This article contends that current discussion and research
into the role of physical distribution service in the marketing
mix are hampered by a lack of consistent definition of the con
cept of physical distribution service and its component dimen
sions. In order to clarify this concept, prerequisites for a
theoretically meaningful understanding of physical distribu
tion service are presented and supported by an integrative
literature review. The implications of this undertaking are
also discussed.
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