Virtual logistics: transport in the marketspace

Abstract

While transport seems to be increasingly constrained in its mission to supply services which are continuous, costless and available in all directions, the telecommunications system seems to have no such constraints and to be developing ever more rapidly in terms of inter‐connectivity, falling costs and multi‐directionality. It would seem to be impossible to contemplate the future demand for transport in isolation from the future demand for telecommunications and the question of the optimal interaction between the two mobility modes. Reviews the benefits of the different forms of telecommunications and virtual logistics. Investigates the implications for freight logistics and the supply side of the transport industry. Suggests a way to re‐engineer the analytical framework.

Citation

Crowley, J.A. (1998), "Virtual logistics: transport in the marketspace", International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, Vol. 28 No. 7, pp. 547-574. https://doi.org/10.1108/09600039810247470