How does a digital business-to-business platform transform logistics management in manufacturing firms? – An examination

Abstract

Over the years, the logistics management divisions of organizations have embraced digital technologies and platforms to exploit the benefits of these technologies and to resolve the challenges they face due to uncertain external circumstances. However, the value that digital business-to-business (B2B) platforms add to their stakeholders is still not comprehensively understood. The present study fills this gap by examining how does a digital B2B platform transform logistics management in manufacturing firms. The study leverages the value architecture framework of digital platforms as the theoretical anchor and adopts a single case study method to address the research question. Reflexive thematic analysis was performed on data collected from interviews with 32 participants, encompassing all key stakeholders in the logistics management spectrum. The study makes two theoretical contributions. First, it contributes to the logistics management literature by explaining how digital B2B platforms add value to all activities and stakeholders of logistics management in manufacturing firms. Second, it contributes to the literature on digital platforms architecture by explaining how value creation, delivery and capture are realized through the utilities of discovery, matching and transaction provided by the digital B2B platforms.