Logistics outsourcing and usage patterns in Turkey

In this study, it was examined to what extent the outsourcing of logistics services among Turkish manufacturing firms were and what factors were effective on the outsourcing decisions; considering logistics outsourcing as an essential management tool for gaining competitive advantage. It was investigated various researches conducted on outsourcing as well as the some theories which have been important in the field of management- organization and economics to provide a theoretical base for the proposed model and hypotheses of this study. These theories are classified as two groups: The first group based on expertise, contains evolutionary, capability/ competence, core competence and value chain theories. The second group based on relational exchange, contains resource dependency, transaction cost and network/interaction theories. Questionnaires were mailed to 800 manufacturing firms operating in Turkey, of which 125 have responded with usable results. It was analyzed, the effects of the variables in the proposed model on the logistics outsourcing and whether or not they are different effects between only effects of external factors and the common effects of external and internal factors on the logistics outsourcing decisions, by using several statistical techniques. Those techniques included descriptive statistics, factor, conformity factor, chi- square and logistics regression analysis. The logistics functions which are subject for outsourcing in Turkey are mostly transportation (% 93), custom transaction (%52), traffic and fleet management (%31). Those that are subject for outsourcing the least are order processing (%5) and stock control. It has been noted that there would be no significant change in the level of logistics outsourcing during the following few years. Significant relationships were found between the variables in the proposed model and logistics outsourcing. The fact that different analysis techniques have resulted in similar conclusions, supports the validity of the model. These factors are core competence strategy and managerial behaviors, organizational complexity, investment requirements, competitive structure, market structure, legal regulation and standarts. Another important finding is that strategic partnership in logistics established in Turkey are at low levels sustained with very weak ties. This study is also subject for limitations that are common to mail survey like an every research. However the results will provide new insights to both academicians and practitioners in the field of logistics.