Title: An inquiry on knowledge management in third-party logistics companies

Authors: Siti Norida Wahab; Nurhidayah Bahar; Nur Azirah Mat Radzi

Addresses: Department of Logistics Management, Faculty of Business and Information Science, UCSI University, 56000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ' Department of Operations and Management Information Systems, Faculty of Business and Accountancy, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ' Department of Logistics Management, Faculty of Business and Information Science, UCSI University, 56000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Abstract: This paper aims to explore the perception towards the importance of internal knowledge for business activities that can be associated with knowledge management (KM) and the application of tools to aid KM from a managerial perspective. A qualitative research approach was adopted by conducting in-depth case studies in three third-party logistics (3PLs) companies located in central Malaysia, offering most of logistics services and serving a large number of clients. This study employed first cycle, second cycle and in vivo coding as the data analysis techniques. Generally, this study provides insight about KM awareness, practices and obstacles in 3PLs companies in Malaysia. The findings of this study have significant implications for both academicians and the 3PLs organisations to further explore the theories, practices and the implementation of KM in similar organisations. Future studies may want to investigate the tools and technology that can help to support the KM practices among 3PLs organisations.

Keywords: knowledge management; third-party logistics; 3PLs; KM awareness; KM practices; KM importances.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBIR.2021.111977

International Journal of Business Innovation and Research, 2021 Vol.24 No.1, pp.124 - 146

Received: 24 Feb 2019
Accepted: 05 Jul 2019
Published online: 22 Dec 2020 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article