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A survey based analysis of IT adoption and 3PLs' performance

Pietro Evangelista (IRAT‐CNR and Department of Management Engineering, University of Naples Frederico II, Naples, Italy)
Riccardo Mogre (Hull University Business School, University of Hull, Hull, UK)
Alessandro Perego (Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy)
Antonino Raspagliesi (Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy)
Edward Sweeney (National Institute for Transport and Logistics, Dublin Institute of Technology, Dublin, Ireland)

Supply Chain Management

ISSN: 1359-8546

Article publication date: 9 March 2012

3081

Abstract

Purpose

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In today's competitive scenario, effective supply chain management is increasingly dependent on third‐party logistics (3PL) companies' capabilities and performance. The dissemination of information technology (IT) has contributed to change the supply chain role of 3PL companies and IT is considered an important element influencing the performance of modern logistics companies. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between IT and 3PLs' performance, assuming that logistics capabilities play a mediating role in this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

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Empirical evidence based on a questionnaire survey conducted on a sample of logistics service companies operating in the Italian market was used to test a conceptual resource‐based view (RBV) framework linking IT adoption, logistics capabilities and firm performance. Factor analysis and ordinary least square (OLS) regression analysis have been used to test hypotheses. The focus of the paper is multidisciplinary in nature; management of information systems, strategy, logistics and supply chain management approaches have been combined in the analysis.

Findings

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The results indicate strong relationships among data gathering technologies, transactional capabilities and firm performance, in terms of both efficiency and effectiveness. Moreover, a positive correlation between enterprise information technologies and 3PL financial performance has been found.

Originality/value

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The paper successfully uses the concept of logistics capabilities as mediating factor between IT adoption and firm performance. Objective measures have been proposed for IT adoption and logistics capabilities. Direct and indirect relationships among variables have been successfully tested.

Keywords

Citation

Evangelista, P., Mogre, R., Perego, A., Raspagliesi, A. and Sweeney, E. (2012), "A survey based analysis of IT adoption and 3PLs' performance", Supply Chain Management, Vol. 17 No. 2, pp. 172-186. https://doi.org/10.1108/13598541211212906

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2012, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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