Logistics and supply chain management research in Africa

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on logistics and supply chain management (SCM) in Africa over the last few decades. It provides a comprehensive assessment of theory application regarding the research articles published between 1994 and 2016. Design/methodology/approach In this structured systematic literature review, a set of 110 articles on SCM research in Africa is assessed. Findings The authors present the state-of-the-art review on logistics and SCM research in Africa. Extant literature shows that most research works focused on operational aspects of logistics and SCM and that papers drew heavily on theories inspired by strategic management, marketing, micro/macroeconomics and organizational behavior theories. Also, most of the papers with theoretical background can be categorized into theory matching and theory dressing and only a minority of theoretical papers belongs to theory suggestion category. Furthermore, based on the findings, the authors present a framework to characterize the peculiar aspects of Africa-based SCM and logistics practices and provide research propositions related to underexplored aspects of logistics and SCM in Africa. Research limitations/implications This study has a number of implications. Practitioners and researchers will gain a greater understanding of how logistics and SCM are carried out in Africa and the type of issues that have been addressed. Furthermore, researchers will be able to identify areas that need greater research attention in Africa. Originality/value This study is one of the first literature reviews of publications on logistics and SCM in Africa. It presents an overarching map of the research to date and a series of propositions to inform future research.

Editorial

“…First, we present a preview of the four research articles that constitute the main contributions of the SI. Thereafter, we contrast the methods and arguments made in these four articles with each other and with other literature that we found on this subject (mainly El Baz et al , 2019; Kauppi et al , 2018; You et al , 2018). Then, we draw lessons and propose future research directions from the findings of these papers, and at the end of the paper, the conclusion is presented.…”

“…We found only a handful of empirical literature on this subject, specifically three studies that address this theme directly. First is a literature review study by El Baz et al (2019), which sought to establish the theoretical and scholarly positions taken by researchers who study topics within logistics and supply chain management (SCM) in Africa. They conclude that: the literature presents unique SCM dimensions (such as culture) that have not been well studied; and the absence of a theoretical basis for most studies results in “theory dressing and matching.” …”

Examining the relationship between the level of logistics service quality, relationship quality and repurchase intention in e-retail sector of Pakistan

“…Analyzing how customers evaluate the quality of these e-retailing logistics services is a very important factor in establishing the growth strategy of e-retail businesses (Fahad et al, 2018). Past studies in the domain of relationship marketing argue that in the midst of intense competition, maintaining long-term relationship with customers and inducing their favorable purchase behaviors are critical to a firm's long-term profitability and survival (Anđelković & Bajatović, 2020;El Baz, Laguir, & Stekelorum, 2019;Fuad & Gaur, 2019;Tan, Steinhoff, Bewley, Gieler, & Rives, 2019). Many e-retail businesses have been trying to attract new customers rather than maintaining existing customers.…”

Selecting Optimal Logistics Center Locations to Enhance Arab African Trade: A Multi-Criteria Decision Making Methodology

“…As for the purpose of this research paper, the focus will be more on testing hypotheses these are more closed to logistics performance. The Worldwide Governance Indicators (WGI) project is used to have IQ data (6) and Doing Business reports for DTF data. Data of the variables included in the model are considered to be cointegrated.…”