Why do some sustainable urban logistics innovations fail? The case of collection and delivery points

Combined with current trends in e-commerce, demand for urban logistic services are putting significant pressure on the environment. While some European examples show that collection-and-delivery points (CDPs) offer a sustainable solution, this is not always the case. This paper explores the mechanisms that support CDPs as sustainable urban logistics innovations while providing viable market offerings. To do so, it analyses a failure case using multiple data sources, such as a consumer survey, interviews and secondary data. Using diffusion of innovations (DoI) theory, the study explains how CDP failed in a developing market setting. Sustainable logistics innovations fail due to both supply chain-related and market-related factors. Significant factors on the supply chain side include network structures, IT integration and diverse value propositions while the market side includes consumer market characteristics, regulations, security issues and convenience of existing alternatives. Important factors for success include looking for horizontal collaboration opportunities, building strong network partnerships with customers and distribution channel actors. CDPs should be positioned as sustainable solutions and complemented with other urban logistics services to diversify the value proposition

Assessing the inequalities in access to online delivery services and the way COVID-19 pandemic affects marginalization

This paper discusses the importance of incorporating online home delivery services (OHDS) into the concept of accessibility and marginalization. The authors propose a method to quantify access to OHDS and assess levels of\ua0inequalities\ua0in access to OHDS using data from OHDS providers in the pharmaceutical and food sectors, as well as from transport operators delivering parcels. The V\ue4stra G\uf6taland Region in the West coast of Sweden is used as a case study. The results show significant inequalities in access to OHDS. Moreover, there are segments of population under a compound marginalization during the COVID-19 pandemic due to (i) limited accessibility to OHDS services, (ii) high incidence of COVID-19 cases in their area that makes physical visits to a store a risk activity, and (iii) high vulnerability (e.g., high share of individuals older than 65). These results reveal a need for the public sector to prioritize innovations in services that target specific clusters of the population that are vulnerable and marginalized, but also shows the imminent risk for some of these segments during the pandemic

Sustainable brand positioning by container shipping firms: Evidence from social media communications

This study contributes to shipping research by profiling container shipping lines with respect to their sustainability related brand positioning strategies through their social media communications. Longitudinal content analysis is combined with multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) to map branding strategies of selected lines in relation to the triple bottom line (TBL) dimensions and functional versus emotional sustainability benefits. Results indicate that shipping lines position their brands closer to either economic or environmental sustainability where a win-win focus in the messages is highly prevalent. Social sustainability constitutes a market gap and an opportunity for the sustainability positioning of these brands. Furthermore, despite a few that recognize the potential in emotional benefits, majority of the lines use functional sustainability benefits in brand positioning. Emotional sustainability benefits provide wider opportunities with respect to brand differentiation and effective customer engagement in shipping lines’ sustainability initiatives

An ICT-based start-up entering maritime logistics networks: facilitation of value cocreation patterns

Purpose: This study aims to explore how a start-up entering maritime logistics networks (MLNs) in the container shipping industry integrates resources underlying value cocreation patterns in these networks. Design/methodology/approach: The paper is based on a single case study of a technological start-up, providing tracking, tracing and other information services to MLN members using internet-based software. An interorganizational theory perspective informs the case study to unveil the resource integration for value cocreation in the network. Findings: The start-up holds multiple resource interaction roles and the start-up’s involvement enables the creation of new knowledge resources, which facilitate new revenue streams and manage resource dependencies. Hence, the findings indicate that the start-up changes value cocreation patterns in the network by reconfiguring and integrating existing resources so that the service is customized for various customers, including shippers and freight forwarders. Practical implications: The results provide insights about how technological start-ups can unlock resources within MLNs. Originality/value: The study extends previous studies on resource roles in business networks and shows how start-ups can perform multiple roles simultaneously within these networks. In addition, the study contributes to the literature by studying information and knowledge as resources configured in different ways in a unique network setting

Logistics service providers\u27 energy efficiency initiatives for environmental sustainability

Purpose: This paper discusses logistics service providers\u27 (LSPs’) energy efficiency initiatives for sustainable development, both from an evolutionary perspective and based on a framework consisting of actions, processes (i.e. at the operations interface) and services (i.e. at the customer interface). Design/methodology/approach: Following a qualitative research design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with sustainability managers at LSPs and the data were analysed via inductive coding. Based on the results and the literature, the authors developed a maturity model for LSPs\u27 transitions to environmental sustainability. Findings: LSPs\u27 sustainable development occurs via operational processes, services at the customer interface, and actions that support those processes and services. Energy efficiency efforts are characterised by process depth that helps LSPs to align with their customers\u27 energy efficiency improvement processes. While services related to energy efficiency connect LSPs and their customers, actions in support vary depending on the logistics activities in which LSPs participate. Research limitations/implications: Further research is needed to test and verify the maturity model and to clarify the interdependency of its three dimensions. Practical implications: By categorising energy efficiency initiatives and proposing a maturity model for LSPs\u27 sustainable development via energy efficiency, the authors have developed a tool for logistics actors to assess their progress towards improved sustainability. Originality/value: The paper contributes to the literature by providing a three-pillar framework to understand the sustainability transitions of LSPs through energy efficiency. Developing a maturity model using this framework also contributes to the literature with an approach to assess sustainability advancement in the logistics industry

Drivers and Barriers for Inland Waterway Transportation

Inland waterway transportation (IWT) in Sweden could be a substitute for road transports with the prospects of improving the environmental performance. Sweden currently has no systematic strategies or policies for transports on inland waterways (IWW), and despite available capacity the waterways are barely utilized. In the Netherlands, for example, the IWW capacity is embedded in the transport system and utilized to a large extent. For a successful modal shift it is important to understand the drivers and barriers for the shift and develop strategies to leverage the drivers and mitigate the barriers. This study aims to identify drivers and barriers for IWT based on successful benchmark cases in the Netherlands. Furthermore, based on the learning from these benchmarks the study aims to point out strategic actions for Sweden regarding IWT. The data for this study was collected from IWT organizations, shippers and local administrations in the Netherlands. The results showed that main drivers for IWT are congestion relief, cost reduction and lower environmental impact. On the other hand, main barriers are slow pace of development, high investment costs and poor hinterland connectivity. For a successful modal shift in Sweden, it is crucial to prepare governmental support, a change in stakeholders’ mindset, decisive attitude to modal shift process and a strong long-term perspective

Assessing the eco-efficiency benefits of empty container repositioning strategies via dry ports

Trade imbalances and global disturbances generate mismatches in the supply and demand of empty containers (ECs) that elevate the need for empty container repositioning (ECR). This research investigated dry ports as a potential means to minimize EC movements, and thus reduce costs and emissions. We assessed the environmental and economic effects of two ECR strategies via dry ports—street turns and extended free temporary storage—considering different scenarios of collaboration between shipping lines with different levels of container substitution. A multiparadigm simulation combined agent-based and discrete-event modelling to represent flows and estimate kilometers travelled, CO2 emissions, and costs resulting from combinations of ECR strategies and scenarios. Full ownership container substitution combined with extended free temporary storage at the dry port (FTDP) most improved ECR metrics, despite implementation challenges. Our results may be instrumental in increasing shipping lines’ collaboration while reducing environmental impacts in up to 32 % of the inland ECR emissions