Abstract

Purpose - Korea has a better geographical location than other nations in the Northeast Asian region. This means that Korea has an opportunity to become the center of international physical distribution in Northeast Asia. Korea should take advantage of this opportunity by exploring appropriate strategies to achieve this goal, assuming government willingness, with a view to capitalizing on the geographical advantage of the Korean peninsula and constructing a comprehensive physical distribution network system. If we prepare for this scenario, Korea could become the center of international physical distribution in Northeast Asia. Research design, data, and methodology - This study has the purpose of determining how shipping companies form partnerships with third-party logistics providers, and the relevant implications. The survey methods used were personal interview and a questionnaire distributed through e-mail, fax, mail, and telephone. A total of 600 questionnaires were distributed, out of which 285 were returned. Of the collected questionnaires, 10 were excluded because of insufficient content, leaving 275 to be used in the study as available valid samples. The data that was collected from these samples was analyzed using the data coating process and by employing a statistical package program. Results - Flexible policies, administration, and systems will be needed to create better business practices. In this dissertation, first and foremost, the results reveal that in order to become the center of Northeast Asian logistics, Korea must transition into a new paradigm based on the current economic and social systems that have stemmed from bureaucracy, inflexibility, chauvinism, and egalitarianism. Flexible policies, administration, and systems will be required to create better business practices. Domestic logistics corporations need to occupy a strategic logistics hub, create a logistics network, and activate value-added logistics business strategies by ensuring significant manpower and by building a logistics information system to strengthen their competitive edge, creating an improved system. Conclusions - In this dissertation, first and foremost, we point out that in order to become a center of North East Logistics, Korea should change to a new paradigm from the old one based on current economic and social systems that have stemmed from bureaucracy, inflexibility, chauvinism, and egalitarianism. More reasonable business laws, systems, and policies based on market-driven flexibility and transparency should be created. Moreover, social norms and rules should be reasonably established, to accomplish political and social security. Korea has to cultivate a culture of tolerance for foreign companies. This involves a change of paradigm for the development of the capital city and satellite cities. It will take a powerful task force or organization to plan and execute the vision that aims to meet these needs, accomplish the necessary goals, use the appropriate system effectively, and make Korea a key country in the field of Northeast Asian logistics.