Distribution Networks in Transition

Abstract

The overall objective of the DNet project has been to develop concepts, models, and methods for helping firms in reconsidering their role and position in a supply chain. In the project we have chosen to focus on three industries or settings: the electronics waste industry (EE-waste), the car industry, and the fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry, or rather segments of these industries. The focus of the study has been on logistics service providers, and more specifically on logistics service providers as actors in a distribution network.

Two basic descriptive research approaches has been applied in the project as far as the empirical studies are concerned. One approach was studies of the industry structure in relation to the participating companies. By this approach, the intention was to describe the industry at a more general level, the transition processes in the industry, driving forces for changing positions, trends and patterns concerning the transition etc. The second approach was more focused studies of the distribution networks in which the participating companies take part. By this approach, we intended to explore issues concerning properties of distribution networks, contingencies for design of logistics and distribution networks, embeddedness as a contingency for specialization and integration etc.