Fourth Party Logistics in Germany

Master's Thesis from the year 2003 in the subject Business economics - Personnel and Organisation, grade: 1,2, University of Plymouth (unbekannt), language: English, abstract: Inhaltsangabe:Abstract:§This thesis looks at the fundamental issues of fourth party logistics in Germany. The areas interpretation, acceptance and potential implementations are covered in particular. After a brief introduction in Chapter 1, Chapter 2 offers an insight into the topic area in the form of a literature review. The literature review explains the origins of the 4PL-concept as well as functions performed by a 4PL-provider. Different types of 4PL-providers and inter-organisational set-ups are presented. Afterwards the main areas of discussion are identified. Areas such as outsourcing theory and channel concepts have relevance and are dealt with as well. Although the 4PL-basics are not necessarily country-specific, the literature review relies heavily on German sources.§In Chapter 3 a conceptual model concerning the topic is presented and hypotheses are developed.§In order to test the developed hypotheses, primary data is collected in the form of a Delphi expert discussion. This process is described in detail in Chapter 4. The logistics experts for the panel are drawn from shippers, service providers and researchers; the discussion consists of two rounds.§The results of the Delphi process are analysed in Chapter 5 followed by Chapter 6 in which the hypotheses are tested and conclusions are drawn. The findings can be summarised by stating that the panellists generally expressed very pragmatic viewpoints. Further, several of the often-quoted arguments in the 4PL-discussion were weakened by the findings. At the same time it has to be mentioned that especially the shippers were often split in their opinions.§This thesis does not aim at ending the 4PL-discussion, but instead hopes to fuel it by looking at certain aspects from different viewpoints.§Inhaltsverzeichnis:Table of Contents:§LISTS OF FIGURES, TABLES & EQUATIONSvii§LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS USEDviii§LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS USEDviii§CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION1§1.1Subject background1§1.2Reasons for choice of subject1§1.3Scope and limitations2§1.4Proposed research methodology2§1.5Statements of objectives3§CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW4§2.14PL-concept4§2.1.14PL-functions4§2.1.2Differences to 3PL5§2.1.34PL within the SCM context5§2.1.4Inter-organisational structure6§2.1.5Origins of 4PL-companies7§2.1.64PL vs. LLP8§2.1.7Existing examples10§2.1.8Key issues10§2.1.8.1Impact of assets10§2.1.8.2Expertise12§2.1.8.3Trust12§2.2Management Theory13§2.2.1Outsourcing13§2.2.1.1Core competency13§2.2.1.2Saving potentials13§2.2.1.3Costs of outsourcing14§2.2.2Transaction costs15§2.3Channel concepts16§2.3.1Channel power & focal company16§2.3.2Channel conflict16§2.4Client industries17§CHAPTER THREE: CONCEPTUAL MODEL18§3.1Definition18§3.24PL-concept and relevant issues18§3.3Hypotheses19§CHAPTER FOUR: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY22§4.1Qualitative research methods22§4.2Delphi method background22§4.2.1Definitions22§4.2.2Applicability of the Delphi method23§4.3Delphi process23§4.3.1Panel members23§4.3.2Survey process25§4.3.3Consensus25§4.3.4Design of first round26§CHAPTER FIVE: RESULTS & ANALYSIS OFSURVEY28§5.1Analysis of first round28§5.1.1Response rate28§5.1.2Consensus29§5.1.3Degree of consensus by hypotheses29§5.1.4Analysis of first round statements30§5.1.4.1Hypothesis 1: Knowledge about scope30§5.1.4.2Hypothesis 2: 4PL-provider vs. LLP30§5.1.4.3Hypothesis 3: Focal company30§5.1.4.4Hypothesis 4: Willingness to outsource32§5.1.4.5...