collection service," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 288(1), pages 153-169.
    6. Mitręga, Maciej & Choi, Tsan-Ming, 2021. "How small-and-medium transportation companies handle asymmetric customer relationships under COVID-19 pandemic: A multi-method study," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 148(C).
    7. Ahtamad, Mujthaba & Akhsanov, Medet, 2021. "Barriers to the implementation of 4PL in developing countries," Chapters from the Proceedings of the Hamburg International Conference of Logistics (HICL), in: Jahn, Carlos & Kersten, Wolfgang & Ringle, Christian M. (ed.), Adapting to the Future: Maritime and City Logistics in the Context of Digitalization and Sustainability. Proceedings of the Hamburg International Conf, volume 32, pages 291-315, Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), Institute of Business Logistics and General Management.
    8. Isaac Elking & John-Patrick Paraskevas & Curtis Grimm & Thomas Corsi & Adams Steven, 2017. "Financial Dependence, Lean Inventory Strategy, and Firm Performance," Journal of Supply Chain Management, Institute for Supply Management, vol. 53(2), pages 22-38, April.
    9. Aguezzoul, Aicha, 2014. "Third-party logistics selection problem: A literature review on criteria and methods," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 69-78.
    10. Khakdaman, Masoud & Rezaei, Jafar & Tavasszy, Lóránt A., 2020. "Shippers’ willingness to delegate modal control in freight transportation," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 141(C).
    11. Lou, Yaqi & Feng, Lipan & He, Shuguang & He, Zhen & Zhao, Xiukun, 2020. "Logistics service outsourcing choices in a retailer-led supply chain," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 141(C).
    12. Yang, Qian & Zhao, Xiande & Yeung, Hoi Yan Jeff & Liu, Yanping, 2016. "Improving logistics outsourcing performance through transactional and relational mechanisms under transaction uncertainties: Evidence from China," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 175(C), pages 12-23.
    13. Zhu, Xiaowei, 2016. "Managing the risks of outsourcing: Time, quality and correlated costs," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 90(C), pages 121-133.
    14. Chu, Zhaofang & Wang, Qiang & Lai, Fujun & Collins, Brian J., 2019. "Managing interdependence: Using Guanxi to cope with supply chain dependency," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 620-631.

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