Trends in third party logistics – the past, the present & the future

With continuous change in the global and domestic markets for TPL services, it becomes imperative that both users and providers of TPL services equip themselves with the best in terms of strategy, processes and technology. One of the ways this can be achieved is to bridge the gap between what the industry wants and what research provides. This paper conducts a systematic literature review of research output on TPL vis-à-vis how the industry views the challenges faced by it in TPL services. The paper identifies that future research should focus on driving innovation particularly within the last mile by utilising route optimisation, incentivised scheduling, and real-time electronic tracking and communication. It should also focus on how to leverage employees and provide added value to shippers. Supply chain transformation through improved logistics optimisation and improved integration across the supply chain is also another important avenue to pursue in future.