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Organizations have long employed business continuity planning (BCP) to prevent disruption to their operations. The authors seek to extend existing theory by examining the impact of logistical business continuity planning (LBCP) – BCP in the context of logistics – on firms’ operational capabilities and financial performance.

Using data of firms operating in the US transportation and warehousing industries, the authors empirically test LBCP's affect on their business units’ financial performance.

The authors’ findings suggest that LBCP influences financial performance via improvement in logistical competitive capability and enhanced disaster immunity. Further, the findings indicate that when a firm employs mindful‐planning processes, an important element within LBCP, it can avoid the trade‐off between risk management and efficiency. The authors proffer that LBCP processes are dynamic capabilities because of improvement in logistical competitive capabilities and enhanced disaster immunity. Thus, when firms employ LBCP they gain a competitive advantage, which improves financial performance.

This is the first research paper which establishes the link between LBCP and its logistical competitive capability, disaster immunity and financial performance.

So far, most of the literature on logistics social responsibility (LSR) has prioritized the examination, classification of and adaption toward positive LSR practices instead of investigating necessary logistics service providers’ capabilities to implement LSR strategies. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to contribute to theory by an assessment of LSR and its linkages to dynamic capabilities theory to gain insights into how logistics service providers can foster an enhanced application of LSR practices.

The paper is conceptual and grounded on dynamic capabilities theory. Relevant literature from logistics management, supply chain management and sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) as well as dynamic capabilities was examined to build upon existing theory by conceptualizing LSR from a dynamic capabilities perspective. In addition, propositions for future research are presented based on the conceptual model.

With regards to the controversial discussion in the literature about the direct link between dynamic capabilities and competitive advantage as well as the necessary degree of heterogeneity of dynamic capabilities, the conceptualization of LSR from a dynamic capabilities perspective adds new elements to this discussion. Considering long-term or even sustainable competitive advantage, the current degree of homogeneity across logistics services might hinder a sustainable advantage in the long run and demands for more advanced logistical capabilities. In this line, it is important to understand and utilize the causal relationships between different logistical resources and capabilities to achieve a unique long-term advantage allowing logistics service providers to further enhance LSR practices.

Due to the current role of logistics service providers, they should not just foster their resources focusing on the relationship to the focal firm, but they should also develop and implement new logistical capabilities derived from SSCM-related dynamic capabilities to design alternative service portfolio extensions and new business models.

Although dynamic capabilities have been studied intensively in the last two decades, the causal relationships between different logistical resources and necessary dynamic capabilities to achieve advantages by enhancing LSR practices still lack conceptualization. To build on the understanding of LSR, the paper at hand presents a conceptual framework explaining LSR and SSCM practices through the lens of dynamic capabilities theory.

The purpose of this research is to identify the shape of the interactive relationship between corporate competitive capability and supply chain operational capability for performance improvement, and to investigate the effects of supply chain (SC) integration on such interactive relationships.

Separate moderated regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses of interest in this study on each of three SC integration groups: the independent operation group, the internal integration group, and the external integration group. Three models present the hierarchical addition of items addressing proposed corporate competitive capabilities, SC operational capabilities, and interacting effects, respectively.

The effect of interaction between corporate competitive capability and SC operational capability on performance improvement becomes insignificant as the developmental stage of SC integration increases. In other words, in firms with a high level of internal integration or external integration, such integration substitutes for the role of the interaction effect between corporate competitive capability and SC operational capability on performance improvement.

In order to characterize more precisely the dynamic positioning of a firm's SCM strategy this paper suggests detailed analyses of structural relationships among the constructs relating to corporate SCM initiatives, SC functional initiatives, performance measures, and the SC integration level are required. For this, replication of the study described in this paper with a sample of the US and European firms would be helpful.

Performance accumulation from customer satisfaction through market‐based performance to financial performance according to the developmental stage of SC integration suggests the migration path of matching type between corporate competitive capability and SC operational capability from differentiation/customer service capabilities‐logistical capability through innovative marketing capability‐technological capability to cost leadership capability‐structural capability. Such a migration path can be a lever for establishing the dynamic positioning of a firm's SCM strategy.

This research identified the shape of the interactive relationship between corporate competitive capability and SC operational capability for performance improvement and investigated the effects of SC integration on such interactive relationships.

This study attempts to explore the linkages between reliable big and cloud data analytics capabilities (RB&CDACs) and the comparative advantage (CA) that applies in the manufacturing sector in the countries located in North Africa (NA). These are considered developing countries through generating green product innovation (GPI) and using green process innovations (GPrLs) in their processes and functions as mediating factors, as well as the moderating role of data-driven competitive sustainability (DDCS).

To achieve the aim of this study, 346 useable surveys out of 1,601 were analyzed, and valid responses were retrieved for analysis, representing a 21.6% response rate by applying the quantitative methodology for collecting primary data. Convergent validity and discriminant validity tests were applied to structural equation modeling (SEM) in the CB-covariance-based structural equation modeling (SEM) program, and the data reliability was confirmed. Additionally, a multivariate analysis technique was used via CB-SEM, as hypothesized relationships were evaluated through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and then the hypotheses were tested through a structural model. Further, a bootstrapping technique was used to analyze the data. We included GPI and GPrI as mediating factors, while using DDCS as a moderated factor.

The empirical findings indicated that the proposed moderated-mediation model was accepted due to the relationships between the constructs being statistically significant. Further, the findings showed that there is a significant positive effect in the relationship between reliable BCDA capabilities and CAs as well as a mediating effect of GPI and GPrI, which is supported by the proposed formulated hypothesis. Additionally, the findings confirmed that there is a moderating effect represented by data-driven competitive advantage suitability between GPI, GPrI and CA.

One of the main limitations of this study is that an applied cross-sectional study provides a snapshot at a given moment in time. Furthermore, it used only one type of methodological approach (i.e. quantitative) rather than using mixed methods to reach more accurate data.

This study developed a theoretical model that is obtained from reliable BCDA capabilities, CA, DDCS, green innovation and GPrI. Thus, this piece of work bridges the existing research gap in the literature by testing the moderated-mediation model with a focus on the manufacturing sector that benefits from big data analytics capabilities to improve levels of GPI and competitive advantage. Finally, this study is considered a road map and gaudiness for the importance of applying these factors, which offers new valuable information and findings for managers, practitioners and decision-makers in the manufacturing sector in the NA region.

This study examines the effect of human and technological resource bundling on the financial and non-financial performance of third-party logistics (3PL) firms in India.

For achieving the research aim, 248 practitioners from India based 3PL firms were surveyed. The relationships between human and technology resources and firm performance were examined using structural equation modelling (SEM).

The results of empirical tests revealed that human and technological resources significantly enhance the performance of the 3PL firm. However, the firm's logistic capabilities related to track and trace, order management and final assembly do not mediate this relationship.

This study contributes by examining resource bundling in India's 3PL industry using empirical data and providing knowledge of the relationship between resources and business performance. It guides managers to consciously develop resource capabilities that influence firm performance.

Despite calls for more theoretical and strategically oriented work in logistics, the resource‐based theory of the firm (RBT), and the related capabilities approach ‐ which represent a dominant stream of research in strategic management over the last decade ‐ have not been prominent in the logistics literature. Provides a critical review of the large literature on the RBT and suggests areas where it can be applied to strategically‐oriented logistics research. Describes the resource‐based theory of the firm, its major assumptions, and its implications for strategic actions. Also discusses other areas of research where the RBT have been applied. Illustrates how the RBT represents the underlying theoretical support for one of the central propositions of strategic logistics: that a distinctive logistics capability is a source of sustainable competitive advantage and superior performance. Suggests that strategic logistics research may benefit from combining the RBT with organizational learning theory and evolutionary approaches to competition.

This study attempts to examine the relationship between reliable big and cloud data analytics capabilities (RB&CDACs) and comparative advantages (CA) of manufacturing firms (MFs) in the Middle East region as developing countries using green product innovation (GPI) and green process innovations (GPrI) mediating factors, further assess the role of data-driven competitive sustainability factor as a moderated factor.

436 useable online surveys were analyzed using the quantitative approach for the data-gathering process, applying structural equation modeling in the Smart-PLS program as an analysis tool. The sample unit for analysis included all middle- and senior-level managers and employees within MFs. The authors performed convergent validity and discriminant validity tests, bootstrapping also was applied. The authors included GPI and GPrI as mediating factors while using data-driven competitive sustainability as a moderated factor.

The findings of this study indicated that there is a positive significant effect in the relationship between reliable big and cloud data analytics capabilities and comparative advantages, which is supported by the formulated hypothesis. Furthermore, the findings confirmed that there was a positive and significant effect through the mediating factors (i.e. GPI and GPrI) on comparative advantage, additionally, it confirmed and supported that the moderating factor represented by data-driven competitive advantage suitability has significant effect as well.

This study has some limitations represented by using only one type of methodological approach (i.e. quantitative), further, it was conducted on only Asian countries in the Middle East region.

This piece of work improved the proposed conceptual research model and included several factors such as reliable big and cloud data analytics capabilities, comparative advantage, data-driven competitive sustainability, GPI and GPrI. This research offered new and valuable information and findings for managers, practitioners and decision-makers in the MFs in the Middle East region as a road map and gaudiness for the importance to apply these factors in their firms for enhancing the comparative advantages in their firms. Further, this research fills the gap in SCM literature and makes a bridge of knowledge and contribution to the existence of previous studies.

Reports on recent research on “leading edge” firms, which shows that logistics plays an important role in a firm′s competitiveness. Details the evolution of advanced logistics management, analyses the essence of logistical leadership and outlines likely characteristics of the leading logistics organizations of tomorrow. Suggests that leading firms use logistical competence strategically to realize competitive advantage. Sophisticated solutions are required and information has come to play a vital role in this regard.

Attributes of leadership in logistics management today are reviewed and likely characteristics of leading logistical organisations of the future are suggested. Leading firms will continue to rely on sophisticated solutions and development of unique competences to gain differential advantage. The essence of these sophisticated solutions will be information.

The complexity, uncertainty, and diminished control found in global operations hinder the development of world‐class competencies. For example, as a firm rationalizes manufacturing, logistical challenges increase. As a result, cost advantages achieved through production sharing are often offset by higher logistics costs. This multi‐method explores the cross‐functional development of quality and cost competencies in an international production sharing setting. Overall, the study found that information and planning capabilities are vital antecedants to cost and quality competencies. The impact of cost on a firm’s performance is direct, while the impact of quality is indirect, through productivity enhancements.