Applying social acceptance theory to urban logistics: Insights and research priorities

Planning for urban logistics innovations is increasingly considered as part of broader transport and urban planning, amplifying the complexity of these planning processes. In this research note, we apply social acceptance (SA) theory, traditionally applied to energy technologies, to understand the complexity surrounding adoption of urban logistics innovations by different segments of society. The theory encompasses three dimensions: socio-political acceptance, community acceptance and market acceptance, which are essential for the successful adoption of new technologies by providing insights on stakeholder interests. We illustrate this application through Seamless, a structured process which supports sustainable logistics innovation while addressing social acceptance. Seamless employs stakeholder mapping, qualitative governance analysis, stakeholder needs identification and survey data methods. Employed in four Living Labs, Seamless illustrates the value of SA, while also confronting the reality that logistics stakeholders tend to focus on market and socio-political acceptance and engaging community stakeholders directly can be challenging. We see SA as a promising approach for urban logistics innovations worthy of further exploration.