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Manufacturers and third-party logistics (3PL) providers must collaborate to enhance supply chain efficiency, adaptability, and customer responsiveness in a dynamic and competitive business landscape. However, effectiveness of collaboration is influenced through strategic, technological, and operational factors, but the connections among them is inadequately understood. The purpose of this research is to identify major enablers essential for collaboration between manufacturers and third-party logistics providers and establish inter-relationships among them to enhance supply chain performance. The study adopts a mixed-methods two-stage approach. First, Total Interpretive Structural Modeling (TISM) is used to examine the interrelationships among the refined set of enablers, providing a hierarchical model to show interpretive rationale of factor interdependencies. Secondly, the MICMAC analysis is done to categorize these enablers based on their driving and dependence power. The results reveal a structured hierarchy of collaborative enablers among manufacturer–3PL relationships. The major finding of this research demonstrates that strategic alignment and partnership orientation drive information sharing and decision synchronization between manufacturers and 3PLs. These interactions improve process efficiency and service quality, ultimately leading to higher ROI and market growth. The integrated TISM–MICMAC analysis finds critical characteristics required for fostering effective collaboration and impacting comprehensive supply chain integration. The research offers valuable insights to supply chain professionals and policymakers, by highlighting where to focus for smoother collaboration between manufacturer and 3 PL providers. The findings provide substantial theoretical and managerial insights by clarifying the structural connections among cooperation aspects in manufacturer–3PL partnerships. The study offers a systematic approach to assist managers in identifying critical enablers, improving collaborative strategies, and increasing operational efficiency and sustainable supply chain partnerships