On-Demand Warehousing Platforms: Evolution and Trend Analysis of an Industrial Sharing Economy Model

Valerio Elia, Maria Grazia Gnoni and Fabiana Tornese ()
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Valerio Elia: Department of Engineering for Innovation, University of Salento, Campus Ecotekne, Via per Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy
Maria Grazia Gnoni: Department of Engineering for Innovation, University of Salento, Campus Ecotekne, Via per Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy
Fabiana Tornese: Department of Engineering for Innovation, University of Salento, Campus Ecotekne, Via per Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy

Logistics, 2024, vol. 8, issue 4, 1-16

Abstract: Background : The on-demand warehousing (ODW) model is emerging as a platform-enabled logistics solution based on resource sharing for businesses needing storage space. It is based on a business-to-business marketplace where companies can provide (or request) storage services with an elevated level of flexibility. The literature focusing on this topic is still scarce, and while the potential advantages of such a model seem quite clear, challenges and criticalities need to be further explored. Methods : Starting from a state-of-the-art analysis of ODW, a two-step methodology was adopted: first, a SWOT analysis was conducted to help summarize the challenges related to this emerging model. Then, an exploratory analysis of multiple case studies was employed to provide a first discussion on the advantages and criticalities of this model, highlighting its latest evolution. Results : The ODW model is still evolving, as several former pure ODW platforms have been changing their business model to become on-demand 4PLs (defined as “mixed ODW-4PLs”), adapting their core activities to manage the criticalities of on-demand services. Conclusions : This study represents the first attempt to investigate benefits and criticalities of ODW models, outlining the latest trend of ODW and identifying two distinct types of ODW model currently present on the market.

Keywords: on-demand warehousing; digital platforms; logistics services; sharing economy; industrial sharing economy; storage; exploratory analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: L8 L80 L81 L86 L87 L9 L90 L91 L92 L93 L98 L99 M1 M10 M11 M16 M19 R4 R40 R41 R49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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