Table 1 Detailed constructs and items... | Emerald Publishing

Table 1

Detailed constructs and items

Construct	Item code	Measurement item description	References
Logistics Outsourcing (LO)	LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4	- Our company outsources terminal operations to specialized logistics providers - Outsourcing allows focus on core operations while third parties manage logistics - Outsourcing improves operational flexibility in freight handling - Outsourcing enables access to external technology and skilled personnel	Mageto (2022), Thai et al. (2022), Baglio, Colicchia, Creazza, & Dallari (2025)
Cost efficiency (CE)	CE1 CE2 CE3	- Outsourcing reduces total operational costs - Outsourcing improves rolling stock and infrastructure utilization - Outsourcing enables better allocation of internal staff and resources	Alotaibi et al. (2022), Thai et al. (2022), Godovany and Zharikova (2022)
Delivery Reliability (DR)	DR1 DR2 DR3 DR4	- Outsourcing ensures punctual freight delivery - External providers reduce delays and cascading disruptions - Outsourcing supports adherence to intermodal delivery schedules - Outsourced providers maintain consistent train departure and arrival times	Thai et al. (2022), Abu-Aisha et al. (2024)
Service quality (SQ)	SQ1 SQ2 SQ3 SQ4 SQ5	- Outsourcing improves cargo handling accuracy - External providers enhance responsiveness to customer requests - Outsourcing provides timely shipment updates and visibility - Outsourcing enhances safety and compliance in operations - Outsourced providers maintain high end-to-end service quality	Shan et al. (2024), Taifa & Twaha (2026)
Overall railway operational performance (ROP)	ROP1 ROP2 ROP3 ROP4	- Operational efficiency is enhanced through outsourcing - Outsourcing positively affects profitability - Resource utilization is optimized via outsourcing - Customer satisfaction and service reliability are improved	Křižan et al. (2024), Sharma et al. (2024), Muni et al. (2024)

Construct	Item code	Measurement item description	References
Logistics Outsourcing (LO)	LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4	- Our company outsources terminal operations to specialized logistics providers - Outsourcing allows focus on core operations while third parties manage logistics - Outsourcing improves operational flexibility in freight handling - Outsourcing enables access to external technology and skilled personnel	Mageto (2022), Thai et al. (2022), Baglio, Colicchia, Creazza, & Dallari (2025)
Cost efficiency (CE)	CE1 CE2 CE3	- Outsourcing reduces total operational costs - Outsourcing improves rolling stock and infrastructure utilization - Outsourcing enables better allocation of internal staff and resources	Alotaibi et al. (2022), Thai et al. (2022), Godovany and Zharikova (2022)
Delivery Reliability (DR)	DR1 DR2 DR3 DR4	- Outsourcing ensures punctual freight delivery - External providers reduce delays and cascading disruptions - Outsourcing supports adherence to intermodal delivery schedules - Outsourced providers maintain consistent train departure and arrival times	Thai et al. (2022), Abu-Aisha et al. (2024)
Service quality (SQ)	SQ1 SQ2 SQ3 SQ4 SQ5	- Outsourcing improves cargo handling accuracy - External providers enhance responsiveness to customer requests - Outsourcing provides timely shipment updates and visibility - Outsourcing enhances safety and compliance in operations - Outsourced providers maintain high end-to-end service quality	Shan et al. (2024), Taifa & Twaha (2026)
Overall railway operational performance (ROP)	ROP1 ROP2 ROP3 ROP4	- Operational efficiency is enhanced through outsourcing - Outsourcing positively affects profitability - Resource utilization is optimized via outsourcing - Customer satisfaction and service reliability are improved	Křižan et al. (2024), Sharma et al. (2024), Muni et al. (2024)

Source(s): Authors’ own work