Antecedents, mechanisms and effects of synchromodal freight transport: a conceptual framework from a systematic literature review
The International Journal of Logistics Management
ISSN: 0957-4093
Article publication date: 14 December 2021
Issue publication date: 1 February 2022
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to offer an overview of the current state of research in a specific field of transport, namely synchromodality. This includes a conceptual discussion of this innovative transport concept to differentiate it from previous concepts as well as the identification of the antecedents, mechanisms and effects of synchromodality.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper combines systematic and content analysis-based approaches to literature review to analyse and synthesise a final sample of 88 publications related to synchromodality.
Findings
Synchromodality is a transport concept in its infancy which suffers from ambiguous definitions and a lack of theoretical grounding. The paper identifies four mechanisms which differentiate synchromodality from other transport concepts: real-time switching, integrated network planning, horizontal collaboration and mode-free booking. Seven technical and six managerial antecedents for these mechanisms of synchromodality are defined.
Research limitations/implications
Existing research on synchromodality is largely focused on technical antecedents (e.g. information and communication technology, sophisticated planning systems). Suggestions for further research include managerial problems such as business models or measures to induce a mental shift and trust.
Originality/value
This paper gives a structured overview of the research field of synchromodality and presents existing research from a content-focused perspective. It also indicates opportunities for future research and contributes to a generally accepted understanding of synchromodality.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This research is part of the research field ‘sustainable transport systems’ which was funded by the State of Upper Austria as part of the research program ‘FTI Struktur Land Oberösterreich’.
Citation
Pfoser, S., Kotzab, H. and Bäumler, I. (2022), "Antecedents, mechanisms and effects of synchromodal freight transport: a conceptual framework from a systematic literature review", The International Journal of Logistics Management, Vol. 33 No. 1, pp. 190-213. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJLM-10-2020-0400
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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