Actors in innovative City Logistics Networks : Individual Actors jointly forming City Logistics Networks and their Contribution towards Innovation

Background: City Logistics is experiencing many innovative activities in the recent years. These activities are initiated and enhanced by numerous public and private actors, who jointly form innovative networks. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to identify the actors, who jointly form the city logistics network, and determine their contribution towards innovation in these networks. Method: The research is based on an interview study. We conducted interviews with representatives of a variety of city logistics actors. These interviews and additional secondary data were analyzed using content analysis. To illustrate the structure of innovative city logistics networks, we used a combination of systems and network theory. Conclusion: The results show that actors from six groups are strongly involved in city logistics innovation. These are policymakers, logistics companies, shippers & receivers, technology providers, research institutions and independent platforms. Actors in innovative city logistics networks show a sufficient level of commitment, but they have different focuses in their innovative activities. The most extensive contributions are made by policymakers and logistics companies. Still, policymakers struggle in their function as coordinators of city logistics