Third party logistics : an analysis of the feasibility and contexts of strategic relationships

Thesis (M. Eng. in Logistics)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2004. === "June 2004." === Includes bibliographical references (leaves 67-68). === An important topic in the Third Party Logistics (3PL) industry is the extent to which customers view 3PL se...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ranjan, Madhu, 1972-, Tonui, Richard, 1975-
Other Authors: .Christopher Caplice
Format: Others
Language:English
Published: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 2005
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/29528
Description
Summary:Thesis (M. Eng. in Logistics)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2004. === "June 2004." === Includes bibliographical references (leaves 67-68). === An important topic in the Third Party Logistics (3PL) industry is the extent to which customers view 3PL services as pure-commodities to be re-bid. The trend towards commoditization has been one of the causes for current pricing pressures on the 3PLs. The 3PLs gearing towards "strategic partnerships" and the addition of Value-Added Services to their portfolio could decelerate the trend towards commoditization and could also otherwise differentiate them from their competitors. This study investigates the categories of relationships that 3PLs have and specifically the presence of strategic relationships in the 3PL industry. The study also examines the contexts in which they exist and highlights the factors that have contributed to the formation of the strategic relationships. The study concludes by proposing steps that 3PLs can take to better position themselves as candidates for strategic relationships. === by Madhu Ranjan [and] Richard Tonui. === M.Eng.in Logistics