Title: Critical factors that affect logistics performance: a comparison of China, Japan and Korea

Authors: David W. Hwang; Paul C. Hong; Daniel Y. Lee

Addresses: Department of Finance and Supply Chain Management, Shippensburg University, Shippensburg, PA 17257, USA ' Department of Information Operations and Technology Management, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, USA ' Department of Economics, Shippensburg University, Shippensburg, PA 17257, USA

Abstract: In globalised and uncertain business environments, many firms have turned their attention to logistics in order to make their business processes more efficient and cost-effective. In this paper, we identify critical factors that affect logistics performance at the macro level by surveying current literature. The factors include industrial policy priorities, strategic infrastructure development, public-private logistics market growth, and communication network configurations. We also compare the logistics of three East Asian countries (China, Japan, and Korea), using relevant macro-level data. These three countries are increasingly important in global logistics with their aggregate GDP accounting for approximately 21% of the world GDP. Finally, to facilitate future research, we offer eight propositions regarding relationships among critical factors and logistics outcomes. Critical issues facing the three nations' logistics industries are also discussed.

Keywords: logistics performance; China; Japan; Korea; government policy; industrial policy; policy priorities; strategic infrastructure development; public-private logistics growth; communication network configurations; critical factors.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSTL.2017.080587

International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics, 2017 Vol.9 No.1, pp.107 - 129

Received: 01 Jun 2015
Accepted: 11 May 2016
Published online: 30 Nov 2016 *

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