312 HỘI THẢO KHOA HỌC QUỐC GIA VỀ LOGISTICS VÀ QUẢN LÝ CHUỖI CUNG ỨNG VIỆT NAM LẦN THỨ 4 (CLSCM-2024) IT FACTORS INFLUENCING THE SUCCESS OF CONTRACT LOGISTICS TENDER: CASE STUDY OF THIRD-PARTY LOGISTICS PROVIDERS IN VIETNAM CÁC NHÂN TỐ CÔNG NGHỆ THÔNG TIN TÁC ĐỘNG TỚI SỰ THÀNH CÔNG CỦA THẦU LOGISTICS DỊCH VỤ: TÌNH HUỐNG NGHIÊN CỨU NHÀ CUNG CẤP DỊCH VỤ LOGISTICS BÊN THỨ 3 TẠI VIỆT NAM NGUYEN DUY HONG1 , LE THI HONG CHAM2 , NGUYEN THI HIEN3 , PHAM LONG CHAU4 1FPT University, Hanoi, Vietnam, email*:
[email protected] 2YCH-Protrade Co., ltd, Bac Ninh, Vietnam, email:
[email protected] 3FPT University, FPT Polytechnic, Hanoi, Vietnam, email:
[email protected] 4Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam, email:
[email protected] Tóm tắt Cách mạng công nghệ 4.0 bắt đầu ở Đức năm 2013 và tại Việt Nam là từ năm 2016 và đi vào từng khía cạnh của xã hội đặc biệt ảnh hưởng không nhỏ tới sự phát triển của nền kinh tế. Không ít ngành nghề và lĩnh vực đã thay đổi đáng kể trong những năm qua như một minh chứng cho sự tác động to lớn của cách mạng 4.0 hay chuyển đổi số trong sản xuất kinh doanh tại Việt Nam. Một trong số đó phải kể tới lĩnh vực Logistics. Chuyển đổi số trong lĩnh vực Logistics đóng vai trò quan trọng quyết định vị thế phát triển và nâng cao sức cạnh trạnh của các doanh nghiệp. Báo cáo này sẽ tập trung phân tích hiện trạng chuyển đổi số hiện nay trong ngành Logistics tại Việt Nam dựa trên dữ liệu thực tế và các nghiên cứu khoa học cả trong nước và quốc tế. Từ khoá: Chuyển đổi số, thực trạng, logistics, Việt Nam. Abstract The Fourth Industrial Revolution commenced in Germany in 2013 and in Vietnam in 2016, has profoundly permeated various aspects of society, significantly impacting economic development. Numerous industries and sectors have undergone substantial changes over the years, as evidence of the profound effects of Industry 4.0 or digital transformation in business and production in Vietnam. Among these, the logistics sector stands out. Digital transformation in logistics has become a crucial issue to ensure the development and enhance the competitiveness of enterprises. This report will focus on analyzing the current state of the digital transformation in the logistics sector in Vietnam, based on actual data as well as scientific research both domestically and internationally. Keywords: Digital transformation, reality, logistics, Vietnam. 1. Introduction The concept of “contract logistics tender” or “request for quotation” has been gaining importance among the third-party logistics (3PL) firms. Many long-term and long-distance transportation services are offered now under this type of reverse auction, and firms in the sector must provide competitive prices if they want to win tenders [1]. This outsourcing activity is the result of globalization in the market and production. With the growing trend, many enterprises have outsourced their logistics activities to 3PL providers to focus on their core competencies, thereby reducing costs, decreasing investment in non-core activities and improving service. Some 3PLs have recognized this need and adopted innovation practices [2]. The success of a contract logistics tender in Vietnam relates to the complexity and the myriad problems inherent in this huge undertaking of organizational transformation. Global researchers have provided information about the different factors leading to the failure of a contract logistics deal, such as cost, length of experience, managerial problems, and integration problems. In addition, each company may have a different definition of success related to contract logistics activities, such as greater profitability, higher market share, key employees, or new product knowledge. As a result, different
313 HỘI THẢO KHOA HỌC QUỐC GIA VỀ LOGISTICS VÀ QUẢN LÝ CHUỖI CUNG ỨNG VIỆT NAM LẦN THỨ 4 (CLSCM-2024) companies may have different perceptions of the criteria for successful contract logistic deals. IT has been identified as the most influencing factors in contract logistics tenders. By IT solutions, the logistics RFQ process becomes more streamlined, efficient, and competitive. This is especially crucial in an industry where speed, transparency, and accuracy are key to winning contracts. For instance, IT systems can analyze historical data to help logistics providers offer competitive quotes based on performance metrics and cost structures. Some IT tools leverage machine learning algorithms to forecast demand, costs, and service levels, allowing for more accurate quotations. Despite the importance of IT factors in the success of contract logistics deals, there are few studies addressing how these IT factors influence the process of contract logistics tender. The major problem that needed investigation and evaluation was how IT factors influence the success of contract logistics tenders in Vietnam. Additionally, the involved parties, the outsourcing firms, and the 3PL providers, hold different positions in the contract logistics tender process concerning costs and benefits. Therefore, the managers of the outsourcing firms and the 3PL providers investigate the factors influencing the success of contract logistics tenders from different perspectives. For these reasons, it is necessary and meaningful to examine how the managers from outsourcing firms and the third-party logistics providers perceived IT as an influencing factor in the success of contract logistics tender in Vietnam. The researchers found no significant previous studies exploring the perspectives of managers concerning the relationship between integration, ease of use, and attitudes toward IT and the perceived success of the logistics tender process in Vietnam. Therefore, it was critical and meaningful to carry out the current study into the influence of IT on the success of logistics tender process. The current study was designed to address the literature gap concerning the impacts of IT on contract logistics tender success in the Vietnamese context, with a particular focus on the relationships among key factors such as IT integration, ease of use, and attitudes toward technology adoption. Specifically, the study aims to explore how these factors influence the perceived success of contract logistics tenders from the perspectives of both executives of outsourcing firms and third-party logistics (3PL) providers in Vietnam. Despite the growing global emphasis on IT in logistics, there remains limited research that delves into how these technologies impact the tendering process in emerging markets like Vietnam, where logistical challenges and opportunities differ from more developed markets. The study seeks to understand the extent to which seamless technological adoption facilitates more efficient and competitive bidding processes. Additionally, the research aims to analyze how the perceived ease of use of IT systems impacts the willingness of logistics service providers to adopt these tools in their tender processes, which is crucial in determining the broader success of IT implementation. This investigation will also explore how positive or negative attitudes toward IT affect decision-making, collaboration, and contract outcomes between outsourcing firms and 3PL providers. Through these analyses, the study will not only fill the knowledge gap in the literature but will also provide actionable recommendations for logistics firms looking to effectively utilize IT in their tendering processes. In this context, the research will focus on the Vietnamese market, highlighting its unique logistical landscape while providing strategies that could be adapted for similar emerging economies. Ultimately, this study aims to enhance the understanding of how IT can be leveraged to optimize contract logistics tender success in Vietnam, benefiting both the academic community and industry practitioners. This study attempts to answer the following questions: RQ1: What is the relationship between the integration of IT during a logistics tender process and the perceived success of a logistics tender process in Vietnam? RQ2: What is the relationship between integration and ease of use of IT and the perceived success of a logistics tender process in Vietnam? RQ3: What is the relationship between integration, ease of use and the perceived success of the logistics tender process in Vietnam? RQ4: What is the relationship between attitudes toward IT, the integration of IT, and the perceived success of the logistics tender process in Vietnam? 2. Literature Review 2.1. Logistics Tender In the last decades, the selection of suppliers has developed into a contest in which the logistics service
314 HỘI THẢO KHOA HỌC QUỐC GIA VỀ LOGISTICS VÀ QUẢN LÝ CHUỖI CUNG ỨNG VIỆT NAM LẦN THỨ 4 (CLSCM-2024) companies compete to provide their best offers. In traditional auction processes, also known as forward auctions, the seller offers a product or service that is requested by more than one buyer. These buyers participate in the bidding process, and the highest bid wins the auction. In reverse auctions, which receive the common name of tenders or request for quotation (RFQ), the buyer gets to choose the best quotation offered by the sellers [1]. The sellers quote their lowest price or tariff and provide added-value services to win the bid. Typically, a proposal includes (i) the lowest possible price, (ii) the highest quality service, and (iii) additional services like customs clearance, intermodal service, consolidation service, etc. Proposals usually refer to a specific package of services that the customer requests to move their products or raw materials from the supplier to the manufacturing plant, from the plant to the warehouse, or from the warehouse to the retail centers [1]. Globalization has significantly transformed the logistics industry, creating new opportunities and challenges. There are various aspects that contribute to logistics performance at a country level, including the quality of trade and transport infrastructure (e.g., ports, roads, airports), the efficiency of customs (ease and speed of clearance), and the level of technology adoption. The globalization process has been recognized as an important underlying force that impacts global logistics service providers because it is an essential function in the transportation and logistics system [3]. Logistics is one of the functions that companies are currently outsourcing. The decision to keep this function in-house or to contract with one or many logistic service providers (LSP) is entirely strategic. It can have a significant impact on the bottom line. As a result, the outsourcing of logistics activities plays a vital role in making those activities more efficient and effective and has a greater impact on the performance of the logistics services. Numerous aspects of the topic of LSP issue have been covered in the foregoing studies. However, very little is known about analyzing the impact of the use of these providers on the performance of companies [4]. The 3PL selection is a multi-criteria problem and hence a complex process where multiple, both tangible and intangible, criteria need to be considered. Some criteria are developed with specific customer needs, while others are common for all circumstances [5]. In today's business world, choosing a logistics supplier is a critical factor for companies to improve operational efficiency and reduce business costs. With the development of the market economy, it is very difficult for companies to choose a suitable logistics provider according to specific rules [6]. As a result of a rising tendency towards outsourcing logistics activities, shippers have been forced to choose the most acceptable 3PL provider. The usage of 3PL providers can result in significant benefits such as lower logistical costs and fixed logistics assets, higher order fill rates, and shorter average order-cycle lengths and cash-to-cash cycles. If an appropriate 3PL provider is not selected, serious problems can occur, such as low-quality logistics services and contract nonfulfillment. As a result, the shipper's reputation, image, and trust may suffer. Therefore, in today's highly competitive business environment, more and more companies outsource their logistics services to 3 PL providers to reduce costs and improve business efficiency [7]. 2.2. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) by [8] is a theoretical framework designed to explain and predict user acceptance and use of technology [9]. To predict user behavior the authors decided to apply this model using three main variables: PU (Perceived Usefulness), which reflects the extent to which users believe that the technology will improve their job performance; PE (Perceived Ease of Use), which refers to the extent to which users believe that using the technology will not require much effort; and PC (Perceived Cost), which refers to the extent to which users believe that cost will affect their decision to use the technology [8]. These independent variables will be examined to assess their impact on the dependent variable. TAM has been widely applied in numerous studies on technology acceptance and use across various fields. TAM studies conducted by Kamble et al. [11] used the Technology Acceptance Model to examine how likely supply chain managers were to accept and adopt blockchain technology. In a later study, Kamble et al. [12] sought to identify the factors influencing the adoption of blockchain technology and predict its likelihood of adoption using machine learning techniques. This analysis could offer valuable insights into the potential benefits and challenges of implementing technology in different organizations and industries.
315 HỘI THẢO KHOA HỌC QUỐC GIA VỀ LOGISTICS VÀ QUẢN LÝ CHUỖI CUNG ỨNG VIỆT NAM LẦN THỨ 4 (CLSCM-2024) In the current research, the authors advance the blow hypothesis and research model: H1: There is statistically significant relationship between the integration of IT during a logistics tender process and the perceived success of a logistics tender process in Vietnam. H2: There is a statistically significant relationship between usefulness and IT integration and the perceived success of the logistics tender process in Vietnam. H3: There is a statistically significant relationship between integration, ease of use, and the perceived success of the logistics tender process in Vietnam. H4: There is a statistically significant relationship between attitudes toward IT, the integration of IT, and the perceived success of the logistics tender process in Vietnam. 3. Data Analysis and Discussion A quantitative research method and convenient sampling are adopted in this study that involved collecting primary data for 4 weeks from a questionnaire using a wide range of respondents, from senior management to employees, at both manufacturers and logistics service providers. Using Google Forms, the survey questions are carefully constructed. The questionnaire items are evaluated using a 5-point Likert scale with the following options: 1 (strongly disagree), 2 (disagree), 3 (neutral), 4 (agree), and 5 (strongly agree), using a quantitative online questionnaire that asks respondents yes/no questions, ranking scales, rating matrices, and other quantitative question types. The survey and informed consent form were dispatched to participants through email and social networking. Actual participation in this survey including corporate administrators and professionals is 306 respondents. Sourced from the author's extensive network, responses were gathered from professionals within the logistics sector in Vietnam via email and various social media platforms, including Outlook, Gmail, Zalo. For the study, a cluster sampling technique was employed, and 60% of the industry leaders from the more than 25 logistics organizations in Vietnam were chosen using a systematic selection technique. The 60% sampling fraction selected was consistent with [13]. The data amassed from this survey will be treated with the utmost confidentiality and exclusively utilized for this paper. To determine the impact of variables on each other, PLSEM is used. PLSEM is designed to support quantitative data analysis and provides powerful tools for descriptive statistics, regression analysis, factor analysis, analysis of variance, hypothesis testing, and many other statistical techniques. Based on research results, all variables are significant when the outer loading coefficient is greater than 0.7; they strongly support convergent validity, as explained by Hair et al. [13]. According to Hair et al. [14], Cronbach's alpha and Composite reliability from 0.6 to 0.7 is acceptable; the optimal level is from 0.7 to 0.9. The results show that all factors have good reliability when the Cron reliability coefficient is greater than 0.7. Henseler et al. [16] argue that if the HTMT index Source: Authors (2024) Fig 1. Research Model Table 1. Outer loading AT IT PE PU SLT AT1 0.940 AT2 0.957 AT3 0.932 AT4 0.984 IT1 0.923 IT2 0.922 IT3 0.924 IT4 0.863 PE1 0.947 PE2 0.944 PU1 0.811 PU2 0.849 PU3 0.863 PU4 0.842 SLT1 0.896 SLT2 0.906 SLT3 0.860 SLT4 0.951
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