The Standardised Container: Gateway Technologies in Cargo Transport

Tinele M. Egyedi
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Tinele M. Egyedi: Department of ICT, Faqculty of Technology, Policy and Management, Delft University of Technology

Homo Oeconomicus, 2000, vol. 17, 231-262

Abstract: Large technical support systems are difficult to change. This paper explores whether gateway technologies may enhance system flexibility. It analyses the gateway characteristics of the freight container in the system of cargo transport between 1965 and 1995. A conceptual framework for standardised gateways is developed that focuses on compatibility within and between the political, operational and technical domains ('POT domains'). The International Standardisation Organisation (ISO) Series 1 container standard caused a revolution in international intermodal transport during the 1970s. But developed in parallel (e.g. pallet and swap body). Efforts to align the dimensional characteristics of these gateways failed. The ISO container had become - foremost politically - entrenched. The study concludes that both impact of the ISO container and the development of competing modes of transport indicate that standardised gateways can enhance system flexibility.

Date: 2000
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hom:homoec:v:17:y:2000:p:231-262

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