Background: In South Africa, deemed the ‘gateway to Africa’, there is limited evidence of the existence of a survey ranking third-party logistics providers (3PLs). This lack of comparative information of the major 3PLs based on key outsourcing and ranking criteria complicates the selection process for companies that intend to contract 3PLs. Objective: The purpose of this article was to determine the critical selection and ranking criteria for the creation of an index to evaluate 3PLs in South Africa for developing a 3PL benchmarking index. Method: Survey data were collected from 103 of the Top 500 Companies in Africa that use 3PLs and operate within the sectors that mostly outsource logistics services in South Africa. A factor analysis method was employed. Results: Three factors for 3PLs selection converged: service quality, information management and compliance, and collaboration. The top three ranked categories for 3PLs selection are cost and price structure, service delivery and the relationship with the 3PL provider. Most respondents (90%) confirmed a need for a 3PLs index in South Africa. Conclusion: The results help managers with the strategic selection of 3PLs as these critical logistics outsourcing selection criteria can be used to evaluate and rank 3PLs prior to contracting. Based on the selection criteria for logistics outsourcing identified and ranked in this article, a ranking index for 3PLs in South Africa can be developed.

中文翻译：

---

评估南非第三方物流提供商的基准标准

背景：在被视为“非洲门户”的南非，只有有限的证据表明存在对第三方物流提供商（3PL）进行排名的调查的情况。基于关键外包和排名标准的主要3PL缺乏比较信息，这使得打算与3PL签约的公司的选择过程变得复杂。目的：本文的目的是确定创建南非3PL基准以评估3PL指标的指数的关键选择和排名标准。方法：调查数据是从非洲500强公司中有103家使用3PL并在南非外包物流服务的行业中收集的。使用因子分析方法。结果：3PL选择的三个因素融合在一起：服务质量，信息管理与合规性以及协作。3PL选择的前三名类别是成本和价格结构，服务交付以及与3PL提供者的关系。大多数受访者（90％）确认南非需要3PLs指数。结论：这些结果可帮助管理人员进行3PL的战略选择，因为这些重要的物流外包选择标准可用于在签约之前对3PL进行评估和排名。根据本文中确定和排序的物流外包选择标准，可以制定南非3PL的排名指数。大多数受访者（90％）确认南非需要3PLs指数。结论：这些结果可帮助管理人员进行3PL的战略选择，因为这些重要的物流外包选择标准可用于在签约之前对3PL进行评估和排名。根据本文中确定和排序的物流外包选择标准，可以制定南非3PL的排名指数。大多数受访者（90％）确认南非需要3PLs指数。结论：这些结果可帮助管理人员进行3PL的战略选择，因为这些重要的物流外包选择标准可用于在签约之前对3PL进行评估和排名。根据本文中确定和排序的物流外包选择标准，可以制定南非3PL的排名指数。