Outsourcing logistics for smarter railways: quantitative evidence on cost, delivery and service performance

Purpose This study examines the relationship between logistics outsourcing and railway operational performance in the Moroccan railway sector, with particular emphasis on the mediating roles of cost efficiency, delivery reliability and service quality. Drawing upon transaction cost economics (TCE) and the resource-based view (RBV), the study investigates how logistics outsourcing contributes to operational performance through the enhancement of key operational capabilities. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative research design was adopted using a structured questionnaire administered to railway professionals in Morocco. A total of 937 valid responses were collected from managers, supervisors and logistics practitioners involved in railway operations and outsourcing activities. The proposed conceptual model was empirically tested using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Reliability, validity, mediation and model fit assessments were performed to ensure the robustness of the findings. Findings The results indicate that logistics outsourcing is positively associated with cost efficiency, delivery reliability and service quality. These operational capabilities, in turn, significantly enhance railway operational performance. Cost efficiency emerged as the strongest mediator, followed by delivery reliability and service quality, demonstrating that the performance benefits of logistics outsourcing are primarily realized through improvements in operational capabilities rather than through a direct relationship. The proposed model explained 61% of the variance in railway operational performance, highlighting its strong explanatory power. Originality/value This study extends the application of TCE and RBV to the relatively underexplored context of railway logistics outsourcing in an emerging economy. It provides one of the first empirical investigations of the operational mechanisms through which logistics outsourcing enhances railway performance by simultaneously examining the mediating roles of cost efficiency, delivery reliability and service quality. The findings offer valuable theoretical insights while providing practical guidance for railway managers and policymakers seeking to optimize outsourcing strategies and improve operational competitiveness.