THE CHANGING NATURE OF THE MOTOR CARRIER-SHIPPER RELATIONSHIP: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY

The major objectives of this paper are (1) to measure the extent to which motor carrier-shipper relationships currently reflect the aforementioned characteristics of partnershipping, and to project future trends in such motor carrier-shipper relationships; and (2) to identify and examine potential impacts on the trucking industry. The paper focuses on three constructs of the carrier-shipper relationship: the carriers' dependence on key shippers, contracting, and EDI (as a measure of the operational integration of carrier and shipper).