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PurposeThis paper aims to present results from a survey that investigates the situation in real world supply chains concerning logistics collaboration.Design/methodology/approachBased on supply chain management literature, a questionnaire was developed covering important topics from the literature. The questionnaire was sent to the logistics manager at Swedish manufacturing companies and a net response rate of 37.8 percent (177/482) was achieved. Apart from purely descriptive statistics, factor analysis, cluster analysis, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and cross tabulations with χ 2 tests were used for the analysis.FindingsFrom the results, three major conclusions are drawn. First, there is a clear relationship between the intensity of the collaboration and the positive effects experienced from the collaboration. Second, the results indicate that top management is an important driver for higher intensity collaboration. Third, there are serious differences between supply chain management (SCM) theory and practice, due to the absence of strategic elements in the collaboration and the different ways in which supplier and customer collaborations are managed.Research limitations/implicationsRelated to SCM theory, the lack of strategic elements in the collaboration might prevent or decrease the expected positive effects of the collaboration. It is therefore important to increase the strategic level component in the collaboration. Top management involvement is likely to be important to achieve this and hence more research on the topic is suggested.Originality/valueThe study presents a broad overview concerning logistics collaboration that covers many of the most important supply chain management issues. In addition, their relationship is discussed.

Purpose -Logistics scholars, as well as strategic management scholars, have in recent years shown that capabilities in logistics and supply chain management may be the foundation for a company's sustainable competitive advantage. It can be argued that beside product-, production-, or market-oriented companies, there are also floworiented companies, in which the business models are based on superior logistics performance. The purpose of this study is to explore the characteristics of logisticsbased competition, i.e. how a logistics-based business model is designed.Design/methodology/approach -The research is based on a case study at a German do-it-yourself retailer. The case company can be considered as a best practice company when it comes to logistics-based competition, where a committed top management team guarantees the importance of logistics in the strategic development of the company.Findings -Logistics-related characteristics of the three business model components external environment, internal factors and offering, are elaborated.Originality/value -This research adds to existing theory by developing the meaning of logistics-based competition. The strategic role of logistics is described through a business model approach.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the processes of value creation and appropriation among companies in a reverse clothing supply chain. Design/methodology/approach This research is based on an inductive case study approach at fashion retailers, charity organisations, commercial recyclers, and specialised sorting companies involved in take-back schemes for used clothes in the reverse clothing supply chain. Findings Value creation and appropriation processes are illustrated for different members of the reverse clothing supply chain. Results of different types of value and value co-creation explain the relatively high degree of collaboration among members in the “beginning” of the reverse supply chain. Here, collaboration outmanoeuvres the traditional value appropriation mechanism of price negotiation. Research limitations/implications This research does not cover all tiers in this global industry, and practices among different regions may hamper the generalisability of the findings presented. Practical implications This research allows a comprehensive picture of the members in the reverse clothing supply chain and outlines some of the major processes involved, decisive for value creation, and appropriation. Originality/value The research draws upon the value concept and combines processes of value creation and appropriation in one, single empirical study. By doing that, the research disseminates the reverse clothing supply chain in a new way and facilitates improved understanding of the structure and rationales for members taking part in it.

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