Using Publicized Information to Determine the Sustainable Development of 3-PL Companies

Abstract

Sustainability issues have been seen as a promising paradigm for achieving a better future. Firms in the logistics service sector are still lacking clear value propositions on sustainable development. While many organizations publish their mission statements publicly as kinds of public information, reviewing mission statements is an appropriate means to evaluate an organization's strategy. This study focuses on the public information such as mission statements of the top 50 global 3-PL companies and the relevant sustainable development. A comprehensive content analysis identified four major content dimensions of mission statements relating to sustainability development. The dimensions are driving forces, approaches, responsibility to stakeholders, and competitive values. This paper offers a good methodological reference for researchers or practitioners managing the public information of organizations. Network analysis reveals that the location of companies has a limited effect on their mission and strategy as they all provide global service.