Investigation of the drivers of logistics outsourcing in the United Kingdom's pharmaceutical manufacturing industry

•Examines the key determinants of logistics outsourcing decisions in the UK pharmaceutical manufacturing sector.•Improving quality and reliability and reducing logistics costs are the most significant reasons for outsourcing logistics services.•Improving techno-commercial performance and enhancing delivery performance are identified as factors that influence the selection of vendors.•Materials transportation and product delivery are shown to be the most frequently outsourced activities in the UK pharmaceutical manufacturing industry.