The design and management of logistics services markets

Supply chain management has become more and more difficult because of the increasing complexity and expansion of supply chains (SCs). In this context, collaboration and coordination of logistics flows among SCs’ actors, such as suppliers, customers, and logistics providers, play an important role to enhance SC performance in terms of time and cost. In this paper, the design and management of logistics services markets through the coordination and the collaboration among the actors of a supply stage is analysed. In particular, three coordination policies based on vehicle consolidation and on different levels of collaboration among the actors are identified and evaluated in terms of transportation, coordination, and service lateness costs. Finally, the coordination policies and the collaborative relationships among the actors operating in the Italian distribution network of two automotive companies are analysed as a case study.