The Logistics Triad: Survey ad Case Study Results

The article focuses on logistics triads, which comprise buyers, suppliers, and logistics service providers. Evidence is drawn from the transportation and logistics literature, a recent survey of logistics firms, and two real-world logistics triad cases. A logistics triad is made up of a buyer of goods, a supplier of those goods, and a logistics service provider (LSP). Close cooperation between the buyer and supplier could lead to plans to bring a carrier in on the collaboration, for further performance improvement. The purpose of this article is to report recent research results on logistics triads. Evidence is drawn from a survey of Danish LSPs and two cases of logistics practice. The second section defines the logistics triad and discusses triad benefits, facilitators, and barriers. In the third section, design, administration, and results of a survey of LSPs are presented. Then, the fourth section describes two logistics triad examples from industry. The fifth and final section discusses implications for transportation and logistics management.