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Truck-sharing challenges for hinterland trucking companies: A case of the empty container truck trips problem

Samsul Islam (Information Systems and Operations Management, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand)
Tava Olsen (Information Systems and Operations Management, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand)

Business Process Management Journal

ISSN: 1463-7154

Article publication date: 1 April 2014

3340

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to explore the challenges of truck-sharing and effective ways of dealing with those in achieving supply chain collaboration and collaboration in transportation management (e.g. transport collaboration) for transport capacity expansion, and reducing carbon emission and traffic congestion for integrating environmental and social sustainability issues. This paper also reveals insights into successful shared-transportation and a reduction in empty trips.

Design/methodology/approach

This exploratory qualitative study was conducted by means of interviewing road carriers from the container transportation industry.

Findings

In a truck-sharing initiative, technical issues (e.g. carrying capacity) arise, some of which involve the container truck and some involving constraints that cannot be controlled, such as driving restrictions, seaport operating hours, and the presence of the large number of container categories pertaining to the industry. Therefore, a significant amount of “structural empty running” may always prevail. It should also be noted that some, seemingly vital, constraints can actually be changed, treated, or modified for better truck-sharing outcomes, such as building a foundation of trust and establishing coordination among road carriers.

Practical implications

A probable solution to the problem of increasing hinterland transport capacity is to make appropriate use of the huge number of idle truck slots that exist; this could be achieved by encouraging the acceptance of the challenges of truck-sharing realistically and suggesting an approach to handling them.

Originality/value

To broaden its appeal, truck-sharing initiatives must be able to overcome challenges by combining theoretical insight with an understanding of the practical aspects of such an endeavor. This original research fosters knowledge that is unique and which also has real-life applications in maritime logistics studies and supply chain literature for both port authorities and container road carriers.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Executive Officer Nicola Tapper of National Road Carriers (New Zealand's leading transport association) for her contribution and help in this research. The authors would also like to thank Dr M. Daud Ahmed for his comments and suggestions.

Citation

Islam, S. and Olsen, T. (2014), "Truck-sharing challenges for hinterland trucking companies: A case of the empty container truck trips problem", Business Process Management Journal, Vol. 20 No. 2, pp. 290-334. https://doi.org/10.1108/BPMJ-03-2013-0042

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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