Gestaltung der Anpassungsfähigkeit von Verträgen im Einkauf von Dienstleistungen

In the course of third-party logistics (3PL), manufacturing and trading firms outsource complex, customized services and service bundles based on multi-year contracts. These contracts need to be designed according to relationship characteristics and be adjusted to changes that occur during the life of the contracts. The flexibility of contracts is increased by using incomplete contracts, re-negotiation terms, flexible pricing, incentive contracting, early termination clauses, and short durations.
This dissertation examines the effects of flexibility mechanisms in 3PL relationships. Drawing on survey data, the work develops recommendations for the design of flexible 3PL contracts when complex or customized services are purchased, or when the uncertainty in a relationship is high.