Role of third party logistic services in customization through postponement

Abstract

Mass customization is coming to the forefront of international supply chains and this is contributing to an increasing focus on postponement in international channels. Third party logistics service providers, traditionally positioned in this channel are targeting postponement applications as an extension of their service portfolios. Previous findings however suggest that this expansion is not actively taking place. Findings from a multi‐annual survey (1996‐1999) are presented to generate insights in supply chain mechanisms service providers can use to actually start realizing the expansion in postponement services.