Scope of Study

The capabilities and uses of 3PLs have evolved considerably over time as supply chains have grown more complex, market conditions have become even more dynamic and 3PL best practices have emerged. To assess these changes, the study team used three complementary channels of research.

Web-Based Survey

During the spring and summer of 2009, a Web-based survey was sent to logistics and supply chain executives in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, as well as other regions and geographies of the world.

Geographies

Additionally, for the first time, surveys were sent to executives from companies providing 3PL services in order to gain their perspectives on many of the issues and topics included in the user survey.

Focus Interviews

The study team conducted “focus interviews” with industry observers and executives, primarily relating to the examination of the special topics that were identified for this year. These focus interviews provided exceptionally valuable opportunities to gather pertinent information and perspectives from a wide range of professionals who have knowledge about the 3PL sector and the special topics — economic volatility, the IT expectation/capability gap and supply chain orchestration.

ASE Workshops

We leveraged the Capgemini Accelerated Solutions Environment ® (ASE) as a brainstorming setting where participants, all shippers, collaborated on shared issues. (See www.capgemini.com/ase for more about ASEs.) To better understand the results of the survey and to gain valuable perspective from 3PL users, the research team held facilitated ASE sessions based on composite supply chain challenges related to the study material. ASE sessions were held in Chicago, Illinois and in Utrecht, The Netherlands. A similar, non-ASE workshop was co-hosted with The Logistics Institute - Asia Pacific in Singapore and addressed overall study issues in addition to specific topics related to 3PL use in the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region.