Conclusions

Abstract

This final chapter offers a closing remark on the Total Integration promise which has been both discussed by the academic literature for years and is also presented as the next stage of practice by my LSP research cases as well as by the industry. My first main result underlines the failure of this aim. My second contribution concerns the development of a framework for LSPs which allows me to identify superior performance amongst them. In particular, I show that the definition of a Hidden Champion by its creator is too broad. The addition of the precise BMPS Framework then allows the identification of the high performers amongst this class of SMEs. Finally, my third contribution consists in a comment on the outlook on the future of logistics. My point is that current champions are not total integrators. Thus there is a gap in the current market offer, which also identifies an opportunity for a new type of logistics actors to fill this gap.