Synchromodal transport vs. conventional hinterland transport: a stakeholder theory analysis

Synchromodality aims to reduce costs, emissions and delivery times by offering a flexible and adaptive mode choice and seamless integration of transport modes, both horizontally and vertically. The concept, which has hardly been applied in practice, poses significant requirements for the involved stakeholders and their interactions. However, there has been limited research on how stakeholder dynamics should be shaped and adapted compared to the conventional hinterland transport stakeholder dynamics to facilitate synchromodal transport. Our study fills this gap by presenting an overview of the stakeholders that should be involved in synchromodality, their decision-making responsibilities and relations (referred to as stakeholder dynamics), illustrated in a conceptual synchromodal stakeholder network. Then, this network is compared to the conventional port-hinterland transport stakeholder network, which is the transport chain in which synchromodality is likely to be applied. To this end, this paper analyses and integrates literature on three topics: synchromodality, stakeholder dynamics in the port-hinterland transport chain and stakeholder theory. Our analysis reveals that facilitating synchromodal transport necessitates adaptations such as the inclusion of additional stakeholder roles, the delegation of decision-making power, and the evolution towards collaborative relationships. However, examining these requirements through the lens of stakeholder theory exposes significant complexities, such as an increased risk of opportunism, thereby giving rise to the formulation of an extensive future research agenda. The findings were tested against industry experts’ views in a workshop and focus group. This analysis should enhance the understanding of synchromodal stakeholder dynamics and its challenges from a stakeholder theory perspective, contributing to further developing dynamic stakeholder management strategies.