Keeping goods moving in the wake of a disaster: a qualitative study of intermodal transport
The International Journal of Logistics Management
ISSN: 0957-4093
Article publication date: 28 February 2023
Issue publication date: 2 January 2024
Abstract
Purpose
This paper examines what facilitates the swift reconfiguration of freight movements across transport modes in the wake of a major disaster.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative research approach focussing on the New Zealand (NZ) domestic freight transport operations in the wake of the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake is used with data collected through 19 interviews with 27 informants. The interviews are thematically analysed by using the framework method.
Findings
The paper provides rich and detailed descriptions of the ability of a freight transport system to recover from a disaster through rapid modal shifts. This paper identifies nine factors enabling modular transport operations and highlights the critical role of physical, digital, operational and inter-organisational interconnectivity in the aftermath of a disaster.
Originality/value
Although the management of freight disruptions has become a prevalent topic not only in industry and policy-making circles, but also in the academic literature, qualitative research focussing on the ability of commercial freight systems to adapt and recover from a disaster through rapid modal shifts is limited. This qualitative study sheds light on the mechanisms underlying the continuity of freight operations in the wake of a disaster and provides a comprehensive understanding of modular transport operations and the ability of freight systems to keep goods moving.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This study was funded by Te Hiranga Rū QuakeCoRE, a Centre of Research Excellence (CoRE) funded by the New Zealand Tertiary Education Commission. The QuakeCoRE project ID is E6471_2020SEED02-CL and the publication number is 0640. QuakeCoRE's contribution was limited to the fund provided. QuakeCoRE did not play any role in the research process from study design to submission.
Many thanks to Amelia Lin from the University of Auckland for her help with the development of Figure 2.
Citation
L'Hermitte, C., Wotherspoon, L. and Mowll, R. (2024), "Keeping goods moving in the wake of a disaster: a qualitative study of intermodal transport", The International Journal of Logistics Management, Vol. 35 No. 1, pp. 210-232. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJLM-02-2022-0075
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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