Selection and evaluation of third party logistics in the supply chain: A systematic review

Worldwide it is estimated that more than 85% of the main companies used external logistics services, with growth rates of this services market projected between 18 and 22 percent per year. This trend has generated a growing interest in supply chain researchers to propose different approaches for the selection and evaluation of the performance of third party logistics (3PL). This article proposes a systematic review analyzing a sample of articles published in indexed journals in order to identify the main contributions on this topic. This study shows the evaluation and selection of a 3PL is a critical and complex decision, due to the existence of several criteria of imprecise and subjective basis. As a result, methodological characteristics, approaches used, models applied, attributes of the magazines, and industries that use external logistics providers are presented. Cost, information technology implemented by logistics providers, and the effectiveness of shipments and deliveries on time, are the most valued criteria by companies for the evaluation and selection of 3PL. The results of this study provide support to researchers, as a reference that allows identifying some possibilities for future research in the field of providers that offer external logistics services, promoting competitiveness in the supply chain.