Logistics as a key factor in strengthening economic competitiveness and addressing global challenges

Abstract: In the evolving landscape of the global economy, logistics has moved beyond its traditional role as a support function to emerge as a strategic driver of competitiveness, innovation, and resilience. This paper examines the transformative role of logistics within the context of globalization, emphasizing its impact on trade flows, production networks, and regional development. Drawing on empirical data and theoretical insights, the study demonstrates how logistics facilitate spatial, market, and economic integration, serving as a connective tissue across borders, sectors, and systems. The European Union (EU) is analyzed as a case study, illustrating how logistics infrastructure, modal shifts, and policy frameworks have responded to and shaped globalization dynamics between 2002 and 2023. Particular focus is given to the TransEuropean Transport Network (TEN-T), the inclusion of peripheral regions, and the strategic repositioning of ports and airports within the EU’s spatial development agenda. The analysis reveals that logistics is not merely reactive to global economic shifts but actively shapes globalization through its spatial and temporal dimensions. Operationally, logistics improves cost efficiency, inventory management, and service delivery, while strategically it supports market expansion, supply chain resilience, and the diffusion of innovation. The paper concludes that nations and regions investing in logistics infrastructure, digitalization, and human capital are better positioned within global value chains. In the EU context, logistics emerges as a cornerstone of Single Market functionality and external competitiveness, with harmonized customs procedures and digital platforms playing a pivotal role. By aligning global best practices with regional planning, logistics becomes a decisive factor in shaping Europe’s economic future and its role in the global trade system. Keywords: Logistics, Globalization, Supply Chain Management, Market Competitiveness, Trade Flow