Disruptive innovation in transport and logistics

The objective of this paper is to provide some policy implications deriving from the analysis of the potential disruptive impact of ICT innovation in the European logistics service industry. Such policy implications are particularly focused on small 3PLs that are much more exposed to the negative effects of the economic downturn. The paper is organised into four sections. The following section provides an overview of the structural features of the European logistics service sector and its recent evolution. The main challenges that logistics companies will face in the near future have been also described. The third section analyse in more details the main innovation trends related to the increasing diffusion of ICT in the sector. Their potential disruptive impact has been assessed. In the concluding section, guidelines for devising targeted policy interventions specifically oriented to accelerate the adoption of ICT by small European logistics companies have been drawn.