Intergrating Logistics and Information Technology Strategies for Sustainable Competitive Advantage.

Purpose – To investigate the integration process of retailer’s information technology strategy within

logistics strategy and to find out those aspects of the retailer’s distribution and operational

performance that are mostly influenced via that integration.

Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative case study methodology is used where the

managers of the major domestic and multinational firms operating in the Greek food multiple retail

market are interviewed. The integration process of the information technology and logistics strategies

of these retail firms is linked to their relevant distribution and operational functions. Secondary data

for the Greek food multiple retail sector are also employed.

Findings – The findings show that logistics and information technology strategies are developed

and implemented in a parallel way by both local and multinational food multiple retailers in Greece. A

financial ratio analysis carried out for these firms, suggests that multinational firms possess greater

operational efficiency at both secondary and in-store distribution operations compared to domestic

firms, something that is largely attributed to their integration of logistics and information technology

operations. Multinational firms’ superior operational efficiency is also resulting in a higher

profitability performance.

Originality/value – The paper proposes that a successful integration process between the logistics

and the information technology functions seems to confer a competitive advantage upon retailers’

distribution operations. The paper will assist retail managers and researchers responsible for the

development of logistics and information technology strategies to understand that fully absorbed

information technology and logistics strategies and operations will be rewarded with superior

pecuniary and operational efficiency benefits.