The lack of a sound conceptualization of logistics centres originates from the variety in temporal and spatial approaches. In transportation chains, path-breaking trends in market needs, technological innovations and institutional changes, as well as the place specificity of logistics centres embedded in various national contexts inevitably led to a substantial theoretical ambiguity.
PortEconomics members Theo Notteboom, Francesco Parola, Giovanni Satta, along with Marcello Risitano (University of Naples “Parthenope”, Italy) aim to disentangle the conceptual ambiguity around the notion of logistics centre. Their latest port study proposes an overarching framework that categorizes different types of infrastructure and identifies their distinctive components. They consolidated prior fragmented works and identified suitable criteria for classifying logistics centres. The functional criterion is proposed as a cornerstone for building a sound conceptualization of these infrastructures. By capturing the distinctive characteristics of each type of logistics centre, the study proposes an original and comprehensive taxonomy, which emphasizes commonalities and specificities of various infrastructures. Also provides a contribution to literature by sketching out a trustworthy conceptualization of logistics centres. In addition, the outcomes bring insightful implications for researchers, policy makers and practitioners.
The port study published in the volume 37, issue 3 of the scientific journal Transport Reviews.
You can freely download the authors’ version @PortEconomics.
