Logistics Innovation and Structural Change of Logistics Networks : The Case of Short Distance Combined Transports

Recent research and practice are dominated by the paradigm that an integration of rail transports into short distance transport chains, i.e. distances below 300 km, is economi-cally not possible. While global trends have significantly expedited performance require-ments of supply chain concepts in nearly all industries, rail and combined transport are said to be of lacking innovativeness. Present supply chains can be characterized by re-duced inventory levels and an increasing demand for flexibility and reliability. There is the common belief that combined transport cannot meet these performance requirements as unimodal road transport does. However, recent examples of innovative combined transport solutions emerge, adaptable to modern supply chain concepts. This paper presents an indicative example of a successful short distance combined transport adapted to the demanding performance requirements of a retail supply chain. We use a single case study to illustrate and discuss the structural changes of the logistics networks that may arise from these new application possibilities for combined transports. Supported by a comprehensive literature research we discuss the advantages of innovative combined transport integration into modern supply chain concepts and point out under what conditions the underlying business model may be applied in other European countries, too. The single case spans all important transport chain actors and thus, also delivers insights towards both an integrated logistics innovation management. Thus the present findings offer a starting point for further empirical research on how logistics innovation in combined transport can be managed in an integrative way.