Unchained from the chain: Supply management from a logistics service provider perspective

The last few years have seen increasing recognition of the work of logistics service providers, as well as the significance of functioning supply relationships. This paper proposes an alternative view of supply management that builds on the observation that traditional supply chain management focuses on logistics clients rather than the service providers themselves. The paper utilizes the 4 Resource Interaction tool to illustrate how a logistics service provider faces different idea structures and activated structures than its clients in three different markets. The resulting resource perceptions and preferred resource combinations create tensions and tradeoffs between the logistics service provider and its clients. Unchaining logistics from the conventional chain structures achieves a more comprehensive understanding of interactions between shippers and logistics service providers.

Research highlights
► Supply (chain) management has always been strategic for logistics service providers.
► Logistics service providers and their clients rely on different business models.
► Logistics service providers exploit supply chain interdependencies.
► The logistics service provider must consider trust building between different chains.