Analyzing Competitive Advantage Factors of Logistics Service Providers: A Case Study of Izmir Region

Abstract

Competition starts with existence of life itself. In order to survive in the globalizing world, it is a great necessity for companies to provide sustainable competitive advantage. In this sense, in order to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage, factors affecting competition should be deeply perceived and implemented. In recent years, logistics sector has had a complex structure as global competition has been increasing and logistics capabilities are getting more and more critical for the success of logistics service providers. For this reason, it is aimed to determine the attitudes of senior managers who are working in the logistics service provider companies in Izmir towards the factors affecting competition. For this purpose, Delphi method, which is a qualitative research method, has been applied in this research. In the first round of Delphi research, 29 factors affecting competition obtained from the literature review have been asked to experts under six groups and a consensus has been tried to be reached. As a result of the first round, for 6 factors a consensus could not be reached, and then the statements have been re-evaluated and detailed, and another Delphi form for second round has been prepared and implemented. According to the findings, t the valuable, sense of market opportunities and sensitivity to the market, the ability to integrate employees' knowledge and skills with the routines of their operations, after-sales service and reliability which are the factors affecting competition for logistics service providers have been fully agreed upon by logistics service providers. All factors related to dynamic capabilities approach associated with competition in the literature have been considered important by logistics service providers. There has no consensus on the factors related to threats / barriers faced by new entrants in the logistics sector and bargaining power of service buyers.