TY  - JOUR
AB  - Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether there is an impact, from a provider's perspective, of customer‐specific adaptations by third‐party logistics (3PL) providers on the success of 3PL‐relationships.Design/methodology/approach– A document analysis is presented and hypotheses are developed based on research in 3PL, relationship marketing and transaction cost theory. Structural equation modelling and causal analysis with partial least square were used to test the hypotheses.Findings– This study provides evidence that customer‐specific adaptation by providers is an important prerequisite to 3PL‐performance. Furthermore, according to the transaction cost theory, the results express the importance of providers' adaptation to maintain 3PL‐relationships.Research limitations/implications– Further research should compare customers' perceptions of partner‐specific adaptations and 3PL‐relationship success with the results of this study.Originality/value– The paper shows that 3PL‐providers should adapt their systems and procedures to customers' specific requirements, to ensure high‐relationship performance. Satisfied customers should promote the providers' adaptations, because these adaptations enhance the probability of contract renewal and reduce the risk of providers' unexpected termination of the contract.
VL  - 41
IS  - 9
SN  - 0960-0035
DO  - 10.1108/09600031111175807
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1108/09600031111175807
AU  - Large Rudolf O.
AU  - Kramer Nikolai
AU  - Hartmann Rahel Katharina
ED  - Jacques Colin
ED  - Dominique Estampe
PY  - 2011
Y1  - 2011/01/01
TI  - Customer‐specific adaptation by providers and their perception of 3PL‐relationship success
T2  - International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management
PB  - Emerald Group Publishing Limited
SP  - 822
EP  - 838
Y2  - 2024/04/19
ER  -