The Effects of the Financial Crisis on 3PL Enterprises

Abstract

This research examines the various ways in which Third Party Logistics service providers (3PLs) are being affected by the current market turmoil, also known as the financial crisis of 2008-2010 (which still rages on). Furthermore, the research locates and analyses the countermeasures 3PLs apply in order to respond to the recession. The main focus is in the Greek market; however a global overview of the industry was considered vital in order to conceptualize the entire subject in a clear and comprehensible way. The main aspects of the logistics industry have been described, and the significance and role of 3PLs are stated appropriately. A deep research on past growth of such enterprises, combined with the effects and impacts previous crises had, and the extracted information utilized by the conducted research, has led to unquestionable results - in terms of affection and selected countermeasures - which are representative for the 3PL providers throughout the Greek market.