Horizontal logistics collaboration: an exploratory study in Morocco’s agri-food supply chains

Figures & data

Figure 1. Horizontal logistics collaboration conceptual model.

Figure 2. Collaboration structure adopted by FIRM1 and FIRM2.

Table 1. Summary of the findings from the first case study.

Factor	Summary of the findings
Dedicated investments	The heavy investments in the joint manufacturing entities provided the partners with more confidence regarding the intentions of the other party and created a dependence in the relationship.
Resource sharing	Sharing human resources created a positive atmosphere in the collaboration, promoting trust and commitment.
Information sharing	The partners exchanged their expertise in manufacturing processes, which considerably increased their trust towards each other.
Joint relationship efforts	Agreeing on common goals and distributing costs and benefits equally among the partner enhanced their trust towards each other and their commitment to the relationship.
Partners similarity	Size similarity ensured equal influence levels on the planning and execution of the operational activities.
Dependence	The dependence created through the joint manufacturing facilities increases the partners’ commitment to the relationship in order to recoup their investments.
Trust	The trust level developed in the case study was not only a result of the partners’ engagement in the operational activities but was also influenced the existence of prior interpersonal relationships between the partners.
Commitment	The developed trust level in the collaboration increased of the collaboration intensity, indicating that the partners are more committed to the relationship.
Satisfaction with the relationship	The developed trust and commitment, resulting from the partners’ engagement in collaborative activities, resulted in a feeling of satisfaction with both the operational results and the relationship the partners maintain. This satisfaction led to increasing the collaboration scope from procurement to also include manufacturing.

Figure 3. Collaboration structure adopted by FIRM3 and FIRM4.

Table 2. Summary of the findings from the second case study.

Factor	Summary of the findings
Dedicated investments	No dedicated investments were made in this case study
Resource sharing	Sharing trucks and warehousing space resulted in good operational results, which had a positive influence on commitment.
Information sharing	The partners regularly exchanged information, such as sales and inventory levels, which has positively influenced trust and commitment.
Joint relationship efforts	Agreeing on common goals, jointly planning biscuits manufacturing, distribution, and promotional activities, as well as agreeing on a costs/benefits allocation mechanism enhanced the partners’ trust towards each other and their commitment to the relationship.
Partners similarity	Size similarity ensured equal influence levels in the relationship, while products similarity in terms of handling conditions allowed them to use the existing logistics equipment and infrastructure.
Dependence	No dependence originating from dedicated investment was identified
Trust	The trust level developed in the case study was mainly developed through evaluating the collaboration operational results and the partners’ behaviour.
Commitment	Developing trust resulted in an increase in the collaboration intensity, which according to the partners is a sign of their commitment to the relationship.
Satisfaction with the relationship	Both trust and commitment contributed to the generation of a feeling of satisfaction, which in turn led to an increase in the collaboration intensity in terms of the number of products subject to the collaboration.

Table 3. Propositions results.

Proposition	Case #1	Case #2
P1	Supported	Not applicable (No dedicated investments were made in this case)
P2	Supported	Supported
P3	Supported	Supported
P4	Supported	Supported
P5	Supported	Supported
P6	Supported	Not supported (no dependence originating from dedicated investment was identified)
P7	Supported	Supported
P8	Supported	Supported
P9	Supported	Supported
P10	Supported	Supported

Figure 4. Updated horizontal logistics collaboration conceptual model.