Abstract
This research investigates the interaction between formation of logistics partnerships and supply chain restructuring in the U.S. computer industry via a survey of 30 ongoing partnerships. Partnerships that have included restructuring are compared to those that have not. Examples of representative partnerships are presented. The survey results indicate that restructurers use partnerships to facilitate restructuring. Restructurers and non‐restructurers form partnerships for different reasons and realize different types of benefits. Furthermore, restructurers realize greater benefits than do non‐restructurers and view their partnerships as more successful. Restructurers report dramatic improvements in logistics cost (1l‐30%) and order cycle time (62%). The research contributes to the existing literature by highlighting restructuring as an important aspect of logistics partnership formation and by presenting empirical data that shows how the two strategies are linked.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.