Evaluation of the efficiency and returns to scale of Korean logistics companies

IF 4.1 2区工程技术 Q2 BUSINESS Research in Transportation Business and Management Pub Date : 2025-03-17 DOI:10.1016/j.rtbm.2025.101354

Mehdi Shamohammadi , Oh Kyoung Kwon , Sang Yoon Lee

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Abstract

This study investigates the efficiency and returns to scale of Korean logistics firms using stochastic frontier analysis of panel data from 2006 to 2019. Drawing on a firm-level dataset from a substantial number of logistics companies, this study assesses the impact of innovation activities, government certification, and stock market participation on firm-level efficiency. The results indicate an average efficiency score of 0.75, with improvements over time primarily driven by investments in research and development and the attainment of government excellence certifications. The analysis reveals that firms engaging in innovative activities exhibit significantly higher efficiency levels, whereas stock market listings have minimal or negative impacts. Furthermore, most logistics companies operate under increasing returns to scale, suggesting that expansion can enhance efficiency and performance. These findings offer managerial insights for logistics firms by emphasizing the value of innovation, certification, and strategic scaling. The study provides policy recommendations aimed at encouraging innovation and certification initiatives to improve the overall efficiency of the logistics industry.

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来源期刊

Research in Transportation Business and Management Multiple-

CiteScore

7.10

自引率

8.30%

发文量

175

期刊介绍： Research in Transportation Business & Management (RTBM) will publish research on international aspects of transport management such as business strategy, communication, sustainability, finance, human resource management, law, logistics, marketing, franchising, privatisation and commercialisation. Research in Transportation Business & Management welcomes proposals for themed volumes from scholars in management, in relation to all modes of transport. Issues should be cross-disciplinary for one mode or single-disciplinary for all modes. We are keen to receive proposals that combine and integrate theories and concepts that are taken from or can be traced to origins in different disciplines or lessons learned from different modes and approaches to the topic. By facilitating the development of interdisciplinary or intermodal concepts, theories and ideas, and by synthesizing these for the journal''s audience, we seek to contribute to both scholarly advancement of knowledge and the state of managerial practice. Potential volume themes include: -Sustainability and Transportation Management- Transport Management and the Reduction of Transport''s Carbon Footprint- Marketing Transport/Branding Transportation- Benchmarking, Performance Measurement and Best Practices in Transport Operations- Franchising, Concessions and Alternate Governance Mechanisms for Transport Organisations- Logistics and the Integration of Transportation into Freight Supply Chains- Risk Management (or Asset Management or Transportation Finance or ...): Lessons from Multiple Modes- Engaging the Stakeholder in Transportation Governance- Reliability in the Freight Sector