Identifying competitive strategies for each phase of the intermodal terminal life cycle

Monios, Jason; Bergqvist, Rickard

Abstract

This paper applies the marketing strategy literature to the four phases of the intermodal terminal life cycle (ITLC) to identify the appropriate competitive strategy to be undertaken at each phase, based on fluctuating markets and competitor behaviour. Not only can applying the correct strategy at each phase help to obtain a competitive advantage, but anticipating future strategies in advance can underpin the success of current strategies and ensure that both public and private stakeholders are prepared for future challenges.

The paper derives the appropriate strategies, provides empirical examples and discusses the opportunities and challenges inherent in each strategy. The paper concludes with suggestions for future research on strategy options that go beyond the traditional view of terminals as homogeneous interchangeable assets. Rather than simple improvement of factor conditions by investing in the infrastructure, innovative strategies to obtain competitive advantage should focus on partnerships with external stakeholders such as rail operators, 3PLs and shippers.

Free download until 7th May 2017: https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1UkLi7sdbMeOvO

Citation

Monios, J., & Bergqvist, R. (2017). Identifying competitive strategies for each phase of the intermodal terminal life cycle. Research in Transportation Business and Management, 23, 97-105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rtbm.2017.02.007

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 15, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Feb 20, 2017
• Publication Date: 2017-06
• Deposit Date: Mar 21, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 21, 2018
• Journal: Research in Transportation Business & Management
• Print ISSN: 2210-5395
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 23
• Pages: 97-105
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rtbm.2017.02.007
• Keywords: Marketing strategy; Business model; Governance; Intermodal freight transport; Intermodal terminal; Product life cycle
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/816050