Demand for transport services is continually changing as a result of technological developments and economic trends. There is an interaction between the requirement for transport system efficiency and the winning of new transport markets through improved transport systems. This report examines the way in which the place of transport in the economy is changing as a result of logistics. Integrated information systems are particularly important as the constant availability of information along the logistics chain will improve marketing efficiency. Consideration is given to how individual transport systems included in logistics operations decide which information technology is most appropriate for creating the respective information chains and how they are organised. Individual carrier systems and jointly organised systems are discussed. The author suggests that demand for transport services is becoming more important as a result of the logistical approach. Implementing a firm's logistical role is only possible by improving the quality of the transport services in the chain and this must be done by using information systems to plan, control and monitor individual logistical operations.
Abstract