Determinants of scale efficiency in the Brazilian 3PL industry: a 10-year analysis
- 1 May 2012
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Taylor & Francis in International Journal of Production Research
- Vol. 50 (9), 2423-2438
- https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2011.581005
Abstract
This paper focuses on the Brazilian third-party logistics (3PL) sector which, facing increasing competition, offers clients a wide variety of services/IT technologies in the quest to bolster efficiency. The main research objective is to determine which variables significantly impact the 3PLs' scale efficiency by applying a two-stage DEA model. Based on an unbalanced panel model, secondary data from the annual study published by Revista Tecnologística (years 2001–2010) were collected and analysed. The required inputs and outputs for the analysis were identified, as were the contextual variables that can affect the scale efficiency of the 3PLs. The results support findings in the literature regarding the role coordination processes play in logistics performance. Managerial implications for both shippers and 3PLs are discussed.Keywords
This publication has 71 references indexed in Scilit:
- Benchmarking third‐party logistics providers using data envelopment analysis: an updateBenchmarking: An International Journal, 2009
- Determinants of professionally autonomous end user acceptance in an enterprise resource planning system environmentInternational Journal of Information Management, 2009
- Efficiency and sustainability assessment for a group of farmers in the Brazilian AmazonAnnals of Operations Research, 2008
- Benchmarking the operational efficiency of third party logistics providers using data envelopment analysisSupply Chain Management: An International Journal, 2006
- Estimation and inference in two-stage, semi-parametric models of production processesJournal of Econometrics, 2005
- Growth and relational strategies used by the European logistics service providers: Rationale and outcomesTransportation Research. Part E, Logistics and Transportation Review, 2005
- North American containerport productivity: 1984–1997Transportation Research. Part E, Logistics and Transportation Review, 2004
- An analysis of operations efficiency in large‐scale distribution systemsJournal of Operations Management, 2003
- Integrating the warehousing and transportation functions of the supply chainTransportation Research. Part E, Logistics and Transportation Review, 2003
- Conceptual and Pragmatic Considerations in Conducting a Secondary AnalysisWestern Journal of Nursing Research, 1999