Loadspace Shipment Sharing in Road Freight Communities

Purpose: Road freight transport is one of the principal generators of Swiss traffic jam costs, accounts for significant CO2 emissions, is under high margin pressure, and has significant unutilized loadspaces. Despite the fleet operators use of tools such as transport management systems, and join general cargo cooperations to increase their efficiency, the issue of unutilized loadspaces remains significant. Especially, small and medium-sized fleet operators have to tap further efficiency potentials through network effects of the fleet operator community. This could be achieved through a sharing concept such as the loadspace shipment sharing in fleet operator communities. As no such sharing concept is known, this thesis has researched and developed the loadspace shipment-sharing concept for fleet operator communities. Design/methodology/approach: Since a research and development methodology for the load-space shipment sharing could not be found, this thesis has developed a suitable and robust research and development approach. In the first step, the loadspace shipment sharings con-cept elements are derived via a design science research-led approach. In the second step, the concept elements are elaborated via an action research-led approach. Findings: The research and development of the loadspace shipment sharing have resulted in eight concept elements, which are divided into business model-relevant and other elements. The transparency builds the foundation of the sharing concept, enabling the fleet operators to tap the community-based efficiency potential. Additionally, the elaborated business model-relevant and other concept elements are required to achieve the desired increase in loadspace utilization in the fleet operating communities. Research limitations: The developed and applied research and development methodology is considered suitable and robust. The qualitative research approach, however, is limitated by its sample size, geographic focus and subjective interpretation. By conducting additional inter-views and focus group dicussions, further insights into the sharing concept could be gained and integrated into the concept. Theoretical and practical implications: On one hand, the developed research and development methodology is suggested for inclusion in the literature for future research and development regarding sharing concepts. On the other hand, the elaborated loadspace shipment-sharing concept is recommended to managers of small and medium-sized fleet operators for imple-mentation to ease their challenging situation. Originality/value: Loadspace shipment sharing represents an innovation since it differentiates itself from existing efficiency-increasing concepts, such as general cargo cooperation or freight exchange. The developed methodology and elaborated sharing concept reflect high originality, as these could not yet be identified in literature or practice. Whereas the developed methodology contributes to the literature, the elaborated sharing concept brings relief to small and medium-sized fleet operators operations that are under high margin pressure.

Purpose: Road freight transport is one of the principal generators of Swiss traffic jam costs, accounts for significant CO2 emissions, is under high margin pressure, and has significant unutilized loadspaces. Despite the fleet operators use of tools such as transport management systems, and join general cargo cooperations to increase their efficiency, the issue of unutilized loadspaces remains significant. Especially, small and medium-sized fleet operators have to tap further efficiency potentials through network effects of the fleet operator community. This could be achieved through a sharing concept such as the loadspace shipment sharing in fleet operator communities. As no such sharing concept is known, this thesis has researched and developed the loadspace shipment-sharing concept for fleet operator communities. Design/methodology/approach: Since a research and development methodology for the load-space shipment sharing could not be found, this thesis has developed a suitable and robust research and development approach. In the first step, the loadspace shipment sharings con-cept elements are derived via a design science research-led approach. In the second step, the concept elements are elaborated via an action research-led approach. Findings: The research and development of the loadspace shipment sharing have resulted in eight concept elements, which are divided into business model-relevant and other elements. The transparency builds the foundation of the sharing concept, enabling the fleet operators to tap the community-based efficiency potential. Additionally, the elaborated business model-relevant and other concept elements are required to achieve the desired increase in loadspace utilization in the fleet operating communities. Research limitations: The developed and applied research and development methodology is considered suitable and robust. The qualitative research approach, however, is limitated by its sample size, geographic focus and subjective interpretation. By conducting additional inter-views and focus group dicussions, further insights into the sharing concept could be gained and integrated into the concept. Theoretical and practical implications: On one hand, the developed research and development methodology is suggested for inclusion in the literature for future research and development regarding sharing concepts. On the other hand, the elaborated loadspace shipment-sharing concept is recommended to managers of small and medium-sized fleet operators for imple-mentation to ease their challenging situation. Originality/value: Loadspace shipment sharing represents an innovation since it differentiates itself from existing efficiency-increasing concepts, such as general cargo cooperation or freight exchange. The developed methodology and elaborated sharing concept reflect high originality, as these could not yet be identified in literature or practice. Whereas the developed methodology contributes to the literature, the elaborated sharing concept brings relief to small and medium-sized fleet operators operations that are under high margin pressure.