An Examination of Current Logistics Outsourcing Services in U.S. and Canada

Lorena D. Mathien

This research aims to examine shippers’ current outsourcing decisions, enabling providers to differentiate themselves in the market. Based on 197 responses from practitioners, this research provides an empirical and comprehensive analysis of logistics practices, while examining the competence level of current outsourcing of these practices. The findings for this research can be broken down into five major areas: 1) logistics outsourcing priorities, 2) domestic logistics practices, 3) warehousing logistics practices, 4) technology logistics practices, and 5) international logistics practices, assessing the percentage of logistics functions that are currently handled in-house versus outsourced and the performance level of the internal operations and the logistics service providers. This research provides an analysis of currently employed practices across all logistics functions, while assessing the competence of in-house, outsourcing, and collaboration. The results identify areas for collaboration between shippers and logistics service providers, as well as areas for further research.

DOI : https://doi.org/10.21102/wjm.2018.03.91.01