The integration of logistics activities is a major challenge that involves the company's internal and external partners. Information technology (IT) plays a central role in this process since it provides infrastructure and software applications that allow the exchange of information needed to achieve such integration. The aim of this paper is propose a based IT model to analyze the external integration stages between third-party logistics providers (3PL) and the other agents of the logistics network. The analysis was based on a multiple case study conducted in four 3PLs operating in Brazil. This research identified and analyzed the technologies used in the logistics process and how they contribute to the achievement of logistic integration based on three parameters: integration and coordination of material, product, and information flow, and the establishment of partnerships between the network agents. This study revealed the existence of three levels of external integration between the 3PLs and the other agents in the network: total, partial, and lack of integration. The logistics network is considered a value network when there is total integration and the establishment of partnership between 3PLs and the other agents..
Information technology; Logistics; Logistic integration; Third-party logistics providers (3PLs); Value network
