INNOVATIVE INTERMODAL TRANSPORTATION BUSINESS MODELS FOR PERISHABLES: A SCOPING REVIEW

Garcia Barranco, Maria del Carmen and Perez Mesa, Juan Carlos and Hernández Rubio, Jesús (2025): INNOVATIVE INTERMODAL TRANSPORTATION BUSINESS MODELS FOR PERISHABLES: A SCOPING REVIEW. Published in: The Asian Journal of Shipping and Logistics , Vol. 41, No. 3 (September 2025): pp. 164-175.

Abstract

This paper presents a scoping review of the literature on innovative business models (BM) in the context of intermodal transport of perishable goods, with a particular focus on short sea shipping (SSS). It explores the ongoing reluctance of supply chain stakeholders to adopt modal shift strategies, despite well-documented environmental and social benefits. To address this challenge, the study proposes the BM concept as a strategic and operational tool to bridge the gap between vision and implementation, particularly within the agri-food sector, where supply chain management is critical. The review reveals a strong prevalence of BM oriented toward digitalization and collaboration to enhance intermodal logistics. However, it also identifies a notable gap in models that address externality reduction and improvements in service quality. Those two dimensions are especially relevant for the successful implementation of intermodal solutions for perishable products.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: Business model; innovation; intermodality; supply chain; perishables.
• Subjects: L - Industrial Organization > L9 - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities > L91 - Transportation: General; M - Business Administration and Business Economics ; Marketing ; Accounting ; Personnel Economics > M2 - Business Economics > M21 - Business Economics; O - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth > O3 - Innovation ; Research and Development ; Technological Change ; Intellectual Property Rights > O33 - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences ; Diffusion Processes; Q - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics ; Environmental and Ecological Economics > Q1 - Agriculture > Q13 - Agricultural Markets and Marketing ; Cooperatives ; Agribusiness; Q - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics ; Environmental and Ecological Economics > Q1 - Agriculture > Q18 - Agricultural Policy ; Food Policy; R - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics > R4 - Transportation Economics > R41 - Transportation: Demand, Supply, and Congestion ; Travel Time ; Safety and Accidents ; Transportation Noise

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