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Exploring logistics performance management in supplier/retailer dyads

Helena Forslund (School of Business and Economics, Linnaeus University, Växjö, Sweden)

International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management

ISSN: 0959-0552

Article publication date: 4 March 2014

2142

Abstract

Purpose

The first purpose of this study is to explore logistics performance management practices and lessons learned in some supplier/retailer dyads across retail industries. A second purpose is to suggest a continued research agenda for logistics performance management across retail industries.

Design/methodology/approach

Case studies are conducted in four supplier/retailer dyads in different retailing industries in Sweden. The analysis is of a cross-case character and uses a pattern matching approach.

Findings

Large differences in practices within and between dyads are found. Some problems were indicated: lack of trust; difficulties in developing a collaborative culture; difficulties in relating metrics to customer value and lacking IT support. A previously unknown obstacle, the internal collaboration with category management, was identified. A good example was found in an industry standard. State-of-the-art descriptions, international comparisons, exploring the interface with the stores and combating identified problems were found to be relevant topics for continued research.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations are mainly related to the small number of cases, but since the purpose of this study is exploratory, this should be acceptable. The theoretical contribution is a first step in the expansion of knowledge on logistics performance management from manufacturing to retailing companies.

Practical implications

The practical contribution includes insights in the shape of descriptions and lessons learned in different retail industries.

Originality/value

No identified study has explored logistics performance management as a whole across retail industries with a dyadic approach.

Keywords

Citation

Forslund, H. (2014), "Exploring logistics performance management in supplier/retailer dyads", International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, Vol. 42 No. 3, pp. 205-218. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJRDM-01-2013-0020

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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