Third party logistics providers: Sustainability performance measurement framework

Abstract

Copyright © 2020 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. Over the past two decades, the concept of outsourcing has driven the growth of third party logistics (3PL). Intensive competition led to the necessity of sustainability for 3PL firms. Although there are studies on 3PL sustainability; there is no comprehensive framework for measuring 3PL sustainability performance. Based on triple bottom line (TBL) framework, the purpose of this paper is to develop a sustainability performance measurement framework for 3PL, which can be used as a guide for the development of sustainable 3PL businesses. Related research and academic papers were reviewed; content analysis was used. Subsequently, two rounds of Delphi survey were carried out to derive the set of measures and dimensions of a sustainability performance measurement framework. This study shows that in addition to the TBL framework, two additional dimensions emerge. Sustainability performance measurement framework for 3PL includes five dimensions: economic performance, environmental performance, social performance, operational excellence and service capabilities.