Information Needs of Logistics Service Providers in Strategic Decisions : An Outside-In Perspective
Type
conference paper
Date Issued
2014-06-12
Author(s)
Abstract
Purpose
To resist global competition, the strategy of logistics service providers (LSP) becomes more and more important. Strategic decisions concerning offered services or industries / markets operating in cannot be made without the appropriate financial or non-financial information regarding markets, customers or competitors of LSPs. This research aims at identifying the most important information categories required by LSPs in four different strategic decision situations based on Ansoff's product/market-matrix.
Design/methodology/approach
A grey-based decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMTAL) method was applied in order to evaluate questionnaires filled out by decisions makers of 17 LSPs from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. They were asked to make pairwise comparisons of 6 information categories for four decision situations (in total 120 pairwise comparisons per respondent).
Findings
Information needs are dependent on the size and core competency of LSPs, and the strategic decision to be made. E.g. when focusing on market penetration, financial competitor and non-financial market information is more important than customer data.
Research limitations/implications
The sample size is relatively small, although in most DEMATEL applications sample size is even smaller. For that reason, grey-systems theory was integrated.
Practical implications
On the one hand, the results help researchers to survey and provide required information. On the other hand, LSPs can use the results as a kind of guideline for what kind of information should be gathered in strategic decisions.
Original/value
This research is the first known work that focuses on the information needs of LSPs in strategic decision making. Related work primarily analyzed shippers' information needs for choosing LSPs.
To resist global competition, the strategy of logistics service providers (LSP) becomes more and more important. Strategic decisions concerning offered services or industries / markets operating in cannot be made without the appropriate financial or non-financial information regarding markets, customers or competitors of LSPs. This research aims at identifying the most important information categories required by LSPs in four different strategic decision situations based on Ansoff's product/market-matrix.
Design/methodology/approach
A grey-based decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMTAL) method was applied in order to evaluate questionnaires filled out by decisions makers of 17 LSPs from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. They were asked to make pairwise comparisons of 6 information categories for four decision situations (in total 120 pairwise comparisons per respondent).
Findings
Information needs are dependent on the size and core competency of LSPs, and the strategic decision to be made. E.g. when focusing on market penetration, financial competitor and non-financial market information is more important than customer data.
Research limitations/implications
The sample size is relatively small, although in most DEMATEL applications sample size is even smaller. For that reason, grey-systems theory was integrated.
Practical implications
On the one hand, the results help researchers to survey and provide required information. On the other hand, LSPs can use the results as a kind of guideline for what kind of information should be gathered in strategic decisions.
Original/value
This research is the first known work that focuses on the information needs of LSPs in strategic decision making. Related work primarily analyzed shippers' information needs for choosing LSPs.
Language
English
Keywords
Logistics service providers
Information needs
Strategic decisions
Strategy
DEMATEL
HSG Classification
contribution to scientific community
Refereed
Yes
Book title
Proceedings of the 26th Annual Nordica Logistics Research Network Conference
Publisher
Copenhagen Business School
Start page
16
Event Title
26th Annual Nordic Logistic Research Network Conference (NOFOMA 2014)
Event Location
Copenhagen
Event Date
11.-13.06.2014
Subject(s)
Eprints ID
232538
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