The Contribution of Logistics in Improving the Competitiveness of the Yorkshire and the Humber Economy in the European Marketplace

This research investigates the relationship between the success of a regional economy –
particularly that of the Yorkshire and the Humber region - and the adequacy or otherwise of its logistics infrastructure and services, in order to determine how regional competitiveness can be enhanced through the provision of effective logistics services.

The theory of business cluster formation and development has been employed as a linking point between logistics and regional development. The research undertaken for the literature review and in the later stages of the original investigations has led to the identification of a number of knowledge gaps in the assessment of the transport and logistics implications of cluster development for the regional economy.

Data collection encompassed two questionnaire surveys of users and providers of freight
transport and logistics services in Yorkshire and the Humber, followed by a series of case studies. These original investigations contributed to the extension of an existing supply chain mapping technique by incorporating a regional or spatial dimension for the first time and the development of a Regional Index of Supply Chain Activity (RISCA).

The information gathered, analysed and evaluated in all stages of this research (the literature review, the surveys and case studies), when considered in its entirety, presents a conceptual framework (which can also be regarded as a decision-support tool) for identifying a best practice approach to achieving improved regional economic competitiveness through logistics. This enables regional governments to develop a much
improved understanding of the extent to which supply chains add their maximum possible value to the economies of their regions and to put in place adequate business support measures to ensure that the regional freight and logistics providers are delivering services more closely aligned to the diverse and often specialised needs of users.