Toward a unified theory of logistics

Despite the growing importance of logistics in corporate strategy and the global economy, the logistics literature reveals little effort to build a unified theory of logistics (i.e. a theory of the role of logistics in the firm). Thus, the purpose of this paper is to move toward a unified theory of logistics within the contexts of the strategic role and capabilities of logistics. Considering the importance of logistics in today's corporate strategy, various theories of the firm are adapted to explain the reasons for logistics activities within the firm. The proposed theory should serve as a conceptual reference point for future theory development and empirical research in logistics.

[1]  J. Holmström,et al.  The impact of increasing demand visibility on production and inventory control efficiency , 2003 .

[2]  J. Mentzer,et al.  Logistics Service Quality as a Segment-Customized Process , 2001 .

[3]  Cornelia Dröge,et al.  THE EFFECTS OF LOGISTICS CAPABILITIES ON FIRM PERFORMANCE: CUSTOMER- FOCUSED VERSUS INFORMATION-FOCUSED CAPABILITIES , 2001 .

[4]  Zach G. Zacharia,et al.  DEFINING SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT , 2001 .

[5]  J. Mentzer,et al.  The Role of Logistics Leverage in Marketing Strategy , 2001 .

[6]  John McDuffie.  LOGISTICS TRANSFORMED: THE MILITARY ENTERS A NEW AGE , 2001 .

[7]  Joseph P. Cannon,et al.  Buyer–Supplier Relationships and Customer Firm Costs , 2001 .

[8]  J. Mentzer,et al.  The role of marketing in supply chain management , 2000 .

[9]  Scott B. Keller,et al.  The Effects of Logistics Capabilities and Strategy on Firm Performance , 2000 .

[10]  Remko I. van Hoek,et al.  The Purchasing and Control of Supplementary Third-Party Logistics Services , 2000 .

[11]  Bing-Sheng Teng,et al.  A Resource-Based Theory of Strategic Alliances , 2000 .

[12]  T. Stank,et al.  TEN-MEGA TRENDS THAT WILL REVOLUTIONIZE SUPPLY CHAIN LOGISTICS , 2000 .

[13]  Paul R. Murphy,et al.  THIRD-PARTY LOGISTICS: SOME USER VERSUS PROVIDER PERSPECTIVES. , 2000 .

[14]  T. Stank,et al.  21st Century Logistics: Making Supply chain Integration a Reality , 1999 .

[15]  O. Williamson,et al.  STRATEGY RESEARCH: GOVERNANCE AND COMPETENCE PERSPECTIVES , 1999 .

[16]  Amrik S. Sohal,et al.  Third party logistics services: a Singapore perspective , 1999 .

[17]  T. Skjoett‐Larsen,et al.  Supply Chain Management: A New Challenge for Researchers and Managers in Logistics , 1999 .

[18]  David Limehouse,et al.  Know your customer , 1999 .

[19]  K. R. Moore.  Trust and Relationship Commitment in Logistics Alliances: A Buyer Perspective , 1998 .

[20]  Carol C. Bienstock,et al.  Measuring physical distribution service quality , 1997 .

[21]  J. Stock.  Applying theories from other disciplines to logistics , 1997 .

[22]  Alexander E. Ellinger,et al.  Resource‐based theory and strategic logistics research , 1997 .

[23]  D. Lambert,et al.  SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT -- MORE THAN A NEW NAME FOR LOGISTICS , 1997 .

[24]  H. L. Sink,et al.  A MANAGERIAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE ACQUISITION OF THIRD-PARTY LOGISTICS SERVICES. , 1997 .

[25]  Cornelia Dröge,et al.  Boundary spanning interfaces between logistics, production, marketing and new product development , 1996 .

[26]  Curtis M. Grimm,et al.  Logistics and marketing components of customer service: an empirical test of the Mentzer, Gomes and Krapfel model , 1996 .

[27]  K. R. Conner,et al.  A Resource-Based Theory of the Firm: Knowledge Versus Opportunism , 1996 .

[28]  N. Foss.  Knowledge-Based Approaches to the Theory of the Firm: Some Critical Comments , 1996 .

[29]  R. Hallowell.  The relationships of customer satisfaction, customer loyalty, and profitability: an empirical study , 1996 .

[30]  D. Vellenga,et al.  Using Logistics Alliances to Gain a Strategic Advantage in the Marketplace , 1996 .

[31]  C. John Langley,et al.  Buyer observations of the US third‐party logistics market , 1996 .

[32]  J. Gentry,et al.  THE ROLE OF CARRIERS IN BUYER-SUPPLIER STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS: A SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT APPROACH / , 1996 .

[33]  S. Vickery,et al.  STRATEGIC LOGISTICS CAPABILITIES FOR COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE AND FIRM SUCCESS , 1996 .

[34]  James C. Anderson.  Relationships in business markets: Exchange episodes, value creation, and their empirical assessment , 1995 .

[35]  Joseph T. Mahoney,et al.  The management of resources and the resource of management , 1995 .

[36]  Mary Crossan,et al.  ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING: DIMENSIONS FOR A THEORY , 1995 .

[37]  C. Knudsen,et al.  Theories of the Firm, Strategic Management, and Leadership , 1995 .

[38]  C J Langley,et al.  CREATING LOGISTICS VALUE: THEMES FOR THE FUTURE , 1995 .

[39]  G. Day.  The Capabilities of Market-Driven Organizations , 1994 .

[40]  Jean‐Franois Hennart.  THE ‘COMPARATIVE INSTITUTIONAL’ THEORY OF THE FIRM: SOME IMPLICATIONS FOR CORPORATE STRATEGY* , 1994 .

[41]  Howard Thomas,et al.  Theories of the Firm - Implications for Strategy Research , 1994 .

[42]  J. Fuller,et al.  Tailored logistics: the next advantage. , 1993, Harvard business review.

[43]  Richard N. Langlois,et al.  External Economies and Economic Progress: The Case of the Microcomputer Industry , 1992, Business History Review.

[44]  G. Stalk,et al.  Competing on capabilities: the new rules of corporate strategy. , 1992, Harvard business review.

[45]  L. Buchanan.  Vertical Trade Relationships: The Role of Dependence and Symmetry in Attaining Organizational Goals , 1992 .

[46]  Martin Christopher,et al.  Logistics : the strategic issues , 1992 .

[47]  R. Rumelt.  How much does industry matter , 1991 .

[48]  K. R. Conner.  A Historical Comparison of Resource-Based Theory and Five Schools of Thought Within Industrial Organization Economics: Do We Have a New Theory of the Firm? , 1991 .

[49]  Robert F. Lusch,et al.  Quick response retail technology: integration and performance measurement , 1990 .

[50]  F. F. Reichheld,et al.  Zero defections: quality comes to services. , 1990, Harvard business review.

[51]  M. Cooper,et al.  Supply Chain Management, Partnership, and the Shipper ‐ Third Party Relationship , 1990 .

[52]  C. Prahalad,et al.  The Core Competence of the Corporation , 1990 .

[53]  Yosef Sheffi,et al.  THIRD PARTY LOGISTICS -- PRESENT AND FUTURE PROSPECTS , 1990 .

[54]  C J Langley,et al.  A PERCEPTUAL PROCESS MODEL OF CUSTOMER SERVICE BASED ON CYBERNETIC CONTROL THEORY , 1990 .

[55]  C. Prahalad,et al.  The core competence of the corporation’, Harvard Business Review, Vol. pp. . , 1990 .

[56]  J. Mentzer,et al.  Physical distribution service: A fundamental marketing concept? , 1989 .

[57]  Jean Tirole,et al.  The theory of the firm , 1989 .

[58]  Paul Milgrom,et al.  Economic theories of the firm: past, present, and future , 1988 .

[59]  George S. Day,et al.  Assessing Advantage: A Framework for Diagnosing Competitive Superiority , 1988 .

[60]  W. Dugger.  The Economic Institutions of Capitalism , 1987 .

[61]  J. Stock,et al.  Strategic Logistics Management , 1987 .

[62]  T. S. Robertson,et al.  Competitive Effects on Technology Diffusion , 1986 .

[63]  M. Hitt,et al.  Corporate distinctive competence, strategy, industry and performance , 1985 .

[64]  M. Porter.  Competitive Advantage: Creating and Sustaining Superior Performance , 1985 .

[65]  Richard J. Schonberger,et al.  “Just‐In‐Time” Purchasing Can Improve Quality , 1984 .

[66]  R. Rumelt.  Towards a Strategic Theory of the Firm , 1984 .

[67]  P. F. Anderson.  Marketing, Strategic Planning and the Theory of the Firm , 1982 .

[68]  O. Williamson.  The Economics of Organization: The Transaction Cost Approach , 1981, American Journal of Sociology.

[69]  Martin Christopher,et al.  Customer service and distribution strategy , 1979 .

[70]  J. Pfeffer,et al.  The External Control of Organizations. , 1978 .

[71]  O. Williamson,et al.  Markets and Hierarchies: Analysis and Antitrust Implications. , 1977 .

[72]  L. Laudan.  Progress and Its Problems , 1977 .

[73]  M. C. Jensen,et al.  Harvard Business School; SSRN; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER); European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI); Harvard University - Accounting & Control Unit , 1976 .

[74]  J. Pfeffer,et al.  Organizational Legitimacy , 1975 .

[75]  Donald J. Bowersox,et al.  Logistical Management: The Integrated Supply Chain Process , 1974 .

[76]  E. Fama,et al.  The Theory of Finance , 1974 .

[77]  G. Richardson,et al.  The Organisation of Industry , 1972 .

[78]  E. Fama,et al.  COMPONENTS OF INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE , 1972 .

[79]  George J. Stigler,et al.  The Organization of Industry , 1969 .

[80]  E. Johnsen.  Richard M. Cyert & James G. March, A Behavioral Theory of The Firm, Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 1963, 332 s. , 1964 .

[81]  M. Shubik,et al.  A Behavioral Theory of the Firm. , 1964 .

[82]  E. Penrose.  The theory of the growth of the firm twenty-five years after , 1960 .

[83]  H. Simon,et al.  A Behavioral Model of Rational Choice , 1955 .

[84]  P. Drucker,et al.  管理的实践=The practice of management , 1954 .

[85]  G. Stigler.  The Division of Labor is Limited by the Extent of the Market , 1951, Journal of Political Economy.

[86]  J. Schumpeter.  Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy , 1943 .

[87]  R. Coase.  The Nature of the Firm , 1937 .