Macrologistic performance and logistics commitments in sales contracts in international supply chains

Purpose: This study aims to illuminate the relationship between the logistic performance indexes (LPIs) of trade countries and sharing obligations related to logistics services in delivery among parties in international sales contracts. Design/methodology/approach: A comprehensive one-year database of Serbian international trade flows is used. The LPIs of 148 countries are related to the Incoterms®rules in international sales contracts that designate the division of obligations between exporters and importers for moving goods. Empirical data were subjected to statistical analysis, where nonparametric correlation and inferential methods were applied. The differences between countries with the highest and lowest LPIs were also examined. Findings: LPIs positively correlate with logistics commitments in exports and imports. Their impact on the choice of Incoterms®rules differs among the groups of trade terms. Waterway andD-terms are the most sensitive. LPIs of trade countries clearly impact “emission” and “attraction” of the most extended sellers' delivery obligation “packages,” expressed inDrules. Research limitations/implications: The empirical data are limited to a single country. Further research must explore the relative impact of macrologistic factors on exporters and importers' logistics commitments for building better decision-making support tools. Practical implications: The results may support suppliers and buyers in sharing their experiences on Incoterms®practice and encourage more rational than intuitive decisions. Originality/value: This is the first empirical study to quantitatively evidence the sensitivity of groups of Incoterms®rules on the macrologistic environment of trade countries.