Value co-creation in maritime logistics networks: A service triad perspective

Maritime logistics networks face several challenges in the supply chains they serve. Tackling those challenges requires a perspective of treating value as a co-creation through interactions amongst the key actors in the maritime logistics sector. By adopting a triadic approach, this paper explores how maritime logistics value is co-created in the service triad composed of the shipper, the logistics service provider (LSP), and the carrier (that is, the shipping line). Based on the service-dominant logic, this study identifies a number of operant resources and investigates various configurations of operant resources amongst these three players in the maritime logistics service triad. The results provide guidance for policymakers as well as firm-level decision-makers who must take an integrative approach to capture the multi-actor nature of the phenomenon. The findings may help managers understand how operationalization of their policies and decisions may affect both the type of operant resources used for value creation as well as their interdependence. Finally, studying maritime logistics value with a network approach offers opportunities for research on value and interaction between supply and transport service networks.