Evaluating the Suitability of Crowd-Shipping Platforms for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

Anuj Mittal (), Amy A. Marusak, Caroline C. Krejci (), Narjes Sadeghiamirshahidi and K. Jamie Rogers
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Anuj Mittal: Iowa Valley Resource Conservation and Development, 920 48th Avenue, Amana, IA 52203, USA
Amy A. Marusak: Department of Industrial, Manufacturing and Systems Engineering, The University of Texas at Arlington, Box 19017, Arlington, TX 76019, USA
Caroline C. Krejci: Department of Industrial, Manufacturing and Systems Engineering, The University of Texas at Arlington, Box 19017, Arlington, TX 76019, USA
Narjes Sadeghiamirshahidi: Department of Industrial, Manufacturing and Systems Engineering, The University of Texas at Arlington, Box 19017, Arlington, TX 76019, USA
K. Jamie Rogers: Department of Industrial, Manufacturing and Systems Engineering, The University of Texas at Arlington, Box 19017, Arlington, TX 76019, USA

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 21, 1-18

Abstract: Crowd-shipping platforms have the potential to serve as flexible and low-cost logistics solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which tend to have proportionally higher logistics costs than large companies. By increasing visibility and access to underutilized vehicle capacity, crowd-shipping platforms can offer lower rates than traditional delivery services. Leveraging excess capacity on premeditated delivery trips can also improve logistics efficiency and reduce emissions. However, high platform fees, insufficient carriers, and difficulty finding suitable platforms are common barriers to widespread adoption. This research evaluates the degree to which existing commercial crowd-shipping platforms can provide suitable transportation solutions for SMEs. A systematic search yielded 400 platforms, which were evaluated for SME suitability by requesting quotes for delivery service from each platform, based on typical shipping requirements of two agriculture-based SMEs in Texas. The responses and quotes that were received, as well as feedback from the case study SMEs, indicate that most existing platforms are unlikely to meet the needs of SME shippers. The results suggest ways in which crowd-shipping platform managers could take advantage of this market opportunity by tailoring the services and features of their platforms to better meet the expectations of SMEs.

Keywords: crowd-shipping platforms; small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs); regional food systems; transportation; sustainable development goals (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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