Title: AQUA: Analytical model for evaluation and selection of Third-Party Logistics service provider in supply chain

Authors: R. Rajesh, S. Pugazhendhi, K. Ganesh, C. Muralidharan

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Noorul Islam University, Kumarakoil 629180, India. ' Department of Manufacturing Engineering, Annamalai University, Chidambaram 608002, India. ' Global Business Services – Global Delivery, IBM India Private Limited, IL&FS Financial Center, Bandra East, Mumbai 400051, India. ' Department of Manufacturing Engineering, Annamalai University, Chidambaram 608002, India

Abstract: Selection of Third-Party Logistics (3PL) service provider is a strategic decision making in supply chain network. The challenge and need for supply chain analyst is to develop a real-life simple and implement-ease model, which can handle the voice of customer and internal and external business metrics for evaluation and selection of 3PL service provider. We develop a three-phase analytical model with the integration of Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Quality Function Deployment (QFD). In the current competitive scenario, the consideration of business metrics and voice of customer for evaluating the selection criteria of 3PL service provider benchmarks the agility of an organisation. The analytical model is validated and illustrated with a real-life case study.

Keywords: 3PL; third-party logistics; service providers; three-phase analytical models; QFD; quality function deployment; AHP; analytical hierarchy process; AQUA; evaluation; selection criteria; SCM; supply chain management; implement-ease models; customer voice; internal business metrics; external business metrics; benchmarks; organisational agility; fish net manufacture; Tamil Nadu; India; services management; operations management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSOM.2011.037439

International Journal of Services and Operations Management, 2011 Vol.8 No.1, pp.27 - 45

Published online: 11 Mar 2015 *

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