Third-party logistics industry

To illustrate these points, let s take a closer look at a specific industry—consumer products—and the dynamics of its nnderly-ing value network. The consnmer value chain is composed of many companies. It stretches from the consumer through a network of retailers, mannfactnrers, and suppliers. Other industries—transportation, third-party logistics firms, freight forwarders, and marketing agencies—play snpporting roles. It is not linear. Instead, it is a network of hnndreds of companies. Each company within the chain operates multiple supply chains. The industry has worked hard to be collaborative however, today few interactions are truly collaborative. They lack alignment and a win-win value proposition that can sustain the test of time. 

Hertz, S. and M. Affedsson, 2003. Strategic development of the third party logistics providers. Industrial marketing management 32,139-179. 

Bansal, M., Karimi, 1. A., Srinivasan, R. (2008). Selection of third-party service contracts for chemical logistics. Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, 47, 8301-8316. 

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