Logistics Digitalization and The Third-Party Logistics Blue-Collar Employees Performance: The Role of Paradoxical Leader Behavior
Künye
ASHRAF, Muhammad Hasan, Anis TRİKİ & Mehmet Gökhan YALÇIN. "Logistics Digitalization and The Third-Party Logistics Blue-Collar Employees Performance: The Role of Paradoxical Leader Behavior". The International Journal of Logistics Management, (2024): 1-27.Özet
Purpose – This study examines the impact of third-party logistics (3PL) supervisors’ paradoxical leader
behavior (PLB) on the relationship between logistics digitalization and 3PL blue-collar employee performance.
3PLs often lag in digitalization due to blue-collar employees struggling with learning paradoxes, i.e. the tension
between abandoning the known methods in favor of new ones. In such situations, 3PL supervisors play a crucial
role in helping their subordinates manage these tensions. By incorporating a paradox theory lens, we propose
that 3PL supervisors’ PLB acts as a supportive tool, motivating blue-collar employees to address learning
paradoxes, thereby improving their operational performance.
Design/methodology/approach – We conduct a scenario-based behavioral experiment in which participants
assume the role of a package sorter in a fictional 3PL hub setting. Participants engage in a custom-designed
package sorting game that mimics a real-life hub sorting operation.
Findings – The results indicate that digitalization combined with supervisors’ PLB significantly improves bluecollar
employee performance, with the most substantial improvement observed in the high digitalization and
high PLB condition than all other conditions.
Originality/value – Our research examines the impact of digitalization on blue-collar employees’ performance
through a paradox theory lens. We demonstrate that 3PLs can maximize digitalization benefits by ensuring
supervisors exhibit high PLB. Also, we introduce a package sorting game for researchers to conduct experiments
related to digitalization and hub operations.