The Potential for a Regional Electronic Logistics Marketplace: the Case of Wales

An emerging business model, known as Electronic Logistics Marketplace (ELM), is increasingly being recognised for its potential to address the issue of poor vehicle utilisation. This research investigates the feasibility of setting up a neutral government-supported regional ELM which will fully exploit the potential of such a collaborative network across industries and achieve transport optimisation at a regional level. There has been a lack of studies in this particular field. A qualitative research method is deployed. The findings suggest that while many companies are positive towards the concept of a regional ELM, mixed feelings exist in different sectors, in particular in the haulage industry. We note that most concerns and barriers are commensurate with previous generic research on ELM, although such issues as anti-competitiveness are specific to a regional ELM..