Critical success factors in relation to 3PL as perceived by participating Mexican firms
The participants were requested to rate a list of factors ranging from “non-critical” (1)
to “very-critical” (5) in relation to 3PL. The least critical factor is “degree to which the
activity is routine and non-complex” with 61 per cent of the respondents assigning
scores from 1 to 3 to this factor, which corresponds to “non-critical” to “fairly critical”.
It suggests that the results of 3PL are more or less independent of the complexity of the
logistics activity under consideration. Furthermore, 25 per cent of the respondents
rated “the possibility to establish a symmetric and truthful relation with the 3PL” and
“the expectation of a long term relation with the 3PL” as not critical. The median rating
for the remaining factors was four, which means that at least 50 per cent of the
respondents rated them as “critical” (4) or “very critical” (5). The factors considered
most critical to successful 3PL were: “the ability to interchange information with the
3PL” (76 per cent of ratings are 4 or 5), “a well defined contract with the 3PL” (76 per
cent or ratings are 4 or 5), “the definition of common and precise performance measures
for the service” (74 per cent of ratings are 4 or 5), and “the existence of a 3PL reliable
and competent market” (72 per cent of ratings are 4 or 5). These results suggest that
outsourcing may increase among Mexican companies as more reliable suppliers with
information systems capabilities become available, comprehensive measurement
systems are developed and providers start to offer supplementary services as well.