Viable business models for city logistics: exploring the cost structure and revenue streams of fourteen European cases

This paper examines the role of the business model in city logistics, specifically focusing on cost structures and revenue streams. City logistics aims to manage urban goods movement while balancing environmental and societal impacts with economic development. The complexity of this field necessitates effective management, and scholars recognize the business model as a valuable tool for capturing system components and predicting changes. While the value proposition, revenue streams, and customer relationships are acknowledged as core components, there is limited understanding of cost structures and revenue streams. To address this gap, qualitative and empirical data from 14 European city logistics projects were analysed. The findings highlight the importance of integrating cost structures and revenue streams into the business model for sustainable and financially viable city logistics initiatives. This research enhances our understanding of business models in city logistics and offers insights for practitioners and policymakers involved in urban freight management.