Improving efficiency and sustainability in freight transport increasingly requires closer cooperation between logistics actors. However, collaboration between competing companies—known as horizontal logistics collaboration—remains relatively limited in practice.
A recent scientific publication produced within the TRACE project examines this challenge by analysing the drivers and obstacles influencing collaboration among logistics service providers.
Understanding collaboration in the logistics sector
The study focuses on logistics providers operating in Slovenia, a market characterised by a large number of small and medium-sized companies. Through a survey conducted with 71 logistics firms, the research explored how companies perceive the benefits and risks of working together with competitors.
To analyse the results, the researchers applied the COM-B behavioural framework, which examines how three key elements influence organisational behaviour:
- Capability – the skills and resources required to collaborate
- Opportunity – external conditions enabling collaboration
- Motivation – incentives and perceived benefits
Key drivers for collaboration
The study shows that logistics companies clearly recognise several potential advantages of horizontal collaboration. Among the strongest motivations identified are:
- Cost reduction through shared operations
- Improved vehicle utilisation and reduced empty runs
- More efficient logistics processes
These benefits align closely with broader efforts to create more sustainable freight transport systems, reducing both operational costs and environmental impact.
Key barriers that still limit cooperation
Despite these potential benefits, companies remain cautious about collaborating with competitors. The research highlights several important conditions that must be addressed to enable successful partnerships, including:
- Transparent logistics processes
- Fair distribution of resources and economic benefits
- Protection of company reputation
- Strong trust between collaborating partners
These findings underline that collaboration challenges are not only technical or economic, but also behavioural and organisational.
Relevance for TRACE
Understanding the behavioural factors behind logistics collaboration is highly relevant for the TRACE project, which aims to support more efficient, digital, and sustainable logistics systems.
By identifying the motivations and concerns of logistics providers, this research contributes valuable insights that can help design collaborative logistics solutions, governance mechanisms, and digital platforms that are more likely to be adopted by industry stakeholders.
Ultimately, fostering trust, transparency, and fair cooperation models will be key to unlocking the full potential of collaborative logistics and supporting the transition towards more sustainable freight transport networks.
Read the publication
The full scientific article is available here: Obstacles and Drivers of Sustainable Horizontal Logistics Collaboration: Analysis of Logistics Providers’ Behaviour in Slovenia