Logistics service performance contracts: design, contents and effects
International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management
ISSN: 0960-0035
Article publication date: 13 March 2009
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore how the performance management (PM) process may be affected by the design and contents of logistics service performance (LSP) contracts between customer and supplier.
Design/methodology/approach
A case study of four manufacturing companies' way of working with contracts towards their suppliers was conducted.
Findings
Different design and contents of contracts, containing some patterns related to industry, company size and degree of formalization, were found. The PM process with contracts was split up into one setup and one execution sub‐process. Once the setup was made, all resources were focused on measuring, analysing and improving LSP. The changed management of the PM process may be one factor explaining the improved LSP all studied customer companies perceived.
Research limitations/implications
An explorative approach with few cases limits the possibilities to generalize the results to analytical generalization.
Practical implications
This paper has illustrated how companies can apply LSP contracts.
Originality/value
Few empirical and especially case‐based studies of LSP contracts were found.
Keywords
Citation
Forslund, H. (2009), "Logistics service performance contracts: design, contents and effects", International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, Vol. 39 No. 2, pp. 131-144. https://doi.org/10.1108/09600030910942395
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2009, Emerald Group Publishing Limited