Green innovations in third-party logistics: managerial reasons, external stakeholder influences and contingencies in the natural-business environment
Increasing ecological consciousness makes adopting green innovations a strategic concern for third-party logistics providers (3PLs). This article addresses gaps in understanding how 3PLs can strategically leverage green innovations and the business environment characteristics influencing their adopt...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | Cogent Business & Management |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311975.2025.2460613 |
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| author | Martin Bálint João M. Vilas-Boas da Silva Monika Maria Möhring |
| author_facet | Martin Bálint João M. Vilas-Boas da Silva Monika Maria Möhring |
| author_sort | Martin Bálint |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Increasing ecological consciousness makes adopting green innovations a strategic concern for third-party logistics providers (3PLs). This article addresses gaps in understanding how 3PLs can strategically leverage green innovations and the business environment characteristics influencing their adoption through a multiple-case study of six environmentally proactive German 3PLs using semi-structured interviews and triangulated with secondary data. Results show varied adoption levels with process innovations linked to cost savings, enhanced reputation and long-term energy independence. Large 3PLs differentiate through green services in eco-aware segments. Moreover, findings highlight the importance of managing external stakeholder relationships and reveal market-related contingencies that create uncertainty and complexity for 3PLs, such as unpredictable technological developments or shifting governmental regulations. Market munificence plays a crucial role in enabling green innovation adoption, with small-/mid-sized 3PLs facing challenges in accessing external green knowledge and personnel. This study is informed by the Natural Resource-based View (NRBV), Stakeholder Theory (ST) and Contingency Theory (CT) perspectives, developing a comprehensive framework that coherently structures the problem-situation and derives propositions for subsequent explanatory investigations. It recommends a step-by-step approach to green innovations, forming diverse partnerships and maintaining communication with shippers to overcome perceived market-related contingencies. Small-/mid-sized 3PLs should consider horizontal cooperation for unified advocacy and shared best practices. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-afb14bfe1f4541dab91272c09125e345 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2331-1975 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Cogent Business & Management |
| spelling | doaj-art-afb14bfe1f4541dab91272c09125e3452025-08-20T02:38:10ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCogent Business & Management2331-19752025-12-0112110.1080/23311975.2025.2460613Green innovations in third-party logistics: managerial reasons, external stakeholder influences and contingencies in the natural-business environmentMartin Bálint0João M. Vilas-Boas da Silva1Monika Maria Möhring2Business Research Unit (BRU), Instituto Universitário de Lisboa (ISCTE-IUL), Lisbon, PortugalBusiness Research Unit (BRU), Instituto Universitário de Lisboa (ISCTE-IUL), Lisbon, PortugalDepartment of Management and Communication (MuK), Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen (THM), Friedberg, GermanyIncreasing ecological consciousness makes adopting green innovations a strategic concern for third-party logistics providers (3PLs). This article addresses gaps in understanding how 3PLs can strategically leverage green innovations and the business environment characteristics influencing their adoption through a multiple-case study of six environmentally proactive German 3PLs using semi-structured interviews and triangulated with secondary data. Results show varied adoption levels with process innovations linked to cost savings, enhanced reputation and long-term energy independence. Large 3PLs differentiate through green services in eco-aware segments. Moreover, findings highlight the importance of managing external stakeholder relationships and reveal market-related contingencies that create uncertainty and complexity for 3PLs, such as unpredictable technological developments or shifting governmental regulations. Market munificence plays a crucial role in enabling green innovation adoption, with small-/mid-sized 3PLs facing challenges in accessing external green knowledge and personnel. This study is informed by the Natural Resource-based View (NRBV), Stakeholder Theory (ST) and Contingency Theory (CT) perspectives, developing a comprehensive framework that coherently structures the problem-situation and derives propositions for subsequent explanatory investigations. It recommends a step-by-step approach to green innovations, forming diverse partnerships and maintaining communication with shippers to overcome perceived market-related contingencies. Small-/mid-sized 3PLs should consider horizontal cooperation for unified advocacy and shared best practices.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311975.2025.2460613Third-party logisticssustainabilitygreen innovationexternal stakeholderuncertaintycomplexity |
| spellingShingle | Martin Bálint João M. Vilas-Boas da Silva Monika Maria Möhring Green innovations in third-party logistics: managerial reasons, external stakeholder influences and contingencies in the natural-business environment Cogent Business & Management Third-party logistics sustainability green innovation external stakeholder uncertainty complexity |
| title | Green innovations in third-party logistics: managerial reasons, external stakeholder influences and contingencies in the natural-business environment |
| title_full | Green innovations in third-party logistics: managerial reasons, external stakeholder influences and contingencies in the natural-business environment |
| title_fullStr | Green innovations in third-party logistics: managerial reasons, external stakeholder influences and contingencies in the natural-business environment |
| title_full_unstemmed | Green innovations in third-party logistics: managerial reasons, external stakeholder influences and contingencies in the natural-business environment |
| title_short | Green innovations in third-party logistics: managerial reasons, external stakeholder influences and contingencies in the natural-business environment |
| title_sort | green innovations in third party logistics managerial reasons external stakeholder influences and contingencies in the natural business environment |
| topic | Third-party logistics sustainability green innovation external stakeholder uncertainty complexity |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311975.2025.2460613 |
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