Outsourcing the Warehousing Function

Nowadays, more and more firms focus on core competencies and turn to external specialists (Third Party Logistics - 3PLs) for sophisticated logistics solutions. This research investigates the usage of 3PL services in the warehousing function by industrial firms operating in Greece. It focuses on three constructs (extent of use, decision making process, impact on user firms), which the authors believe are the primary determinants of the future usage on 3PL services in the warehousing function. The results, based on the analysis of data relating to 53 industrial firms operating in Greece, indicate that most users are satisfied with the service providers and believe that this has led to positive developments within the organization. With a high current level of satisfaction, a large number of these firms are likely to increase their usage of 3PL services.