Is transport subcontracting a barrier to modal shift? Empirical evidence from Germany in the context of horizontal transshipment technologies

Abstract

Guided by the theory of organizational path dependence, this paper explores whether transport subcontracting might be a barrier to modal shift from road transport to combined transport if access to combined transport is enabled by horizontal transshipment technologies. In this paper, we attempt to evaluate the path dependence of two different groups of forwarders based on the quantitative data derived from web-based questionnaires conducted in Germany in the spring of 2011. We find that the willingness to shift transport modes is significantly higher if forwarders use their own semi-trailers rather than subcontracting with a transport fleet. Our study contributes to the literature by providing an empirical investigation into the building of organizational paths.