Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate differences in logistic service requirements over time with regards to a commodity product.

Design / methodology / approach

This study is constituted by a follow-up study where one survey study (conducted in 2006) is followed up by a second survey study (conducted in 2012).

Findings

The study concludes that logistics service requirements, identified in the earlier study have developed differently. The study concludes that logistics service requirements considered as a delivery service increase in importance, whereas requirements considered as value-added to the physical flow decrease in importance. The low ranking of these requirements indicates that the relationship between the members in the distribution channel is not well developed and that advanced logistical solutions are not applied.

Research limitations / implications

This research is focused on logistics service requirements, aligned with a commodity product (softwood lumber). By knowing the logistics service requirements suppliers will be able to target the requirements that are actually important. Different logistics service requirements emerge continuously, as well as changes in their importance taking place continuously; hence additional future studies based on these defined logistics service requirements will be needed in order to validate the result.

Practical implications

A company’s logistics system creates time and place utility for its products. Hence knowing the customers’ logistic service requirements and understanding their development is of vital importance for suppliers of commodity products.

What is original/value of paper

This paper contributes to theory by demonstrating developments regarding logistics service requirements.