Title: Interpretive structural modelling to assess third party logistics providers

Authors: Aman Gupta; Robert O. Walton

Addresses: Department of Logistics and Supply Chain Management, College of Business, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Worldwide, Daytona Beach, Florida, USA ' College of Business, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Worldwide, Daytona Beach, Florida, USA

Abstract: Third-party logistics (3PL) providers offer logistics outsourcing to firms so that companies can focus on their core competencies. Because the supply chain has such a large impact on a firm's cost and customer service, it is important to ensure that the selected 3PL understands and is capable of providing the services needed by a firm. This paper explores the use of interpretive structural modelling (ISM) in evaluating the selection of a 3PL. Based on expert opinions, the participants rated the relationships between 12 main criteria for 3PL selection and then ISM was applied. The results indicated that cost has the most dependence and least driving power, whereas financial stability has the most driving power and least dependence. Cultural alignment showed weak driving power and weak dependence. Dependent attributes which had weak driving power and strong dependence were cost, reputation, and quality. Locations, collaboration, range of services, and experience had attributes which have strong driving power and strong dependence. And finally, financial stability, flexibility, information technology, and metrics were found to have strong driving power and weak dependence.

Keywords: global supply chains; logistics outsourcing; third-party logistics; 3PL providers; 3PL selection; supplier selection; interpretive structural modelling; ISM; supply chain management; SCM; costs; culture; cultural alignment; reputation; quality; location; collaboration; services; experience; financial stability; flexibility; information technology; metrics.

DOI: 10.1504/WRITR.2016.078155

World Review of Intermodal Transportation Research, 2016 Vol.6 No.1, pp.59 - 73

Received: 22 Feb 2016
Accepted: 16 May 2016
Published online: 04 Aug 2016 *

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