Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Logistics learning mechanisms and capabilities: towards an understanding of sustainable competitive advantage

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Logistics Research

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between logistics capabilities and sustainable competitive advantage by using the notion of learning mechanisms. It is argued that a set of processes of learning mechanisms may serve as a source of dynamic capabilities that create, develop and maintain logistics capabilities in their role as source of a company’s sustainable competitive advantage. The learning mechanisms, in the form of experience accumulation, knowledge articulation and codification, are identified in two best-practice companies within logistics. Results imply that the origin of the sustainability of a logistics-based company’s competitive advantage may be found in the dynamics of organisational learning, ultimately based on trial and error and experience accumulation. As such, the research elaborates on the connection between logistics capabilities and strategic competitive advantage, with learning as mediating dynamic capability.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Abrahamsson M, Aldin N, Stahre F (2003) Logistics platforms for improved strategic flexibility. Int J Logist Res Appl 6:85–106

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Barney J, Clark D (2007) Resource-based theory: creating and sustaining competitive advantage. Oxford University Press, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  3. Eisenhardt K (1989) Building theories from case study research. The Acad Manage Rev 14:532–550

    Google Scholar 

  4. Eisenhardt K, Martin J (2000) Dynamic capabilities: what are they? Strat Manage J 21:1105–1121

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Eisenhardt K, Graebner M (2007) Theory building from cases: opportunities and challenges. Acad Manage J 50:25–32

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Esper T, Fugate B, Davis-Sramek B (2007) Logistics learning capability: sustaining the competitive advantage through logistics leverage. J of Bus Logist 28:57–81

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Ferdows K, Lewis M, Machuca J (2004) Rapid fire fulfilment. Harv Bus Rev 82:104–110

    Google Scholar 

  8. Flyvbjerg B (2006) Five misunderstandings about case study research. Qual Inq 12:219–245

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Gagnon S (1999) Resource-based competition and the new operations strategy. Int J Op Prod Manage 19:125–138

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Helfat C, Finkelstein S, Mitchell W, Peteraf MA, Singh H, Teece D, Winter S (2007) Dynamic capabilities: understanding strategic change in organizations. Blackwell Publishing, New York

    Google Scholar 

  11. Helfat C, Peteraf M (2003) The dynamic resource-based view: capability life cycles. Strat Manage J 24:997–1010

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Huber G (1991) Organizational learning: the contributing processes and the literature. Org Sci 2:88–116

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Hult G, Ketchen D, Arrfelt M (2007) Strategic supply chain management: improving performance through a culture of competitiveness and knowledge development. Strat Manage J 28:1035–1052

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Levitt B, March J (1988) Organizational learning. Annu Rev Sociol 14:319–340

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Mentzer JT, DeWitt W, Keebler JS, Soonhoong M, Nix NW, Smith CD, Zacharia ZG (2001) Defining supply chain management. J Bus Logist 22:1–25

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Nonaka I (1994) A dynamic theory of knowledge creation. Org Sci 5:14–37

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Nonaka I, Takeuchi H (1995) The knowledge-creating company. Oxford University Press, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  18. Olavarrieta S, Ellinger A (1997) Resource-based theory and strategic logistics research. Int J Phys Distrib Logist Manage 27:559–587

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. O’Marah K, Hofman D (2009) Top 25 supply chains. Supply Chain Manage Rev 13:12–19

    Google Scholar 

  20. Penrose EG (1959) The theory of the growth of the firm. Oxford university press, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  21. Peteraf M (1993) The cornerstones of competitive advantage: a resource based view. Strat Manage J 14:179–191

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Porter ME (1996) What is strategy? Harv Bus Rev 74:61–78

    Google Scholar 

  23. Teece D, Pisano G, Shuen A (1997) Dynamic capabilities and strategic management. Strat Manage J 18:509–533

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Teece D (2007) Explicating dynamic capabilities: the nature and microfoundations of (sustainable) enterprise performance. Strat Manage J 28:1319–1350

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Tracey M, Lim J-S, Vonderembse M (2005) The impact of supply-chain management capabilities on business performance. Supply Chain Manage: Int J 10:179–191

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Weick K (1979) The social psychology of organizing. McGraw Hill, New York

    Google Scholar 

  27. Winter S (2003) Understanding dynamic capabilities. Strat Manage J 24:991–995

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Zollo M, Winter S (2002) Deliberate learning and the evolution of dynamic capabilities. Org Sci 13:339–351

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Logistics Management, Department of Management and Engineering, Linköping Institute of Technology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden

    Erik Sandberg

  2. Business Administration, Department of Management and Engineering, Linköping Institute of Technology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden

    Per Åman

Authors
  1. Erik Sandberg
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Per Åman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Erik Sandberg.

Appendix

Appendix

See Tables 2, 3, 4.

Table 2 Indicators for experience accumulation
Full size table
Table 3 Indicators for knowledge articulation
Full size table
Table 4 Indicators for knowledge codification
Full size table

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Sandberg, E., Åman, P. Logistics learning mechanisms and capabilities: towards an understanding of sustainable competitive advantage. Logist. Res. 2, 97–108 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12159-010-0029-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12159-010-0029-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation