Purpose:　This　study　explores　the　influencing　factors　of　smart　logistics　ecological　chain＇s　(SLEC＇s)　organizational　collaboration　and　designs　a　corresponding　conceptual　framework.　Design/methodology/approach:　The　multi-case　study　is　applied　to　this　paper.　Specifically,　this　study　is　a　combination　of　exploratory　and　explanatory　case　studies.　Findings:　The　findings　are　threefold.　First,　empowerment　capability　and　the　information-sharing　level　are　unique　factors　that　affect　SLEC＇s　organizational　collaboration.　Second,　greater　empowerment　capability　stimulates　the　increase　of　information-sharing　level.　Third,　emerging　digital　technology,　personalized　demand　and　peer　competition　affect　the　degree　of　SLEC＇s　organizational　collaboration　through　an　intermediary　variable　–　empowerment　capability.　Specifically,　the　emerging　digital　technology　application　and　peer　competition　degrees　have　positive　effects　on　empowerment　capability,　while　the　demand　personalization　degree　negatively　(positively)　affects　empowerment　capability　in　the　short　(long)　term.　Originality/value:　As　an　important　part　of　supply　chain　performance,　organizational　collaboration　is　receiving　more　attention.　However,　in　the　smart　economy　context,　no　theoretical　framework　exists　for　analyzing　factors　that　affect　the　organizational　collaboration　degree　of　SLEC.　This　study　fills　this　gap.　©　2020,　Emerald　Publishing　Limited.