Global Journal of Management and Business Research, A: Administration and Management, Volume 21 Issue 12

interested in combining the three constructs into a single conceptual model.On the other hand, we have observed a lack in the number, until now very limited, of works that have included the developing countries of the African continent in their field of investigation.It is in this context that the main objective of our research is therefore to develop a conceptual model that would allow us to assess the relationship between the resources, skills and logistics capacities and the logistics performance of the freight carrier, in an African country in development like Cameroon. Indeed, although research on explanatory factors of logistics performance has aroused enormous interest from researchers, particularly in Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Africa in In general, the field of explanatory research on this theme remains very little explored. A study to our knowledge was conducted in Ghana by Sohail and al. (2004). In Cameroon more specifically, research into logistics management is quite rare (Eyenga, 2010; Tsapi and Assene, 2014) and more particularly that concerning LSPs (Gouanlong and Bidisse, 2017; Bidisse and al., 2019, Gouanlong and al., 2020). It is within this framework that the main objective of our research is therefore to develop a conceptual model which would allow to assess the relationship between the resources, skills and logistics capacities and the performance of the freight carrier, in a developing African country like Cameroon. To achieve this objective, we have organized this contribution around three points: first, we will present the concept of logistics performance (1).Next, we will present the three main theories that can explain the logistics performance of PSLs in general, and freight carriers in particular (2).Finally, we will propose the possible determinants of the logistics performance of these service providers identified in the existing literature (3). 1. Definition of logistics performance in freight transport Faced with the current environment, marked by dynamism and ever-increasing competition on a planetary scale, the sustainability of a company inevitably refers to performance requirements (Chappaz- Gillot and Destais, 2007). In the specific context of logistics service, Wang et al.(2010) point out that the concept of PSL performance translates into quality, flexibility and on-time delivery.Neely and al.(1995) for their part, assimilate the logistics performance of PSLs through 4 components: costs, quality, deadlines and flexibility, which also influence shippers in the choice of their service providers.For some authors, in particular Huoand al.(2008), the logistics performance of LSPs is fundamentally built on two major dimensions, logistics costs and the level of logistics services. In the specific case of the freight transport service, the logistics performance of the transporter is measured through its effectiveness and efficiency (Krauth et al., 2005). As part of this research, we define the logistics performance of the freight carrier as its ability to deliver a quality service, that is to say to transport goods on time and as is, and at a lower cost to the charger. More precisely, it refers to the ability of the transport provider to generate added value for itself and for its customers, thanks in particular to deliveries of goods on time and in full, to the absence of theft and damage or loss of goods during the journey, etc. This conception of logistics performance converges with that adopted by many authors in logistics management, who moreover assimilate it to the competitive performance of the LSP (Wong and Karia, 2010; Zawawi et al., 2016; Zawawi et al.., 2017). Based on the constituent elements of performance in freight transport identified by Lambert (1991 ) 1 1 Lambert D. (1991), Logistics and Customer Service, 9th Congress of International Logistic, November cited by De Beaumont (1994). and Grand (1997), and following a large review of the literature on the fundamental characteristics of efficient transport,we have retained the following assessment attributes: time, reliability, availability, transport quality and compliance, which appear in table 1 below.This choice can be explained in large part by the obvious insistence of certain authors on the importance of these criteria, in the evaluation of the logistical performance of a LSP in general, and of a transport provider in particular. 48 Global Journal of Management and Business Research Volume XXI Issue XII Version I Year 2021 ( ) A © 2021 Global Journals Logistics Performance in the Freight Transport Sector: Towards the Development of a Research Model