Transport and Logistics in a Globalizing World

A Focus on Italy

verfasst von: Ilaria Mariotti

Verlag: Springer International Publishing

Buchreihe : SpringerBriefs in Applied Sciences and Technology

Enthalten in: Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" , Springer Professional "Technik" , Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

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Über dieses Buch

Globalization of the economy, fragmentation of the production process, increasing externalization of TNCs activities through their global value chains and the widespread adoption of Just-in-Time have increased the flows of raw materials, intermediate goods and finished products, with a direct effect on the transport and logistics industry. This industry, indeed, plays a key role in connecting the different import and export markets and the vertically disaggregated components of production system, which are widespread in the world. The existing literature on transport and logistics is mainly focused on engineering research, transportation economics and management studies, disregarding the view of regional economics, which relates with the impact of economics on space, and therefore, on the impact of internationalisation on a specific industry – transport and logistics and its effects on space. The present book aims to fill the gap in the existing literature by presenting the state of the art of the impact of globalisation and internationalisation of the economy on this industry and focusing on the case of Italy.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Frontmatter

Chapter 1. Transport and Logistics in a Globalizing World: An Appraisal

Abstract

The globalization of the economy, together with the consumer-oriented economy, Internet-based information systems, the substantial reductions in trade barriers, tariffs and transportation costs, and the European Traffic Policy, have increased the amount of goods flows to be moved around the globe. This has generated growing demand for transport and logistics activities, which since the 1950s have changed greatly in order to respond to customers’ needs. Within this context, the present book investigates the interrelations between “transport and logistics” and “globalization” by analyzing the literature on these topics produced by various disciplines. This introductory chapter draws the boundaries of the book by presenting its aim, providing a definition of the key concepts: “transport and logistics industry” and “globalization”, and by briefly reviewing the contents of the chapters.

Ilaria Mariotti

Chapter 2. Location Determinants of Transport and Logistics FDIs. A Focus on China and Italy

Abstract

One of the core questions regarding MNEs is where their different operations take place. Nevertheless, the locations of MNEs has so far been largely neglected, and even more so the locations of transport and logistics MNEs. The present chapter presents a review of the studies investigating the location determinants of inward transport and logistics FDIs by focusing on two countries: China and Italy. The location determinants are very similar to those of manufacturing, however, a key role is played by transport infrastructures, good transport networks, an efficient bureaucracy as regards administrative and customs procedures, and a high degree of government regulation.

Ilaria Mariotti

Chapter 3. Integration Strategies and the Related Drivers. A Focus on Inward FDIs in Italy

Abstract

MNEs operations abroad—by means of green field or brown field investments—can take the form of horizontal (H), vertical (V) and conglomerate (C) integrations (Is). These are driven by several motives that can vary from increasing market power to high capital returns. After a review of the literature on this topic, the present chapter focuses on integration strategies undertaken by foreign MNEs in the transport and logistics industry in Italy in the period 2000–2010. It results that horizontal integrations prevail, and are driven by increasing or defending market shares, and economies of scale’ achievement. The main purpose of vertical integrations is the extension of the range of supplied services, which makes that it is possible to achieve competitive advantages, economies of scale and scope, and to cut transaction costs. Finally, there are various factors at the basis of the reasons for conglomerate integrations, above all, achieve economies of scale, and reduce transaction costs.

Ilaria Mariotti

Chapter 4. Domestic and Foreign Logistics Firms. How Heterogeneity Affects Firm Performance

Abstract

Foreign multinational enterprises (FMNEs) perform better than domestic uni-national (DOM) firms for a number of performance indicators and international firms tend to be larger, more likely to adopt new technologies, achieve higher productivity, and pay higher wages than domestic firms. Studies on firm heterogeneity by ownership mainly refer to the manufacturing sector, while little evidence is provided for other sectors, and specifically transport and logistics. After a literature review on the studies on manufacturing, the present chapter focuses on the transport and logistics industry, investigating whether and to what extent firm heterogeneity by ownership affects firm performance in Italy in 2002–2005. The results show that FMNEs are larger-sized, show a higher returns on capital, are more efficient, and, therefore, are more profitable than their domestic (DOM) counterparts. Besides, they are less willing to invest in premises than DOM firms because they may be ‘footloose’, thus investing in the short run.

Ilaria Mariotti

Chapter 5. The Effects of Manufacturing Internationalization on Transport and Logistics. Empirical Evidence on Italy

Abstract

The internationalization of production, in all its forms, exhibits direct and indirect effects on the transport and logistics operations at the level of the home country: that is, from where the manufacturing investment departs. The present chapter disentangles these effects, and presents the results of the few studies on this topic. It results that the internationalization of production increases the demand for employees in the transport and logistics industry, thus showing a rise to the strong outsourcing of such activities to logistics providers located at least in the same region.

Ilaria Mariotti

Chapter 6. Conclusions

Abstract

This concluding chapter briefly reviews the arguments previously presented, and draws policy implications with specific regard to the effects of inward transport and logistics FDIs on the host country. Moreover, further research is advocated with the twofold purpose of fostering more research in regional science on the issues concerning transport and logistics in a globalizing world, and of enhancing an interdisciplinary debate on these issues.

Ilaria Mariotti

Backmatter

Titel: Transport and Logistics in a Globalizing World
verfasst von: Ilaria Mariotti
Verlag: Springer International Publishing
Electronic ISBN: 978-3-319-00011-4
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-00010-7
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-00011-4