Int. J. Logistics Systems and Management, Vol. 13, No. 3, 2012 287 Copyright © 2012 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. Determinants of Fifth Party Logistics (5PL): service providers for Supply Chain Management Peter Hosie* Curtin Business School, Curtin University, Faculty of Business and Management, University of Wollongong in Dubai, Block 15, Knowledge Village, Dubai, UAE E-mail: Peter.Hosie@cbs.curtin.edu.au *Corresponding author Balan Sundarakani Faculty of Business and Management, University of Wollongong in Dubai, Block 14, Room 123, Knowledge Village, Dubai, UAE E-mail: balansundarakani@uowdubai.ac.ae Albert Wee Kwan Tan Malaysia Institute of Supply Chain Innovation, No. 2A, Persiaran Tebar Layar, Seksyen U8, Bukit Jelutong, Shah Alam, Selangor 40150, Malaysia E-mail: atan@misi.edu.my Aleksandra Koźlak Faculty of Economics, University of Gdansk, Sopot 81-824, Armii Krajowej 119/121, Europe E-mail: a.kozlak@univ.gda.pl Abstract: The theory and practice of a networked approach to Supply Chain Management (SCM) are used to trace the evolution of management logistics. Reforming influences on competitive forces have deregulated, globalised and innovated, changing fundamentally the conception and practice of SCM. Increased need for strong interfirm networks, among other trends, seems formative. Changed purchasing and customer service functions result in new management methods, business contexts and transportation modes. Radical advances in managing supply chains stem from electronic commerce, notably in transportation and distribution, now widely adopted. Hence, managing logistics services becomes basic to businesses’ competitiveness. Economic imperatives, technological innovations, market competition and managerial ability to provide