Purpose This study aims to investigate the effect of socialization facilitated by the logistics service providers (LSPs) on partitional buyer-supplier ambidexterity and its resulting impact on supply chain (SC) relational performance. Design/methodology/approach The basis of our research is founded on Network Theory and enhanced by the principles of Social Capital Theory. Building on these theories, we designed a questionnaire and collected data from 1,050 European companies across 350 three-tier supply chains, with each company operating in only one supply chain. Findings The results indicate that while LSP-stimulated socialization has a positive effect on partitional buyer-supplier ambidexterity, the contribution of its components (i.e. buyer socialization and supplier socialization) differs in both models in terms of significance and strength. The findings also demonstrate that the effect of partitional buyer-supplier ambidexterity on SC relational performance is strong and positive. The results suggest that partitional buyer-supplier ambidexterity partially mediates the relationship between LSP-stimulated socialization and SC relational performance. Research limitations/implications As the concept of partitional supply chain ambidexterity is a new research topic, further investigation is required. Firstly, it would be interesting to employ a temporal perspective when examining the interdependence of buyer-supplier exploration and exploitation in supply chains. As LSPs become stronger and more equal partners in supply chains, it would also be worthwhile investigating whether they sometimes exploit their advantageous position within the triad at the expense of buyers and suppliers. This behavior could lead to fomenting conflicts and allow LSPs to manipulate buyers and suppliers for their own benefit. Practical implications LSPs can act as orchestrators – acquiring assets, creating synergies, and fostering social relationships. These issues align with network theory, which demonstrates that LSPs can enhance both the short-term refinement and long-term development of buyer-supplier partitional ambidexterity. Although the LSP may create a favorable environment that positively affects buyer-supplier partitional ambidexterity, it is the buyer and supplier's role to initiate and maintain it. The LSP merely energizes relationships; the connected companies must engage in distinct explorative and exploitative actions themselves to truly add value to their performance. Understandably, the LSP will not undertake these actions for them. Developing such an environment can lead to new ideas, fresh initiatives, and innovative concepts, which can mitigate opportunism and self-interest, ultimately resulting in improved performance. At the end of the day, it is the buyer and supplier that must cultivate these skills themselves, even when the LSP provides favorable conditions. Social implications The study highlights the increasingly significant role that LSPs play in fostering strong relationships among supply chain partners and creating a more dynamic environment that supports social interaction and networking. Establishing a social community is especially crucial when the relationship between the buyer and supplier is strained, which can lead to conflicts. In such situations, an impartial third party, like the LSP, can act as a mediator, helping to alleviate tension between the buyer and supplier. The LSP effectively takes on a bridging role, connecting the two parties and encouraging socialization. Originality/value By examining the effects of LSP-facilitated socialization on partitional buyer-supplier ambidexterity and SC relational performance, this study empirically demonstrates how dyadic relationships within triads influence one another, thereby offering insights into multi-tier relational dynamics.

Purpose The COVID-19 pandemic revealed the acute vulnerability of the global apparel supply chain. While the industry showed capacity to recover, resilience practices often protected some actors while shifting risks onto others. This research examines how resilience practices were perceived across brands, manufacturers, and suppliers, and how these affected workers in developing countries. By analysing vulnerability factors, resilience capabilities, and strategies, the article contributes to building an apparel supply chain that is not only resilient but also equitable and sustainable. Design/methodology/approach We adopted a qualitative, interpretive case study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 influential stakeholders representing brands, manufacturers, sector associations, and international organisations. Data were inductively coded to explore perceptions of vulnerabilities, responses, and resilience practices during and after COVID-19. Findings The impacts of COVID-19 were unevenly distributed. Brands and retailers absorbed shocks by cancelling orders, deferring payments, or demanding discounts, creating severe consequences for apparel manufacturers and workers. Manufacturers demonstrated adaptability, diversification, and digital innovation, yet these capabilities only partially offset cascading vulnerabilities. Findings emphasise that resilience for one tier often becomes vulnerability for another. Practical implications The research provides guidance for managers and policymakers. Brands and retailers must strengthen collaborative governance, responsible sourcing, and end-to-end visibility while manufacturers and suppliers should pursue digitalisation, diversification and agility to sustain operations. Originality/value Unlike previous studies centred on workers' experiences, this research captures expert perspectives across tiers, offering systemic insights into resilience as a relational and distributive process. It advances a framework where resilience is measured not only by recovery but also by equity and justice.

Purpose In the last decade, there has been a growing consensus that expanding gender diversity in the workplace can improve productivity and work quality. However, the well-being of female workers continues to be a challenge for companies. This study aims to evaluate the influence of some work practices (remote work, participation, flex-time, and work autonomy) on work engagement and work-life balance of European workers in the logistics sector, distinguishing male from female workers. The analysis is grounded in the job demands-resources (JD-R) model and social exchange theory (SET). Design/methodology/approach To this end, we used a quantitative methodology, carrying out a multi-group analysis and applying the partial least square method to a sample of 4,806 European workers in the logistics sector. Findings The results reveal significant gender differences in the intensity of influence of work practices on work engagement and work-life balance. Participation and flex-time practices positively influence the work engagement of female workers, and remote work practices their work-life balance, but with less intensity when compared to male workers. The relationship between work engagement and work-life balance is negative, being more intense in the case of female workers. Finally, when the association between workplace practices and work-life balance is mediated by work engagement, there is a positive influence of remote work and participation in work practices in the case of female workers. Originality/value This study contributes to deepening knowledge about gender differences in the workplace by integrating the JD-R model and SET to reveal gendered pathways between workplace practices, work engagement, and work-life balance in the logistics sector. It demonstrates that workplace practices appropriate to workers' gender should be promoted to enhance work engagement and work-life balance, which are valued by workers and could lead to greater worker proficiency.

Purpose This study examines how healthcare buying organisations disclose and address modern slavery risks under the Australian Modern Slavery Act 2018. Modern slavery remains a hidden issue in upstream supply chains and continues to challenge supply chain transparency. Given the healthcare sector's reliance on complex, high-risk supply networks for essential medical goods, modern slavery threatens progress towards ensuring supply chain transparency. The research examines how healthcare organisations respond to supply chain transparency by disclosing and operationalising mechanisms to mitigate modern slavery risks. Design/methodology/approach An abductive content analysis was conducted on 78 modern slavery reports published by Australian healthcare organisations. The analysis examined four key dimensions: upstream supply chain information, mechanisms to ensure supply chain transparency, monitoring challenges and ongoing commitments to mitigate modern slavery. Findings Healthcare organisations disclose modern slavery-related information concerning their upstream supply chains, focusing on supplier host-country contexts, the nature of modern slavery practices and supplier due diligence. Their primary mechanisms for enhancing supply chain transparency include supplier governance, risk management, integration and development. However, limited visibility, supply chain complexity and disruptions hinder the effectiveness of these mechanisms. Differing regulations, socio-economic norms and economic pressures cause persistent stakeholder conflicts between Australian healthcare organisations and upstream suppliers, highlighting the need for more genuine stakeholder collaboration and trust-building. Originality/value Drawing on empirical insights from Australian healthcare organisations, the proposed transparency-driven modern slavery reporting framework identifies key disclosure dimensions and core supply chain transparency mechanisms that emphasise stakeholder engagement. It provides a structured approach for healthcare organisations to report and mitigate modern slavery risks and guides smaller entities in improving supply chain transparency and reporting practices.

Purpose This study critically examines the claim that blockchain technology (BCT) can create a trustless system in supply chain management (SCM). It explores the nuanced relationship between trust and BCT, offering empirical insights into how trust is shaped when BCT is introduced in sustainability-oriented supply chains. Design/methodology/approach Adopting a multiple case study approach, the research investigates three blockchain initiatives in the steel, copper and mango supply chains. Drawing on 11 in-depth interviews and guided by the conceptualisations and frameworks in inter-organisational trust literature, the study analyses trust from two angles: trust in SC partners and trust in the technology itself. Findings The study shows that BCT cannot fully eliminate the need for trust in today’s supply chains. Instead, it changes how trust works, affecting both relationships between SC partners and trust in the technology itself. Openness and transparency are seen as key factors that build trust in the context of blockchain-based SCM, especially when used to support shared sustainability goals. Traditional elements of trust, such as competence, goodwill and integrity, are still important antecedents. At the same time, trust in the technology depends on how well it functions, how dependable it is and how helpful it proves to be. These dimensions influence whether Blockchain is adopted and also evolve as the technology is used. Practical implications The framework and research propositions developed in this study can help SC managers critically assess whether Blockchain is truly valuable for their operations rather than simply following the hype. Managers are offered practical methods to assess trust in both SC partners and the technology itself, especially during early proof of concepts or pilot projects. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature by offering a multidimensional and reciprocal framework for understanding trust in Blockchain-enabled supply chains. It shows how trust flows both between partners and toward the technology itself. The framework is grounded in real-world cases and offers research propositions specifically relevant to SCM with a sustainability focus.

Purpose E-commerce consumers value both forward and reverse logistics services and triple-bottom-line sustainability (cost, CSR and environmental performance). Unfortunately, these aspects of e-commerce can be at odds with one another. Therefore, a major challenge for e-commerce retailers lies in balancing the importance of forward and reverse logistics services with concerns about triple-bottom-line sustainability. To help e-commerce retailers better understand this challenge, our study delves into US consumers' tradeoff preferences related to delivery, returns and sustainability performances. Design/methodology/approach Policy capturing is a method employed by researchers to assess how individual decision-makers use available information when making evaluative tradeoffs between factors. We employ a policy-capturing method with 364 participants. Findings We find different consumers' tradeoff preferences in different groups in the USA. We observed that environmental concerns are paramount for younger respondents, but cost is more important for older respondents. Also, delivery performance is regarded as more significant than returns performance. Research limitations/implications Our findings imply that the demographic background of consumers plays a role in their purchasing behaviors. E-commerce retailers need to consider the psychological attitudes and age of the consumers. Practical implications Environmental performance seems to matter more to younger respondents relative to their older counterparts, so e-commerce retailers will need to adjust their strategies accordingly. We see some examples of e-commerce retailers trying to use this shift in attitudes to their advantage. Originality/value While literature has demonstrated that triple-bottom-line sustainability and logistics service are key consumer considerations in e-commerce, it has not yet been established how consumers evaluate these disparate and sometimes orthogonal factors in tandem. Our research aims to fill this gap.

Purpose Drawing on mechanism design theory (MDT) and the structure-conduct-performance (SCP) paradigm, this study developed a cross-level model to examine the double-edged sword effect of supply chain decentralization (SCDece) on supply chain efficiency (SCEffi) and reveal the underlying mechanism. Design/methodology/approach This study collected 78 sets of supply-chain-level data and 372 sets of enterprise-level data through a newly designed multi-time point and multi-source survey. Multi-level structural equation modelling was adopted to verify the hypotheses. Findings The results demonstrated that SCDece had dual effects on SCEffi. On the one hand, it encouraged supply chain enterprises to adopt consistent group decision-making, thereby enhancing overall efficiency. On the other hand, it prompted solipsistic individual decision-making, which diminished SCEffi. Supply chain maturity (SCMatu) moderated these opposing mediation paths: for high SCMatu, the positive mediation effect of group decision-making of enterprises in supply chain was strengthened, while the negative effect of individual decision-making of enterprises in the supply chain (IDESC) was attenuated. Practical implications To optimize SCEffi, managers should strategically align SCDece with SCMatu. Additionally, enterprise supervisors should adopt the principle of “extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits” to strengthen collaborative decision-making and mitigate individual decision-making. Originality/value From a cross-level perspective, this study examined the double-edged sword effect of SCDece on SCEffi and uncovered its underlying mechanisms through differential decision-making behaviours among supply chain enterprises. These findings extend the literature on decentralization and integration development of the MDT and SCP paradigms. It also provides new insights for a supply chain to reduce the negative effects of IDESC.

Purpose The study aims to develop a typology of pooled warehouses (PWs) based on their collaborative intensity and operational dynamics. By exploring diverse French PWs, the research seeks to clarify how these dimensions influence management practices and performance, offering insights to guide decision-making in establishing or improving PW strategies. Design/methodology/approach This research adopts an exploratory, qualitative case study approach, drawing on Yin (2018) and Corley and Gioia (2004). Seven French PWs were studied through 27 semi-structured interviews with managers and logistics experts. Cross-case analysis and thematic coding allowed for the identification of collaboration and dynamics patterns, supporting the development of a typology to better understand PW configurations. Findings The research identified four PW types: Type I (Partial collaboration, Low dynamics), Type II (Partial collaboration, High dynamics), Type III (Full collaboration, Low dynamics), and Type IV (Full collaboration, High dynamics). Collaboration varied from bilateral to multilateral arrangements, while dynamics reflected both external volatility and internal complexity. The typology highlights the need to align collaboration with environmental dynamics to enhance PW performance, resilience, and adaptability. Originality/value This study offers an original typology categorizing PWs by collaboration and dynamics, addressing a notable research gap. It emphasizes warehouses as strategic components in collaborative logistics, extending beyond transport pooling. The framework provides practical guidance for managers to tailor collaboration strategies to specific operational contexts. It contributes to the understanding of how PWs can enhance supply chain efficiency, flexibility, and sustainability through structured collaboration and dynamic management.