Title: Factors affecting the competitiveness of the Australian rail sector: a systems approach to improving service quality

Authors: Hadi Ghaderi; Stephen Cahoon; Hong-Oanh Nguyen

Addresses: Department of Maritime and Logistics Management, National Centre for Ports and Shipping, Australian Maritime College, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Tasmania; Department of Business Technology and Entrepreneurship, Swinburne Business School, Faculty of Business and Law, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia ' Department of Maritime and Logistics Management, National Centre for Ports and Shipping, Australian Maritime College, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia ' Department of Maritime and Logistics Management, National Centre for Ports and Shipping, Australian Maritime College, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia

Abstract: The productivity of rail freight transport in Australia is hampered by various impediments. These include infrastructure constraints, commercial barriers, and inconsistent standards and policy, all of which influence the quality attributes of the rail freight service in different ways. Therefore, in order to develop strategies to make rail an attractive mode of transport, it is critical to identify these impediments and assess their relevant influence on the quality of rail service. By adopting a systems approach to competitiveness, this research aims to empirically examine the impact of impediments faced by the rail sector. This approach is beneficial as it: 1) identifies the distinct impact of each impediment on the different freight service attributes (FSA); 2) provides important insights to improve the rail service quality; 3) aims to assist government and industry to develop informed transportation and infrastructure planning decision making by identifying the poorer performing areas of system. The analysis identified the key factors influencing the quality of different FSAs relating to: 1) infrastructure management; 2) interoperability; 3) organisational and commercial relationships. The implications derived from this study indicate that the freight rate is still a key area for rail to achieve competitive advantage considering the market characteristics.

Keywords: rail freight; intermodal transport; competitiveness; freight logistics; rail stakeholders; competitiveness; Australia; railway industry; systems approach; service quality; freight transport; infrastructure management; interoperability; organisational relationships; commercial relationships.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLSM.2017.081960

International Journal of Logistics Systems and Management, 2017 Vol.26 No.3, pp.294 - 315

Received: 22 Oct 2015
Accepted: 06 Dec 2015

Published online: 31 Jan 2017 *

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