THE PERCEPTION OF FOREIGN THIRD PARTY LOGISTICS PROVIDERS IN CHINA

Continuous growth of China's economic, trend of globalisation and entry into the WTO have brought a significant impact on China's logistics. To meet fast growing market of logistic, China has made substantial progress. One of great improvement is regulatory reform to remove discrimination against foreign logistics companies. In addition, substantial investments in infrastructure will improve the service of logistics. Foreign third party logistics (3PL) providers have achieved an unsubstituted position in China's logistics market with its own advantages and characters. New situation will see foreign 3PL providers carrying out growth and development in China. This research aims to identify perception of foreign 3PL providers in China. A series of questions evaluating company services and activities are duly introduced and investigated by an e-mail questionnaire survey. It intends to figure out current situation of foreign 3PL providers in China and their comments towards some problems of China's logistics market. On a basis of the results and findings of survey, it makes discussion and g1ves recommendation to foreign 3PL providers for their future development in China. As a contribution made to the study in the scope of third party logistics, this research introduces the conceptual development of 3PL provider, the reasons of outsourcing logistics and the usage of 3PL in different countries, which build up a foundation to investigate and study the service and function of foreign 3PL providers in China